10 Classic Blues Rock Songs of the 1960s

The 1960s were the crucible in which blues rock was forged. As young British and American musicians absorbed the raw emotion of the blues and fused it with the power of rock and roll, a new genre was born, gritty, electrified, and full of soul. The 1960s laid the foundation for the blues rock explosion that would follow in the ’70s and beyond. Here are 10 classic blues rock songs from the 1960s that helped define the genre and continue to resonate with fans and musicians alike.

Free – “I’m a Mover”

Free may be best known for “All Right Now,” but their debut album Tons of Sobs revealed a much grittier, more blues-based sound. “I’m a Mover” captures the rawness and urgency that defined early British blues rock. Paul Kossoff’s thick, vibrato-heavy guitar tone, Paul Rodgers’ commanding vocal presence, and Simon Kirke’s heavy groove come together in a track that’s stripped-down and powerful. It’s a blues shuffle reimagined for a harder, heavier world, showcasing the band’s chemistry and their ability to say a lot with very little. “I’m a Mover” signaled that a new generation of blues rockers was ready to take the genre in bold new directions.

Cream – “Strange Brew”

While Cream delivered some unforgettable live blues moments, “Strange Brew” stands out as a studio-crafted blues rock gem. Featured on Disraeli Gears, the track marked a stylistic shift from straight blues toward a more psychedelic sound, yet it retained deep blues roots. Eric Clapton’s guitar tone is sharp and biting, his solo concise but expressive, and the song’s groove is laid-back yet infectious. With Jack Bruce’s sly vocals and Ginger Baker’s dynamic drumming, “Strange Brew” showed how blues rock could evolve without losing its edge. The track’s tight structure and unique feel made it one of Cream’s most memorable studio efforts.

The Yardbirds – “Heart Full of Soul”

Though often overshadowed by their more psychedelic work, “Heart Full of Soul” marked a major step forward in blues rock. It was one of the first Yardbirds singles to feature Jeff Beck on guitar, and his use of fuzz tone created a new sonic blueprint. The song blends Eastern-influenced melodies with a deep bluesy undercurrent, capturing a sense of yearning that went beyond traditional blues themes. Beck’s soloing on this track hinted at the genre-bending creativity that would characterize his later work, while still keeping its roots firmly planted in the blues.

Johnny Winter – “I’m Not Sure”

Taken from Johnny Winter’s third studio album, “I’m Not Sure” is a blistering blues rock workout that captures Winter’s ferocious guitar playing and commanding presence. With a tone that cuts like a knife and phrasing that balances speed and soul, Winter made it clear he was not just another blues imitator. The song’s structure is simple, but it’s the fire in the performance that makes it unforgettable. “I’m Not Sure” revealed Winter as a major new force in blues rock, especially at a time when the genre was being dominated by British acts. His raw energy and Texas roots brought authenticity and power to a rapidly evolving scene.

Jimi Hendrix – “Red House”

“Red House” is Hendrix’s most traditional blues number, but there’s nothing conventional about how he plays it. Featured on the UK version of Are You Experienced, the song is a slow 12-bar blues delivered with emotion, fire, and unmistakable flair. Hendrix’s phrasing, tone, and bends feel like an extension of his voice, and the song’s simplicity allows him to stretch out and improvise freely. “Red House” proved that even a cosmic innovator like Hendrix could ground himself in the deep roots of the blues while pushing it into new dimensions.

John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers – “Have You Heard”

This standout track from Blues Breakers with Eric Clapton (often called the “Beano Album”) captures Clapton at the height of his blues obsession. “Have You Heard” is a slow burner that builds in intensity, allowing Clapton’s Les Paul to cry, soar, and smolder with sustain and emotion. His phrasing and touch were heavily influenced by Freddie King and B.B. King, but Clapton delivered it with a heavier tone that laid the groundwork for blues rock’s sonic identity. The album as a whole became a touchstone for countless British guitarists, and “Have You Heard” remains one of its emotional peaks.

Albert King – “Laundromat Blues”

Released on Born Under a Bad Sign, Albert King’s “Laundromat Blues” delivers a simmering slow blues that blends soul, grit, and heartbreak with unmistakable swagger. King’s smooth yet emotionally charged vocals paint a picture of betrayal, while his guitar work on the Flying V delivers biting leads and expressive bends that would influence players from Stevie Ray Vaughan to Eric Clapton. Backed by the tight Stax house band, the song rides a laid-back groove that gives King space to stretch out and command attention with every note. “Laundromat Blues” marked the beginning of King’s run of crossover hits and helped lay the groundwork for blues rock’s next evolution.

Ten Years After – “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl”

Alvin Lee’s explosive guitar work helped bring speed and flash to blues rock, and this cover of Sonny Boy Williamson’s classic is a showcase of that energy. Recorded for Ssssh, the track adds a heavy, almost proto-metal crunch to a traditional blues framework. Lee’s rapid-fire solos, filled with runs and bends, were ahead of their time and helped shape the style of many hard rock guitarists to come. Ten Years After’s take on “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” is blues rock at its most aggressive and electrifying, without losing its roots.

The Paul Butterfield Blues Band – “Born in Chicago”

Opening their debut album, “Born in Chicago,” served notice that American blues wasn’t just surviving. It was evolving. With the ferocious interplay between Mike Bloomfield’s guitar and Butterfield’s harmonica, the song combined urban blues grit with a modern rock sensibility. Written by Nick Gravenites, the lyrics told a story of youth, danger, and defiance, resonating with a generation grappling with war, civil rights, and rebellion. This track helped spark the white blues movement in the U.S. and solidified Butterfield’s group as one of the few American acts holding their own against the British blues invasion.

Led Zeppelin – “You Shook Me”

Originally a Muddy Waters song penned by Willie Dixon, Led Zeppelin’s version took the blues into thunderous territory. Robert Plant’s wailing vocals, Jimmy Page’s slide guitar, and John Paul Jones’s Hammond organ combine for a heavy, slow-burning blues dirge that is full of swagger. Recorded for their debut album, this track set the tone for Led Zeppelin’s fusion of blues, rock, and power. While they were often criticized for their liberal borrowing from blues artists, there’s no denying the impact they had in turning a new generation on to the blues through sheer force.