Best 167 Hippie Songs (60s – 70s)

The term “hippie” refers to a member of a countercultural movement that emerged in the 1960s, primarily in the United States. Hippies, also known as “flower children,” embraced a lifestyle characterized by non-conformity, communal living, peace, love, and an emphasis on personal freedom and spiritual exploration.

The hippie movement was a response to the social and political climate of the time, including the Vietnam War, civil rights struggles, environmental concerns, and a rejection of mainstream consumerism and materialism. Hippies rejected societal norms and values, advocating for peace, equality, and social justice.

The hippie movement of the 1960s was a countercultural revolution that embraced peace, love, and freedom. At the heart of this transformative era was music. Hippie songs became the soundtrack of a generation, amplifying the messages of social change, personal liberation, and unity. These songs resonated with the ideals and aspirations of the hippie movement, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture. In this article, we delve into the essence of hippie songs, examining their significance, influence, and timeless appeal.

Best 167 Hippies Era Songs (When Peace and Love Reign Over The World) – Old Hippie Songs 

1. Imagine -John Lennon

“Imagine” by John Lennon is often associated with the values of the hippie movement, even though it was released in 1971, slightly after the movement’s peak in the late 1960s. It’s remembered for its profound message of peace, unity, and a shared global community—values that were central to the hippie ethos.

2- Blowin in the Wind – Bob Dylan

“Blowin’ in the Wind,” written and performed by Bob Dylan, is indeed often associated with the hippie movement and the broader counterculture of the 1960s. Released in 1962 on his album “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan,” the song quickly became an anthem for change, known for its poignant questions about peace, war, and freedom.

3- Love the One You’re With – Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

“Love the One You’re With” is a song by Stephen Stills from his 1970 self-titled album. It’s often associated with the ethos of the hippie movement, as the lyrics encapsulate themes of free love and peace, ideals that were central to the counterculture of the 1960s and early 1970s.

4- The Sounds of Silence – Simon and Garfunkel

“The Sound of Silence” by Simon & Garfunkel, released in 1964, has often been associated with the counterculture movement and the themes of introspection, questioning societal norms, and seeking a deeper truth, which were central to the hippie ethos.

5 – For What It’s Worth 1967 – Buffalo Springfield

6- Let it Be – The Beatles

“Let It Be” is one of The Beatles’ most iconic songs, released in 1970, near the end of the band’s career. While it may not explicitly contain the countercultural themes or references to peace and love that are commonly associated with “hippie” songs of the 1960s, its message of acceptance and letting things take their natural course resonates with the ethos of the hippie movement.

7- California Dreamin – The Mamas and the Papas

“California Dreamin'” by The Mamas & the Papas, released in 1965, is often associated with the hippie movement of the 1960s and early 1970s. While the song doesn’t explicitly reference key elements of the counterculture or protest movements, it does evoke the era’s spirit in several ways.

8- Peace Train – Cat Stevens

“Peace Train” by Cat Stevens (now known as Yusuf Islam) is indeed often associated with the values of the hippie movement. Released in 1971, it’s an optimistic song that carries a strong message of peace and unity, sentiments that were central to the counterculture of the time.

9 – Woodstock -Joni Mitchell

The song, which appeared on her 1970 album “Ladies of the Canyon,” captures the idealism and optimism of the festival and the wider hippie movement. It describes a journey to join a band of free-spirited music lovers “to set [their] souls free” and depicts a dream of a world where “we are stardust, we are golden…and we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden,” referring to a return to a more peaceful, harmonious state of existence.

10- Heart of Gold  -Neil Young

“Heart of Gold” by Neil Young is a well-known folk rock song from his 1972 album “Harvest.” It’s a reflection of Young’s personal journey and experiences, and while it doesn’t explicitly touch upon countercultural themes such as protest against war or establishment, its introspective lyrics and acoustic sound certainly resonate with many elements of the hippie ethos.

11- Mr. Tambourine Man  -Bob Dylan

12- That’s The Way  -Led Zeppelin

13- Baba O’Reilly – The Who

14- Teach Your Children – Crobsy, Stills, Nash and Young

15- If I Had a Hammer – Peter, Paul and Mary

16- Tiny Dancer  -Elton John

17- Eight Miles High   -The Byrds

18- Suzanne  -Leonard Cohen

19- The Times They Are A Changin’  -Bob Dylan

20- Going Up the Country -Canned Heat

21- Space Oddity   -David Bowie

22- Both Sides Now – Joni Mitchell

23- Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles

24- We Shall Overcome – Joan Baez

25- Time Of the Season – The Zombies

26- Groovin’ – Rascals

27- We Gotta Get Out Of This Place  -The Animals

28- Knights in White Satin  -Moody Blues

29- Ruby Tuesday – The Rolling Stones

 30- Ohio  -Crosby Stills Nash & Young

31- I’d Love to Change the World   -Ten Years After

32- Live For Today -Grass Roots

33- All You Need Is Love  -The Beatles

34- Hurdy Gurdy Man  -Donovan

35- Break on Through – The Doors

36- If I Had A Hammer  -The Weavers

37- The Low Spark Of High-Heeled Boys – Traffic

38- Ball Of Confusion – The Temptations

39- In a gadda da vida  -Iron Butterfly

40- Feelin’ Groovy  -Simon and Garfunkel

41- Wild World  -Cat Stevens

42- What’s Going On – Marvin Gaye

43- Get Together -The Youngbloods

44- White Rabbit   -The Jefferson Airplane

45- Light My Fire   -The Doors

46- Strange Brew – Cream

47- I Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher

48- Mr. Tamborine Man – The Byrds

49- Creeque Alley  -Mamas & Papas

50- The Wind Cries Mary  -Jimi Hendrix

51- Pleasant Valley Sunday   -The Monkees

52- Spill the Wine – Eric Burdon & War

53- Us and Them  -Pink Floyd

54- For What It’s Worth  -Buffalo Springfield

55- This Land Is Your Land  -Woody Guthrie

56- Alice’s Restaurant  -Arlo Guthrie

57- Green Tambourine   -The Lemon Pipers

58- Eve of Destruction  -Barry McGuire

59- Daydream Believer – The Monkees

60- We Ain’t Got Nothin’ Yet – Blues Magoos

61- Stairway To Heaven – Led Zeppelin

62- Sympathy for the Devil   -The Rolling Stones

63- Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum

64-She’s Not There  -The Zombies 

65- Mr. Bojangles  -Jerry Jeff Walker

66- A Beautiful Morning – The Young Rascals

67- Shambala – Three Dog Night

68- Mellow Yellow – Donovan

69- Whiter Shade Of Pale – Canned Heat

 70- What Have They Done To My Song, Ma   -Melanie

71-Aquarius/Let The Sun Shine In   -The Fifth Dimension

72 Crimson and Clover   -Tommy James and the Shondells

73- Let’s Live For Today – The Grass Roots

74-Walk Right In   -The Rooftop Singers

75- I Love The Flower Girl  -The Cowsills

76- Windy – The Association

77- “Purple Haze”   Jimi Hendrix

78- Incense and Peppermints  -Strawberry Alarm Clock

79-  Lola  -The Kinks

80- Why Don’t We Do It In The Road?   -The Beatles

81 – Do You Believe In Magic?  -The Lovin Spoonful

82 – Wonderful World  -Louis Armstrong

83- I’m Free (from Tommy)  -The Who

84- Everyday People – Sly and the Family Stone

85- San Francisco   -Scott McKenzie

86- Spanish Pipedream (Blow Up Your TV)  -John Prine

87- Rainy Day Women #12 & 35  -Bob Dylan

88- Strawberry Fields Forever  -The Beatles

89- Where Have All The Flowers Gone? – Peter, Paul and Mary

90- Signs – Five Man Electrical Band

91- Moonshadow – Cat Stevens

92 – Summertime Blues – Blue Cheer

93- Indian Reservation -Paul Revere and the Raiders

94- I Gave My Love A Cherry  -Doc Watson

95- Georgy Girl  -The Seekers

96- When The Music’s Over  -The Doors

97-  99 Red Balloons  -Nena

98-  Norwegian Wood  -The Beatles

99- I Feel Just Like A Child  -Devendra Banhart

100- Lady Jane – The Rolling Stones

101- American Pie  -Don McLean

102 – Hotel California  -The Eagles

103- Light My Fire – The Doors

104- Instant Karma  -John Lennon

105- “Ripple” –  Grateful Dead

106- Hey Jude  -The Beatles

107- Truckin’   -The Grateful Dead

108- Me and Bobbi McGee  -Janis Joplin

109- Big Yellow Taxi — Joni Mitchell 

110- Higher – Sly and the Family Stone

111- Universal Soldier  -Buffy St. Marie

112- I Shall Be Released -The Band

113- Almost Cut My Hair   -Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

114- Sunshine of Your Love  -Cream

115- Fortunate Son  -Creedence Clearwater Revival

 116-You Don’t Know What Love Is (You Just Do As You’re Told)  -White Stripes

117-  Melissa  -The Allman Brothers Band

118-  Good Vibrations   -The Beach Boys

119- Pushin Too Hard – The Seeds

120- Moondance – Van Morrison

121- What The World Needs Now Is Love  -Jackie DeShannon

122- People Are Strange  -The Doors

123- Born To Be Wild  -Steppenwolf

124- Oye Como Va – Santana

125- Stoney End  -Laura Nyro

126- Melody Fair  -The Bee Gees

127 – Freaker’s Ball  -Dr. Hook

128- We’re Only in It for the Money  -Frank Zappa

129- The Weight – The Band

130- Hey Ya!   -Outkast

131 – Monterey – The Animals

132- Buffalo Gals  -John Hodges

133-   Smells Like Teen Spirit  -Nirvana

134- I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)  -The Electric Prunes

135- Share The Land – The Guess Who

136- Old Man   -Love

137- Brand New Key  -Melanie

138- Vincent  -Don McLean

139- In the Summertime  -Mungo Jerry

140- Can’t Find My Way Home – Blind Faith

141- A Horse With No Name  -America

142- Rocky Mountain High  -John Denver

143- Young Folks  -Peter Bjorn and John

144- Mother Nature’s Son  -The Beatles

145- Lucky Man  -Emerson Lake & Palmer

146- Piggies  -The Beatles

147- Turn, Turn, Turn – The Byrds

148- Itchycoo Park – Small Faces

149 – Marrakesh Express – Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

150- Hesitation Blues  -The Holy Modal Rounders

151- Candles in the Rain   Melanie.

152 – 21st Century Schizoid Man  -King Crimson

153- Alice’s Resturant – Arlo Guthrie

154- White Bird – It’s A Beautiful Day

155- Crystal Blue Persuasion – Tommy James and the Shondells

156- Puff the Magic Dragon – Peter, Paul and Mary

157- Ramble On – Led Zeppelin

158- Kumbaya – Joan Baez

159- Uneasy Rider – Charlie Daniels Band

160- Stoned Love – The Supremes

161- Magic Carpet Ride – Steppenwolf

162 – War – Edwin Starr

163- Free Form Guitar – Terry Kath

164- South California Purples – Terry Kath

165- Poem for the People – Robert Lamm

166- “Brother Mary”   Kaleidoscope

167- Sufficiently Breathless – Captain Beyond  

and
Pearl Jam – Drifting

15 Facts About Malcolm Young – Legendary Rhythm Guitarist

Explanations

• “Blowin’ in the Wind” – Bob Dylan: Known for his poetic lyrics, Dylan’s song became an anthem for the civil rights and anti-war movements.
• “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” – The 5th Dimension: This medley from the musical Hair captures the free-spirited ethos of the hippie era.
• “California Dreamin'” – The Mamas & the Papas: This song paints an idyllic picture of California, a hub of the hippie movement.
• “Woodstock” – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: Written by Joni Mitchell and popularized by CSNY, this song captures the essence of the famous Woodstock festival.
• “White Rabbit” – Jefferson Airplane: This psychedelic rock song with its Alice in Wonderland references became an anthem of the counterculture movement.
• “Imagine” – John Lennon: While it was released a bit later (1971), this song’s call for peace and unity aligns with the ideals of the hippie movement.
• “San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)” – Scott McKenzie: This song became an anthem for the 1967 Summer of Love in San Francisco.
• “The Times They Are a-Changin'” – Bob Dylan: Another Dylan classic, this song captures the spirit of social and political change that marked the era.
• “Turn! Turn! Turn!” – The Byrds: This song, with its lyrics taken almost verbatim from the Bible’s Book of Ecclesiastes, speaks of a time for peace.
• “Strawberry Fields Forever” – The Beatles: This psychedelic rock song represents the Beatles’ shift towards more experimental and countercultural music.