Our Top 10 Songs of The Zombies list takes a look at a band from the 1960s that were part of the legendary rock and roll British Invasion of rock bands that traveled from England to the United States during the decade of the 1960s. Along with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and so many other bands the Zombies electrified American audiences with a sound that was completely different from the decade of music that the 1950s had spawned. The legend of the Zombies has been defined by a very small catalog of albums that had a very large impact. Songs like “Time of the Season,” “She’s Not There,” and “Tell Her No,” inspired countless bands for years. That’s the reason they are in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Zombies consisted of Colin Blunstone, Rod Argent, Paul Atkinson, Chris White, and Hugh Grundy. The band’s early success was based on the release of their debut single “She’s Not There,” in 1964. The song hit number 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The song would later be included on their U.S. debut album The Zombies
in 1965. Their debut album in both the UK and the U.S also featured their huge hit Tell Her No.
Three years after the release of their debut album, The Zombies would return with their masterpiece Odessey and Oracle
. The album featured their classic track “Time of the Season.” Odessey and Oracle would become one of the most famous rock albums of the 1960s sealing The Zombies’ fate in classic rock history.
Many rock fans probably do not realize that The Zombies returned to the studio many years later and released New World in 1991. However, Rod Argent played a very small role on the record. Thirteen years after the release of New World came the album As Far As I Can See……
The album featured original Zombies members Colin Blunstone, Chris White and Rod Argent. The album was released in 2004.
Blunstone and Argent reunited again as The Zombies in 2011 with the release of the album Breathe Out, Breathe In. The album included remakes of some old Zombies songs. It also included remakes of songs Rod Agent had released in his 70s band Argent.
The final Zombies album to be released as of this writing was issued in 2015 entitled Still Got That Hunger.
Our Top 10 Songs from The Zombies article focuses mostly on their 1960s material. If you are not familiar with the band, we hope this article turns you onto one of classic rocks’ most important groups.
# 10 – Just Out Of Reach
The track “Just Out Of Reach,” was released as a single in 1965. The Zombies only released two studio albums in the 1960s, yet there are at least 20 compilation albums that were released that combined album cuts, non-album singles, and b sides onto various releases.
# 9 – Any Other Way
The Zombies’ song “Any Other Way,” is the only 21st-century Zombies song to be included on this list. It’s a great track released on their 2011 album entitled Breathe Out, Breathe In. This one has such a cool groove in a very sort of modern film-noir sounding track. We love this one.
# 8 – Kind Of Girl
“Kind Of Girl,” was released on the Zombies EP in 1964. The EP contained only four racks including a remake of Gershwin’s “Summertime.” The song featured Colin Blunstone on lead vocals, Rod Argent on organ, Paul Atkinson on guitars, Chris White on bass, and Hugh Grundy on drums.
# 7 – Care Of Cell 44
The Zombies’ song “Care of Cell 44,” was the opening track to the band’s second album Odessey and Oracle. The album was released in April of 1968. The song was composed by Rod Argent. This is easily one of the band’s most underrated songs. The group had never understood why the song wasn’t a bigger hit.
# 6 – I Want You Back Again
“I Want You Back Again,” was a stand-alone single released in 1965. It was later included on the compilation album Early Days. The song broke the Billboard Hot 100 but stalled at number 95.
# 5 – Leave Me Be
“Leave Me Be,” was the follow-up single to the band’s debut “She’s Not There.” The song was a single-only release in 1964. Those opening guitar chords go right through me every time I hear this great song. This one is so haunting. That melody never fades from memory.
# 4 – She’s Coming Home
She’s Coming Home was released as a single in 1965. The song was also included in the popular compilation album Time Of The Zombies. It was a two-record set that combined non-album tracks, unreleased songs, and some of their big hits.
# 3 – Tell Her No
The final three songs on our top 10 songs from The Zombies list were tough to choose in order. These three songs defined the sound of the 1960s in so many ways. “Tell Her No,” was released in December of 1964. It reached the number sis+ position on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1964.
# 2 – She’s Not There
The song that started it all for the band. “She’s Not There,” was released as a single in 1964. It reached the number 2 position on the Billboard Hot 100. It hit number one on the Cashbox charts in the U.S. The song “She’s Not There.” was written by Rod Argent. In interviews, Rod Argent was quoted as saying that it was a John Lee Hooker song that inspired the lyrics to “She’s Not There.” Thirteen years later after the song was released in 1964, the band Santana had a top twenty hit with it in 1977.
# 1 – Time Of The Season
The classic Zombies’ song “Time of the Season,” was released on the Odessey and Oracle album. Just like “She’s Not There,” “Time of the Season,” reached the number two position on the Billboard Hot 100. and then hit number one on the Cashbox charts. The song presents listeners with one of the best musical introductions in classic rock history.
Photo: Raph_PH [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
I’d love to see you do a Colin Blunstone list. He’s made, and is still making, great music with and without the Zombies. His voice is one of the best. His first two albums as a solo artist – Ennismore and One Year, are still two of my favourite albums.
P.S. Love the site!