This is page 4 of the readers’ top psychedelic songs list. View page 1.
‘Song for Our Ancestors’
Steve Miller Band | 1968
Reader J. Johnson finds this opening track on Miller’s “Sailor” album works well “for the head as well as the ears.” The atmospheric 6-minute instrumental is “unusual for Steve Miller music.”
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An instrumental that’s for the head as well as the ears.
‘Horse Latitudes’
The Doors | 1967
Reader T. Modock warns: “Do not listen to this while tripping; it’s extremely odd and scary as is.” Found on the second LP, it’s “one of the weirder and more avant-garde pieces by the Doors.”
> Listen
Do not listen to this while tripping. You’ve been warned.
‘Pictures of Matchstick Men’
Status Quo | 1968
Reader C. Blom recalls this as the long-running English band’s “real first hit,” out of so many in the U.K. You’ll want the mono version, complete with the trippy wah-wah and phasing. “Love it.”
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‘Psychotic Reaction’
Count Five | 1966
Reader S. Annan notes: “Many have filed this great song under garage rock, which also fits as it is far more ragged than polished. But those psych breaks …” Part of the “Nuggets” family.
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Many have filed this great song under garage rock — which also fits.
‘Through With You’
Lemon Pipers | 1968
Reader Mr. Lee is in for the long haul with this “9-minute opus,” complete with “Byrds-like guitar solo and great intro.” Closing the debut LP, it “did not even make their greatest hits record.”
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A 9-minute opus features Byrds-like guitar solo and a great intro.
‘May the Circle Remain Unbroken’
13th Floor Elevators | 1969
Reader M. Weiner: “Creates a total sound/head space, bringing a legendary piece of American folk-roots culture directly into the late ’60s psychedelic consciousness.” Closes “Bull of the Woods.”
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A total sound/head space created by the Elevators.
‘1983 … ‘
Jimi Hendrix Experience | 1968
Reader G. Williams says “you won’t find a trippier time than with some headphones and this gem of audio-cinema: “1983 … a Merman I Should Turn to Be.” Dive into the “surreal soundscape.”
You won’t find a trippier time than in this surreal soundscape.
‘Sunshine of Your Love’
Cream | 1967
Reader S. Ray wants you to listen carefully to this “perfect example of a classic blues crunch tone on the guitar.” Dig “the late ’60s creation of Eric Clapton called ‘the woman tone.’ ”
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Eric Clapton’s “the woman tone” with classic blues crunch.
‘Trieulogy’
Kak | 1969
Reader D. Bartko: “Dark and moody, this exceptionally well-played piece conjures up all of the magical imagery of the psychedelic heaviness that that era had to offer.” Out of the Bay Area.
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Dark and moody with the magical imagery of psychedelic heaviness.
‘Alone Again Or’
Love | 1967
Reader J. Garcia thinks Bryan MacLean’s “Forever Changes” opener “captures perfectly the love and peace atmosphere of late ’60s California.” Horns inspired by the Tijuana Brass.
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Captures perfectly the love and peace atmosphere of late ’60s California.
‘Reflections From the Looking Glass’
1910 Fruitgum Company | 1967
Reader D. Almaguer urges you to listen without prejudice: “(‘Reflections’) is the sound of the time.” An “excellent” B-side that “doesn’t sound like bubblegum music — quite ironic.”
> Listen
The sound of the time — doesn’t sound like “bubblegum music.”
‘Too Many Do’
The Peanut Butter Conspiracy | 1967
Reader A.L. Brackett recalls this track from the second LP as “perhaps the first long recording — 6 1/2 minutes — to get airplay in 1967.” The L.A. band “was not a huge success, but great in concert.”
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Perhaps the first long recording to get airplay in 1967.
‘Epitaph for a Head’
J.D. Blackfoot | 1969
Reader J. Selby clicks with this “manic Neanderthal beat” out of Ohio. “Crazed fuzz guitar, impassioned vocals, intense. Leaves the listener stunned. I saw them perform this live — wow!”
> Listen
Crazed fuzz guitar, impassioned vocals, intense. Leaves the listener stunned.
‘Not So Sweet Martha Lorraine’
Country Joe and the Fish | 1967
Reader T. Modock: “The kooky lyrics tell an interesting story.” The “psych/blues fusion” from the San Francisco band’s classic debut album “reminds me of the great music of the 1960s.”
> Listen
A psych/blues fusion. The kooky lyrics tell an interesting story.
‘The Paw Paw Negro Blowtorch’
Brian Eno | 1974
Reader P. Hughes hails this “great production” with “warped lyrics” based on a curious tale from the 1880s. From Eno’s debut LP, “an opening gambit by an emerging uber genius of headspace.”
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An opening gambit by an emerging uber genius of headspace.
‘In the Valley of the Shadow of Love’
Tuesday’s Children | 1968
Reader J. Stewart likes the “great introduction” to this dreamy B-side. “The lead singer’s voice is incredible.” This North London psych band morphed into the equally obscure prog outfit Czar.
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‘Change Is Now’
The Byrds | 1967
Reader M. Weiner calls this track from “The Notorious Byrd Brothers” a “dream within a dream within a sweet message song.” B-side of “Goin’ Back,” written by Roger McGuinn & Chris Hillman.
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A dream within a dream within a sweet message song.
‘Do You Dream’
Circus | 1968
Reader B. Starke loves the lyrics: “Do you dream / Castles in the sky / Do you dream / So do I.” Beatles-influenced song from prolific Brit songwriter Philip Goodhand-Tait (Stormsville Shakers).
> Listen
→ MORE PSYCHEDELIC SONGS: view the readers’ list on PAGE 5.
- Nominate psychedelic albums (or songs).
- View readers’ top albums.
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