The Liner Notes
Issue №19 · August 21, 2026 · from the archive
Special Issue · The '60s Hits Issue
The Liner Notes
Certified
Nostalgia
Artist Spotlight
Steve Lawrence
pop music · 1953–1963
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
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. Steve Lawrence 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 LetterArtist Spotlight
Steve Lawrence
pop music · 1953–1963
Steve Lawrence is a versatile American singer and actor known for his contributions to pop music, swing, and big band sounds. He gained popularity as part of the duo Steve and Eydie alongside his wife, Eydie Gormé. Their chemistry and harmonies delighted audiences for decades, especially on classic tracks like "Pretty Blue Eyes" and "Go Away Little Girl." Lawrence also showcased his talents in film, notably as Maury Sline in "The Blues Brothers" and its sequel. With a catalog that includes heartfelt ballads like "Portrait of My Love," his music captures a nostalgic essence that continues to resonate with those who cherish the golden age of traditional pop.
Artist Spotlight
Steve Lawrence · cont.
“United States”
The facts
Steve Lawrence in the crate
From the Zine
The Soundtrack of Change
How '60s hits captured a generation's spirit.
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. 5Needle Drop
Wooly Bully
Pharaohs & Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs · 1965 · Rock
On MTV, between two videos you actually taped.
slow-dancing badly in a gymnasium.
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.
Needle Drop
Wooly Bully
Pharaohs & Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs · 1965 · Rock
If you like this…
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
Theme from "A Summer Place"Percy Faith · 1960
This lush melody whisks me away to sun-soaked summer days by the shore.
- 2
Tossin' and Turnin'Bobby Lewis · 1961
Every restless night echoes with the heartbeat of youthful love and sleepless longing.
- 3
Stranger On the ShoreAcker Bilk · 1961
A gentle saxophone serenade that paints picture-perfect evenings by the water's edge.
- 4
Surfin' U.S.A.The Beach Boys · 1963
Surfboards and sandy shores collide in this joyful ride through endless summer bliss.
- 5I Want to Hold Your Hand
The Beatles · 1964
The thrill of first love captured in sweet harmonies, making hearts race and dreams soar.
The Countdown
Top 10 Tracks That Ruled the Tape Deck · 6–10
- 6Wooly Bully
Pharaohs & Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs · 1965
A lively romp that ignites the dance floor, bringing everyone together for a wild time.
- 7
To Sir With LoveLulu · 1967
A heartfelt tribute that stirs memories of mentors and bittersweet goodbyes in the classroom.
- 8
Sugar, SugarThe Archies · 1963
This sugary delight takes me back to carefree days filled with laughter and sweet crushes.
- 9
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.
- 10
I Fall to PiecesPatsy Cline · 1961
Her voice shatters the quiet, resonating with every heart that knows love's bittersweet sting.
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
'60s Hits · The Records
Theme from "A Summer Place"
Percy Faith · 1960
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Gene Pitney · 1962
Essential Tracks
Related rooms: The Mixtape · Arcade Legends · Movie Soundtracks
Scene ReportCassette Clash
Gary U.S. Bonds vs. The Yardbirds
| ◀ | 🔥 Chart Hits | |
| ◀ | 📈 Highest Peak | |
| ◀ | 📅 Staying Power | |
| ◀ | 💿 Catalog Depth | |
| ◀ | 👑 #1 Singles |
Final Verdict
Gary U.S. Bonds takes the round.
A photo finish — but the tape doesn't lie.
The Mixtape Map
Inside '60s Hits · 📼 1/2
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Sock Hop
Slow dances and first crushes.
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.
Time Capsule
Meanwhile, in 1969…
What was going on in the world while the music played.
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
From the Zine
Your Sock Hop Ritual
Relive the magic of '60s music traditions.
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. 16Chart Flashback
1968 by the Numbers
The year-end Hot 100
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.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Electronics Boutique
1977–2005
EB — trade-ins and the new-release wall.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Electronics Boutique · cont.
Read the full piece →p. 20“Opened · 1977”
The Details
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape…
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“Going to Crazy Mama's with my best friend and roommate Damon Zex was an adventure! Legendary was the after hours parties at the Batcave, Bruce and Charlie Nutt's house. Bruce was a little older than Charlie,band he loves 50s rockabilly. Charlie loved Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen. Oh the turntable fights they would get into! And who controlled the turntable, controlled the night.”
“This is one of the best Genesis Songs believe it or not!”
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape… · cont.
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.”
“absolute banger”
The Back Page
Kung Fu Fighting
Carl Douglas · 1974
Can't You Hear My Heartbeat
Herman's Hermits · 1965
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
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
FinSpecial Issue · The '60s Hits Issue
The Liner Notes
Certified
Nostalgia
Artist Spotlight
Steve Lawrence
pop music · 1953–1963
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
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. Steve Lawrence 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 LetterArtist Spotlight
Steve Lawrence
pop music · 1953–1963
Steve Lawrence is a versatile American singer and actor known for his contributions to pop music, swing, and big band sounds. He gained popularity as part of the duo Steve and Eydie alongside his wife, Eydie Gormé. Their chemistry and harmonies delighted audiences for decades, especially on classic tracks like "Pretty Blue Eyes" and "Go Away Little Girl." Lawrence also showcased his talents in film, notably as Maury Sline in "The Blues Brothers" and its sequel. With a catalog that includes heartfelt ballads like "Portrait of My Love," his music captures a nostalgic essence that continues to resonate with those who cherish the golden age of traditional pop.
“United States”
The facts
Steve Lawrence in the crate
From the Zine
The Soundtrack of Change
How '60s hits captured a generation's spirit.
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. 4Needle Drop
Wooly Bully
Pharaohs & Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs · 1965 · Rock
On MTV, between two videos you actually taped.
slow-dancing badly in a gymnasium.
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.
If you like this…
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!
- 1Theme from "A Summer Place"
Percy Faith · 1960
This lush melody whisks me away to sun-soaked summer days by the shore.
- 2Tossin' and Turnin'
Bobby Lewis · 1961
Every restless night echoes with the heartbeat of youthful love and sleepless longing.
- 3Stranger On the Shore
Acker Bilk · 1961
A gentle saxophone serenade that paints picture-perfect evenings by the water's edge.
- 4Surfin' U.S.A.
The Beach Boys · 1963
Surfboards and sandy shores collide in this joyful ride through endless summer bliss.
- 5I Want to Hold Your Hand
The Beatles · 1964
The thrill of first love captured in sweet harmonies, making hearts race and dreams soar.
- 6Wooly Bully
Pharaohs & Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs · 1965
A lively romp that ignites the dance floor, bringing everyone together for a wild time.
- 7To Sir With Love
Lulu · 1967
A heartfelt tribute that stirs memories of mentors and bittersweet goodbyes in the classroom.
- 8Sugar, Sugar
The Archies · 1963
This sugary delight takes me back to carefree days filled with laughter and sweet crushes.
- 9He'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.
- 10I Fall to Pieces
Patsy Cline · 1961
Her voice shatters the quiet, resonating with every heart that knows love's bittersweet sting.
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
Theme from "A Summer Place"
Percy Faith · 1960
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
Gene Pitney · 1962
Essential Tracks
Related rooms: The Mixtape · Arcade Legends · Movie Soundtracks
Scene ReportCassette Clash
Gary U.S. Bonds vs. The Yardbirds
| ◀ | 🔥 Chart Hits | |
| ◀ | 📈 Highest Peak | |
| ◀ | 📅 Staying Power | |
| ◀ | 💿 Catalog Depth | |
| ◀ | 👑 #1 Singles |
Final Verdict
Gary U.S. Bonds takes the round.
A photo finish — but the tape doesn't lie.
The Mixtape Map
Inside '60s Hits
A guided tour of the tape — cluster by cluster.
📼 Sock Hop
Slow dances and first crushes.
📼 British Invasion
The bands that crossed the pond.
Time Capsule
Meanwhile, in 1969…
What was going on in the world while the music played.
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
From the Zine
Your Sock Hop Ritual
Relive the magic of '60s music traditions.
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. 11Chart Flashback
1968 by the Numbers
The year-end Hot 100
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.
The 1968 Top 10
Gone But Not Forgotten
Electronics Boutique
1977–2005
EB — trade-ins and the new-release wall.
Read the full piece →p. 13“Opened · 1977”
The Details
From the Memory Wall
Dear Mixtape…
What these songs remind our listeners of — in their own words.
“Going to Crazy Mama's with my best friend and roommate Damon Zex was an adventure! Legendary was the after hours parties at the Batcave, Bruce and Charlie Nutt's house. Bruce was a little older than Charlie,band he loves 50s rockabilly. Charlie loved Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen. Oh the turntable fights they would get into! And who controlled the turntable, controlled the night.”
“This is one of the best Genesis Songs believe it or not!”
“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.”
“absolute banger”
The Back Page
Kung Fu Fighting
Carl Douglas · 1974
Can't You Hear My Heartbeat
Herman's Hermits · 1965
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
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