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The 100 Greatest Songs of 1969 #1 Something (1 Viewer)

88. Jethro Tull “Living In the Past” (from Stand Up) 

https://youtu.be/2YymGJKhGgY

This song represents the beginning of what we now think of as Jethro Tull. Prior to “Living in the Past” they were a blues rock band, not bad but indistinguishable from a dozen others in Britain at the same time. Then Ian Anderson sought a different direction, turning to traditional English and Celtic folk. I know many people, including @Ghost Rider in this forum, regard Tull as a progressive rock band and perhaps they are in theme, but I always thought their songs were too tightly crafted with pop sensibility to fit into that genre. On the other hand they also don’t fit into the British folk scene at the time as exemplified by Fairport Convention; their sound is more edgy than that. They’re really kind of on their own. “Living In the Past”, which was released in 1969 but didn’t become a hit for them until 3 years later, was an early and terrific sample of their style. 

 
timschochet said:
88. Jethro Tull “Living In the Past” (from Stand Up) 

https://youtu.be/2YymGJKhGgY

This song represents the beginning of what we now think of as Jethro Tull. Prior to “Living in the Past” they were a blues rock band, not bad but indistinguishable from a dozen others in Britain at the same time. Then Ian Anderson sought a different direction, turning to traditional English and Celtic folk. I know many people, including @Ghost Rider in this forum, regard Tull as a progressive rock band and perhaps they are in theme, but I always thought their songs were too tightly crafted with pop sensibility to fit into that genre. On the other hand they also don’t fit into the British folk scene at the time as exemplified by Fairport Convention; their sound is more edgy than that. They’re really kind of on their own. “Living In the Past”, which was released in 1969 but didn’t become a hit for them until 3 years later, was an early and terrific sample of their style. 
Click to expand...
Technically this was a non-album single that was released at the time of Stand Up. The version of Stand Up that people heard before 2001 had 10 tracks and this was not one. The 2001 remastered version added this and three other bonus tracks.

 
timschochet said:
88. Jethro Tull “Living In the Past” (from Stand Up) 

https://youtu.be/2YymGJKhGgY

This song represents the beginning of what we now think of as Jethro Tull. Prior to “Living in the Past” they were a blues rock band, not bad but indistinguishable from a dozen others in Britain at the same time. Then Ian Anderson sought a different direction, turning to traditional English and Celtic folk. I know many people, including @Ghost Rider in this forum, regard Tull as a progressive rock band and perhaps they are in theme, but I always thought their songs were too tightly crafted with pop sensibility to fit into that genre. On the other hand they also don’t fit into the British folk scene at the time as exemplified by Fairport Convention; their sound is more edgy than that. They’re really kind of on their own. “Living In the Past”, which was released in 1969 but didn’t become a hit for them until 3 years later, was an early and terrific sample of their style. 
Click to expand...
Jethro Tull was absolutely progressive rock back in the late 60's and 70's.  Plenty of prog bands have tightly crafted songs with pop sensibilities.  It's a myth that all prog rock bands do nothing but long songs that just meander just for the sake of being long.  Progressive rock in its purest form is, to paraphrase Jon Anderson of Yes, adventurous rock, and few rock bands were as adventurous as Tull in their heyday.  And I say that as someone who is not a huge fan (I am a fan, but not a big fan). 

 
timschochet said:
91. Dionne Warwick “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again” (released as a single) 

https://youtu.be/FzQBOBoPg04

Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David for the musical Promises, Promises, and then given to Dionne Warwick as part of a string of monster hits produced by this team during the late 1960s. 
So here is an infamous tale from my family lore: around this same time period Dionne Warwick was my mom’s favorite artist. When my dad learned she would be performing in Vegas (I believe it was at the Sands Hotel) he surprised my mom with a plane flight and great seats for the show. My dad shelled out a lot of money for those tickets. Dionne Warwick had a cold; she sang 3 songs and then, 15 minutes into the show, she said “I’m not feeling it tonight” and left the stage, never came back. My mother remained a fan but my dad was always extremely pissed about this. He felt she was unprofessional and complained about it the rest of his life. 
Additional fun personal fact: Burt Bacharach was the first performer I ever saw live- that was in 1974 at the Greek Theater. This time it was my mom who was sick so my dad took me instead. Opening act was Anthony Newley. 
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I was nine.... vividly remember the parents playing this frequently on the hi fi sound system that covered the length of the living room wall.

 
87. Johnny Cash “A Boy Named Sue” (from At San Quentin)

https://youtu.be/ZR5XGTpophI

A humorous “talking blues” song written by Shel Silverstein who later became a famous children’s author (The Giving Tree, etc.) Silverstein, a Jew from Brooklyn who was probably the least likely Country music songwriter who ever lived, actually wrote several hits for Cash and others during this period. “A Boy Named Sue”, only performed live, was the most famous of these. 

 
Ghost Rider said:
Plenty of prog bands have tightly crafted songs with pop sensibilities.  
Click to expand...
I want a list! 
I’m not mocking you, I think I’d honestly be interested in listening to some of these that I haven’t heard. 
 

1. Jethro Tull songs 

2. Another Brick in the Wall

3. Dust In the Wind 

4. ? 

 
timschochet said:
I want a list! 
I’m not mocking you, I think I’d honestly be interested in listening to some of these that I haven’t heard. 
 

1. Jethro Tull songs 

2. Another Brick in the Wall

3. Dust In the Wind 

4. ? 
Click to expand...
I will list some from the classic era and some newer ones. You don't strike me as a metal guy (and I am not, by and large), so I won't list any like that.  

Yes - Long Distance Runaround
ELP - From the Beginning
Genesis - Turn It On Again
Porcupine Tree - Trains  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t9Xrw6dOPc
Neal Morse Band - Freedom Song  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvJVlWbvDwM
Flying Colors - Love Letter (featuring Steve Morse of Deep Purple on lead guitar) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBo3TVaDK3M

 
Ghost Rider said:
I will list some from the classic era and some newer ones. You don't strike me as a metal guy (and I am not, by and large), so I won't list any like that.  

Yes - Long Distance Runaround
ELP - From the Beginning
Genesis - Turn It On Again
Porcupine Tree - Trains  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t9Xrw6dOPc
Neal Morse Band - Freedom Song  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvJVlWbvDwM
Flying Colors - Love Letter (featuring Steve Morse of Deep Purple on lead guitar) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBo3TVaDK3M
Click to expand...
Thanks. Obviously I know the first 3, but I’ll listen to the others. 

 
86. The Rolling Stones “You Got the Silver” (from Let It Bleed) 

https://youtu.be/7VKp58eHWdU

Noteworthy in Stones history because it’s the last song Brian Jones took part in and the first one Keith Richards sang the lead. Keith wrote music and lyrics as well; it’s about his then girlfriend Anita Pallenberg. 
But I selected it because it’s simply a great tune. I am a total sucker for that Robert Johnsonesque slide guitar- love that. (The actual Robert Johnson song from this album is also magnificent but it’s another of the so so many classics I just didn’t have room for on this list.) 

 
timschochet said:
I want a list! 
I’m not mocking you, I think I’d honestly be interested in listening to some of these that I haven’t heard. 
 

1. Jethro Tull songs 

2. Another Brick in the Wall

3. Dust In the Wind 

4. ? 
Click to expand...
Here is one - it's on an album with 4 songs ...a 14 minute, a 10 minute, a 30 minute song,

and this 4 minute one ...

Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Freedom Fighters

...should have been a killer hit - at least a great movie ending title.  

 
Bracie Smathers said:
Adlai E. Stevenson,

Seen a ghost and surprisingly they aren't that scary and I figured you'd go for more of an Adlai Stevenson guy.
Click to expand...
HHH was vice-president when 1969 began, AS2 already a ghost and i thought the descending nutsac - oddly enough, the name of my RHCP tribute band - of LBJ would be just too scary

 
timschochet said:
Noteworthy in Stones history because it’s the last song Brian Jones took part in and the first one Keith Richards sang the lead. 
Click to expand...
Partially true. It's the first song he sang the entire lead vocals alone, but on the song "Something Happened to Me Yesterday", he alternated verses with Mick on the lead vocals. He also sang lead on the opening stanza of "Salt of the Earth" before Mick took over for the rest of the song. 

 
84. The 5th Dimension “Wedding Bell Blues” (from The Age of Aquarius) 

https://youtu.be/5HWX2BnI0Gw

This is the other Laura Nyro song on this list and it might be her best ever, it’s brilliantly constructed and the performance by Marilyn McCoo is simply amazing, what a tremendous voice she has! (Four-octave range.) 

The 5th Dimension had an even bigger hit in 1969 (see the album name) but it was so cheesy that I simply couldn’t find any room for it. 

 
timschochet said:
84. The 5th Dimension “Wedding Bell Blues” (from The Age of Aquarius) 

https://youtu.be/5HWX2BnI0Gw

This is the other Laura Nyro song on this list and it might be her best ever, it’s Brill-y constructed and the performance by Marilyn McCoo is simply amazing, what a tremendous voice she has! (Four-octave range.) 

The 5th Dimension had an even bigger hit in 1969 (see the album name) but it was so cheesy that I simply couldn’t find any room for it. 
Click to expand...
fyp

 
timschochet said:
85. Thunderclap Newman “Something In the Air” (released as a single) 

https://youtu.be/RTZoJ01FpD8

A short lived band arranged and produced by Pete Townshend to showcase the lead singer and songwriter Speedy Keen. The guitarist, 16 year old Jimmy McCullogh, later played with Wings before dying young of a heroin overdose. 
Click to expand...
Interesting, didn't know anything about this band.  I never would have guessed that Pete Townsend has anything to do with it.

 
83. The Band “The Unfaithful Servant” (from The Band) 

Critics in 1969 knew The Band was doing something great but they didn’t know what to call it. Typically it was grouped in with Creedence and called “country rock”, but there is no song by CCR like “The Unfaithful Servant”, with its slow gospel tinge, and no vocalist anywhere quite like Rick Danko. 
It wasn’t until a decade later that Emmylou Harris, who had been just a kid in 1969, coined a name for the Band’s style of music: she called it Americana, and the name has stuck ever since. It means a combination of American roots music: folk, gospel, blues and old time country, with modern instruments. 
I really struggled choosing songs from this album. Quite frankly I could have selected every song with justification as they are all masterpieces, so complete is this record. In the end I was limited to just three selections. My personal favorite “Rockin’ Chair” was among those left out. “The Unfaithful Servant” is a masterpiece of storytelling and achingly beautiful as well. 

 
timschochet said:
83. The Band “The Unfaithful Servant” (from The Band) 

Critics in 1969 knew The Band was doing something great but they didn’t know what to call it. Typically it was grouped in with Creedence and called “country rock”, but there is no song by CCR like “The Unfaithful Servant”, with its slow gospel tinge, and no vocalist anywhere quite like Rick Danko. 
It wasn’t until a decade later that Emmylou Harris, who had been just a kid in 1969, coined a name for the Band’s style of music: she called it Americana, and the name has stuck ever since. It means a combination of American roots music: folk, gospel, blues and old time country, with modern instruments. 
I really struggled choosing songs from this album. Quite frankly I could have selected every song with justification as they are all masterpieces, so complete is this record. In the end I was limited to just three selections. My personal favorite “Rockin’ Chair” was among those left out. “The Unfaithful Servant” is a masterpiece of storytelling and achingly beautiful as well. 
Click to expand...
This album is another treasure trove. You could make a case for almost every track as among the best of the year. 

 
timschochet said:
85. Thunderclap Newman “Something In the Air” (released as a single) 

https://youtu.be/RTZoJ01FpD8

A short lived band arranged and produced by Pete Townshend to showcase the lead singer and songwriter Speedy Keen. The guitarist, 16 year old Jimmy McCullogh, later played with Wings before dying young of a heroin overdose. 
Click to expand...
Proud Scot Jimmy McCulloch wants to make sure you know that's the spelling of his name.

Lots of Paul connections in this list so far.  Must be why it's so good.  :)  

 
82. Sly and the Family Stone “Everybody Is a Star” (released as a single) 

https://youtu.be/3-1s2gqDs_U

Just as much as The Beatles, Stones, Creedence, and a few others I’ve yet to mention, Sly and the Family Stone make a strong argument to be THE most dominant group of 1969, with one mega hit after another. This great single was released  as a b-side, (we’ll get to the A-side of the record later on); naturally it rose to the top of the charts. Sylvester had the magic touch in 1969. 

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ghost Rider said:
I will list some from the classic era and some newer ones. You don't strike me as a metal guy (and I am not, by and large), so I won't list any like that.  

Yes - Long Distance Runaround
ELP - From the Beginning
Genesis - Turn It On Again
Porcupine Tree - Trains  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t9Xrw6dOPc
Neal Morse Band - Freedom Song  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvJVlWbvDwM
Flying Colors - Love Letter (featuring Steve Morse of Deep Purple on lead guitar) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBo3TVaDK3M
Click to expand...
Some thoughts on the last 3: 

I like them all. Only the third one is really what ai would call “pop”, the other two aren’t IMO, but I think out of the three Freedom Song is my favorite: I really like that acoustic guitar picking. 
Does the Neal Morse band have that kind of flavor in the rest of their music? I know nothing about them. Thanks for exposing me to this! 

 
timschochet said:
Some thoughts on the last 3: 

I like them all. Only the third one is really what ai would call “pop”, the other two aren’t IMO, but I think out of the three Freedom Song is my favorite: I really like that acoustic guitar picking. 
Does the Neal Morse band have that kind of flavor in the rest of their music? I know nothing about them. Thanks for exposing me to this! 
Click to expand...
Not really, to be honest.  It is hard to sum up. Neal Morse (who is also part of that Flying Colors band I posted, as well as his solo career and Transatlantic) is very prolific and has a knack for writing long epics and cohesive concept albums, but can also write great little pop songs as well. 

Glad you enjoyed Freedom Song! You might also like these: 

Waterfall (lovely laid back acoustic number with incredible vocal harmonies)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJHzdKDctPI
The Ways of a Fool (quirky tune, very catchy)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o8GRrvUXZQ
The Call (manages to be insanely catchy and proggy at the same time, if you can dig it..the last half of the song as climaxes to that finale is absurd...seeing this live was like a religious experience, no pun intended)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v67SgcpTbw
The Man in the Iron Cage (this one rocks) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U7AKNOTeQI

Those four songs give a good idea of the different kinds of stuff they do (without getting into the longer progressive stuff). 

 
timschochet said:
81. Neil Young with Crazy Horse “Cinnamon Girl” (from Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere) 

https://youtu.be/jREf47BPe5w

Such a great guitar. And over 20 years before grunge became a thing. The bass is really solid as well. Just an excellent rock and roll song. 
Click to expand...
Way too low. Great song. I might even find a spot for it on top 100 of the decade.

 
79. Led Zeppelin “Living Loving Maid (She’s Just a Woman)” (from Led Zeppelin II) 

https://youtu.be/fSM9zc3SsuM

Led Zeppelin released two extraordinary albums in 1969, both of which will be heavily represented on this list. “Living Loving Maid” appeared on the second of these, immediately following another song to be named later, which caused many radio djs to always play them together. But Jimmy Page apparently hated “Maid” so they never played it in concert. With all due respect to Jimmy I don’t know why he hated it. It’s a kick ### rock classic so far as I’m concerned. Like so much of this band’s premier output I never get tired of listening to it. 

 
timschochet said:
79. Led Zeppelin “Living Loving Maid (She’s Just a Woman)” (from Led Zeppelin II) 

https://youtu.be/fSM9zc3SsuM

Led Zeppelin released two extraordinary albums in 1969, both of which will be heavily represented on this list. “Living Loving Maid” appeared on the second of these, immediately following another song to be named later, which caused many radio djs to always play them together. But Jimmy Page apparently hated “Maid” so they never played it in concert. With all due respect to Jimmy I don’t know why he hated it. It’s a kick ### rock classic so far as I’m concerned. Like so much of this band’s premier output I never get tired of listening to it. 
Click to expand...
It looks weird to see this song listed without its predecessor since they are always played together, but that was obviously not the original intention.  Pretty much everything on Led Zeppelin II is money. 

 
Ghost Rider said:
It looks weird to see this song listed without its predecessor since they are always played together, but that was obviously not the original intention.  Pretty much everything on Led Zeppelin II is money. 
Click to expand...
The cassette I had in the 80s had Heartbreaker and Thank You switched to make the sides more even in running time. (This sort of thing was common for record companies to do with cassettes). That was weird.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
Pip's Invitation said:
The cassette I had in the 80s had Heartbreaker and Thank You switched to make the sides more even in running time. (This sort of thing was common for record companies to do with cassettes). That was weird.
Click to expand...
Freaking cassettes.  I once had a 60-album on cassette where the song right in the middle of the running order was 10-11 minutes, so side 1 of the cassette was over 35 minutes and side 2 was around 25 with 10+ minutes of blank space then at the end. 

 
78. Blind Faith “Presence of the Lord” (from Blind Faith) 

https://youtu.be/g69EWScWE0U

Blind Faith was a collaboration between Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood that lasted less than a year and one album. But that album produced some all time classics. This gospel tinged tribute to God was Clapton expressing his gratitude for the things he most treasured in life (which, at this time, included George Harrison’s wife.) Sung masterfully by Winwood and including one of the great guitar solos of all time. 

 
77. Johnny Winter “Be Careful With a Fool” (from Johnny Winter) 

https://youtu.be/1qcRNyW-sys

Johnny Winter’s cover of B.B. King’s “Be Careful With a Fool”, from Winter’s debut album, is quite simply the best electric guitar playing I’ve ever heard. Because I love the blues and love electric guitar I’ve listened to all the greats, from Clapton to Hendrix to Allman to Stevie Ray to Hendrix to B.B. himself. And there are better blues songs out there than this one, including at least one coming up later on in this list. But this is the best guitar: If you’ve never heard it, try it out and enjoy. It won’t take more than a few seconds to get the gist (though it REALLY gets extraordinary towards the middle of the song.) 

 
Ghost Rider said:
Freaking cassettes.  I once had a 60-album on cassette where the song right in the middle of the running order was 10-11 minutes, so side 1 of the cassette was over 35 minutes and side 2 was around 25 with 10+ minutes of blank space then at the end. 
Click to expand...
Better than 8 tacks where the track would sometimes change right in the middle of the song - so you’d get a click, some silence and then the rest of the song.

 
Dr. Octopus said:
Better than 8 tacks where the track would sometimes change right in the middle of the song - so you’d get a click, some silence and then the rest of the song.
Click to expand...
Ah yes, the old 8-tracks. I worked with a guy once who had Dark Side of the Moon on 8-track and he said it drove him nuts. 

 
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