20 Landmark Songs Of The 60s

10. The Kinks €“ Waterloo Sunset

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpL4xbfmXlQ Without a doubt, one of the best views in London, if not the world, is the one you can get walking across Waterloo Bridge, which takes in a view of Big Ben, the Thames, The Strand and in recent times the Tate Modern. It's arguably the most romantic bridge that you can walk across. So what better than one of the most romantic songs you will ever hear about being alone, overwhelmed by the city, but holding on to the power of a city, a love song to a city that made you? When The Kinks started out, they seemed hell bent on matching The Who power chord for power chord, and their songs had an innate punch, but unlike his counterpart Pete Townsend, in the 60's Ray Davies had a sensitivity as a songwriter that also translated to the music. His charting of the emotional climate of the time meant that there were many contenders for their defining song, for example the majestic 'Days' was a wonderfully bittersweet diary of a fleeting affair, but 'Waterloo Sunset' was not only one of the few songs to articulate London, but inspired the Britpop movement as much as The Beatles did. Ask yourself a quick question, would 'Parklife' by Blur had of existed without The Kinks? So 'Waterloo Sunset', with its end of a decade ennui not only defined a feeling of weariness, but also the happiness of solitude and provided the perfect antidote to the all-inclusive 'All you need is love' vibe, and was a wonderful demonstration that there are two sides to every cultural story.

9. The Who €“ Can't Explain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3h--K5928M The Who were a mass of contradictions. Were they pure pop purists? Were they revolutionaries? Well yes and no, they were many things besides, but first and foremost they were angry agitators and the first Heavy Metal band, who literally punched their instruments to death. Whilst 'My generation' was an important song of the 60's, it could have been written at any point in musical history, close your eyes and you can imagine The Sex Pistols singing it. 'Can't Explain' was their defining moment of the 60's. It was an incredibly important because of the music, a short, sharp punchy three chord trick, inspired the dancing scene of Mod culture and tapped into the spirit of Northern Soul. And then the words, aloof, confused yet defiant. Within its three minutes it defined an attitude, spirit and beat that showed how mod music should be delivered. There are lots of drugs references for different types of 60's music, and for Mods the drug of choice was most definitely speed. With Can't Explain, The Who tried to capture this, and define the Mod sensibility, tight, sharp, intense, narcissistic and wide eyed with a love of life and music. It's not typical dance music, but as soon as Pete Townsend, John Entwistle and Keith Moon kick into the riff it's impossible not to try a shake a leg to it.