This was difficult. Really blooming difficult. I know, I know, I've missed out The Kinks, The Who, blah blah..I've had arguments in my own head while attempting to whittle down this most productive of decades into approximately half an hour of music, so I can empathise..

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10) Ballad of a Thin Man - Bob Dylan
Watch it here

Released: 1965
Album: Highway 61 Revisited

Other Dylan songs may have been more important, but none could touch this for the sheer disdain of both the lyric and that gloriously off kilter piano riff. There has, as with much of Dylan's work, been fervered debate about what on earth he's actually singing about.

The opening lines of the song, "You walk into the room, with your pencil in your hand," appear to suggest that "Mr. Jones" may have been a journalist. It's been hinted (by Dylan himself, among others), that he may have been singing about Max Jones, a former Melody Maker critic. If it is a critique of music journos who just don't get it, it's somewhat better than 'Mr Writer'.

The only cover really worth bothering with is the rather ace Stephen Malkmus version from the 2007 biopic I'm Not There Soundtrack.

Aside from covers, Mr Jones has become something of an enigma, particularly after getting name checked in the lyrics to The Beatles' 'Yer Blues'. Cold War Kids also half inched the line 'give a cheque to tax-deductible charity organizations' on 'We Used to Vacation'.

9) Tin Soldier - Small Faces
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Released: 1967
Album: US version of Small Faces

Written by Steve Marriott, 'Tin Soldier was actually intended for PP Arnold, but Marriott swiftly realised what a gem he had on his hands, and kept it for himself. He was right to do so; the piano, bass and drum break in the middle is one of the single greatest moments in pop history, and Marriott's vocal is impassioned and raw.

There are very few cover versions around, which I think proves me right about saying for the last fifteen years that someone should do a properly modern, phat as fuck cover of this. It may, however, simply prove that it's a stupid idea. Whatever, in 1997 'Tin Soldier' was deservedly voted the 10th best single of all time in Mojo.

8) I Wanna Be Your Dog - The Stooges
Watch it here

Released: 1969
Album: The Stooges

This very nearly got missed off the list entirely, for the simple reason that to this day I find it difficult to believe that this unholy racket that seems to epitomise the smack addled comedown that was the 1970s, was actually released in the 1960s. Its three note riff and single note piano, backed by that fuzziest of basslines marks it out as way ahead of its time. Its influence can still be heard to this day in everyone from Nirvana to Oasis.

It's been covered to varying degrees of success by a great many alternative rock bands. Sonic Youth did a version on telly in 1987 that retains much of the heaviness of the original. REM and Patti Smith did a less successful version at REM's induction to the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame. And Red Hot Chili Peppers have covered it live. Their version is, somewhat predictably, utter gash.

7) Breakfast in Bed - Dusty Springfield
Watch it here

Released: 1969
Album: Dusty in Memphis

Overlooked by many due to the fact that it isn't 'Son of a Preacher Man', 'Breakfast in Bed' contains one of the most effortlessly sexy vocals you will ever hear. Written by the Muscle Shoals songwriters, it was actually released first by Baby Washington, before Dusty covered it for her glorious Dusty in Memphis album. Her version is remarkably restrained, letting her breathy vocal speak for itself.

It's been covered a great many times. In 1972, no less than three reggae versions were released, the best being Lorna Bennett's. Shirley Bassey has done a typically overblown rendition (though I quite like it, truth be told)..and UB40 & Chrissie Hynde cod reggaed it up. This one's worth a watch if only for the retarded video.

6) Seven and Seven Is - Love
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Released: 1966
Album: Da Capo

Love were always going to get a look in somewhere, for the simple reason that they are the most commercially underrated band of all time. As a pop songwriter, Arthur Lee was a match for Lennon and McCartney. As a lyricist, he was able to depict social decay as well as Dylan. Quite frankly, they should have been huge, but unfortunately Arthur Lee was black, and Decca decided instead to plough their money into promoting the far easier Doors.

'Seven and Seven Is' is, much like 'I Wanna Be Your Dog', punk rock made ten years early. A distorted bassline drives the whole thing, and it sounds like it was recorded live in a garage. In actual fact, the song took a hell of a lot of takes to record. The drums were so heavy that Lee himself had to take over, as Alban 'Snoopy' Pfisterer was unable to nail them.

Though the song has been covered by such luminaries as The Ramones and Alice Cooper, the only version I could find was by Rush. Joy.

5) In My Life - The Beatles
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Released: 1965
Album: Rubber Soul

The mid 60s are comfortably my favourite Beatles era. The early 60s were a little too like a Motown tribute act, and, with some notable exceptions, the latter years often went with 'innovation' over songs or lyrics. 'In My Life' is the perfect distillation of where Lennon and McCartney were at in 1965…grown up as both people and musicians, gradually exploring lyrical themes revolving around more than just finding as many words that can go before or after 'love'.

Lyrically, the song is a touching reminiscence of Lennon's childhood. Apparently, the original lyrics were based on a bus route he used to take in Liverpool. Luckily, Lennon himself found it to be "ridiculous", calling it "the most boring sort of 'What I Did On My Holidays Bus Trip' song". He therefore rejigged the words with Paul McCartney, replacing the specific memories (or bus stops) with a generalised look back on his past.

As with every Beatles track, cover versions are plentiful. I quite like this one by Johnny Cash, and I quite hate this one by Bette Middler Somewhere in between is Keith Moon's bizarre and bizarrely touching version..

Perhaps the most definitive version, and certainly the most moving, is this] one, however, which could brighten the day of anyone with a soul...

As a final note, 'In My Life' has become one of the most popular choices of tracks to be played at people's funerals; its nostalgic tone making it an obvious choice. Apparently, even Kurt Cobain had it played at his service. Which is nice.

4) California Soul - Marlena Shaw
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Released: 1969
Album: The Spice of Life

Written by Ashford & Simpson, the original release was this light, wet version by The Fifth Dimension. When New York vocalist Marlena Shaw got her hands on it, it was transformed into an anthemic soul classic. The only cover that's worth bothering with is the smooth 1970 version by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.

More important to this tune's legacy is its influence on the hip hop scene, having had its iconic strings sampled by Gang Starr in 'Check the Technique', and having also been used by DJ Shadow for 'Midnight in a Perfect World'. Indeed, so strong has been its influence that not even its cack handed appropriation by KFC for a series of borderline racist adverts (those blacks just love fried chicken) could rob it of a deserved place in the Top 5. A simply stunning song.

3) God Only Knows - The Beach Boys Watch it here

Released: 1966
Album: Pet Sounds

Just the most perfect pop song ever. I wish it was three hours long rather than sub three minutes. From that first blast of French horn, I defy anyone not to get the shivers. Perfect lyrics, harmonies, melody and production…you get the idea.

Bizarrely, this was one of the first ever pop songs to use the word 'God' in the title. I can only assume that he'd be dead chuffed at the accolade. Probably justly, there have not been too many covers of 'God Only Knows'. It's difficult to see what an alternative take on it could bring that isn’t already in the original. It's certainly fucking difficult to see what Mandy Moore and Michael Stipe brought to it with their 2004 version from the movie Saved other than a barrow load of insipidness.

2) Hard to Handle - Otis Redding
Watch it here

Released: 1968
Album: The Immortal Otis Redding

Released after Redding's tragic death, 'Hard to Handle' is a fine epitaph. Written by Redding in collaboration with Al Bell and Allan Jones is a soulful, playful and uplifting anthem, with plenty of horn. Just like the great man himself, then.

You can search out the truly horrible Black Crowes version yourself, as it makes me angry. You should, however, check out Tom Jones' cruiseship-tastic version for shits and giggles. I also recommend this version by The Grateful Dead. Of course, they doubled it in length, but it's pretty slinky.

As with 'California Soul', 'Hard to Handle''s influence has also been widespread within the hip hop community, sampled to most famous effect on the superb 1989 Masta Ace banger 'Four Minus Three'.

1) We Love You - The Rolling Stones
Watch it here

Released: 1967
Album: The London Years

'We Love You' was a single released just as Mick and Keith had received draconian sentences for drug possession. On first listen, it represents a simple thank you to their fans for their continued support of the band. Listen again though, and from the opening sounds of a man being led to a jail cell to the police baiting lyrics, this is the one of the most gloriously conceived 'two fingers to the establishment' songs ever recorded. It also helps that it grooves like an absolute bitch, thanks to Brian Jones' classic mellotron riff. That riff was shamelessly half inched by The Charlatans on their 1992 single 'Tremelo Song'. Oh, and that's also Lennon and McCartney doing the harmonies, which only adds to my feeling that 'We Love You' sums up the 60s - innovation, rebellion, drug taking and tunes - better than anything else in the decade.

Next week, James Pegrum will be doing a similar rundown of his favourite songs of the 1970s..