Every Friday, I’m publishing my top ten songs from a single year and this week it’s the turn of 1964.
For previous top ten tunes, please click on the year: 1960 1961 1962 1963 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
In 1964, music TV programme Top of the Pops airs for the first time, the average weekly wage is £16, the British and French government agree a deal to build the Channel Tunnel expecting it to take 5 years to build, the Queen gives birth to Prince Edward, the first purpose-built guardwara is built in the UK in Bradford, violent riots take place between Mods and Rockers on Clacton and Brighton beaches, the Great Train Robbery trials result in seven of the eleven men sentenced to 30 years in prison, BBC Two is born and and the BBC Television Service is renamed BBC One, Princess Margaret gives birth to a daughter– Sarah, the first Habitat store is opened, the first undercover shopping centre is opened in the UK in Birmingham, Malawi gains independence from the UK, the Post Office Tower in London is completed, the last executions take place in the UK, Malta obtains independence from the UK, the Olympics takes place in Tokyo, the general election takes place and Labour defeat the Conservatives making Harold Wilson Prime Minister, Northern Rhodesia becomes the independent Republic of Zambia ending 73 years of British rule, race riots takes place across the US, the civil rights act is signed by President Johnson in the US making it illegal to discriminate against anyone based not their race, religion, sex national origin or colour of their skin, Dr Martin Luther King wins the Nobel Peace Prize, Elizabeth Taylor marries Richard Burton for the first time, Nelson Mandela is sentenced to life imprisonment in South Africa and the films Dr. Stranglove, A Hard Day’s Night, Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady, Goldfinger and Zulu are all released.
So, we’re really starting to get a feel for the “British Invasion” as 7 out of these 10 acts are British. Our most British year of the 60s so far. Oh and it’s a good ‘un. Here’s my ten favourite tracks from 1964, in no particular order.
1. A Hard Day’s Night by the Beatles
ADORE this photo of the lads
2. All Day and All of the Night by the Kinks
3. I’m Into Something Good by Herman’s Hermits
4. Baby Love by the Supremes
5. I Get Around by the Beach Boys (Love them and love their slightly awkward standing around and singing)
6. Shout by Lulu (Lulu giving it 100% 60s)
7. Stay by the Hollies
8. The House of the Rising Sun by The Animals
9. Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood by Nina Simone
QUEEN
10. Downtown by Petula Clark
I’m really struggling to pick a favourite compared to all the other decades, as I seem to love them all equally each week, but if you’re really going to push me, I’ll say…the lads- The Beatles.
See you next week for 1965!
Just Another Blog From a Woman 
I will say it again, I was truly born too late. Love this music so much!
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60s music forever! Best decade ever.
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I agree
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Oooo I needed this 12 hours ago! Haha one of my kidlets is starting to read the “outsiders” and her teacher had them researching things from the 60’s so they could try to relate to that time. Movies, music, tv shows, cars, sporting events etc.
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Excellent! Love that their teacher is making them research the 60s. So much greatness went on in the 60s. Sorry it was a day to late 🙂
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I agree!! Although some of the points were to find like three racially motivated events in the 60’s which was a tough convo to have with a 12 year old lol she doesn’t understand the hatred but as an adult I don’t understand it either lol
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So true. The hatred will always be a mystery to me too!
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Simply one of the best you have put together. Though not big enough to truly remember this year in musical terms this music was played constantly during my life. A mix of my big sisters and Mothers music. It reminded me of the dancing around the kitchen; the giggles and fashion parades. Us four girls, we learnt the latest dances tried the latest makeup, swapped and made the up to date outfits. Your post gave all that back. Thank you. x
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Aah thank you SO much Ellen! That makes me very happy. Oh and I would have loved to have seen you all dancing and swapping clothes and make-up. Sounds like a wonderful sisterly 60s scene.
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We still have times around the dancette pretending we are younger, I, hoping to pass the spirit on have always Included my daughter in those moments . She has a bigger collection now than me and her friends have simular evenings around her table with a retro dancette to boot.
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Lovely x
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I love every single one of these so much couldn’t possibly choose. I ask you how diverse, Petula Clarke on one hand and Nina Simone on the other? Herman’s Hermits and the Animals. Polar opposites!
Great post.
My overall fave from 1964 has to be The Zombies and She’s not there ..did I have a crush on the singer and I was 11yrs
At school we had a concert and we had to learn a gym routine to Petula’s Downtown. We had pink silky skirts and yellow tops ….I looked awful!
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Ooooh the Zombies was my no.11, if that helps at all. They almost made my top ten. Yes, that’s what’s so great about the 60s- such diverse music- all of it great. Haha I would have liked to have seen you in your silky skirt and yellow top haha.
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I looked a real sight… It was a flaired skirt, blouson blouse with legofmutton sleeves 😥 I was short and tubby 😱😱💜
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Aaah- I bet you still looked a doll.
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Lol no way!!
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Oh, The Kinks–you can hear that song today and it still rocks!
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Definitely. They still sound great.
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That was a good year. I remember going to see Mary Poppins when it came out. I think I remember more of the songs from then, as well. The House of the Rising Sun is my favourite. I was, obviously, too young to know what it was about in 1964. I think it’s the combination of what Alan Price was doing on the organ and Eric Burdon’s voice that makes it great. I’ve just had to go and find it on YouTube.
Downtown was incredibly popular at the time.
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I used to be obsessed with Downtown. I think it was a song that my mum used to play a lot when I was child. Yes, I love Eric Burdon’s vocals coupled with the organ. House of the Rising Sun is an excellent song.
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This time I’m picking Petula. First because the song is cool. Second because I really like her name. And third because I saw a thing about her and she doesn’t seem like a twit.
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These are all very good reasons to pick a song 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
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And I got to write the word “twit.” Dang, that’s a fun word.
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Haha. Twit is an excellent word. I love it when Americans use British slang 🙂
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All amazing songs. I think I’ll go for the Beach Boys – so exuberant.
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LOVE the Beach Boys. They never fail to cheer me up.
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Toss up between the Beach Boys and the Supremes this week!
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Both such good tracks and such good artists.
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I think Baby Love is my favourite from this year. What a year for politics!
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There was a whole lot going on that year! Love the Supremes!
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I wasn’t born yet, but I loved the Supremes and Lulu later when I was old enough to dance 🙂
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Absolutely love the Supremes and who can resist a bit of Lulu.
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