The Essential Songs of 1966 reflect the evolution of the album as being the central music experience for serious music fans – “Blonde on Blonde,” “Revolver,” and “Pet Sounds” represent a lyrical and sonic sophistication unimaginable a few years before. To compete with the British Invastion, the Monkees were created and in other genres garage rock and Motown continued to flourish. Although Paul Revere argued otherwise, kicks really weren’t getting harder to find in ’66.
19th Nervous Breakdown – Rolling Stones
96 Tears – Question Mark and the Mysterians
Ain’t Nobody Home – Howard Tate
Ain't Too Proud To Beg – Temptations
Bus Stop – The Hollies
But It's Alright – J.J. Jackson
Dead End Street – The Kinks
Don't Bring Me Down – Animals
Don’t Come Home A’ Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind) – Loretta Lynn
Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love) – Swingin' Medallions
Eight Miles High – Byrds
Eleanor Rigby – Beatles
Get Ready – Temptations
Gimme Some Lovin' – Spencer Davis Group
God Only Knows Beach Boys
Good Lovin' Young Rascals
Good Vibrations Beach Boys
Got To Get You into My Life – Beatles
Here, There and Everywhere – Beatles
Hold On, I’m Coming – Sam and Dave
Hungry – Paul Revere & The Raiders
I Am a Rock – Simon & Garfunkel
I Fought the Law – Bobby Fuller Four
I Want You – Bob Dylan
(I Know) I’m Losing You – Temptations
Kicks – Paul Revere & The Raiders
The Kids Are Alright – The Who
Knock on Wood – Eddie Floyd
Land of 1,000 Dances – Wilson Pickett
Last Train to Clarksville – The Monkees
Mother’s Little Helper – Rolling Stones
Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett
Nowhere Man – Beatles
Paint It, Black – Rolling Stones
Paperback Writer – Beatles
Reach Out, I'll Be There – Four Tops
River Deep, Mountain High – Ike & Tina Turner
S.Y.S.L.J.F.M. (The Letter Song) – Joe Tex
Shapes of Things – Yardbirds
Sloop John B – Beach Boys
(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration – Righteous Brothers
Standing In The Shadows Of Love Four Tops
(I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone – The Monkees
Stop Stop Stop – The Hollies
Strangers in the Night – Frank Sinatra
Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again – Bob Dylan
Substitute – The Who
Summer in the City – The Lovin’ Spoonful
Sunny Afternoon – The Kinks
Sunshine Superman – Donovan
Tell It Like It Is – Aaron Neville
These Boots Are Made For Walkin'- Nancy Sinatra
Tomorrow Never Knows – The Beatles
Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down – Merle Haggard
Try A Little Tenderness – Otis Redding
Under My Thumb – Rolling Stones
Visions of Johanna – Bob Dylan
What Becomes of the Broken Hearted – Jimmy Ruffin
When A Man Loves A Woman – Percy Sledge
Wild Thing – The Troggs
Wouldn't It Be Nice – Beach Boys
You Can't Hurry Love – Supremes
You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me –Dusty Springfield
You Keep Me Hangin' On – Supremes