3 Acoustic Songs From the British Invasion That Will Melt Your Heart

In the 1960s, the British Invasion gave music fans a plethora of bands to meet, get to know, and fall in love with. Many of those groups produced buzzy, electric guitar-based tunes with big rhythms and lead singers who knew how to belt and preen. But occasionally, the musical movement also provided some more delicate offerings.

Here below, we wanted to explore three examples of the latter. A trio of tunes that were acoustic-driven that will melt the heart of any music fan even today. Indeed, these are three acoustic British Invasion songs that will thaw the coldest heart.

[RELATED: 6 Iconic British Invasion Bands from the 1960s]

“Bus Stop” by The Hollies from Bus Stop (1966)

This song, which hit No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, is an acoustic-driven tune. But it isn’t exactly soft. It’s actually a driving song with sharp rhythms and a great bit of propulsion. The group’s vocalists blend biting harmonies and the song sticks to your soul, especially once the almost Middle Eastern-sounding chorus hits. The song, which was written by the band’s Graham Gouldman, began with lines that were written by his playwright father. And on the song, Gouldman sings,

Bus stop, wet day, she’s there, I say
“Please, share my umbrella”
Bus stop, bus goes, she stays, love grows
Under my umbrella

All that summer, we enjoyed it
Wind and rain and shine
And that umbrella, we employed it
By August, she was mine

“A World Without Love” by Peter and Gordon from A World Without Love (1964)

This song, which hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, is about the need for love. Written by Paul McCartney when he was 16 and credited to Lennon-McCartney, this song was given to Peter and Gordon because Paul didn’t think it was good enough for his group. Nevertheless, it’s a perfect proto-rock tune that exemplifies the British Invasion’s sensibilities. On it, Peter and Gordon sing,

Please lock me away
And don’t allow the day
Here inside, where I hide with my loneliness
I don’t care what they say
I won’t stay in a world without love

Birds sing out of tune
And rain clouds hide the moon
I’m okay, here I’ll stay with my loneliness
I don’t care what they say
I won’t stay in a world without love

“Ferry Cross the Mersey,” by Gerry and the Pacemakers from Ferry Cross the Mersey (1964)

A song lush with melody, strings, and acoustic guitars, this song first appeared on the soundtrack for the movie Ferry Cross the Mersey. Gerry and the Pacemakers were another British group, along with The Beatles, that were managed by Brian Epstein. The sentimental and reflective song, which hit No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, is about a river in the United Kingdom. And on it, lead vocalist Gerry Marsden sings,

Life goes on day after day
Hearts torn in every way

So, ferry cross the Mersey
‘Cause this land’s the place I love
And here I’ll stay

People they rush everywhere
Each with their own secret care

So, ferry cross the Mersey
And always take me there
The place I love

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