25 killer singles that are 60 years old

JULY

“She’s Not There” by the Zombies

“She’s Not There” was the first single by the Zombies, predating their first album Begin Here by a year. Rod Argent wrote it and played the electric piano solo. Colin Blunstone sang lead. That was the formula on all of the Zombies' hits – including “Tell Her No” and “Time of the Season.”

Argent’s compositions were pop, but they also flirted with more progressive and psychedelic structures and orchestrations. Santana would have great success with “She’s Not There” but there is something beautifully delicate about the best Zombies songs, and their very first one was a perfect example.

“Wendy” by the Beach Boys

And speaking of pop songs that flirt with new ideas, we return to Brian Wilson. As with “I Get Around,” this one was co-written with Mike Love who again sang leads. This is one of their first heartbreak songs, The swagger of “I Get Around” is nowhere to be found, and that suits the soaring harmonies. Love’s leads are actually negligible. It is Brian Wilson’s falsetto that dominates the recording.

“A Hard Day’s Night/Things We Said Today” by the Beatles

And we finally get to the Beatles. Since I made you wait this long, I’m giving you a double-sided single. “A Hard Day’s Night” was as hard as the Beatles got in their early years. It was released as part of their ground-breaking feature film of the same name and became the second of three number-one songs they would have in the USA in 1964. (It was sandwiched between “Can’t Buy Me Love” and “I Feel Fine.”)

The opening chord of the song was a discordant clarion call. Wake up! Something is about to happen. For the US release, the pleasant pop of “I Should Have Known Better” was on the flip side. But in the UK, fans got “Things We Said Today,” a haunting love lament that was an early showcase of Paul McCartney’s indefatigable well of pop melodies. We’re not quite finished with the lads from Liverpool just yet.

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