Do You Know the Opening Lyrics of These '60s Songs?

By: Lauren Lubas
Estimated Completion Time
7 min
Do You Know the Opening Lyrics of These '60s Songs?
Image: Wiki Commons by Elektra Records-Joel Brodsky

About This Quiz

Music is an outlet for people. Many people even have different genres and time periods they crank up depending on their moods. You may find that a little rap is great when you're in the car on a bright sunny day, or you might notice how classic rock takes you back in time when you want to sit on the porch with a cold one.

There is one decade, however, when the music was so good, so pure and so on point that you could probably listen to it at any time, in any mood. That decade is the 1960s. Rock and roll was a burgeoning genre. People had no idea what to do when dancing replaced toe-tapping, and some of them protested the sounds that emerged. But we all know that when the adults complain, youth rebel. From the British invasion to the gloriously political rock and roll sounds that came out of the 1960s, music made a definite change, and it wasn't about to apologize.

If you grew up in the '60s, or you have a special place in your heart for the music that changed the world, you probably know a few lyrics to a few songs. But can you tell us the opening lines to all of these hits?

Chubby Checker
Wiki Commons by Jack T. Franklin, PHiladelphia
This dance song changed America. What are the opening lyrics of Chubby Checker's "The Twist" (1960)?
"Let's do the twist"
"Take me by the hand"
"And go like this"
"Come on baby"
The Ronettes
Wiki Commons by GAC-General Artists Corporation-management
The Ronettes pleaded in "Be My Baby" (1964), but how did the song begin?
"If I had the chance, I'd never let you go"
"I'll make you happy, baby"
"Be my little baby"
"The night we met, I knew I needed you so"
The Animals
Wiki Commons by Richard William Laws
What are the first words to "House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals?
"She's got blue jeans"
"Her tight dress spoke to me"
"There is a house in New Orleans"
"My mother was a tailor"

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Ben E King
delihayat/E+/Getty Images
"Stand By Me" is a song that has stood the test of time. Do you know its first lines?
"When the night has come"
"The moon is the only light we'll see"
"I won't be afraid"
"If the sky that we look upon"
The Monkees
Wiki Commons by Entertainment International
Do you know the opening line of "I'm a Believer" (1967) by the Monkees?
"Love was out to get me"
"Not a trace of doubt in my mind"
"I thought love was only true in fairy tales"
"Disappointment haunted all my dreams"
The Foundations
ProjectB/E+/Getty Images
"Build Me Up Buttercup" is one of the most singable songs ever written. Do you know the opening lyrics?
"How do you fill me up"
"Why do you build me up"
"Can you chill me out"
"When you smile"

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The Mamas and the Papas
Wiki Commons by ABC Television
The Mamas and the Papas made everyone dream of California, but can you find the first line of the song, "California Dreamin'" (1966)?
"If I was in L.A."
"I'd be safe and warm"
"I went for a walk"
"All the leaves are brown"
The Four Tops
Wiki Commons by Ron Kroon / Anefo
You might not recognize this one right off the bat, but do you know the first words from "I Can't Help Myself" by The Four Tops?
"You're the one, the only one, the one I need"
"I don't wanna see you 'round here anymore"
"She's only got eyes for him, but I don't mind"
"Ooh, sugar pie, honey bunch, you know that I love you"
Elvis Presley
Wiki Commons by MGM
Can you guess the opening line of Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds" (1969)?
"We're caught in a trap"
"We can't go on together"
"So, if an old friend I know"
"Would I still see suspicion in your eyes?"

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The Rolling Stones
Wiki Commons by Bert Verhoeff (ANEFO)
In 1966, The Rolling Stones had a hit with "Paint It Black." Do you know the opening lyrics?
"I see a red door"
"I see a black door"
"I see a green door"
"I see a wood door"
The Troggs
Wiki Commons by Photographer: Jac. de Nijs (ANEFO)
Do you know the first lyrics of "Wild Thing" by The Troggs?
"There is a house in New Orleans"
"Wild thing, I think I love you"
"Wild thing, you make my heart sing"
"Come on and hold me tight"
The Temptations 2
Wiki Commons by Bernie Ilson, Inc.
"My Girl" was a hit by The Temptations in 1965. Can you pick the opening lyrics?
"When it's cold outside, I got the month of May"
"I've got sunshine on a cloudy day"
"I guess you'd say"
"What can make me feel this way"

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Diana Ross & The Supremes
Wiki Commons by GAC-General Artists Corporation-IMTI-International Talent Management Inc.
Can you guess the opening lyrics to "Stop! In The Name Of Love" by Diana Ross & The Supremes?
"I watch you walk down the street"
"Stop! In the name of love, before you break my heart"
"This time, before you run to her"
"Think it over"
The Temptations
Wiki Commons by Motown Records
In the 1960s, The Temptations weren't too proud to beg, but do you know the opening lyrics to "Ain't Too Proud To Beg" (1966)?
"I refuse to let you go"
"I can build a castle from a single grain of sand"
"I know you wanna leave me"
"I heard a crying man is half a man"
The Righteous Brothers
Wiki Commons by Orange County Archives
The Righteous Brothers' "Unchained Melody" (1965) is considered one of the best love songs of all time. Can you spot the opening lyrics?
"Lonely rivers flow"
"Wait for me, wait for me"
"Time goes by so slowly"
"Oh, my love, my darling"

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The Shirelles
Wiki Commons by Universal Attractions
The Shirelles made this one famous. What are the opening lyrics of "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" (1960)?
"Tomorrow I'm yours"
"We had a great night"
"Is this a lasting treasure"
"Tonight you're mine"
The Doors
Wiki Commons by APA-Agency for the Performing Arts-management
We all know that The Doors were controversial in the '60s, but do you remember the opening lyrics to "Light My Fire" (1967)?
"Come on baby, light my fire"
"If I was to say to you"
"You know that it would be untrue"
"Try to set the night on fire"
The Beatles
Wiki Commons by Parlophone Music Sweden
Do you know the opening lyrics to The Beatles' hit, "Eight Days A Week" (1964)?
"Hold me, love me"
"Oh, I need your love, babe"
"I ain't got nothing but love girl"
"Eight days a week"

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Marvin Gaye
Wiki Commons by J. Edward Bailey
In 1968, Marvin Gaye heard it through the grapevine . Do you know the opening lyrics to that song?
"Oh I bet you're wonderin' how I knew"
"It took me by surprise"
"When I found out yesterday"
"I'm just about to lose my mind"
Sonny and Cher
Wiki Commons by ABC Television
Sonny and Cher were an unstoppable duo. Do you know the opening lyrics to their hit, "I Got You Babe" (1965)?
"They say our love won't pay the rent"
"I'm sure of all the things we got"
"They say we're young and we don't know"
"I got flowers in the spring"
The Byrds
Wiki Commons by Joost Evers / Anefo
Can you guess the opening lyrics to The Byrds' "Mr. Tambourine Man" (1965)?
"I'm ready to go anywhere"
"I'm ready to fade away"
On to my own parade cast your dancin' spell my way"
"Hey Mister Tambourine Man, play a song for me"

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The Rolling Stones 2
Wiki Commons by Gorup de Besanez
What are the first lyrics to "Jumpin' Jack Flash" by The Rolling Stones?
"I was born in a cross-fire hurricane"
"I was raised by a toothless,, bearded hag"
"I was drowned, I was washed up and left for dead"
"I was crowned with a spike right through my head"
The Kinks
Wiki Commons by W. Veenman
The Kinks made "You Really Got Me" famous. Do you know the opening lyrics?
"Girl, you really got me goin'"
"Girl, you really have me now"
"Girl, it's a wild night"
"It was a wild Saturday"
Neil Diamond
Wiki Commons by Jessie Eastland
"Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond is a karaoke sensation. Do you know its opening line?
"I'd be inclined"
"Where it began, I can't begin to knowing"
"Hands, touching hands, reaching out, touching me, touching you"
"Sweet Caroline, good times never seemed so good"

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Bob Dylan
Wiki Commons by Rowland Scherman
Some say Bob Dylan was the king of the 1960s. Do you know the first lyrics to "Like a Rolling Stone" (1965)?
"Once upon a time, you dressed so fine"
"Now you don't seem so proud"
"To be without a home"
"With no direction home"
the Marvelettes
Wiki Commons by Motown/Tamla Records-photographer-James Kriegsmann, New York
Do you remember the opening lyrics from "Please Mr. Postman" by the Marvelettes?
"Wait Mr. Postman"
"Please Mr. Postman"
"Stop Mr. Postman"
"Give me a letter Mr. Postman"
Steppenwolf
Wiki Commons by ABC / Dunhill Records
Can you spot the opening lyrics to Steppenwolf's "Born to Be Wild" (1968)?
"Take it as it comes"
"Lookin' for adventure"
"I was born"
"Get your motor runnin'"

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Buffalo Springfield
RyanJLane/E+/Getty Images
Of all the political music of the 1960s, Buffalo Springfield's "For What It's Worth" (1966) seems to be the leader of it all. What are the first words of the song?
"Stop, children, what's that sound"
"There's something happening here"
"There's a man with a gun over there"
"There's battle lines being drawn"
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Wiki Commons by Fantasy Records
In "Fortunate Son" (1969), Creedence Clearwater Revival made a bold political statement. Do you know the song's opening line?
"Some folks are born made to wave the flag"
"Some folks are born silver spoon in hand"
"Ooh, they're red, white and blue"
"It ain't me, it ain't me"
Sam Cooke
Wiki Commons by RCA Victor Records
Sam Cooke had some amazing hits. What are the opening lyrics to "A Change is Gonna Come" (1964)?
"I've been too hard living"
"I'm afraid to die"
"I was born by the river in a little tent"
"I go to the movie and I go downtown"

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The Who
Wiki Commons by Jean-Luc
The Who gave us some great music in the 1960s. Do you know the opening lyrics to "I Can See For Miles" (1967)?
"I know that you have"
"There's magic in your eyes"
"I know you've deceived me, now here's a surprise"
"You took advantage of my trust in you"
Jimi Hendrix
Wiki Commons by Warner/Reprise Records
We can't have a '60s music quiz without a little Jimi Hendrix. What are the opening lyrics to "All Along the Watchtower" (1968)?
"There's too much confusion"
"There must be some kind of way outta here"
"No reason to get excited"
"There are many here among us who feel that life is but a joke"
James Brown
Wiki Commons by ABC Television
The James Brown hit, "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," (1966) has interesting lyrics. Do you know the first few?
"He ain't no drag"
"He's got a brand new bag"
"He's doing the jerk"
"Come here, sister ... papa's in the swing"

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Van Morrison
Marianne Purdie/Moment/Getty Images
Van Morrison sang "Brown Eyed Girl" in 1967. Do you know the first line?
"Days when the rains came"
"Hey, where did we go?"
"Down in the hollow"
"Playin' a new game"
The Beach Boys
Wiki Commons by ABC Television
The Beach Boys were all about those "Good Vibrations," but do you know the opening lyrics to that song?
"I love the colorful clothes she wears"
"Close my eyes"
"I'm pickin' up good vibrations"
"She's giving me excitations"