Greatest Songs Of The 60s
On The Acoustic

California Dreaming an iconic song released in 1965, has become synonymous with The Mamas and The Papas' signature sound. It was featured on their album "If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears," released the same year. The song achieved remarkable success on the music charts, reaching the 4th position on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and the 23rd position on the UK singles chart.

"California Dreamin'" was penned by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips, two integral members of the band. Their inspiration for the song stemmed from a winter visit to New York City, where the desire for California's warmth and beauty during the chilly East Coast winter gave birth to this enduring classic.

Over the years, "California Dreamin'" has been covered by a multitude of artists and bands, attesting to its timeless appeal. Notable covers include renditions by Barry McGuire, Bobby Womack, José Feliciano, and even the Beach Boys. The song's universal theme of longing for a better place and time has resonated with artists from diverse musical genres.

Creeque Alley released in 1967 as part of their album "Deliver," is a distinctive song in The Mamas and The Papas' repertoire. Unlike their chart-topping singles, "Creeque Alley" wasn't released as a single and didn't chart separately. However, it played a crucial role on their "Deliver" album, which reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart, showcasing the album's commercial success.

Written by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips, two integral members of the band, "Creeque Alley" is an autobiographical narrative that offers a candid glimpse into the formation and early experiences of The Mamas and The Papas. The song vividly describes the group's struggles, triumphs, and their collective journey in the music industry.

What makes "Creeque Alley" particularly significant is its storytelling quality, providing an engaging account of the band's history. The song is praised for its unique narrative approach and its portrayal of the challenges faced by the group during their formative years.

It features references to the diverse backgrounds of the members, including John Phillips' time in the Navy and Michelle Phillips' transition from California to New York. The song's intricate harmonies and its place in the cultural and musical context of the 1960s add to its historical and artistic significance.

In The Still Of The Night was released as a single by Dion And The Belmonts back in 1960 and reached #38 in the US. This is a remake of an old Cole Porter song originally released in 1937. There is another song with the same name but a totally different song.

This version features Dion's distinctive vocals and the group's signature harmonies, and it has become a classic example of doo-wop music. The song's nostalgic lyrics and slow tempo are perfectly suited to the group's style, and their recording remains a beloved example of the doo-wop genre.

The song can be found on the album "Wish Upon A Star with Dion And The Belmonts. 

Monday Monday was released in 1966 and is one of The Mamas and The Papas' most iconic songs. It was featured on their album "If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears." The song achieved remarkable success on the music charts, making it a memorable part of their musical legacy.

In the United States, it soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, securing the No. 1 position, while also reaching No. 3 on the UK singles chart. Written by John Phillips, the song captures the universal feeling of the start of the workweek, making it relatable to audiences worldwide.

Over the years, "Monday, Monday" has retained its popularity, becoming one of the band's signature hits. Its catchy melody and harmonies exemplify The Mamas and The Papas' distinctive sound, making it an anthem of the 1960s.

The song's enduring appeal is a testament to the band's impact on the folk-rock genre.

Ruby Baby is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and originally recorded by The Drifters in 1956. However, it was Dion who had a major hit with the song in 1963 when he recorded his own version, titled "Ruby Baby". Dion's recording of the song features a more uptempo arrangement than the original, with a driving beat and energetic horns.

"Ruby Baby" became a top 5 hit for Dion, reaching #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and helped solidify his status as one of the top artists of the early 1960s. The song's catchy melody and Dion's passionate vocals have made it a perennial favorite, and it has been covered by numerous artists over the years.

In addition to its commercial success, "Ruby Baby" is also notable for its role in the evolution of rock and roll, as it helped bridge the gap between the doo-wop and R&B styles of the 1950s and the more guitar-driven sound that would dominate the 1960s. Del Shannon, Bobby Darin and The Beach Boys are just a few artists who have covered this one.

Runaround Sue is one of Dion DiMucci's most famous and lasting hits. It was released in 1961 and became a #1 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as a top 20 hit in several other countries. Dion co-wrote this one and was a hit after he went solo from The Belmonts.

The song's catchy melody and upbeat tempo, coupled with Dion's distinctive voice and style, made it an instant classic. The lyrics tell the story of a woman named Sue who is known for being unfaithful and playing with men's hearts, earning her the nickname "runaround Sue".

The song can be found on the album of the same name.

Spooky was first recorded as an instrumental in 1967 but lyrics were added for The classics IV version which was released in 1968 and reached #3 in the US.

The track is from the album of the same name.

The Wanderer was also a song released from the "Runaround Sue" album and written by long time friend Ernie Maresca. Dion used the same backup singers known as the Del-Satins for this track as he did with Runaround Sue. 

"The Wanderer" is another classic hit by Dion DiMucci. It was released in 1961 and became a top 5 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as a hit in several other countries.

"The Wanderer" has been covered by numerous artists over the years and has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, cementing its place in pop culture history. The song's combination of catchy melody, energetic rhythm, and vivid storytelling make it a timeless classic of the rock and roll genre.

Traces became the Classics IV highest charting song peaking at #2 in both Canada and the US back in 1969.

The groups other bit song was "Stormy" which reached #5 on the charts. 

Walk Right In is an old blues tune from 1929 that was revived in 1963 by a group called Rooftop Singers who had a huge #1 in several countries with their re-make.

The song is on their album of the same name.

You Were On My Mind was a folk song originally by Canadian artists Ian and Sylvia Tyson. We Five turned it into a pop hit in 1965, scoring a #1 on the US charts.

The track can be found on the album of the same name.