26 of the Greatest Bubble Gum Music Hits of the 60s and 70s

Bubble gum music

I recently made a cd for my sisters with 60s and 70s bubble gum pop music hits. I included 26 old bubble gum music singles that I remember my sisters singing to as they would get ready for school. I can still hear my mother each morning yelling for them to turn that “crap” down or she was going to turn it off. Being in the military I only get to see my family once or twice a year so in anticipation of seeing everyone this year the idea of making a cd to give to my sisters popped in my head and ultimately I realized the best music is the songs we grew up with and for us it was the late 60s and 70s bubble gum music. Note, one of my sisters insists the proper term is bubblegum pop instead of bubble gum music, lol.

In researching the possible songs for a 60s era bubble gum music cd I spent upwards of 10 evenings googling different search terms. Bubble gum music, bubblegum music, bubblegum pop, songs of the 60/70s and on and on until I found enough songs to fill a cd. In this particular case it was 79 minutes and 23 seconds. At the completion of my project I was all excited about this “gift” but I wanted it to be a surprise so I waited for the opportunity to slip this bubble gum music cd into their purses without anyone knowing. Then I waited. The next day we had another family get together and my oldest sister kept asking who put the CD titled Bubble Gum Music in her purse. She kept saying how much she love it and had played it back to back singing each song and dancing around the house. Back to back playing of the cd was 160 minutes of straight bubble gum music so I figured she did really enjoy the music. Ultimately she went around asking each person if they put it in her purse so when she asked me I had to confess. She told my other sister that she had to listen to it because it had all the great songs from high school. So all in all I think my covert Bubble Gum Music project was a huge success even though my cover was blown.

My Greatest 26 Bubble Gum Music Hits

If you or someone you know came into music in the late 60s and early 70s I encourage you to download these bubble gum music gems and I promise you will have hours and hours of entertainment. I found cds/mp3s like this are great as background music for high school reunions and long trips. My sister said she couldn’t wait until her next high school reunion so she could blast HER bubble gum music for everyone to sing along to.

Well enough words, here is my list of what I consider to be the greatest bubble gum music hits made. Every one of the these songs may not fall into the bubble gum music label but to me they fit the era I was looking for which was late 60s early 70s hits that my sisters grew up with and they all were light hearted and up temp so I call them bubble gum music hits.

I Think I Love You by David Cassidy

The number 3 hit from the 70s on one list I saw and I still picture hearing this for the first time on the Partridge Family Show in 1970. Keith (David Cassidy) was driving THE BUS while it was playing. Play this around anyone who grew up in the 70s and they will sing along. I’ve been shocked at how many people know this one.

Dizzy by Tommy Roe.

Number one hit in 1969 for 4 weeks.  Amazing 11 key changes in a song that only used four keys.  It has been used in on movie sound tracks ane who can forget the lyrics, "I'm so dizzy, my head is spinning". 

Spinning Wheel by Blood Sweat and Tears

Huge 1969 hit that won Best Instrumental Arrangement in 1970.  Truly catchy tune and perfect bubblegum pop example.

Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations

One of my sister’s favorite songs and it was the cornerstone of my project for that reason. Hit number 3 and stayed there for 11 weeks in 1968. Used in serveral movies including There's Something About Mary.

Sugar Sugar by The Archies

Who can forget the Archies, the ultimate Bubble Gum Band that didn’t really exist. Sugar Sugar spent 4 weeks at number one in 1969 and was the biggest hit of that year. Performed by a "cartoon" band it represented the ultimate bubblegum music hit.

123 Redlight by the 1910 Fruitgum Company

I didn’t know this one by title but when I played it there was no doubt I remembered hearing my sisters sing along with it.

I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher

I remember this one from the old Sonny and Cher tv show. Besides just look at Sonny's threads on the cover, lol. I Got You Babe spent 3 weeks as number one in 1965 and became their signature song.

Knock Three Times by Tony Orlando and Dawn

Another one of those songs that the chorus just stuck in my brain till this day. A number one song in Jan of 1971 that reached mega hit status with over 9,000,000 copies sold.

My Baby Loves Lovin by White Plains

Wasn’t sure of this one when I saw it on the my internet searches but when I played it yea it was a hot song back then.  The song was released in 1970 and became White Plains biggest hit ever.

Hanky Panky by Tommy James and the Shondells

A classic that I think all generations know as it has been used in movies throughout the decades.  A catchy lyric in, "My babe does the hanky panky" made this one easy to remember and a hot song.  Released in 1964 as a b-side song it did not go to number one until 1966 after being released a second time.

Seasons in the Sun by Studio 99

The orginal version of the mid 70s was sung by Terry Jacks but I believe that Studio 99 did a heck of job on this remake.  It was a worldwide hit that sold over 10,000,000 copies.

What A Wonderful World by Herman's Hermits

An uptemp version of Sam Cooke's orginal that became a major hit in the mid 1960s.

Billy Don’t Be a Hero by Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods

The second cornerstone of my project as it was the second most favorite song of one of my sisters. Although the subject was an anti-war song it's bubblegum beat kept it from being a a downer. Probably one of the only bubble gum music era songs that dealt with war and death.

Yummy Yummy Yummy by The Ohio Express

A true bubble gum music hit, catchy phrase and melody dealing with the theme of being in love.  It has been used repeated in movies and tv show over the decades, a true testament of bubblegum music popularity.

Hey Hey We’re the Monkees by The Monkees

What would any bubblegum music list be with the Monkees’ theme song. Another ultimate bubble gum music hit as the band was formed to back the tv show and the music. In a twist the musicians out muscled the producer and turned The Monkees into a genuine band and escaped the bubble gum music label put on them. One catch tune you have to admit.

Joy to the World by Three Dog Night

My most vivid memory of this song is my father, a Hank Williams Sr fantic, stomping around the house griping about a song about a bullfrog. The song went to number one 1971 and if often called "Jeremiah was a Bullfrog" due to the popularity of the opening lyrics.

December, 1963 (Oh, What A Feeling) by The Four Seasons

Hey it’s my list and I like this it so I’m throwing it in my bubble gum music collection. Amazingly this song had two lengthy stinks at number one and in total spent a whopping 51 weeks as the top song in America.

Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head by BJ Thomas

From the Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid movie. It won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and has been featured numerous times in movies over the decades. Although not truely bubblegum music, any song with a bubbly lyric like "my feet are too big for my bed" can fall in this category for me plus my sisters were always singing it.

Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys

A great group, a great catchy song and I felt it fit in with the bubble gum music up tempo type songs. Although this song has been voted one of the best Rock N Roll song in history. I mean no distrect to the Beach Boys but included in this list because it fit the mood of the bubblegum music style.

Baby Love by Diana Ross & The Supremes

Distinctive Diana Ross/Supremes song dealing with love. In my opinion it one of their best songs/performances.  A mid 1960s feel good love song that is still popular today.

Hooked On A Feeling by BJ Thomas

This one I just remember my sisters singing it so I had to include it on their CD. A very good song of its time if you ask me.

Louie Louie by The Kingsmen

Wonderful song that is instantly recognizable. Interesting enough the song was banned in many places in the US as well as undergoing a 2 year investigation by the FBI on grounds it was filled with obscenity. The investigation was closed with no charges filed. It is believed to be the most recorded pop song in history having surpassed the Beatles' Yesterday.

Hang On Sloopy by The McCoys

A number one hit in 1965 that is both catchy in lyrics and music.  The basic riff of the song was used repeatedly in other songs of the late 60s.  It's classic bugglegum music as it's upbeat, catchy and instantly recognizable.

Yakity Yak by The Coasters

Actually released in the very late 50s it still enjoys popularity today and I can still hear my sisters repeating the phrase "yakity yak, dont talk back" in each verse. The hot up tempo sound of its saxophone is wonderfully done and makes this song instantly recognizable.

Charlie Brown by The Coasters

Another pre 1960 release by The Coasters that has enjoyed success in each decade since.  Light hearted and with it's lyric, "Why's everybody always picking on me?" became instantly recognizable.

Harper Valley PTA by Jeannie C. Riley

This 1968 mega hit went to number one on the country and pop charts.  Although not a classic bubblegum music song it's upbeat tempo and sassy lyrics make it a light hearted song.  If you want to see a room full of middle aged woman sing loud and get into a song then play this one and you will surely be entertained.

So there's my list of the 26 greatest bubble gum music songs of all time. I'm sure not everyone agrees with my classification of each song in this category but remember my goal in putting this cd together was to porvide my sisters with light hearted music from when they were growing up. A goal that I obtained by seeing their enjoyment listening to these songs and their comments about remember when this one came out or I dance with so and so to that one.

If you want a fun loving good time music listening session then I encourage you to pick out the songs you like from this list and download them then sit back and enjoy. But I will guarantee you that you will be singing loud and smiling the entire time.

I would love to hear what you think of this list so please leave a comment below. What bubble gum music songs did I leave off from the 60s/70s era that you would have included?  Of the ones I listed which one is your favorite or brings back the biggest memory of when you first heard it?