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Keith Richards came up with the famous guitar riff in his sleep, recording it on a tape recorder by his bed.

Based on the melody of Bach's Minuet in G major.

An instrumental piece inspired by the Black Forest in Germany.

A follow-up to their hit "You Really Got Me."

A cover of Bob Dylan's song, competing with The Byrds' version.

A upbeat pop song about pursuing romance.

Written by Sonny Bono about the struggles of a young couple.

Written by Van McCoy, known for "The Hustle."

Glenn Yarbrough developed a clear tenor style through folk singing and the coffeehouse circuit. With Alex Hassilev and Lou Gottlieb, he formed the Limeliters, taking the name from an Aspen folk club. His later solo...

Another Holland-Dozier-Holland composition about reconciliation.

Written by LaVern Baker and covered by several artists.

Brian Wilson conceived the melody after taking LSD for the first time.

Written by professional songwriters John Carter and Ken Lewis.

A cover of a 1954 song by David Whitfield.

A cover of Vince Guaraldi's jazz instrumental.

Theme song for the band's film of the same name.

A folk song inspired by Donovan's travels and experiences.

Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland, continuing their string of hits for The Supremes.

Written by band members Tommy Moeller and Brian Parker.

Gary Lewis & the Playboys developed an audience through performances at Disneyland, with Lewis initially working behind the drums. Producer Snuff Garrett brought the group into recording, working with arranger Leon...

Originally recorded in 1953, the song was held back and released in 1965.

Written by John Sebastian about the power of music.

Written by Steve Cropper and Wilson Pickett.

Written by Jack Wolf and Larry Marks for Duke's singing career.

Originally recorded by Nina Simone in 1964.

Billy Joe Royal came from Georgia and developed a vocal style connecting country, soul and pop. His 1960s recordings included Down in the Boondocks and Hush, both associated with songwriter and producer Joe South....

Written by Tony Hatch after his first visit to New York City.

A cover of a 1953 orchestral piece by Robert Maxwell.

This Lennon-McCartney song, developed from McCartney's original idea, was recorded at EMI Studios in October 1964 with George Martin producing. It appeared on Beatles for Sale in December 1964; the US single followed...

A country-pop song about a man trying to catch a train to see his lover.

Written by P.F. Sloan as a protest song about the state of the world.

Written by Leon Russell and Gary Lewis.

An ode to Liverpool, the band's hometown.

Written by Graham Gouldman, who later formed 10cc.

Written by Clint Ballard Jr., about the ups and downs of romance.

A cover of Bessie Banks' R&B song.

Theme song for the James Bond film of the same name.

Written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Based on a 1964 song by The Vibrations.

Written by Graham Gouldman, featuring Jeff Beck on guitar.

Written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love about a rebound relationship.

John Lennon wrote the song as a cry for help during a difficult period in his life.

Written by Bert Berns, who also produced the track.

A cover of a 1952 song by Karen Chandler.

Joe Tex was the performing name of Joseph Arrington Jr., who grew up singing in school and church choirs around Baytown, Texas. Talent contests took him to Harlem's Apollo Theater, and a later move to New York led to...

An instrumental R&B track.

Motown identifies Holland-Dozier-Holland as the writing team behind this Gaye hit. This is a songwriting credit, not autobiographical testimony.

Written by Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein, and Bobby Hart.

Theme song for the film of the same name.

The Motown Museum places this 1965 hit in the group's successful partnership with Holland-Dozier-Holland.

Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King.

A soulful declaration of love.

Peter and Gordon was the British folk-pop duo of Peter Asher and Gordon Waller. The two met at Westminster School and began performing together before finding international success during the 1960s. Their repertoire...

The elation of being in love

Sonny Bono wrote the song as a response to Bob Dylan's complex lyrics.

Written by Joe South, who also wrote "Down in the Boondocks."

Written by Tony Hatch as a follow-up to "Downtown."

A cover of Chris Kenner's 1961 hit.

Written by Howard Greenfield and Helen Miller.

Written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio of The Four Seasons.

Written by the band members under pseudonyms.

Written by Larry Page and Colin Frechter.

Motown identifies this hit with Gaye's creative collaboration with Smokey Robinson; it does not identify a private event behind the lyrics.

Written by the band's manager, Brian Epstein, and Les Vandyke.

Written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich.

Written by Tom Springfield, Dusty Springfield's brother.

Written by Ritchie Adams and Fran Heflin.

A doo-wop influenced R&B song.

A reworking of Bo Diddley's 1955 song.

Written by Clint Ballard Jr., who also wrote "Game of Love."

Written by Paul McCartney as a homage to Little Richard.

A cover of a 1910 British music hall song.

Written by Freddie Garrity and Mitch Murray.

Co-written by Redding and Jerry Butler.

Based on a traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras Indian song.

A cover of Bob Dylan's song, transformed into a folk-rock hit.

Written by Jack Nitzsche and Sonny Bono.

Written by Smokey Robinson and Warren "Pete" Moore.

Originally written for Sandie Shaw, who turned it down.

Written quickly by Holland-Dozier-Holland to capitalize on their previous hit.

A follow-up to their hit "Wooly Bully."

Written by the band's guitarist, Ron Elliott.

Written by professional songwriters Ron Richards and Les Reed.

Written by Phil Spector, Carole King, and Gerry Goffin.

A cover of a 1963 song by The Avantis.

Written by Shannon as a follow-up to "Little Town Flirt."

Miller wrote the song based on a sign he saw that read "Trailers for sale or rent."

Sonny Bono's response to being mocked for his unconventional appearance.

Written by guitarist Ron Elliott, influenced by the British Invasion sound.

Dickey Lee is a Memphis-born singer and songwriter whose career connects early rock and roll with country music. He recorded for Sun before gaining a wider pop audience with Patches, I Saw Linda Yesterday and Laurie....

Written by Randy Newman early in his career.

Written by Bob Crewe, Sandy Linzer, and Denny Randell.

A soul song showcasing Nash's smooth vocals.

Dylan's transition from acoustic to electric, inspired by his disillusionment with the folk scene.

Written by Bobby Goldsboro, celebrating the simple joys in life.

The Searchers emerged from Liverpool in the 1960s, with Needles and Pins exemplifying their combination of ringing guitars and vocal harmony. The band later recorded for Sire, continuing beyond its first pop era....

A cover of a 1928 Irving Berlin song.

A cover of Bob Dylan's folk song, transformed into jangle pop.

Originally written for a British TV play in 1963.

Written by Smokey Robinson and Ronald White.

This recording brought David Ruffin to the lead microphone and became the group's first U.S. pop number one. The official Motown history treats it as a turning point in their career.

The original version of "Hang On Sloopy."

Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland, inspired by the sound of car assembly lines.

Written by Smokey Robinson and Warren "Pete" Moore.

Brown's innovative funk rhythm, marking a shift in his musical style.

Bert Kaempfert worked as a German bandleader, arranger, instrumentalist, producer and composer. Training on several instruments and experience with American swing helped shape his orchestral sound. Wonderland by...

A cover of a 1948 song by Vaughn Monroe.

Written by Allen Toussaint, inspired by a popular dance.

Written by professional songwriters Gary Geld and Peter Udell.

Written by Ray Davies, reflecting the band's early hard rock sound.

One of Cooke's last recordings before his death.

Influenced by Tex-Mex and British Invasion sounds.

Written by Gary Lewis and Leon Russell.

Inspired by a dance called "The Jerk."

A cover of a 1957 doo-wop hit by The Rays.

Written by Holland-Dozier-Holland, inspired by a real-life argument.

A plea for reconciliation in a relationship.

Written by Rod Argent about resisting temptation.

Written by Billy Page about being part of the popular social group.

A lighthearted take on romantic relationships.

Written by John T. Taylor and George Davis.

A dance song inspired by the popular "Duck" dance craze.

A jazz instrumental version of the Dobie Gray hit.

A novelty song playing on the vegetable company's mascot.

Influenced by "This May Be the Last Time" by The Staple Singers.

Based on a children's rhyming game.

Written by Don and Phil Everly about the cost of relationships.

A cover of George Jones' country hit.

A cover of Willie Dixon's blues song.

Written by Smokey Robinson, Warren Moore, and Marvin Tarplin.

Written by Al Kooper, Bob Brass, and Irwin Levine.

Paul McCartney recalled that the central idea was largely John Lennon's and that they then worked on it together. The single was promoted while the group was making the Help! film. This account avoids treating...

The Kinks formed in Muswell Hill, north London, around brothers Ray and Dave Davies. Their early R&B and rock-and-roll approach produced the forceful guitar sound of You Really Got Me. Ray's writing developed into...

Written by Harlan Howard, a prolific country songwriter.

Written by Head and Gene Kurtz, blending soul and country influences.

A cover of Buddy Holly's 1960 song.

Adapted from the Book of Ecclesiastes by Pete Seeger.

Originally written for the 1955 prison film "Unchained."

Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, about escaping poverty.

Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David as a message of universal love.

Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the movie of the same name.

A cover of Sam Cooke's 1960 hit.

The nonsensical lyrics were improvised in the studio.

Mason wrote the song about her first serious relationship.

This Paul McCartney composition presents a melancholy reflection on a relationship that has ended. The recording pairs his voice and acoustic guitar with a string quartet, without the other Beatles performing. The...

A playful song with suggestive lyrics.

A cover of a folk song by Canadian singer-songwriter Sylvia Tyson.

Written by Petula Clark, originally recorded in French.

Written by professional songwriters Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook.

Produced by Phil Spector, the song was inspired by the vocal style of Bobby Hatfield.