If you were to ask me what the best things musically about the 60s were I would say Motown and psychedelic rock. This is basically what the top part of the table is.
In first place we have the Motown record "Honey Chile" by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas which was their final original Top 40 hit of the 60s. Then in 2nd place we have the debut of Status Quo with "Pictures Of Matchstick Men" which sounds nothing like your typical Status Quo record.
In 3rd place we have "Everything I Am" by Plastic Penny which was their only Top 40 hit. Next we have "Mighty Quinn" by Manfred Mann who had kept themselves relevant throughout the 60s by adapting their sound to the times.
2 other bands who were part of the beat era and still going in 1968 were Herman's Hermits and The Tremeloes. Both records are alright but I feel like both bands are past their prime by this point.
We have 2 different versions of "Everlasting Love", the original by Robert Knight and the chart topping cover by Love Affair who are making their Top 40 debut. I like both versions though the record itself has been covered to death and both acts have made better records.
Down the bottom it's the usual boring ballads occupying these places. The irony that Engelbert Humperdinck has a record called "Am I That Easy To Forget" to which the answer is yes because I've already forgotten it.
Just above the boring ballads are the novelty records which include Radio 1 DJ Tony Blackburn having his only Top 40 hit with "So Much Love". To be fair it's not as bad as it ought to be, but it's not good either.
We're in a situation now where the best records are better than what's come before but this is getting countered by the rubbish in amongst it. This is a trend I expect to continue.
Score: 44
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