The Batman theme (1966)

Neal Hefti combined surf, 12 bar blues, and camp to create the theme song to 1966's classic Batman series. Four tenors and four sopranos cry "Batman" eleven times. The song helped influence Prince's 1989 "Batdance." Since 1966, it has inspired and resulted in many parodies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWUn6tzOAwU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jgE-lrfZ3k&list=RD1jgE-lrfZ3k

The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly by Ennio Morricone (1966)

Morricone uses a two-note melody to create a coyote sound for the opening of the theme. The soundtrack is highly influential and remained on the album charts for over a year. It peaked at #4.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFa1-kciCb

The Rolling Stones: Mother's Little Helper (1966)

Apparently, valium use skyrocketed amongst housewives in the mid-sixties. The Stones took this from the headlines to write "Mother's Little Helper" about a woman that can't take life's stress any longer. She's older, has to care for kids, make dinner, run the house, and no one appreciates that she "gets tired." Billy Joel incorporates this theme into his video for "We Didn't Start The Fire" in 1989.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfGYSHy1jQs

The Byrds: Eight Miles High (1966)

The Byrds created folk rock by combining Dylan with the Beatles. In 1966, they released "Eight Miles High." The song was banned because of supposed drug connotations. The Byrds denied the linkage at the time, but later admitted the song was inspired in part to their trips.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLzzlQj6b6M

The Beatles: Eleanor Rigby (1966)

The Beatles tackle neglect of the elderly in “Eleanor Rigby.” Ms. Rigby lived a lonely life, but did not seem to reach out to people either. Likewise, Father MacKenzie also lived a solitary existence, but did little to attract a congregation. Some others have interpreted the track as an analysis of 1966 Britain.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojpSiNZA5_0

The Beach Boys: Sloop John B (1966)

The Beach Boys reworked an old West Indian folk song, "The John B Sails" and transformed it. The song tells the story of a rowdy ship's crew that shipwrecked in 1900. They did not take their captivity too well. "Sloop John B" took on a new meaning in Vietnam's wake.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSAoEf1Ib58

The Beach Boys: God Only Knows (1966)

Brian Wilson moved The Beach Boys away from their surf sound and into a more sophisticated realm with the Pet Sounds album. He experimented with a variety of different sounds and instruments and attempted more ambitious melodies and vocal harmonies. "God Only Knows" was one of the first pop songs to include the word "God" in its title further expanding the group's horizons. The song is probably best known to modern audiences as the theme song to Big Love.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOMyS78o5YI

Frank Sinatra: That's Life (1966)

Frank scored another #1 hit with "That's Life" in 1966. The song was written for Sinatra and managed to top the charts despite the dominance of rock music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avU2aarQUiU&ob=av2n

Frank Sinatra: Strangers in the Night (1966)

Frank Sinatra hated "Strangers in the Night" and called it "a piece of shit." Well, it went to #1. Sometimes there is a disconnect between what artists think and what fans like. The song is famous for Sinatra's improved "doo-be-doo-be-doo" which later inspired Scooby Doo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hlSbSKNk9f0

Sam & Dave: Hold On, I'm Coming (1966)

Isaac Hayes and David Porter came up with the title as Hayes was tring to get Porter out of the bathroom. With a title in hand, they went on to write the Sam & Dave classic. Booker T. & the M.G.'s provided the instrumentation making this quite a superstar collaboration.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_juH0AHvwk

The Lovin' Spoonful: Summer in the City (1966)

Mark Sebastian wrote "Summer in the City" and submitted it to a magazine. His brother, John, reworked the poem for popular consumption. In production, the band added a car horn and jackhammer to add ambiance. The song feels like summer in the city.

Live:

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

Studio:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLdv4a3AVIY&feature=related

The Rolling Stones: Have You See Your Mother Baby? (1966)

"Have You Seen Your Mother Baby, Standing in the Shadow?" is one of the longest song titles in history. It is one of the earliest tracks to feature guitar feedback and also features horns. The band filmed one of the earliest music videos to promote the single. It has not been performed live by the band since 1966. Mick Jagger did perform it solo in 1993.

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

819. Hazy Shade of Winter by Simon and Garfunkel (1966)

In 1966, Simon and Garfunkel decided to depress us with a song evoking the imagery of the onset of winter. While many people enjoy winter, it brings on a certain level of sadness in most. S&G tap into that sadness. There is also a feeling of failure in the main character's rant, "see what's become of me."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSd4QJBEMvk

The Bangels covered the song in 1987.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFRx4PkXeVM

822. 96 Tears by ? and the Mysterians (1966)

This actually made Rolling Stone's top 500 songs of all time...It is best known for the organ riff and is considered one of the first "Garage Rock" hits. It is also credited for jump starting punk rock. The Mysterians lead singer, Question Mark, is thought to be Rudy Martinez of Saginaw, Michigan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgfnCTp3p7U

96 Beers from Detroit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4POj4UuJvU

834. Reach Out I'll Be There by the Four Tops (1966)

"Reach Out (I'll Be There)" represents a dramatic change for Motown and the Four Tops. First, the song alternates between major chords. Also, it has a darker tone which is reflected in the lyrics and music. For example: "Now if you feel that you can't go on, because all of your hope is gone, and your life is filled with much confusion, until happiness is just an illusion and your world around is tumblin' down..." This is a harsh look at the world as opposed to the happy love songs Motown has been producing.

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=cjR6u5QOTKE&feature=related

835. The Green Hornet Theme (1966)

The Green Hornet was creating in the 1930s as a modern day take on the Lone Ranger. In fact, the title character, Britt Reed, was the nephew of the Lone Ranger. In the 1966 television version, Van Williams starred in the title role with Bruce Lee playing Kato. The series ran one season. Hollywood kicked around the idea of a motion picture until 2011 when Seth Rogen finally brought the character back. The movie included the now iconic theme song used in the radio and television programs. The Green Hornet's theme is the interlude from Rinsky-Korsakov's turn-of-the century "Flight of the Bumblebee" featuring Al Hirt on trumpet. Quentin Tarrantino included this version in Kill Bill Vol. 1 which paid homage to Kato.

TV Intro:

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

Full Version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mtp3xpJ2Hk

890. Bus Stop by The Hollies (1966)

The Hollies finally made the Hall of Fame in 2010. They were part of the original British Invasion, but for some reason, the Hall ignored them for 20 years. "Bus Stop" is perhaps their most popular song. They decided to call themselves the Hollies to honor Buddy Holly. On a side note, singer Graham Nash was also inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of Crosby, Stills, and Nash.

Studio Version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=It75wQ0JypA

Live (1966):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxMUiZzWy78&feature=related

Rock n Roll Hall of Fame (2010):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OWrTET7aIA

911. I've Got You Under My Skin by Frank Sinatra (1956)

Cole Porter wrote "I've Got You Under My Skin" in 1936. It appeared in the musical Born to Dance that year. Sinatra adapted the song for himself in 1946, but it did not become fully Sinatra-ized until he recorded it a decade later with a band. Since '56, the song has been associated with Sinatra and is considered one of his signature works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab4VD_ll3h0

The Four Seasons scored a top 10 hit covering it in 1966.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnaeZTE7Pdo

The song re-emerged in the nineties as a duet between Sinatra and Bono from U2.

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

948. Gimme Some Lovin' by The Spencer Davis Group (1966)

Lead singer Steve Winwood was 18 when this song peaked on the charts in 1967 (released late '66). The song has been with us ever since appearing in a number of movies including The Blues Brothers and Good Morning Vietnam. It's also been used in commercials ad nausea. I hear the song now and think of Dennis Hopper doing retirement commercials for formerly hip baby boomers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxA3atHD2QM