As this list of songs, suggest, the early ‘60s were a golden era for R&B.

They overwhelmed rock and roll and had been so influential that you could even feel their effect on country music. Almost every great single from this era had been touched by rhythm and blues, which is the primary reason why these songs still sound so good a half century later.

Featured tracks include:

Please Mr. Postman – The Marvelettes

The Lion Sleeps Tonight – The Tokens

Crazy – Patsy Cline

Just Out of Reach – Solomon Burke

The Wanderer – Dion

I Know – Barbara George

Unchain My Heart – Ray Charles

Rock-a-Hula Baby – Elvis Presley

Duke of Earl – Gene Chandler

Break It to Me Gently – Brenda Lee

Smokey Places – The Corsairs

Turn On Your Lovelight – Bobby Bland