Best 60s Rock Songs to Play on Guitar

On this page, you’ll find a carefully selected lineup of iconic 60s rock songs that every guitarist should have in their repertoire.

Whether you’re drawn to the powerful vocals of Jay and The Americans, the folk-rock fusion of Buffalo Springfield, or the harmonious sunshine pop of The Mamas & The Papas, each song here comes with chords, strumming tips, and full video demos to help you play it confidently.

From garage rock riffs to laid-back acoustic grooves, this list celebrates the vibrant heart of 60s rock.

Can't Find My Way Home was written by Steve Winwood back in 1969 and released by his group Blind Faith, which Eric Clapton was also a part of that band. Over the years the song has been covered by many artists.

It can be found on the album of the same name.

For What It's Worth was recorded Buffalo Springfield and written by the group's guitarist and vocalist Stephen Stills. The song was released in January 1967 as a single and later included on their self-titled debut album.

The recording features Stills on lead vocals and guitar, with fellow band members Neil Young on guitar and Richie Furay on backing vocals. The song is notable for its distinctive guitar riff and the use of tremolo and reverb effects.

The song was not initially a commercial success, only reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, but it has since become one of the most enduring and iconic songs of the 1960s.

Kind Woman from Buffalo Springfield, was written by the group's bassist and vocalist Richie Furay. The song was included on their third and final album, "Last Time Around," which was released in 1968.

The recording features Furay on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, with Stills on lead guitar, Neil Young on piano, and Jim Messina on bass. The song's arrangement is notable for its use of harmonies and counterpoint, particularly in the instrumental break.

"Kind Woman" was not released as a single and did not receive significant airplay, but it has since become a fan favorite and has been covered by several artists.

Mr. Soul is a song by Buffalo Springfield, written by the group's guitarist and vocalist Neil Young. The song was included on their second album, "Buffalo Springfield Again," which was released in 1967.

The recording features Young on lead vocals and guitar, with Stephen Stills on backing vocals and lead guitar, and Richie Furay on rhythm guitar. The song's arrangement is notable for its use of distortion and feedback, which was relatively uncommon in mainstream rock music at the time.

"Mr. Soul" was released as a single in the United States and Canada, but did not chart. However, the song has since become a classic of the psychedelic rock era and has been covered by several artists.

On The Way Home was written by the group's guitarist and vocalist Neil Young. The song was included on their third and final album, "Last Time Around," which was released in 1968.

The recording features Young on lead vocals and guitar, with Richie Furay on backing vocals and rhythm guitar, Stephen Stills on backing vocals and bass guitar, and Jim Messina on lead guitar.

"On the Way Home" was not released as a single and did not receive significant airplay, but it has since become a fan favorite and has been covered by several artists. The song is considered one of the highlights of "Last Time Around," which marked the end of Buffalo Springfield's brief but influential career.

Rock And Roll Woman is a song by Buffalo Springfield, written by the group's bassist and vocalist Bruce Palmer. The song was included on their second album, "Buffalo Springfield Again," which was released in 1967.

"Rock and Roll Woman" was released as a single in the United States, but did not chart. However, the song has since become a classic of the rock genre and has been covered by several artists. The song's upbeat energy and catchy melody have made it a favorite of many Buffalo Springfield fans.

She Cried was released in 1962 and became the breakout hit for Jay and the Americans, reaching #5 on the Billboard Hot 100.

With its haunting melody, dramatic build-up, and emotionally charged vocals, the song captured the heartbreak of lost love in a way that resonated deeply with teen audiences of the early 60s.

The band's signature blend of doo-wop and orchestral pop is on full display here, laying the foundation for their string of hits to follow. A great choice for guitar players looking to explore expressive chord changes and simple, powerful rhythm work.

I'd Wait a Million Years from the bands 1969 album called Leaving It All Behind. The song was written by Gary Zekley and Mitchell Bottler, and it became one of the band's biggest hits, reaching #15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart

"I'd Wait a Million Years" has since become a classic of the pop rock genre and has been covered by other artists, including Wayne Newton and Neil Sedaka.

Midnight Confessions was released as a single in 1968. The song was written by Lou T. Josie and became one of the band's biggest hits, reaching #5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

"Midnight Confessions" has since become a classic of the pop rock genre and has been covered by other artists, including The Everly Brothers and Meco Monardo.

Sooner Or Later was released in 1971 as a single form the album Their 16 Greatest Hits. The song was written by Dennis Provisor, who was a keyboardist and vocalist for the band.

"Sooner Or Later" was released as a single in 1971 and reached #9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

It was the bands last top 10 in the US.

Things I Should Have Said was recorded by the American rock band The Grass Roots in 1967. The song was written by group members Steve Barri and P.F. Sloan, who also produced the track.

This track was released as a single in 1967 and reached #23 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song remains a beloved classic of the pop-rock genre and has been covered by other artists, including The Monkees.

Two Divided By Love is a song by The Grass Roots, a popular band from the 1970s. It was written by Michael Price and Dan Walsh.

The song talks about the pain of love when two people feel separated from each other. It was released as a single in 1971 and was part of their album called "Move Along."

The song did well on the music charts, reaching number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

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. T

he 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.

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.

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.

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.

Go All The Way  came out in 1972 on their first album, also called "Raspberries."

It was their biggest hit, reaching number 5 on the US charts.

The song is about wanting to be with someone and has a catchy vibe that many people loved.

Let's Pretend was on their second album, "Fresh," released in 1972. This song didn't do as well on the charts, but it still reached number 35 in the US.

It's a softer love song that shows off the band's skill with melodies. The song helped make The Raspberries famous for their power pop sound, which mixed rock energy with pop catchiness. This song are still played on radio stations today and are remembered as classic examples of 1970s power pop music.

Should I Wait is actually not a 60s song but a 1973 song from the bands album "Side 3".

The song was never released as a single.