We've reached the top of the list.
(Thanks to everybody who stuck with us throughout this Top 200 Countdown)
The pay-off awaits you ...
Here are The Top Ten Biggest Number One Hits
of The Beatles Era, 1964 - 1970:
of The Beatles Era, 1964 - 1970:
#10 - I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE by MARVIN GAYE
This record topped Billboard's Singles Chart for seven weeks, beginning at the end of 1968 and carrying over into the early weeks of 1969. Incredibly it only stayed at #1 for ONE WEEK in Record World ... but earned a five-week stint in Cash Box, making it the TENTH BIGGEST #1 RECORD OF THE BEATLES ERA.
(The earlier Gladys Knight and the Pips version reached #1 for exactly one week in 1967 in Cash Box Magazine ... but didn't earn enough points to make our Top 200 Countdown.)
(The earlier Gladys Knight and the Pips version reached #1 for exactly one week in 1967 in Cash Box Magazine ... but didn't earn enough points to make our Top 200 Countdown.)
#9 - HONEY by BOBBY GOLDSBORO
Love it or hate it, there is NO denying just how big this record truly was. #1 for five weeks in both Billboard and Record World (and #1 for four weeks in Cash Box), it's the NINTH BIGGEST #1 RECORD OF THE BEATLES ERA.
#8 - GET BACK by THE BEATLES
It seems only fitting that The Beatles would have a few of their biggest hits near the top of the list. In fact, they own four of the Top Ten Positions in the countdown.
#7 - CAN'T BUY ME LOVE by THE BEATLES
Still the biggest advance-order singles release in recorded history ... a million and a half people had already decided they wanted the next Beatles Single before they ever even heard a single note! (Because of this, it's also their rarest picture sleeve ... even though it's the same photograph used on their "I Want To Hold Your Hand" single. Capitol must have figured, "Why go through the additional expense of printing a photo sleeve when this many people are already going to buy the record anyway?!?!?")
#6 - IN THE YEAR 2525 by ZAGER AND EVANS
Well, we're 43 years closer to 2525 than we were when this record first came out and topped the charts back in 1969 ... but the truth is, we've still got a ways to go before we hit that magical year. (Then again, some of us aren't so sure we'll EVER get that far!!!) But hey ... I don't see all of the George Jetson technology currently in place either ... so we can always dream, right???
For those of you reading this that are still around in 2525, let us know how it all worked out.
#5 - LOVE IS BLUE by PAUL MAURIAT
The highest ranking instrumental of The Beatles Era. (Actually, only four other instrumentals made the list ... Henry Mancini's "Love Theme from 'Romeo And Juliet'", "Grazing In The Grass" by Hugh Masekela, and, early on, "A Taste Of Honey" by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass and "Classical Gas" by Mason Williams.)
#4 - AQUARIUS / LET THE SUN SHINE IN by THE FIFTH DIMENSION
It truly WAS the dawning of the Age Of Aquarius ... and this #1 Smash from the hit musical "Hair" topped the charts for four, five and six weeks respectively in Record World, Cash Box and Billboard Magazines. Perhaps the most definitive '60's Anthem of all.
#3 - I'M A BELIEVER by THE MONKEES
Number One for an average of 6.67 weeks (including 7 weeks on top in Billboard and 8 weeks at #1 in Cash Box), this record actually tied the #2 Song in total weeks spent at #1. But because we agreed early on to let the Billboard #1 Rankings determine the first round of tie-breakers ... and because the #2 Record in our countdown spent a total of NINE weeks at #1 in Billboard ... we have to award the #2 Position to ...
#2 - HEY JUDE by THE BEATLES
The longest-running #1 Record of The Beatles Era ... and their biggest US Hit ... so how come in finishes at #2 in our countdown? Because "Hey Jude" had an inconsistent run at the top of the charts. Billboard charted it at #1 for nine weeks ... and Cash Box placed it there for seven ... but Record World only showed "Hey Jude" as the #1 Record in the Nation for FOUR weeks ... and that inconsistency is what dropped it to the #2 position over all.
That's because the #1 Record ...
#1 - I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND by THE BEATLES
earned a total of 23 weeks in the #1 Position on the charts ... Eight Weeks on Top in both Cash Box and Record World ... and an additional Seven Weeks at #1 in Billboard ... making it, hands down, the BIGGEST #1 RECORD OF THE BEATLES ERA overall.
We hope you have enjoyed our special countdown ... and thank those of you who actually checked back each and every hour to see where your favorites fell on the list.
What a GREAT way to break in 2012 ...
