An American Songwriter writer picks four songs from 1966 that they say still give them goosebumps, highlighting a year seen as pivotal in mainstream music's evolution. The piece is a personal, opinion-led list rather than a chart or awards ranking, drawing on tracks by The Mamas & The Papas, Dusty Springfield, The Beach Boys and Simon & Garfunkel.

– "Monday, Monday" by The Mamas & The Papas — praised for harmonic shifts that mirror the song's emotional turns
– "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" by Dusty Springfield — noted for its tender vocals and lush orchestration, based on the Italian song "Io che non vivo (senza te)"
– "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by The Beach Boys, from Pet Sounds — described as bright and hopeful, still resonant with adult listeners
– "Homeward Bound" by Simon & Garfunkel — singled out for its nostalgic, bittersweet portrayal of homesickness