The Kinks: All Day and All of the Night (1964)

Great garage rock tune. Four years later, controversy struck when The Doors released "Hello, I Love You" which many felt blatantly ripped off The Kinks classic. Ray Davies refused to sue, but UK courts found in The Kinks' favor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4DV-5d6a5g

1964 in Music

British invasion began in earnest. Beatlemania exploded in America. They arrived at Kennedy Airport to screaming throngs and then appeared on Ed Sullivan three times in February. Meanwhile, Elvis transitioned to motion pictures and enters into a musical wilderness. Meanwhile, the Rolling Stones released their debut album. Pete Townshend accidentally broke his first guitar and created a sensation. The Kinks made their American debut. On the American side, Bob Dylan releases his anthem "The Times They Are-A Changing", Simon and Garfunkel record for Columbia, The Supremes score five straight number ones, and Sam Cooke is murdered.

#1 song:
I Wanna Hold Your Hand by The Beatles.

Important recordings:
All Day and All of the Night by The Kinks
Can't Buy Me Love by The Beatles
Dancing in the Streets by Martha and the Vandellas
Goldfinger by Shirley Bassey
Hello, Dolly! by Louis Armstrong
I Get Around by The Beach Boys
The Way You Do The Things You Do by The Temptations
Twist and Shout by The Beatles
A World Without Love by Peter and Gordon
You Really Got Me by The Kinks
She Loves You by The Beatles
A Hard Day's Night by The Beatles

Other notable hits:
As Tears Go By by Marianne Faithfull
Come See About Me by The Supremes
Do Wah Diddy Diddy by Manfred Mann
Gloria by Them
I'm Into Something Good by Herman's Hermits
Little Red Rooster by The Rolling Stones
My Guy by Mary Wells
Rag Doll by The Four Seasons
She's Not There by The Zombies
Tobacco Road by The Nashville Teens
Glad All Over by The Dave Clark Five

The Beatles: Tell Me Why (1964)

Paul believed "Tell Me Why" was based on John's experiences with his wife Cynthia. It might be based on Lennon's philadering and Cynthia's response.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmtaw0fr0xI

Elvis Presley: Viva Las Vegas (1964)

"Viva Las Vegas" was recorded by Elvis for the film of the same name. Since 1964, it has become one of Elvis' most recognizable songs. In the seventies, Elvis moved to Vegas to perform. As a result, the song and artist became inseparable. It has since been covered by a number of acts ranging from ZZ Top to Bruce Springsteen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFw5a5Bp_Pw

 

The Zombies: She's Not There (1964)

The Zombies rode the British Invasion in 1964. "She's Not There" caught fire in the fall and peaked at #2 on the US charts. The song is distinctive for the use of the electric piano and folk-style backing vocals. Rolling Stone placed "She's Not There" in their top 500 songs of all time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5IRI4oHKNU

852. Baby Please Don't Go by the Amboy Dukes (1967)

"Baby Please Don't Go" is a blues standard dating to 1935. Big Joe Williams recorded the original which has been covered over 1,000 times. The most famous version comes from Ted Nugent and the Amboy Dukes who recorded it in 1967. Van Morrison's band, Them, also covered it in 1964.  Others to record a version include Aerosmith, AC/DC, Bob Dylan, and Muddy Waters.

Big Joe Williams:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g22l1hnAnlA

Them (Van Morrison):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wah7MqEHFg

The Amboy Dukes:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi8h9_KgFpc

867. Dancing in the Street by Martha and the Vandellas (1964)

If Motown has a signature song, this is it. "Dancing in the Street" captures a moment and mood of both Motown records and early sixties optimism. For a brief moment, the song was given a political tone as some decided to turn it into a civil rights anthem in the aftermath of several inner city riots. In 1985, David Bowie and Mick Jagger cut a version of the sixties hit for the Live Aid charity concert. The pair performed the song together in 1986 for the Prince's Trust Concert.

Martha and the Vandellas:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdvITn5cAVc

David Bowie and Mick Jagger:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G4jnaznUoQ

931. As Tears Go By by Marianne Faithfull (1964)

It is a myth that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote "As Tears Go By" as a response to Paul McCartney's "Yesterday." However, this is one of Jagger-Richards first original songs as the Rolling Stones branched out from a blues cover band. Marianne Faithfull scored a major hit with the song in 1964. The Stones manager forwarded the song to her since they weren't known for ballads. Following Faithfull's success, the Rolling Stones recorded their own version in 1965.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhPPJ5dolxU&feature=related

994. Don't Worry Baby by The Beach Boys (1964)

Brian Wilson tried to capture the Ronettes "Be My Baby" on his own. This was the B-side to "I Get Around" making it one of the best releases ever. John Lennon and Garbage later borrowed from it.

Best Line: But I can't back down now because

I pushed the other guys too far

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QCZ_bv9aLc

1001. Gloria by Them (1964)

Written by Van Morrison, Gloria is the best example of Garage Rock ever. I always wondered if Gloria was a hooker because she always showed at midnight.

Best Line: G-L-O-R-I-A (Gloria!) G-L-O-R-I-A (Gloria!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTemzJvbErY