1960s Singalong - Part 1
- Simon O'Donovan
- Sep 26
- 7 min read
Updated: Oct 1
Here is another 'Singalongs' or 'Name That Tune' activity, this time for the best songs of the 1960s. If you want to use it as a "singalong" activity, play the videos below; if you want a "name that tune" activity, then play clips and ask members to guess the songs and singers/groups.
As previously, there is a picture clue for each song that members could use to guess the singer/group and song before it plays. (You could print off a screenshot.) Also there is a question associated with each photo/song if you want to add in a quiz dimension to the activity.
There are two rounds, with an instrumental interlude in between them if you want to pause the activity for refreshments.
Here is a YouTube video for people with mild to moderate dementia living at home without access to a CST group (or not wishing to attend one) to access this CST activity - https://youtu.be/gMfjYuwnWrU?si=4HI0i9Y0GlJe0kyB
But first ...
I am an unpaid content creator, working voluntarily to make CST activity resources. I have no budget or admin support. A donation to support costs - circa £250 a year - would help keep this a free and open access website Visit www.ko-fi.com/simondementia
Introduction
The 1960s were one of the most turbulent and transformative decades of the 20th century — a time of dramatic social, political, and cultural change across the globe. Here’s a breakdown of the era’s defining features:
🌍 Historic & Political Events
Cold War tensions dominated the decade:
1961 – Construction of the Berlin Wall, symbolising the divide between East and West.
1962 – Cuban Missile Crisis, a near-nuclear confrontation between the USA and USSR.
The Space Race intensified:
1961 – Yuri Gagarin (USSR) became the first human in space.
1969 – The USA’s Apollo 11 mission put the first men on the moon (Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin).
Civil Rights Movement in the USA:
Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech (1963).
Civil Rights Act (1964) and Voting Rights Act (1965).
Vietnam War escalated, leading to huge protests worldwide.
Decolonisation in Africa and Asia saw many countries gain independence.
Assassinations shocked the world: John F. Kennedy (1963), Malcolm X (1965), Martin Luther King Jr. (1968), Robert Kennedy (1968).
🎶 Cultural & Social Change
Counterculture & Hippies:
Rise of the “flower power” movement, anti-war demonstrations, Woodstock festival (1969), and slogans like “Make love, not war.”
Communes, psychedelic drugs, and a rejection of traditional norms.
Music Revolution:
The British Invasion: The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks.
Soul & Motown: Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes.
Folk & Protest music: Bob Dylan, Joan Baez.
Psychedelic rock: Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane.
Fashion:
The miniskirt (Mary Quant), bold colours, tie-dye, paisley, and unisex styles.
“Mod” subculture in the UK (scooters, tailored suits, The Who).
Film & TV:
James Bond movies emerged.
Musicals like West Side Story and The Sound of Music.
TV became widespread — Star Trek, Doctor Who, Batman, Coronation Street.
📖 Everyday Life & Technology
Technology & Inventions:
Colour television spread in the late ’60s.
Computers began moving from labs to businesses.
First video game prototype (1962’s Spacewar!).
Youth culture grew in power: “teenagers” became a distinct cultural force with their own music, slang, and fashion.
Women’s liberation movement gained momentum, campaigning for equality, reproductive rights, and workplace opportunities.
Environmental awareness started to grow (Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring, 1962).
✅ In short:The 1960s were a decade of revolution — in politics, society, music, technology, and personal freedoms. It was an age of idealism and rebellion, but also of conflict and tragedy. The events and cultural shifts of the ’60s still shape our world today.
What are members stand out memories of the 1960s?
Where were they at in their lives?
What was their style or "vibe"?
Round 2 Idioms
Complete these well known phrases together, by way of a shout out ...
✌️ 1960s-Inspired Idioms & Phrases
Flower POWER – symbol of the hippie peace movement, contrasting love with war.
Make love, not WAR – anti–Vietnam War slogan, epitomising the counterculture.
Turn on, tune in, drop OUT – phrase popularised by Timothy Leary, linked to psychedelic culture.
Peace and LOVE – the hippie mantra of nonviolence and universal kindness.
Power to the PEOPLE – slogan used in civil rights and protest movements.
Sock it to ME! – catchphrase from TV show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In.
Far OUT – meaning amazing, cool, or unusual.
Outta SIGHT – something impressive or excellent.
GROOVY – quintessential 1960s slang for cool, fashionable, or fun.
Psyched OUT – influenced by psychedelic culture; later used to mean “mentally unsettled.”
Do your own THING – celebrating individuality and nonconformity.
Keep the FAITH – a rallying cry in protest and civil rights contexts.
HEAVY – used for something serious, profound, or emotional.
Blow your MIND – to amaze or astound.
SQUARE – old-fashioned, boring, not “with it.”
Right ON – an affirmation of agreement, popular in protest culture.
TuneIN – focus on the vibe, get into the spirit.
Drop ACID – slang for taking LSD, but also used metaphorically.
🌍 Phrases rooted in 1960s Movements
Black is BEAUTIFUL – affirmation of pride in African heritage during the Civil Rights era.
Burn, baby, BURN – associated with 1960s race riots, later re-appropriated in disco culture.
Hell no, we won’t GO – anti-draft chant during the Vietnam War protests.
Up against the WALL – protest cry.
The personal is POLITICAL – feminist slogan emerging late ’60s.
🎶 Pop-Culture Expressions
All you need is LOVE – Beatles’ anthem, became a cultural catchphrase.
Give peace a CHANCE – John Lennon’s 1969 protest song, used as a slogan.
Born to be WILD – Steppenwolf song, became shorthand for rebellion.
A hard day’s NIGHT – Beatles-inspired phrase meaning “a long, tough day.”
Round 3
Take a look at the picture clues and guess at the songs (facilitators give prompts when members get stuck). Listen to the music clips by way of a further confirmation of ideas. Watch the videos if members want to have a singalong. There is a question for each picture as well, if members want to add a quiz element.
Which 1990 romantic movie starring Demi Moore & Patrick Swayze featured this song?
In which American city was the house?
What was his nickname?
What was the name of his ranch?
Who else was in the "Rat Pack"?
What does a buttercup held under your chin signify?
What was her first hit in 1964 - initials 'W.O.B.'?
What is the name of the reclining woman?
Which organisation owned the place that this song is about?
Which USA road runs east to west from Chicago to Santa Monica?
Which BBC radio disc jockey used this track as the outro for their "In the afternoon" show?
Musical interlude
What musical instrument is he playing?
Round 4
Take a look at the picture clues and guess at the songs (facilitators give prompts when members get stuck). Listen to the music clips by way of a further confirmation of ideas. Watch the videos if members want to have a singalong. There is a question for each picture as well, if members want to add a quiz element.
What was his nickname?
Why was she given the nickname "Dusty"?
How long could Harry Houdini hold his breath - nearest guess?
Which album was this song from (it featured a goat on the cover)?
Who was Paul McCartney's first (vegetarian) wife?
Where is "home" or "where were you born and where did you grow up"?
Name some varieties of wine?
Name some of his other hits?
Which national anthem starts this song?
Name the city & river?
What was the name of his backing group?
What are the names of the island prison in San Francisco Bay and the bridge that crosses it?
Final song
Round 1
Which 1990 romantic movie starring Demi Moore & Patrick Swayze featured this song? 'GHOST'
In which American city was the house? NEW ORLEANS
What was his nickname? "OL' BLUE EYES"
What was the name of his ranch? 'GRACELAND'
Who else was in the "Rat Pack"? FRANK SINATRA, DEAN MARTIN, SAMMY DAVIS JR. & PETER LAWFORD
What does a buttercup held under your chin signify? YOU LIKE BUTTER
What was her first hit in 1964 - initials 'W.O.B.'? 'WALK ON BY'
What is the name of the reclining woman? SLEEPY JEAN
Which organisation owned the place that this song is about? SALVATION ARMY
Which USA road runs east to west from Chicago to Santa Monica? ROUTE 66
Which BBC radio disc jockey used this track as the outro for their "In the afternoon" show?
STEVE WRIGHT
What musical instrument is he playing? CLARINET
Round 2
What was his nickname? SACHMO
Why was she given the nickname "Dusty"? SHE WAS A TOMBOY WHO PLAYED FOOTBALL IN THE STREET AND CAME IN DUSTY
How long could Harry Houdini hold his breath - nearest guess? MORE THAN FOUR MINUTES
Which album was this song from (it featured a goat on the cover)? 'PET SOUNDS'
Who was Paul McCartney's first (vegetarian) wife? LINDA EASTMAN (DOES ANYONE EAT 'LINDA MCCARTNEY PRODUCTS?)
Where is "home" or "where were you born and where did you grow up"? VARIOUS
Name some varieties of wine? CABERNET SAUVIGNON, SAUVIGNON BLANC, REISLING, CHARDONNAY, MERLOT, MALBEC, PINOT NOIR ETC
Name some of his other hits? 'FOREVER IN BLUE JEANS', 'SONG SUNG BLUE', 'I AM I SAID', 'YOU DON'T BRING ME FLOWERS' (DUET WITH BARBRA STREISAND) & 'LOVE ON THE ROCKS' ETC
Which national anthem starts this song? FRENCH
Name the city & river? LIVERPOOL & MERSEY
What was the name of his backing group? 'THE FOUR SEASONS'
What are the names of the island prison in San Francisco Bay and the bridge that crosses it?
ALCATRAZ & GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE
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