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