The Liner Notes

Issue №19 · August 21, 2026 · from the archive

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Special Issue · The '60s Hits Issue

The Liner Notes

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones — cover art

Certified

Nostalgia

Artist Spotlight

The Rolling Stones

rock music · 1965–2011

Side A, Side B, All Feelings

  • The Countdown · Top 10 Tracks That Ruled the Tape Deck
  • Mixtape Map · Inside '60s Hits
  • Needle Drop · Wooly Bully” by Pharaohs & Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs
  • In Memoriam · Dolly Parton

Issue №19
August 21, 2026 · $3.33

№ 19

From the DJ Booth

Dear Listener,

This issue is a 90-minute blank, a finger on pause, and the radio DJ talking over the outro.

Everything in here orbits '60s Hits. The Rolling Stones gets the spotlight, and 1968 by the Numbers is the page you'll text a friend about.

Pull up a beanbag, drop the needle, and add your version in the margins — every song's got a Memory Wall.

Keep it rewound, — The G33Z3R DJ

This week’s issue: '60s Hits

Editor's Letter

Artist Spotlight

The Rolling Stones

rock music · 1965–2011

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones — cover art

Imagine a world where the sound of electric guitars mingles with the gritty echoes of blues, a place where rock and roll reigns supreme. Welcome to the sonic realm of The Rolling Stones, the legendary British band that has been shaking the foundations of music since 1962. With a lineup that includes the charismatic Mick Jagger and the ever-cool Keith Richards, they’ve crafted timeless hits like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” “Brown Sugar,” and “Gimme Shelter.” Their eclectic mix of rock, blues rock, and psychedelic influences has shaped the genre, making them icons of a generation. As each riff reverberates, you can almost feel the pulse of a restless spirit, reminding us all why the Stones are forever etched in our hearts. Rock on!

Read the full piece →p. 3

Artist Spotlight

The Rolling Stones · cont.

Formed 1962

The facts

The Rolling Stones in the crate

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
The Rolling Stones1965
19th Nervous Breakdown
The Rolling Stones1966
Jumpin' Jack Flash
The Rolling Stones1968
Sympathy for the Devil
The Rolling Stones1968
The G33Z3R Verdict★★★★★Put it on and watch the room start singing.
Read the full piece →p. 4

From the Zine

The Soundtrack of Change

How '60s hits captured a generation's spirit.

I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles — cover art
On the turntable: “I Want to Hold Your Hand” — The Beatles.

The '60s were a time of transformation, both socially and musically. Emerging from the shadows of the previous decade, the airwaves crackled with a new energy that challenged the status quo. Artists like The Beatles and The Supremes led the charge, crafting infectious melodies that resonated with the youth. Against the backdrop of civil rights movements and cultural upheaval, these songs became anthems of hope and rebellion, pushing against the norms of the past and paving the way for a more liberated future.

The Motown stomp, surf harmonies, and British invasion defined an era, but it was the emotional connection that truly mattered. Kids danced to “Wooly Bully,” sang along to “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” and found solace in “To Sir With Love.” These weren't just songs; they were the soundtrack of a generation, a way to express the joy, confusion, and longing that came with growing up in a world on the brink of change. The music of the '60s didn’t just entertain; it united, inspired, and empowered a generation to find their voices.

By The Liner Notes staff.

p. 5

Needle Drop

Wooly Bully

Pharaohs & Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs · 1965 · Rock

Wooly Bully by Pharaohs & Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs — cover art
Where you heard it

On MTV, between two videos you actually taped.

Best listened to while…

slow-dancing badly in a gymnasium.

Memory trigger

Some part of you never left the year it came out.

▸ Play it on

Tap ☆ to set your player — from then on it's one-tap play everywhere.

What were you doing when this was everywhere? Share a memory →Needle Drop

Needle Drop

Wooly Bully

Pharaohs & Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs · 1965 · Rock

If you like this…

Theme from "A Summer Place"
Percy Faith1960
Tossin' and Turnin'
Bobby Lewis1961
Stranger On the Shore
Acker Bilk1961
I Want to Hold Your Hand
The Beatles1964
To Sir With Love
Lulu1967
What were you doing when this was everywhere? Share a memory →Needle Drop

The Countdown

Top 10 Tracks That Ruled the Tape Deck

Get ready to groove through the ultimate Top-10 countdown! These tracks aren't just songs; they're the soundtrack to our lives. Buckle up for a nostalgic journey through the hits that defined a decade!

  1. 1
    Theme from "A Summer Place" by Percy Faith — cover art
    Theme from "A Summer Place"

    Percy Faith · 1960

    This lush melody whisks me away to sun-soaked summer days by the shore.

  2. 2
    Tossin' and Turnin' by Bobby Lewis — cover art
    Tossin' and Turnin'

    Bobby Lewis · 1961

    Every restless night echoes with the heartbeat of youthful love and sleepless longing.

  3. 3
    Stranger On the Shore by Acker Bilk — cover art
    Stranger On the Shore

    Acker Bilk · 1961

    A gentle saxophone serenade that paints picture-perfect evenings by the water's edge.

  4. 4
    Surfin' U.S.A. by The Beach Boys — cover art
    Surfin' U.S.A.

    The Beach Boys · 1963

    Surfboards and sandy shores collide in this joyful ride through endless summer bliss.

  5. 5
    I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles — cover art
    I Want to Hold Your Hand

    The Beatles · 1964

    The thrill of first love captured in sweet harmonies, making hearts race and dreams soar.

Play the full '60s HitsThe Countdown

The Countdown

Top 10 Tracks That Ruled the Tape Deck · 6–10

  1. 6
    Wooly Bully by Pharaohs & Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs — cover art
    Wooly Bully

    Pharaohs & Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs · 1965

    A lively romp that ignites the dance floor, bringing everyone together for a wild time.

  2. 7
    To Sir With Love by Lulu — cover art
    To Sir With Love

    Lulu · 1967

    A heartfelt tribute that stirs memories of mentors and bittersweet goodbyes in the classroom.

  3. 8
    Sugar, Sugar by The Archies — cover art
    Sugar, Sugar

    The Archies · 1963

    This sugary delight takes me back to carefree days filled with laughter and sweet crushes.

  4. 9
    He'll Have to Go (feat. Jim Reeves) by Skeeter Davis — cover art
    He'll Have to Go (feat. Jim Reeves)

    Skeeter Davis · 1960

    A poignant ballad that resonates with the ache of love lost and the hope of healing.

  5. 10
    I Fall to Pieces by Patsy Cline — cover art
    I Fall to Pieces

    Patsy Cline · 1961

    Her voice shatters the quiet, resonating with every heart that knows love's bittersweet sting.

Play the full '60s HitsThe Countdown

Scene Report

'60s Hits

The Sound

The air crackles with vibrant horns, lush strings, and catchy guitar riffs, each song a snapshot of a joyful time. You can almost hear the static of the radio, blending the sweet sounds of harmonies with the excitement of youthful energy.

The Look

Picture poodle skirts swirling on the dance floor, slicked-back hair and leather jackets defining cool. The streets buzz with vintage cars, while soda fountains and drive-ins serve as the backdrop for a culture that thrived on youthful rebellion and innocent romance.

The Artists

The Beatles · The Beach Boys · The Supremes · Elvis Presley · The Rolling Stones

Scene Report

Cassette Clash

Sly & the Family Stone vs. Johnny Nash

🔥 Chart Hits
📈 Highest Peak
📅 Staying Power
💿 Catalog Depth
👑 #1 Singles

Final Verdict

Sly & the Family Stone takes the round.

A photo finish — but the tape doesn't lie.

Settle your own showdown at Versus →Cassette Clash

The Mixtape Map

Inside '60s Hits · 📼 1/2

A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.

📼 Sock Hop

Slow dances and first crushes.

Theme from "A Summer Place"
Percy Faith1960
Stranger On the Shore
Acker Bilk1961
I Want to Hold Your Hand
The Beatles1964
To Sir With Love
Lulu1967
He'll Have to Go (feat. Jim Reeves)
Skeeter Davis1960
I Can't Stop Loving You
Ray Charles2006
Open the full '60s HitsThe Mixtape Map

The Mixtape Map

Inside '60s Hits · 📼 2/2

A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.

📼 British Invasion

The bands that crossed the pond.

Open the full '60s HitsThe Mixtape Map

Time Capsule

Meanwhile, in 1969

What was going on in the world while the music played.

Sugar, Sugar by The Archies — cover art
#1 of 1969

Sugar, Sugar

The Archies

At the movies

  • Easy Rider
  • Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
  • Midnight Cowboy

On TV

  • The Brady Bunch
  • Scooby-Doo
  • Sesame Street premieres

In the headlines

  • Apollo 11 — Moon landing
  • Woodstock
  • ARPANET (the early internet) goes live
Meanwhile…

From the Zine

Your Sock Hop Ritual

Relive the magic of '60s music traditions.

I Can't Stop Loving You by Ray Charles — cover art
On the turntable: “I Can't Stop Loving You” — Ray Charles.

Imagine yourself at a sock hop, the gymnasium filled with the scent of popcorn and hopes. You shuffle in, sneakers squeaking against the polished floor, your heart racing to the beat of “Surfin' U.S.A.” The music spills from the radio, a soundtrack to your teenage dreams, while the boys huddle in one corner, whispering about who will ask whom to dance. You clutch your record player at home, the prized possession that spins your favorite vinyl, each scratch and pop telling a story.

As the night unfolds, you and your friends take part in the little rituals of youth. You practice the latest dance moves, eyes glued to the couples gliding effortlessly across the floor to “Sugar, Sugar.” When the slow songs play, like “He’ll Have to Go,” you find courage to ask someone special for a twirl under the dim lights. Those moments, punctuated by laughter and shy smiles, become the cherished memories that echo long after the music fades.

By The Liner Notes staff.

p. 16

Chart Flashback

1968 by the Numbers

The year-end Hot 100

Hey Jude by The Beatles — cover art

Rewind to the 1968 Billboard Year-End Hot 100 — where “Hey Jude” by The Beatles sat at #1, and Gary Puckett & The Union Gap racked up 4 charting hits.

Read the full piece →p. 17

Chart Flashback

1968 by the Numbers · cont.

The 1968 Top 10

(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay
Otis Redding1964
People Got to Be Free
The Rascals1968
Sunshine of Your Love
Cream1968
This Guy's In Love With You
Herb Alpert1968
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Hugo Montenegro and His Orchestra1968
Read the full piece →p. 18

Gone But Not Forgotten

Electronics Boutique

1977–2005

EB — trade-ins and the new-release wall.

Read the full piece →p. 19

Gone But Not Forgotten

Electronics Boutique · cont.

Opened · 1977

The Details

Read the full piece →p. 20

From the Memory Wall

Dear Mixtape…

What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.

almost a month since i buried you mum, i always promised you would go out to this. i hope u boogied ur way back home, where ur 17 and nothing bad has happened yet.
Anonymous · on Dancing Queen
absolute banger
Anonymous · on Thieves
Add your own memory →Dear Mixtape

From the Memory Wall

Dear Mixtape… · cont.

What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.

getting rickrolled
Anonymous · on Never Gonna Give You Up
Another song that makes me think of going to the pool when I was younger. Now it's one of my favorite songs and bands in adulthood!
Anonymous · on These Dreams
Add your own memory →Dear Mixtape

🕯️ In Memoriam

Artists we lost this week — across the years. Revisit their music, and pay tribute with a memory.

Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton — cover art

Dolly Parton

1946–2026

Tribute →
Johnny Angel by Shelley Fabares — cover art

Shelley Fabares

1944–2026

Tribute →
Here I Go Again by Whitesnake — cover art

Bernie Marsden

1951–2023 · Whitesnake

Tribute →
That'll Be the Day by Buddy Holly & The Crickets — cover art

Jerry Allison

1939–2022 · Buddy Holly & The Crickets

Tribute →
In Memoriam

The Back Page

Misheard for 30 Years

Every time you go away, you take a piece of meat with you

…is actually “...a piece of me with you” — Paul Young — Every Time You Go Away.

Classifieds

  • FREE TO GOOD HOME: One Tamagotchi. Needs constant attention. We failed it.
  • LOST: VHS tape jammed in the VCR. Reward: I'll stop hitting the VCR.
  • SEEKING: The kid who borrowed my Super Nintendo in 1996. You know who you are.

Next week: Prog Rock Odyssey

The Back Page

That’s the issue.

A fresh edition of The Liner Notes drops every week, composed from the crate — the artists, the years, the charts, and the stories behind them.

The Liner Notes · Issue №19

Fin
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