60s, 70s and 80s music in English, Spanish and more

We have always been lovers of 60s, 70s, and 80s music, but never before had we made a list where all the songs from these 3 decades appeared. In depth, we mean. As we will see below, this is the main difference compared to other listings that we have been sharing with you in recent years. Unlike the content created back then.

Until now, you probably already know if you have been visiting our blog, we had focused on creating a playlist that added up to a total of 1000 songs spanning the last 5 decades of the 20th century. Well, for this playlist of 60s, 70s, and 80s songs, we wanted to go a step further. In this, unlike in the post dedicated to the 60s songs, we do not include only 430 of this decade. We have doubled this number without losing in quality, quite the opposite. The depth is such, the genres are so broad, that we believe that the discovery is even more enriching.

In recent years, we have generally become accustomed to listening to the top 10 songs of any artist or group we come across, without giving more importance to the rest of their repertoire. In general, of course. Especially when we talk about old music, which we often know by choice or by radio and television (without needing to know who sings the songs we are listening to). If this is your case, in this playlist of 60s, 70s, and 80s music you can name both the songs you’ve heard so many times and the artists behind them. And one more thing, you may also be surprised to see the number of original musical themes that have been covered or sampled later without ever knowing. So much for the idea that covers almost never surpass the original.

Playlist with 60s, 70s, and 80s songs

In this section of this article, we leave you with the link to the playlist of songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s that we have specifically created. In it, you will find big names in music from the 60s like Etta James, The Kinks or The Who. 70s songs by bands like The Carpenters, Pink Floyd or ABBA. And, of course, music from the 80s from groups and singers like Dire Straits, Madonna or Duran Duran.

Of course, just as we name artists and bands that sang in English, you will also find in the Spotify playlist and in our selection groups and singers from the 60s, 70s, and 80s in Spanish. In the following section of this post we will name those that we recommend above the rest, but of course, you will find more. Los Salvajes, Mocedades or Radio Futura are just three examples of the total we offer.

Having said that, we begin with our selection of the best music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, where you will find the groups and singers that most often appear throughout these decades with unforgettable hits and appreciated today by a large part of the music-loving humanity.

Selection of the best 60s, 70s, and 80s music in English

Bob Dylan

When it comes to selecting music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, the competition was fierce, especially considering groups like the Bee Gees, who achieved many great hits at certain times and influenced decades when they were no longer producing chart-topping hits themselves. Therefore, beyond special mentions, our highlights are those whose careers throughout these three decades have left a lasting impact and great classics.

This is certainly the case with Bob Dylan. As a solo artist, for example, he boasts iconic and powerful songs such as “Blowin’ In The Wind,” “Like A Rolling Stone,” “Lay Lady Lay,” “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” “Hurricane,” “Tangled Up In Blue,” “Mr. Tambourine Man,” or “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” In the 80s, to top it off, he was part of the band Traveling Wilburys, alongside George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, and Tom Petty, from which we can extract, at the very least, “End Of The Line” and “Handle With Care.” Moreover, his significance was such that in 1985, he collaborated on “We Are The World,” the song of the project “USA For Africa.”

Fleetwood Mac

Fleetwood Mac, and perhaps this is why not everyone can recognize them in their own songs, is one of the most versatile groups in pop/rock music. Examples of this versatility can be found in songs like “Dreams,” “Rumours,” “Gypsy,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Little Lies,” “Everywhere,” “Go Your Own Way,” or “The Chain.” Surely, this is influenced by the variety of vocalists, instrumentation, and the evolution of music throughout these years.

Michael Jackson (and The Jackson 5)

If we consider Michael Jackson’s musical career from when he started with his brothers until his passing, he is undoubtedly one of the most important musicians of the 20th century. Perhaps the most extraordinary musical performer, given the number of hits, impact, personality, and charisma.

From 1969 to the mid-70s, we find great songs with the rest of The Jackson 5 (and later, simply The Jacksons): “I Want You Back,” “I’ll Be There,” “ABC,” “Blame It On The Boogie,” “This Place Hotel” (a.k.a. “Heartbreak Hotel”), or “Can You Feel It.” Meanwhile, as a solo artist (throughout the 70s and 80s), we encounter solo hits like “Rockin’ Robin,” “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Rock With You,” “Smooth Criminal,” “The Way You Make Me Feel,” “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing),” “Thriller,” “Beat It,” “Bad,” or “Billie Jean.”

Marvin Gaye

For others, however, the greatest might be Marvin Gaye, although the position would be contested by another famous singer named James Brown, each with their distinct style but undeniably influential for everything that came after them.

The evidence speaks for itself, as always when possible: “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” with Tammi Terrell (whom we already mentioned in our post about musical duets), “What’s Going On,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology),” “Let’s Get It On,” “Sexual Healing,” “Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler),” or “Got To Give It Up – Pt. 1.”

Paul McCartney (The Beatles and Wings)

If we talk about groups and not just solo artists, The Beatles represent some of the best from the 60s, while Wings would be one of the most significant bands of the 70s. If we add to that Paul McCartney’s solo successes in the 80s, he would undoubtedly be another highly regarded name among music enthusiasts and big fans of music from the 60s, 70s, and 80s in English.

Whether as a solo artist or as part of other bands, he has gifted us with some of the greatest songs in history. Here’s a small sample that might not entirely do him justice: “Yesterday,” “Come Together,” “In My Life,” “Get Back,” and “All You Need Is Love” (with The Beatles), “Live And Let Die,” “Band On The Run,” “Silly Love Songs,” “My Love,” and “Jet” (with Wings), and “Maybe I’m Amazed” or “Say Say Say” as a solo artist.

Selection of the best 60s, 70s, and 80s music in Spanish

Raphael

For some, Raphael is the most important Spanish singer in the world. That would leave Julio Iglesias in second place. The case is that the duel would be between them. Why? Because of the following hits: El Tamborilero, Yo Soy Aquel, Digan Lo Que Digan, Mi Gran Noche, El Tamborilero, Los Amantes, A Veces Llegan Las Cartas, Estar Enamorado or Como Yo Te Amo.

Lone Star

As not only solo singers define Spanish music, especially that from the 60s, 70s, and 80s in Spanish, here is Lone Star as an example. The progressive rock and R&B band founded in Barcelona released their last album in 1982, leaving behind a series of great hits and quite an extensive list of songs to be reclaimed. Among them, covers like “Comprensión” or “La Casa Del Sol Naciente,” their own songs like “Mi Calle,” “Quiero Besar Otra Vez Tus Labios,” “La Trilogía (Dios, El Hombre Y El Amor),” “Chica Solitaria,” “Lyla,” or “Viejo Lobo.”

Tino Casal (and Los Archiduques)

Although Tino Casal truly triumphed in the 80s, his singing career dates back to the 60s when he was part of the Asturian band Los Archiduques. However, with them, he didn’t achieve considerable success among the general public of that time.

Nevertheless, when viewed with the proper perspective and considering his importance as a solo artist, we can regard this ill-fated artist as one of the most significant figures of the 60s, 70s, and 80s. Thanks to songs like “Lamento De Gaitas,” “La Princesa Y El Juglar,” but above all, “Emborráchate,” “Champú De Huevo,” or “Embrujada.”

Roberto Carlos

Of Brazilian origin, the number of hits sung in Spanish by Roberto Carlos throughout the 60s, 70s, and 80s is such that it was impossible not to mention him among the most important singers of these decades.

Examples that attest to our assertion include: “Mi Cacharrito,” “Un Gato En La Oscuridad,” “Detalles,” “La Distancia,” “Propuesta,” “Actitudes,” “El Progreso,” “Amigo,” “Lady Laura,” “Yo Solo Quiero (Un Millón De Amigos),” “Cama Y Mesa,” or “Si El Amor Se Va.”

Marisol

Marisol’s repertoire can be considered vast, especially for fans who have followed the singer and actress from her prodigious childhood to her retirement from public life in 1985. Among her notable songs, we can mention “Tómbola,” “Ola, Ola, Ola,” “Estando Contigo,” “Yo A Ti También” (alongside Los Brincos), “Corazón Contento,” “Dile Que Vuelva,” or “Háblame Del Mar, Marinero,” “La Trenza,” and more.