The 60′s were a groundbreaking period in music as lyrics and rhythm was freshly infused with emotion, largely in part to the growing civic unrest and social discontent that shaped the decade. With Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War, the 60′s were filled with protests, public demonstrations and an anti-establishment undercurrent that led to experimentation on new frontiers. Whether it was free love or organic substances that led to new found muses, future generations are at least thankful for the lyrical legacy the 60′s left for music lovers everywhere. Here’s a look at the best from a powerful decade of music.

1. “Like a Rolling Stone” (Bob Dylan) Though many fans think this was actually the inspiration from which The Rolling Stones took their name, the song “Rollin’ Stone” by Muddy Waters is the root from which both the British rock group and this song sprang up. Still, arguably Dylan’s greatest work, “Like a Rolling Stone” was influential in its own right, named by Rolling Stone Magazine as the greatest rock ‘n roll song of all time.
2. “Respect” (Aretha Franklin) If respect is what she was after, Franklin certainly got it with this hit. A staple of the feminist and civil rights movements, “Respect” became Franklin’s signature song, defining an extraordinary career.
3. “Hey Jude” (The Beatles) Originating from a song written by Paul McCartney to cheer up John Lennon’s son Julian after his parents’ divorce, “Hey Jules” eventually evolved into “Hey Jude,” one of the most successful singles of all time. The song is unique in that became a chart-topping hit while still topping the 7:00 minute barrier, a rare feat in any decade that should not be taken lightly.
4. “Satisfaction” (The Rolling Stones) With lyrics that insinuate both sexuality and opposition to the rampant rise of commercialism, perhaps no song better epitomizes the 1960′s than “Satisfaction.”
5. “All Along the Watchtower” (Bob Dylan/Jimi Hendrix) Though Dylan released the original song, Hendrix and his band at the time (The Jimi Hendrix Experience) recorded their own version which Dylan himself admitted was markedly improved. Sticking with Dylan’s timeless lyrics and Hendrix’s legendary performance, it’s hard to find a better cover across any genre. In fact, Dylan changed the way he played the song to include Hendrix’s changes and is on record saying when he plays the song he feels he is paying tribute to Hendrix.