Bows and flows of angel hair and ice cream castles in the air
and feather canyons everywhere, I’ve looked at clouds that way.
But now they only block the sun, they rain and snow on everyone.
So many things I would have done but clouds got in my way.
I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now,
from up and down, and still somehow
it’s cloud illusions I recall.
I really don’t know clouds at all.
Moons and Junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way that you feel
as every fairy tale comes real; I’ve looked at love that way.
But now it’s just another show. You leave 'em laughing when you go
and if you care, don’t let them know, don’t give yourself away.
I’ve looked at love from both sides now,
from give and take, and still somehow
it’s love’s illusions that I recall.
I really don’t know love at all.
–Both Sides Now
–Written, composed and performed by Joni Mitchell
I don’t think there’s one “best,” but I do personally tend to gravitate to a lot of 60s, particularly (though not exclusively) British Invasion. But there are talented people, fun music, and meaningful music in all of them.
Okay, but if you were trapped on a desert island and you only had enough room for CD’s from one decade, assuming the desert island in question has electricity of course, what decade would you pick it is no fun if you call it a tie 
to answer the island question, I’d pick the 80’s. Not necessarily because I think it’s the best music ever written, but I have so many wonderful memories from the era.
Late 80’s/early nineties.
70’s - heavy metal, punk, disco and even the first rap song. Plenty of folk music too.
FWIW Carly Rae Jepson on the air with Ryan Seacrest has a cover of the song mentioned in the OP that is stupid good. Jaw dropping good. Just perfect. I love the update the she gave the song. I didn’t really like her before but I am a huge fan of hers now. The original song is poetic and composed perfectly. I hear far too many songs today where they just repeat the same lyrics over and over. That is lame.
Another vote for the 60’s. And in case we don’t have electricity and have to make our own music, then I hope I packed this book from the piano bench and I hope the rest of you can sing and play the guitars that you packed better than I can!
https://www.amazon.com/Great-Songs-Sixties-Vol-1/dp/081296201X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1471137918&sr=8-1&keywords=Great+songs+of+the+sixties+books
Back in high school (in the 70’s) I tried to learn them all on the piano. And I sang along. Fortunately never in front of anyone but my family because I am not talented vocally and was pretty terrible at the piano as well. But it’s a great compilation of some of the best hits from that decade. From “King of the Road” to “(I can’t get no)Satisfaction”. Hmmm, might be time to go play a few right now while I let the Olympics get far enough ahead so that I can zip through the commercials. Might be time for a little “Alice’s Restaurant”. The original version of the book includes the entire monologue but I don’t know if this 80s printing does.
I graduated from college in 1970 and definitely vote for the 60’s. Too many greats to mention. I must admit I listened less over time, until DD started listening again in the 90s.
“Both Sides Now”–great song. I remember a TA having us read the lyrics at loud in a recitation section for a PoliSci course. I have no recollection of why…
I have that 60s songbook! I lean towards the 60’s too, but I liked the 80s too.
70’s for me. Everything from Stones to Aerosmith to Saturday Night Fever soundtrack to Babies to Boston … love all of it. I do like a lot of current music (not pop …). Early 80’s had some good music, too, but if I had to pick a “decade,” 70’s it is.
Late 60’s and all of the 70’s - even my kids think their mom and dad had the best music!
You forgot the 50s in your title :^)
“Both Sides Now” at the Olympics! Thank you, Canada!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=D1WrdtA3TGs
I’ll add a vote for the 80s.
I went to college in the late 70s/early 80s but gonna have to vote for the 60s here. Really not too fond 80s music.
And '10’s. Although I’ll go out on a limb and say, since this is in the parents forum, the '10’s might not get many votes. 