John Lennon - The Tibetan Book of the Dead

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A collection of John Lennon’s favourite songs of the 1960s

Thu 30 January 2025 16:30, UK

For many, the 1960s for music was defined by The Beatles. Emerging from the familiar sounds of 1950s rock ‘n’ roll with a new leaning towards psychedelia, their music helped to shape the free-spirited nature of the counterculture movement while leading the charge with what could become the biggest artistic revolution of the decade. Moreover, most of this was owed to the songwriting partnership between Paul McCartney and John Lennon.

Together, McCartney and Lennon redefined the parameters of mainstream pop-rock with music and lyrics that brought an array of influences into the spotlight. Their joint vision centred on a genuine adoration for innovative boundary-pushing and pioneering nostalgic tropes, all while understanding the power of simplicity when it came to the accessibility of the masses. In other words, they resonated from the get-go, even if markets in other places like America were slightly slower on the uptake.

However, that’s not to say their impact varied widely. The moment The Beatles landed in America, audiences overseas were just as captivated by the Liverpudlian band as those in their homeland, drawn not only to the group’s universal themes but also to the charm of a charismatic four-piece driven by winning personalities and an unrelenting desire to stay true to their own artistic vision.

This is also a mantra Lennon carried throughout his entire life. At every corner, no matter the resistance he was faced with, he remained true to himself, even if it landed him in hot water. From his infamous quip about the band being more famous than Jesus to his strangely controversial relationship with Yoko Ono, Lennon only set out to follow his heart from the beginning, which likely stemmed from the musical influences he surrounded himself with.

During the 1960s, there was an undeniable host of talent on display beyond the sounds offered by The Beatles alone. Lennon mainly enjoyed the diversity, absorbing the witty cynicism of Bob Dylan’s words alongside the definitive sounds of Motown, like Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. There were also, of course, the originators of rock ‘n’ roll, like Chuck Berry, as well as one of the greatest soul pioneers of all time, Otis Redding.

Considering Lennon’s evident appreciation for the deeper sounds of soul, folk, and rhythm and blues, it’s no surprise that many of these found their way into his songwriting and broader artistic viewpoint. After all, many of these were acts and figures who also valued strength and resilience, knowing that the music industry could often attempt to box them into categories or directions they didn’t feel comfortable with.

By holding songs like ‘My Girl’, ‘You Are The Sunshine Of My Life’, ‘No Particular Place To Go’, and even Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Albatross’ close, Lennon learnt the power of genre-blending and fearless innovation from the best, allowing his passion to shape The Beatles and establish them as one of the most versatile and forward-thinking acts in history.

Even after the band’s disbandment, when Lennon ventured into his solo work, he largely used these seminal influences as a sounding board, allowing them to open doors to exploration further afield. As a result, he mastered the delicate balancing act between mainstream and experimental, proving his lifelong commitment to artistic authenticity beyond the walls of the Fab Four.

John Lennon’s favourite 1960s songs:

‘Positively Fourth Street’ – Bob Dylan
‘In the Midnight Hour’ – Wilson Pickett
‘Rescue Me’ – Fontella Bass
‘The Tracks of My Tears’ – Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
‘My Girl’ – Otis Redding
‘1-2-3’ – Len Barry
‘Hey! Baby’ – Bruce Channel
‘Daydream’ – The Lovin’ Spoonful
‘Turquoise’ – Donovan
‘No Particular Place to Go’ – Chuck Berry
‘Steppin’ Out’ – Paul Revere & the Raiders
‘Do You Believe in Magic’ – The Lovin’ Spoonful
‘Some Other Guy’ – The Big Three
‘Quarter to Three’ – Gary U.S. Bonds
‘Bring It on Home to Me’ – The Animals
‘If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody’ – James Ray with the Hutch Davie Orchestra
‘What’s So Good About Goodbye’ – The Miracles
‘Agent Double-O Soul’ – Edwin Starr
‘I’ve Been Good to You’ – The Miracles
‘Who’s Lovin’ You’ – The Miracles
‘You Are the Sunshine of My Life’ – Stevie Wonder
‘Strange Brew’ – Cream
‘Albatross’ – Fleetwood Mac