4 Songs That Marked the Birth of Psychedelic Rock

There is no one song that “started” the psychedelic rock movement of the 1960s. It was a natural evolution and a response to what rock music had delivered thus far. However, one can’t deny that these four songs are some of the most memorable to come out of the psychedelic rock movement. Let’s dive in, shall we?

1. “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane

“White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane is one of the most recognizable psychedelic rock songs from the 1960s. Whether you were around to hear it debut or discovered it decades later, it’s a song that has stood the test of time in ways that many similar tracks from the 1960s haven’t. It’s San Fransisco, it’s Alice In Wonderland, it’s a time capsule. You just can’t beat Grace Slick’s voice and those trippy instrumentals.

2. “Rain” by The Beatles

There are quite a few songs from The Beatles that deserve a spot on this brief list. “Tomorrow Never Knows” and “I Am The Walrus” are a couple of runner-ups worth mentioning. However, “Rain” deserves some credit for being the song that marked a notable change in the Fab Four’s sound. While under the influence of a particular substance that starts with L and ends in D, John Lennon accidentally ran his tape deck backwards; and decided to include the distorted vocals in The Beatles’ music.

3. “Purple Haze” by Jimi Hendrix

This wouldn’t be a halfway decent list of influential psychedelic rock songs without mentioning this iconic Jimi Hendrix Experience track. “Purple Haze” is, for lack of a better descriptor, alien. Or at least, it was alien when it was released back in 1967. The insane guitar stabs, the psychedelic fuzz, the surreal and almost dark vibe to it… “Purple Haze” is an incredible piece of work with a bluesy, soulful attitude.

4. “The End” by The Doors

The Doors were firmly planted in a vague space between the end of “traditional” hard rock music and the birth of psychedelia. “The End” is a great example of that placement. The music talents of the band, coupled with Morrison’s irresistible charisma, turned this extra-long track into a dark, almost sinister anthem that contrasted the hippie-love energy of popular music at the time.

Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.