Top 10 Pretty Things Songs

Photo: Joop van Bilsen / Anefo [CC0]

Our Top 10 Pretty Things songs list looks at a 1960s band from the United Kingdom. The Pretty Things began their career as a blues-entrenched rock band. However, as the culture of the 1960s evolved across the rock and roll landscape, many blues bands became inspired by the concepts of psychedelia and progressivism. The Pretty Things were no exception. The band’s sound would evolve as members changed with the times.

Like many bands popular in the United Kingdom, The Pretty Things found it difficult to capitalize on their British success in the United States. The band never broke through in the United States and remained a cult favorite there, while achieving mass success in the UK.

The Pretty Things released their first album in 1965 entitled The Pretty Things. In a similar fashion to other great rock bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, The Pretty Things’ debut album contained more cover songs than originals.

Most of the material that The Pretty Things released as a group was issued in the 1960s and 70s. Nonetheless, despite a revolving door of musicians, some who came, went, and then came back again, The Pretty Things continued to release albums up to 2015.

This Top 10 Pretty Things songs list looks at the band’s entire career and subjectively chooses ten of the best Pretty Things songs to present a small preview of this great classic rock and roll band.

# 10 – A House In The Country

We open our Top 10 Pretty Things songs list with a great track from the band’s Emotions album, which was released in 1967. It was the band’s third studio album. The song “A House In The Country” would actually be the last Pretty Things song to have chart success in the United Kingdom. This one opens with a very slick guitar riff that merges into psychedelic sounds. It’s just so cool. This is the sound of the 1960s, my friends

# 9 – The Same Sun

The Sweet Pretty Things ( Are In Bed Now, Of Course... )

This great song from The Pretty Things was released fifty years after their debut album in 1965. In 2015, The Pretty Things released the album The Sweet Pretty Things (Are in Bed Now, of Course…). The album featured original members Phil May and Dick Taylor. The song “The Same Sun” sounds like it could have been released in 1965. When you hear rock fans say there is no longer great rock and roll being released, send them a copy of this great song.

# 8 – Sickel Clowns

Continuing with our Top 10 Pretty Things songs list, we turn to one of our favorite Pretty Things songs. If we were going to choose one Pretty Things song to turn people on to this great band, this would be the one. “Sickel Clowns” was released on the band’s Parachute album. The record was released in 1970. This might not be the most popular Pretty Things song, but it’s the coolest in our book. This sounds like it belonged on The Beatles’ White Album.

# 7 – Honey, I Need

The Pretty Things’ song “Honey I Need” was the band’s second most successful single release behind “Don’t Bring Me Down.” It’s hard to believe that this is the same band that released “Sickel Clowns” just a few years later. The single was released in 1965. It hit number thirteen on the United Kingdom’s pop charts. “Honey I Need” was issued on the band’s debut album, The Pretty Things, in 1965. “Honey, I Need” was the album’s opening track on side two. The song was originally written by Dick Taylor, John Warburton, Peter Smith, and Ian Stirling.

# 6 – Walking Through My Dreams

The song “Walking Through My Dreams” was released in 1967. It was issued as part of a single with “Talking About the Good Times.” The song was originally only released as a single, but later appeared as a bonus track on the album S.F. Sorrow. Many rock fans and critics have long considered the album the record that inspired Pete Townshend’s concept album work with The Who.

# 5 – You Don’t Believe Me

As we get past the halfway point on this top 10 Pretty Things songs list, we turn to the band’s second album, entitled Get the Picture? The song “You Don’t Believe Me” was the album’s opening track. Interestingly, the song also featured the guitar work of soon-to-be Rock God Jimmy Page. The guitarist who would eventually rule the world with Led Zeppelin also received a songwriting credit on the song. “You Don’t Believe Me” was written by Phil May, Bobby Graham, Jimmy Page, and Willie Morrell.

# 4 – Roadrunner

The Pretty Things’ version of “Roadrunner” was released on the band’s debut album, The Pretty Things, in 1965. It was the album’s opening track. “Roadrunner” was written by Ellas McDaniel, who most of the rock and roll world knows as Bo Diddley. The great song “Roadrunner” was one of the most covered songs in the 1960s. Bands like The Animals, The Zombies, and Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders recorded versions of the great Bo Diddley song. The Pretty Things released their version of “Roadrunner” as a single. The song was most successful in the Netherlands, where it reached the top 20, peaking at number 11 on the Dutch music charts.

# 3 – Midnight To Six Man

The Pretty Things’ song “Midnight To Six Man” was the band’s sixth single. The song was released in 1966, the same year The Pretty Things also released a short film titled The Pretty Things on Film. I love how the guitars and piano jump back and forth throughout the song. Add a little Hammond organ at the tip of it all, and you have a sensational 1960s groove that is wonderfully captivating.

# 2 – Don’t Bring Me Down

Most of The Pretty Things’ success on the United Kingdom charts came early in their career. The great Pretty Things song “Don’t Bring Me Down” was released as a single in 1964. “Don’t Bring Me Down” would prove to be the band’s highest-charting single of their career. It was the group’s only top 10 hit, reaching the UK Singles Chart Top 10 in 1964, peaking at number 10.

The Pretty Things’ song “Don’t Bring Me Down, featured the band’s original lineup of Phil May on vocals, Dick Taylor on lead guitar, Brian Pendleton on rhythm guitar, John Stax on bass, and Viv Prince on drums.

# 1 – Rosalyn

We close out our Top 10 Pretty Things songs list with the excellent track “Rosalyn.” The song was released by The Pretty Things in 1964. It was also the band’s debut single. The song introduced the band The Pretty Things to the world. The song had moderate chart success, peaking at number 46 on the UK music charts. David Bowie covered the song on his Pin Ups album.