Yesterday the focus was on the “pop” sound of 1965. There wasn’t a discouraging word to be heard because there was nothing to be discouraged about. Three years later, the world had changed dramatically. So had the music.
There was a cookie-cutter aspect to most pop music in the mid-sixties. But 1968 – one of the most tumultuous years of the 20th century – produced some of its greatest popular music. And it’s not just baby boomers who are nostalgic for the sounds of their youth: Even to people born decades later, the music of 1968 stands out.
Here’s thirty minutes of that memorable year. It’s the ideal way to jumpstart your weekend. It starts with a crossfire hurricane and ends with heavy metal thunder. Rock On!
Memories … That’s What We’re All About
Play buttons are on the left … Volume sliders are on the right
30 Minutes of 1968
Rolling Stones – Big Brother & The Holding Company
Beatles – Traffic – Joe South
Donovan – Steppenwolf
This medley brings back so many memories of 1968. Each song, for me, servers as a backdrop for several significant events of that year. We were lucky to have grown up with this music at such an important time in our lives. Savoring these tunes with a first cup of coffee this morning Ray!
Thanks, Marty! The music from that year truly did mirror what was going on in the “real” world at the time. I completely agree that we were fortunate to grow up in that era. As I wrote in the intro, “Even to people born decades later, the music of 1968 stands out.” … It does so for a very good reason.
Enjoy the second cup and have a wonderful weekend!
Ray your choices this am are just what I needed!! I’m off to see a surgen this am so I won’t be able to Roll any stones!! So I hope we can just hold on, who knows it may make me feel better!! I know you’ve got it I just hope Jude does!! I’m hoping they don’t want a piece of my heart!! I hope the Traffic isan’t to bad this mornin’!! I thought I was feeling all right(the sax helps helps)I’m here to stay Ray but I’m not feeling to good myself but I know it will be allright!! La- la- da- da- da- dee!! But i’m remembering the games we used to play!! I’m still wanting you to come out and play!! I’m dreaming about the beautful shores And they we’re all aboard so Ray lets hope we can go way down below the ocean they say I may see the Steppenwolf!! They say we were born to be wild!! So I’m goin’to get my motor runnin’!! Will keep you up to date Ray!! Not sure what they want to do next!! But as you said I was born to be wild!! Wait til this Dr. get’s a load of me!! love ya let’s keep on Rockin’!! Maybe a prayer I believe in the power Ray!!
Fred, first things first. I pray your appointment goes well!
As for your commentary, it was very Fab but what impresses me the most is you did it with the appointment on your mind. That, my friend, is more than impressive.
Please keep me posted!
LOVE YA!
Hope the appointment went well, Fred.
Wow I made it through the week! What an ending!! What are you didn’t pull any punches when you talked about the thunder and lightning and storms and tornadoes and other threats! And and can I just say, weren’t we all just born to be wild! Oh my gosh this was a great medley I loved it, I guess I just loved it because of the time in history that it took place, and the things that started seeping into music. You could feel the anger and the unrest that was taking place all over, and the wanting to be heard stands out! I do remember this period of time quite well. But we sure did have some good songs that came out of it. Thank you so much! You are the best Ray! 🥰
Thank you, Sandy. 🥰
It was a time of great upheaval and the music surely displayed that. I could easily have played another hour’s worth of songs from ’68 that displayed the anger but then I would have driven everyone crazy! 🙂
A nice mix of songs! I really loved that you put “Atlantis” as one of the songs. I am a huge fan of Donovan and that song is in Goodfellas which is my favorite movie 🥰
Thanks, Jackie 🥰
“Atlantis” is my favorite Donovan song. The first half is haunting and the second half is downright mesmerizing … although I don’t imagine Billy Batts would have thought so 😉
1968 was such a good year for us Ray …. we were about to embark on life … we felt we had the world by the tail, and we would make our mark for sure. We lived in a cocoon of safety and calm in our little rural town in Vermont. We heard the music, saw the news, but we were pretty much untouched. We were about to get a wakeup call about the real world …. the music was trying to prepare us for that. It’s so interesting to listen and remember … thanks for this Ray – so glad you still are teaching us things about life! Hope you are out there rocking the sunshine today!
Thanks, Barbara.
You’re right about the cocoon of safety back in Vermont. By the end of 1968, I was living in Los Angeles. Now that was a wakeup call!
Rock The Weekend!