Top 100 Songs of the 1960s, #50 - 41

Mary, can you handle this? Florence, can you handle this? Diana, can you handle this? I think they can handle this.

The top 50 songs of the 1960s kicks off today and we've got some of the biggest acts in the history of popular music on display! Rolling Stone's greatest singer of all-time and Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, takes on the highest selling solo performer the world has ever seen (in concert tickets people, in concert tickets) and Queen of Rock, Tina Turner! Ray Charles and Johnny Cash, two dominant male artists that inspired Academy Award winning films make an impact and yes The Beatles are here... ... ... again. Like you're surprised. Let's get to it!

#50 - Then He Kissed Me (1963)

by The Crystals

You know The Supremes, The Shirelles, The Ronettes and The Shangri-Las. One sixties girl group that's often forgotten and generally underappreciated is The Crystals, who gave us some amazing songs like 'Then He Kissed Me.' Sure they've got that ridiculous 'Da Doo Ron Ron' song that automatically makes me think of Ronald McDonald (I have a problem, I know), but some of their much, much better songs have slipped into obscurity. Shame. Shame, shame, shame. If you like 'Then He Kissed Me,' look for songs like 'There's No Other (Like My Baby)' and 'He Hit Me (It Felt Like A Kiss).' No, that last one isn't the 60s own 'Hit Me Baby One More Time.' It's a harsh documentation of singer Little Eva's ('The Loco-Motion) abusive relationship with her boyfriend and her actual belief that he beat her out of love.

#49 - 1969 (1969)

by The Stooges

Iggy! The Stooges! Iggy and The Stooges! You get the picture. If you're ever lost for a good book to read, invest in Iggy's Open Up and Bleed. It's pretty much amazing, without the pretty much. 

#48 - You Keep Me Hangin' On (1966)

by The Supremes

No one forgets The Supremes. How could you? They were three beautiful women with perfect pop voices who could place an immovable tune in your head like no other act in the business. They became the standard for what a girl group should and could be and inspired future generations like En Vogue and Destiny's Child. Here with their eighth US #1 single and third entry on the countdown, it's The Supremes with their most covered song, 'You Keep Me Hangin' On.' Enjoy. 

#47 - All Along the Watchtower (1968)

by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

So much better than the Dylan original. Even he admits it! "I liked Jimi Hendrix's record of this and ever since he died I've been doing it that way... Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it's a tribute to him in some kind of way." Thanks for the quote, Wikipedia. Can't say I don't do research.

#46 - She Loves You (1963)

by The Beatles

Yeah... yeah... yeah. Guess which song is the highest selling Beatles UK hit? I'll give you a hint... it's this one. 

#45 - Georgia, On My Mind (1960)

by Ray Charles

#44 - Daydream Believer (1967)

by The Monkees

Have we discussed that The Monkees' lead singers name is Davy Jones? There's nothing really to say, but it makes me think about Pirates of the Caribbean and I'm really excited about the fourth movie. I love the song, but can you tell that I've got nothing to say about it? 

#43 - Ring of Fire (1963)

by Johnny Cash

One song I've got plenty to say about is 'Ring of Fire' by the late, great Johnny Cash. Mariachi horns, June Carter's powerful lyrics and Cash's understated vocal performance are all important elements that make the track so good. Um, that's actually all I have to say about it. It's good!

#42 - Think (1968)

by Aretha Franklin

It took the amazingly amazing Florence Welch's performance at the Grammys to really make me appreciate how good 'Think' is. Truly one of the best songs in Franklin's catalogue. 

#41 - River Deep, Mountain High (1966)

by Ike and Tina Turner

Those Ikettes are out of control! But they've taught me some sweet new moves to unleash on the d-floor. The Queen of Rock wins the battle, but has she won the war? Surely we'll see some more Aretha Franklin as we work our way through the list. Which team are you on; Soul or Rock?

Next time: the KING of Rock and Roll, the trippiest group of the decade and... no Beatles!!