Category Archives: 1960s songs

The top 500 best music and songs from the 1960s. Song meanings, lyrics and interpretations from your favorite artists. The Beatles, Beach Boys, Simon and Garfunkel, Dylan. See who rates the highest!

1960s songs, breakup songs

#107 Don’t Think Twice- Bob Dylan

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We never did too much talkin’ anyway/
But don’t think twice, it’s all right.

In “Don’t Think Twice (It’s Alright)” Dylan has come to the end of another relationship. He is trying to pass it off like he doesn’t hurt—don’t worry about it, don’t think twice. But we get the feeling that it might be more meaningful to him than he lets on. The relationship was very sexual. There are several illusions to that in “Don’t Think Twice”. But there is also the interesting line: “I gave her my heart, but she wanted my soul.” That is a great Dylan line. So, he was clearly emotionally invested.

Don't Think Twice meaning
Dylan

He also expresses a desire for her to chase after him, or for her to be more hurt about the breakup. We get the feeling that she won’t think twice and that is what got him to think about the title of the song.

The melody of the song is traditional, so if it sounds like you might have heard it before, it is possible. However, by now, Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice” is the standard. This is very early Dylan, and we can hear that his voice sounds very clear and almost as good as it ever did.  Note the clarity of his guitar picking. We can tell he is an above-average acoustic guitar player: he strikes the individual strings cleanly while singing and maintaining the rhythm. That is not easy.

Dylan does spiteful breakup songs better than anyone. Here we get just a hint of his true feelings. The message of “Don’t Think Twice” is delivered in a very passive-aggressive manner. Whereas he is thinking “Screw you bitch” it comes out “we never did too much talkin anyway/ but don’t think twice it’s all right.”

Don’t Think Twice Lyrics

It ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
It don’t matter, anyhow
And it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why, babe
If you don’t know by now
When your rooster crows at the breaks of dawn
Look out your window and I’ll be gone
You’re the reason I’m traveling on

Don’t think twice, it’s all right

It ain’t no use in turning on your light, babe
That light I never knowed
And it ain’t no use in turning on your light, babe
I’m on the dark side of the road
But I wish there was somethin’ you would do or say
To try and make me change my mind and stay
We never did too much talking anyway

So don’t think twice, it’s all right
It ain’t no use in calling out my name, gal
Like you never done before
It ain’t no use in calling out my name, gal
I can’t hear you any more
I’m a-thinking and a-wond’rin’ walking down the road
I once loved a woman, a child I’m told
I give her my heart but she wanted my soul

Don’t think twice, it’s all right
So long honey, babe
Where I’m bound, I can’t tell
Goodbye’s too good a word, babe
So I’ll just say fare thee well
I ain’t saying you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don’t mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don’t think twice, it’s all right

written by Bob Dylan

1960s songs, love songs

#101 In My Life- The Beatles

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And these memories lose their meaning/
When I think of love as something new.

Should we think of each love as something new? That is, when you meet the love of your life, is it fair to say “this is different” or “I never knew what love was before I met you”? Lennon does not want to make this declaration to his new love because he knows that it diminishes the importance of his lovers and friends in the past.

In “In My Life” The Beatles argue that those people were important, and he would like to think of them fondly from time to time. It won’t change his love or affection for his current significant other. She shouldn’t feel the need to diminish his past by insisting he think of love as something she only experienced with her.

In My Life Song Meaning
Beatles

He has a point. And “In My Life” is one of the most popular Beatles songs, so I think many people echo his sentiments. I think a bit differently. I would like to think that when you find your forever-love it is a bit different. That there is a special aspect that makes it unique and truly worthy of the word “love”. Something beyond semantics.

This is the beginning of the transition from the middle to the late Beatles. Here, Lennon begins to tackle important topics with more nuanced and experimental music. The most interesting part is obviously the choice of solo instrument. George Martin played a harpsichord (I believe) in half speed and then sped it up when he recorded it. That would be wild to play in real-time (though it is doable).

In My Life Lyrics

There are places I’ll remember,
All my life, though some have changed.
Some forever, not for better,
Some have gone, and some remain.
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall.
Some are dead, and some are living:
In my life, I’ve loved them all.

But of all these friends and lovers,
There is no one compares with you.
And these memories lose their meaning,
When I think of love as something new.

Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before.
I know I’ll often stop and think about them;
In my life, I’ll love you more.

Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before.
I know I’ll often stop and think about them.
In my life I’ll love you more.
In my life I’ll love you more.

written by lennon/mccartney

1960s songs, carpe diem

#99 Someday Never Comes- Creedence Clearwater Revival

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You better learn it fast; you better learn it young,
‘Cause, “Someday” Never Comes.”

Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Someday Never Comes” has a bit of a Carpe Diem theme. For example, “do something today, because if you keep saying you will do something ‘someday’ it will never happen”. There is also a bit of bitterness in the title—a literal interpretation. As in, someday never comes—you’ll never understand why such and such happened when you were younger even though you are told as a kid “don’t worry, some day you’ll understand.” Someday never comes.

Tomorrow Never Comes Meaning
CCR

Creedence has a very signature sound. Their sound is not so much unique, but it is so recognizably theirs. It is not just Fogerty’s vocals–the sound of their guitars and instruments seem to blend to create a somewhat “riverboat” or “woodsy” or country-ish sound. (I am not sure why I use these words to describe it). This sound pervades all their music and we can hear it in “Someday Never Comes” as well.

Their sound lends itself well to songs about protests and songs that give life lessons. They sound like they’ve lived and they have advice to share.

Lyrics Someday Never Comes

First thing I remember
Was asking Papa, “Why?”
For there were many things I didn’t know
And Daddy always smiled
Took me by the hand
Saying, “Someday you’ll understand”

Well, I’m here to tell you now each and every mother’s son
You better learn it fast, you better learn it young
‘Cause someday never comes

The time and tears went by
And I collected dust
For there were many things I didn’t know
When Daddy went away
He said, “Try to be a man
And someday you’ll understand”

But I’m here to tell you now each and every mother’s son
You better learn it fast, you better learn it young
‘Cause someday never comes

And then one day in April
I wasn’t even there
For there were many things I didn’t know
A son was born to me
Mama held his hand
Saying, “Someday you’ll understand”

Well, I’m here to tell you now each and every mother’s son
You better learn it fast, you better learn it young
‘Cause someday never comes
Ooh, someday never comes

Think it was September
The year I went away
For there were many things I didn’t know
And I still see him standin’
Tryin’ to be a man
I said, “Someday you’ll understand”

But I’m here to tell you now each and every mother’s son
You better learn it fast, you better learn it young
‘Cause someday never comes
Ooh, someday never comes

written by Fogerty