3 Rock Songs From the 1960s That Still Inspired Songwriters to Write
The article names three 1960s rock songs as lasting sources of inspiration for songwriters: Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit”, Paul McCartney’s “Yesterday” and the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black”. It argues that each offers a different creative lesson, from drawing on familiar stories to trusting simplicity and aiming for an original sound.
“White Rabbit” is linked to Grace Slick’s powerful performance and its use of the Alice in Wonderland story. McCartney said “Yesterday” came to him in a dream, while its sparse arrangement shows how much a song can achieve with little embellishment. “Paint It Black” is presented as an example of music that stands apart, encouraging writers to have confidence in their own distinctive ideas.
- Three 1960s songs are held up as songwriting inspiration.
- “Yesterday” shows the power of a simple arrangement.
- “Paint It Black” is praised for its distinctive sound.