The Top Ten Biggest #1 Hits of the Beatles Era (1964 - 1970)

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:

#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.)

#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 ...

Lots more surprises coming up ... so please ... don't touch that dial!!!

The Top 20 (#20 - #11)

These are the Twenty Biggest #1 Records of The Beatles Years, 1964 - 1970!!!

#20 - HONKY TONK WOMEN by THE ROLLING STONES

#19 - SUGAR SUGAR by THE ARCHIES

#18 - DAYDREAM BELIEVER by THE MONKEES

#17 - SATISFACTION by THE ROLLING STONES

The Stones had seven #1 Records between 1964 and 1970 ... 
and this one was their biggest.

(For the record, "19th Nervous Breakdown" didn't make our Top 200 List ... but it spent one week at #1 in Cash Box Magazine in 1966.)

#16 - TO SIR, WITH LOVE by LULU

#15 - I'LL BE THERE by THE JACKSON FIVE

#14 - THIS GUY'S IN LOVE WITH YOU by HERB ALPERT

Alpert placed 24 records on the charts during The Beatles Years ... and 21 of those were instrumentals.  The first time he decided to SING on a record, it went all the way to #1.  "This Guy's In Love With You" topped all three music trade charts for four weeks in 1968.

#13 - ODE TO BILLIE JOE by BOBBIE GENTRY

Another '60's classic.

#12 - THE BALLAD OF THE GREEN BERETS by S/SGT. BARRY SADLER

Sadler's story ended tragically (see our entry dated January 15, 2010 ) ... but this was a HUGE record before Americans at home started to feel differently about our Viet Nam war efforts.  It topped the national charts for an average of four weeks back in 1965.

#11 - BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER by SIMON AND GARFUNKEL
Simon and Garfunkel saved their best for last ... this song is an absolute CLASSIC!

We're Almost There: #30 - #21

#30 - GROOVIN ' by THE YOUNG RASCALS

#29 - RAINDROPS KEEP FALLIN' ON MY HEAD by B.J. THOMAS

Anybody want to go for a bicycle ride?

#28 - YESTERDAY by THE BEATLES

Another U.S.-only single, this one is still the most-recorded song in history.  (And to think that it all took life as "Scrambled Eggs"!!!)

#27 - A TIE:  (See #98 for further explanation)

I THINK I LOVE YOU by THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY and

WINDY by THE ASSOCIATION

#26 - MRS. ROBINSON by SIMON AND GARFUNKEL

#25 - MRS. BROWN, YOU'VE GOT A LOVELY DAUGHTER 

by HERMAN'S HERMITS

Now what are the odds that two "Mrs." songs would finish back-to-back???

Peter Noone's record is full of bubbly innocence ... he just wants to date Mrs. Brown's lovely daughter ...

While the Simon And Garfunkel record begs the musical question:

"Are you trying to seduce me?"
Koo-Koo-Kachoo, Mrs. Robinson!!!

#24 - CHAPEL OF LOVE by THE DIXIE CUPS

#23 - BABY LOVE by THE SUPREMES

The Supremes placed 13 songs in our Top 200 Countdown ...

And this was their biggest #1 Hit of all.

#22 - PEOPLE GOT TO BE FREE by THE RASCALS

No longer "Young", The Rascals had something to say with this record ... and it shot up straight to #1.

#21 - THE LETTER by THE BOX TOPS

One of the shortest #1 Records on record (it clocks in at under two minutes!), this record seemed to be playing on the radio every time you turned it on back in 1967.

And it leads us into The Top 20.

(Are you still with us???)

And Now On With The Countdown: #40 - #31

#40 - COME TOGETHER by THE BEATLES

Despite being the B-Side, the higher charting #1 Hit from their "Abbey Road" LP.  (See #98 if you've already forgotten what I told you earlier!)

#39 - LET IT BE by THE BEATLES

The End of An Era

#38 - LOVE CHILD by DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES

A pretty heavy topic, even for 1968 ... but that didn't stop it from going straight to #1 on all the charts ... and spending an average of three weeks there.

#37 - HELLO GOODBYE by THE BEATLES

Perhaps their least-deserving #1 Record ... and a HUGE one at that!

#36 - I GOT YOU BABE  by SONNY AND CHER

Still popular enough today that it sometimes feels like Groundhog's Day for real!

#35 - WE CAN WORK IT OUT by THE BEATLES

Another "Double A-Side" by The Fab Four.
I seem to remember hearing "Day Tripper" more often ... but this is the side that went to #1.

#34 - I FEEL FINE by THE BEATLES

Yikes!  Five #1 Songs by The Beatles out of this hour's ten tracks!  Shows you again just how big they really were!

#33 - THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN by THE ANIMALS

The Animals added a whole new dimension to The British Invasion Sound with this one ... feeding us back our American Blues with their own special spin and interpretation.  A classic in every sense of the word.

#32 - SOMETHIN' STUPID by NANCY AND FRANK SINATRA
A Daddy-Daughter Duet that went all the way to #1. 
As big as it was, you never hear this one on the radio anymore.
(And we don't need to hear it a lot ... but it WOULD make a great, unexpected  "Wow Factor" song two or three times a year.)
And #33 and #32 show you the musical diversity that WAS the '60's ...
where else ... and when else ... were you going to hear "The House Of The Rising Sun" played back-to-back with "Somethin' Stupid" by Nancy and Frank Sinatra?!?! (Why, Forgotten Hits, of course!!!)

#31 - DIZZY by TOMMY ROE

After a number of years off, Tommy's out touring again ... we'd love to see him come to Chicago this year!

We've Reached The Top 50!!! (#50 - #41)

#50 - WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL by THE NEW VAUDEVILLE BAND

These guys took an old, vintage sound and turned it into a pop hit sensation.  EVERYBODY loved this song when it came out in 1966!

#49 - HAPPY TOGETHER by THE TURTLES

Another '60's Anthem ... 45 years later, The Happy Together Tour, 2012, is already lining up dates across the country!

#48 - OH, PRETTY WOMAN by ROY ORBISON

His distinguished career was topped off by the #1 Smash in 1964.

#47 - EVERYDAY PEOPLE by SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE

Another '60's classic ... and (for those of you at home wondering),  spell check let this one go thru without a hitch!

#46 - EIGHT DAYS A WEEK by THE BEATLES

Not released as a single in Great Britain, The Beatles scored a HUGE #1 Hit here in The States with this one in early 1965.

#45 - YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELING 

by THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS

The most-played song on the radio of the pop / rock era. 
(So there's absolutely NO reason for me to feature it here!!!)

#44 -  A HARD DAY'S NIGHT by THE BEATLES

Perhaps the most distinctive opening chord in rock and roll history.  Title track from their  first film ... you know ... the black and white one!

#43 - MONDAY, MONDAY by THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS

I've always felt that "California Dreamin'" SHOULD have been a #1 Record ... and was the stronger song ... but THIS is the one that America fell in love with.  (According to WCFL's Year-End Countdown, "California Dreamin' was the biggest record of the year here in Chicago, circa 1966!)

#42 - CHERISH by THE ASSOCIATION

The Association have THREE #1 Songs that made the countdown ... their biggest is yet to come!

#41 - CLOSE TO YOU by THE CARPENTERS

The one that launched their careers ... and a '70's Soft-Rock Staple.

The Countdown Continues: #60 - #51

#60 - WAR by EDWIN STARR

#59 - SUMMER IN THE CITY by THE LOVIN' SPOONFUL

Winner of every "Favorite Songs Of Summer" Readers Poll we've ever taken!

#58 - TURN, TURN, TURN by THE BYRDS

Back-to-back #1 Hits for The Byrds ... from Dylan to the Bible!

#57 - AMERICAN WOMAN by THE GUESS WHO

#56 - VENUS by SHOCKING BLUE

#55 - MAMA TOLD ME NOT TO COME by THREE DOG NIGHT

That's three in a row from 1970 ... and four out of six if you count "War".  All from the tail end of our eligibility period!

#54 - RESPECT by ARETHA FRANKLIN

(And almost as much fun as spelling out H-E-N-R-Y)

#53 - WEDDING BELL BLUES by THE FIFTH DIMENSION

#52 - SOUL AND INSPIRATION by THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS

#51 - HELP! by THE BEATLES

(from their second film ... the one in color)

On With The Countdown ... #70 - #61

#70 - THERE, I'VE SAID IT AGAIN by BOBBY VINTON

(Officially, the first #1 Record of The Beatles Era ... it would eventually be knocked out of the top spot by "I Want To Hold Your Hand", forever changing the landscape of pop music in the process.)

#69 - THOSE WERE THE DAYS by MARY HOPKIN

This is the highest charting record on our countdown that did NOT top all three charts ... every record from this point forward reached #1 in all three of the major music trade publications we consulted for this list.

"Those Were The Days", in every sense of the word, was a #1 Record.  It topped the Record World Chart for four weeks ... and the Cash Box Chart for two ... but never reached the #1 Spot in Billboard because her labelmates, The Beatles, were in the midst of their 9-week run at the top of the charts with "Hey Jude".  ("Jude" only spent four weeks at #1 in Record World ... and #7 weeks on top in Cash Box, thus allowing another record, like Mary Hopkin's "Those Were The Days", a shot at the top spot.)  Other worthy records that were denied the #1 position during this run include "Fire" by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and "Over You" by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, each of which topped a number of local charts around the country but were held at bay by the tulu-baby Beatles.

#68 - I HEAR A SYMPHONY by THE SUPREMES

Other lower-ranking hits by The Supremes seem to have had more staying power ... but this one earned the points to claim the #68 position.

#67 - HANKY PANKY by TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDELLS

This record only took three years to climb to the top of the charts!  And it all happened quite by accident when a Philadelphia dee-jay started playing it on his program just for fun because he liked the tune.  (Jeez, Jocks ... remember when you could do THAT?!?!?  Play something NOT on the playlist!!!)  Suddenly, the record took off, and Tommy James moved from Niles, Michigan, to Philadelphia, PA, to form a brand new version of The Shondells so that he could tour behind his hot new hit record.  It eventually climbed all the way to #1 ... and Tommy's career is STILL red-hot all these years later!

#66 - GRAZING IN THE GRASS by HUGH MASEKELA

We loved this one as an instrumental ... and got to enjoy it all over again when The Friends Of Distinction put words to it a few years later.

#65 - I'M TELLING YOU NOW by FREDDIE AND THE DREAMERS

Have you done your jumping jacks yet today???

If not, get up on the floor and Do The Freddie!

#64 - THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD by THE BEATLES

Their last official #1 Record ... and the end of an era.

#63 - WHERE DID OUR LOVE GO by THE SUPREMES

This is the one that sent their careers over the top back in 1964.

#62 - DO WAH DIDDY DIDDY by MANFRED MANN

Complete nonsense ... and I still love it to this very day!  
One of the greatest "feel-good" songs of all time!

#61 - RAG DOLL by THE FOUR SEASONS

The Phil Spector-sounding drums that kick this one off helped make it a classic for these Jersey Boys!

And Now, On With The Countdown ... #80 - #71

As we get closer to the top, we're really starting to hit the good stuff now!  Check out this list!

#80 - WILD THING by THE TROGGS

#79 - HELP ME RHONDA by THE BEACH BOYS

#78 - CRIMSON AND CLOVER by TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDELLS

(and another one of your psychedelic favorites)

#77 - YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE by THE SUPREMES

#76 - THIS DIAMOND RING by GARY LEWIS AND THE PLAYBOYS

(Still one of my all-time favorites of this era) 

#75 - I CAN'T HELP MYSELF by THE FOUR TOPS

(Sugar Pie, Honey-Bunch, you know that I love you!!!)

#74 - DOWNTOWN by PETULA CLARK

#73 - I GET AROUND by THE BEACH BOYS

(According to Billboard, their very first #1 Record ... although they did top the Cash Box Chart a year earlier with "Surfin' USA")

#72 - SHE LOVES YOU by THE BEATLES

(Had "I Want To Hold Your Hand" not been as big as it was, I still believe this could have been / should have been The Beatles' biggest hit ... but it's tough to hit #1 when the top five songs on the chart are all by the same artist!!!)

#71 - LIGHT MY FIRE by THE DOORS

The Countdown Continues: #90 - #81

#90 - YOU KEEP ME HANGIN' ON by THE SUPREMES

#89 - COME SEE ABOUT ME by THE SUPREMES

(Allowing for a Supremes Twin-Spin if you decide to play this countdown down on your show ... or simply in your head!)

#88 - LOVE THEME FROM "ROMEO AND JULIET" by HENRY MANCINI

#87 - THANK YOU FALETTINME BE MICE ELF AGIN by SLY AND THE FAMILY STONE

(For the record, Spell Check just had a field day with that one!!!)

#86 - THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE by SIMON AND GARFUNKEL

#85 - JUDY IN DISGUISE by JOHN FRED AND HIS PLAYBOY BAND

#84 - THE LOVE YOU SAVE by THE JACKSON FIVE

#83 - PAPERBACK WRITER by THE BEATLES

#82 - ABC by THE JACKSON FIVE

#81 - WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN by PERCY SLEDGE

(Doing the song that got him into The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame ... right???)

The Top 100 Songs Of The Beatles Years, 1964 - 1970 (#100 - #91)

We've reached The Top 100 ... and shortly you'll be seeing the very best of the best ... 

With very few exceptions, in order for a record to have finished this high on our chart, it pretty much had to top the charts in all three of the major music trade publications ... and. for the most part, this is the case.

But along the way we found a few

THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO "HMMMMM???"

And we'll point these out along the way.

#100 - DOCK OF THE BAY by OTIS REDDING

Here's the first one.

How is it possible that this record was big enough to top the charts in Billboard for FOUR WEEKS but never reached the #1 position in either of the other trades? 

I can see that happening for a week ... 

heck, it happened all the time ...

And maybe even TWO Weeks now and again ...

but FOUR WEEKS?!?!?

Something seems just a LITTLE bit odd about this one!

#99 - HAIR by THE COWSILLS

And here's another.

For whatever reason, The Cowsills never had a #1 Record in Billboard.

I'll concede "The Rain, The Park And Other Things", big as it was (and it topped an awful lot of charts during its late-1967 run) maybe didn't hit #1 because "Incense And Peppermints" (its stiffest competition) was so big ... but "Hair" not making it to #1 just doesn't make sense ...

Especially when you consider the fact that it topped the Record World chart for three weeks ... and the Cash Box Chart for two.  (That's why it's ranked as high as it is in our recap countdown.)

"Aquarius / Let The Sun Shine In" by The Fifth Dimension was one of the five biggest hits of this time period, falling behind only The Beatles and The Monkees in #1 points for this era.  "Hair", while certainly not as big, was still a HUGE radio hit and best seller.  (Don't get me wrong ... personally, I HATED the song ... still do ... but what's right is right!)

No matter ... thanks to its showing in two out of the three publications we consulted, it still makes The Top 100 on our special recap survey today!

#98 - SOMETHING by THE BEATLES

A questionable entry I suppose.  This was right around the time that Billboard, Cash Box and Record World stopped listing both sides of the same record as separate chart entries ... instead they showed up as two-sided hits but, most often, with "tag-along" B-Sides not always worthy of A-Side status. 

Had it always been done this way, this might not be a big deal ... but this process was changed right in the middle of the chart run of The Beatles' latest single.  And how do you designate "Something" as a tag-along B-Side when it was, in fact, the designated A-Side by The Beatles themselves?

Truthfully, we debated as to whether or not we should keep it in ... but how do you exclude it?  It's a modern-day classic ... and George Harrison's crowning achievement as a "Fab".  (Besides, we already eliminated his solo #1 Hit "My Sweet Lord" earlier in this countdown ... and we just couldn't do it to him again!!!)

As such, we're including this one on our list.  And, for those of you purists out there who pooh-pooh the whole idea, we've got a "TIE" coming up in the #27 position.  If you want "Something" off the list, simply insert one of the "Tie" position records in at #28 and shift everything down one notch until you hit #98, at which point you'll balance out and still come up with a Top 200 Countdown.  (In effect, I guess we've compiled The Top 201 ... plus we gave you ten runners-up earlier on, too ... hey, we started out with the very best intentions!!!  I'm not sure where exactly we were led astray!!!)

#97 - HARPER VALLEY P.T.A. by JEANNIE C. RILEY

Another one of the most annoying songs to make the list ... but (as mentioned earlier) one of the hottest sellers in a two-week period on the countdown.  While it rightfully only topped the Billboard and Cash Box charts for a week, "Harper Valley P.T.A." somehow managed a  THREE Week run on top of the Record World Singles Chart ... which is why it ranks as high as it does.

#96 - HELLO DOLLY by LOUIS ARMSTRONG

Right in the thick of Beatlemania, Ol' Satchmo scored his biggest hit.  This is another record that topped the Record World Chart for three weeks while only spending a week at the summit in Billboard and Cash Box.  It's still a great-sounding record 'though ... and talk about a "Wow!" song!!!

#95 - I'M HENRY THE VIII, I AM by HERMAN'S HERMITS

Peter Noone dipped WAY back for this one ... and laid down his thickest British accent ever on record ... and, along the way, scored a HUGE novelty #1 Hit back in 1965.  In fact, it is still a concert highlight today as the entire audience spells out H-E-N-R-Y for what sometimes feels like the 42nd verse, same as the first!!!

#94 - LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE by THE MONKEES

Proving again the power of television, some will attribute the bulk of The Monkees' success to the boob tube ... but the fact of the matter is,  while The Beatles were off experimenting with new sounds and drugs, The Monkees came along and made pop music fun again.  (I can't tell you how many kids were inspired to pick up a guitar and be in a band after The Monkees started coming into our living rooms every Monday Night.  I know I did!!!)  For those of us not quite old enough yet to embrace the counter-culture, The Monkees were still a safe, fun way to enjoy rock and roll.  (Of course the fact that they, too, became total pot heads never crossed our minds!!!  lol)

#93 - ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE by THE BEATLES

An absolute Summer Of Love Anthem ... The Beatles (and John Lennon in particular) were all about Peace and Love in the Fabulous '60's ... and this was never better exemplified than in this #1 Hit from 1967.

#92 - PENNY LANE by THE BEATLES

As we  get nearer to the top of the countdown, you'll find more and more Beatles tracks popping up on the list.  (They had 24 #1's in all based on these survey results!)  "Penny Lane" was their first British Hit not to reach #1 since their debut, "Love Me Do".  They were held out of the top spot by The Record Of The Year, "Release Me" by Engelbert Humperdinck!

#91 - SUSPICIOUS MINDS by ELVIS PRESLEY

Listening to Oldies Radio today, you'd think this was the only hit Elvis ever had!  But there's no denying it was a big one ... another GREAT Comeback Record for The King Of Rock And Roll (now entertaining fans regularly in Las Vegas!!!)

We're Closing In On The Top 100 (#110 - #101)

#110 - GOOD LOVIN' by THE YOUNG RASCALS

#109 - LEAVING ON A JET PLANE by PETER, PAUL AND MARY

#108 - EVE OF DESTRUCTION by BARRY McGUIRE

Ah yes, the '60's Protest Era!!!

#107 - HANG ON SLOOPY by THE McCOYS

Accompanied by some feel-good rock and roll!
It was this very combination that made the Sounds of the '60's the Sounds of the '60's!!!

#106 - LIGHTNING STRIKES by LOU CHRISTIE

#105 - PAINT IT BLACK by THE ROLLING STONES

#104 - STOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE by THE SUPREMES

#103 - GET OFF OF MY CLOUD by THE ROLLING STONES

#102 - HELLO, I LOVE YOU by THE DOORS

#101 - TIGHTEN UP by ARCHIE BELL AND THE DRELLS

Who could not only sing ... but they danced just as good as they walked!!!

The Countdown Continues: #120 - #111

#120 - THE TEARS OF A CLOWN by 

SMOKEY ROBINSON AND THE MIRACLES

#119 - NA NA, HEY HEY, KISS HIM GOODBYE by STEAM

Was this song really as annoying then as it is now???  Either way it's become a '60's classic.  (But who ever thought it would turn into a sports anthem?!?!?)

#118 - MY GUY by MARY WELLS

#117 - VALLERI by THE MONKEES

Another one that only topped the chart in Cash Box and Record World ... but a #1 Monkees favorite of mine for years!!!

#116 - BUILD ME UP BUTTERCUP by THE FOUNDATIONS

Since "Something About Mary", it seems you can't turn on the radio without hearing this one.  Although I never really considered it a #1 Hit at the time, The Foundations topped both the Cash Box and Record World Charts with "Build Me Up Buttercup" in 1969.  (Makes you wonder what statistics Billboard was missing!)

#115 - I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME by 

DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES AND THE TEMPTATIONS

The PERFECT duet topped every chart but Billboard's.  (Is it really considered a duet when there are 8 people singing???)  I don't care ... we loved it ... and still do!  
(It sounds like the former Primes and Primettes may have done a little bit more than just sing together ... but they sure sounded great when they committed this one to wax in 1968.)

#114 -  SPIRIT IN THE SKY by NORMAN GREENBAUM

Another one that never got its #1 due in Billboard.

#113 - LOVE IS HERE AND NOW YOU'RE GONE by THE SUPREMES

#112 - RUBY TUESDAY by THE ROLLING STONES

#111 - INCENSE AND PEPPERMINTS by 

THE STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK

A few years back you guys voted this as the All-Time Greatest Psychedelic Song Ever in one of our Forgotten Hits Readers Polls.

The Countdown Continues: #130 - #121

#130 - MR. TAMBOURINE MAN by THE BYRDS

The folk / rock sound is born and personified with this BYRDS cover of a BOB DYLAN tune in 1965.  DYLAN liked it so much he even plugged in his own guitar later that same year!

#129 - SOMEDAY WE'LL BE TOGETHER by 

DIANA ROSS AND THE SUPREMES

Their swan song single ... a great track that still sounds just as good today as it did back then.

#128 - GAME OF LOVE by WAYNE FONTANA AND THE MINDBENDERS

How many groups go to #1 with their first US Chart Hit ... then fire their lead singer ... and go to #1 AGAIN?!?!?  Well, THE MINDBENDERS did it ... with GAME OF LOVE (featuring the charismatically insane WAYNE FONTANA on lead vocals) and then again a year later with 
A GROOVY KIND OF LOVE.  In fact, by this point THE MINDBENDERS included ERIC STEWART and GRAHAM GOULDMAN, who would go on to further chart success together in the following decade ... first as HOTLEGS (with NEANDERTHAL MAN) and then as 10cc (who scored Top Five Hits with I'M NOT IN LOVE and THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE)

#127 - GOOD VIBRATIONS by THE BEACH BOYS

As big as the history surrounding this song is, GOOD VIBRATIONS only topped the charts for one week back in 1966.  But it topped all three charts for a week, earning it the #127 position on our special Beatles Years #1 Countdown.

#126 - THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN' by NANCY SINATRA

One of the few times we can view nepotism as good thing, NANCY had quite a career in the early '60's ... and she even topped the charts again singing a duet with her Old Man, Ol' Blue Eyes himself.  (Watch for SOMETHIN' STUPID coming up later in the countdown!)

#125 - 96 TEARS by ? AND THE MYSTERIANS

An all-time garage band classic, this one STILL sounds great coming out of our radios 46 years later! (I crank it up every time!!!)

#124 - REACH OUT, I'LL BE THERE by THE FOUR TOPS

This one, 96 TEARS, The Monkees' Hit LAST TRAIN TO CLARKSVILLE and the novelty smash WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL are responsible for holding The Beach Boys' GOOD VIBRATIONS to a single week in the #1 Spot.  How odd that three of these hits fall within a couple of positions of each other in our Top 200 Countdown!

#123 - EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL by RAY STEVENS

Ray playing it straight earned him his only #1 Record!  (Kinda like when HERB ALPERT decided to SING his new release rather than release another instrumental!!!)  Changing it up a bit provided BIG dividends to these two artists!

#122 - MY LOVE by PETULA CLARK

Her big #1 Hit, of course, was DOWNTOWN in 1965 ... most folks forget that PETULA topped the charts again the following year with this one!

#121 - KIND OF A DRAG by THE BUCKINGHAMS

Chicago's very own, making it six out of this batch of ten tunes that reached the #1 spot during 1966!

The Countdown Continues: #140 - #131

#140 - GREEN TAMBOURINE by THE LEMON PIPERS

#139 - LOVE ME DO by THE BEATLES

#138 - POOR SIDE OF TOWN by JOHNNY RIVERS

#137 - STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT by FRANK SINATRA

#136 - MAKE IT WITH YOU by BREAD

#135 - SUNSHINE SUPERMAN by DONOVAN

#134 - OVER AND OVER by THE DAVE CLARK FIVE

(Incredibly their only #1 Record ... but it topped all three charts back in 1965)

#133 - CRACKLIN' ROSIE by NEIL DIAMOND

#132 - LEADER OF THE PACK by THE SHANGRI-LAS

#131 - TICKET TO RIDE by THE BEATLES

The Countdown Continues: #150 - #141

#150 - I WANT YOU BACK by THE JACKSON FIVE

#149 - A WORLD WITHOUT LOVE by PETER AND GORDON

#148 - I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU by THE TEMPTATIONS

(Like "My Girl", this record only topped the chart in Billboard)

#147 - A LOVER'S CONCERTO by THE TOYS

#146 - A LITTLE BIT ME, A LITTLE BIT YOU by THE MONKEES

(#1 everywhere BUT Billboard)

#145 - LAST KISS by J. FRANK WILSON AND THE CAVALIERS

One of the biggest classic hits of the '60's (and popular enough still to inspire an entire series in Forgotten Hits!!!) How on earth could this one NOT be considered a #1 Record???

#144 - BARBARA ANN by THE BEACH BOYS

Another long-time Beach Boys Favorite ... and #1 everywhere else but Billboard

#143 - CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF YOU by FRANKIE VALLI

Another one of those that just doesn't make any sense ... is there ANYBODY out there that doesn't consider this a #1 Song???

#142 - THE HAPPENING by THE SUPREMES

(And here I take the OPPOSITE approach ... this record topped the charts in all three major publications ... how on earth is that possible?!?!?)

#141 - MR. LONELY by BOBBY VINTON

On With The Countdown (#160 - 151)

#160 - LADY WILLPOWER by GARY PUCKETT AND THE UNION GAP

#159 - LOOKIN' OUT MY BACK DOOR by 

CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL

#158 - THEME FROM "VALLEY OF THE DOLLS" by DIONNE WARWICK

#157 - LET'S HANG ON by THE FOUR SEASONS

#156 - SPILL THE WINE by ERIC BURDON AND THE ANIMALS

#155 - A GROOVY KIND OF LOVE by THE MINDBENDERS

#154 - IN THE GHETTO by ELVIS PRESLEY

#153 - TWIST AND SHOUT by THE BEATLES

#152 - BACK IN MY ARMS AGAIN by THE SUPREMES

#151 - RINGO by LORNE GREENE

I've long maintained that "Twist And Shout" should have counted as a #1 Record for The Beatles ... it topped the charts in both Cash Box and Record World.

Likewise titles like "Let's Hang On", "Spill The Wine", "Lookin' Out My Back Door" and "A Groovy Kind Of Love" have always been considered #1 Records by most of the music fans I know.

And cheating Elvis Presley out of another #1 ("In The Ghetto" topped the charts in Cash Box and Record World, too) just never seemed right ... this record was a HUGE part of his comeback!

On With The Countdown (#170 - 161)

#170 - THEY'RE COMING TO TAKE ME AWAY, HA-HAA!!! 

by NAPOLEON XIV

Believe it or not, the HOTTEST record in the country for about two weeks in 1966.  This one RACED up the charts and reached #1 in both Record World AND Cash Box before the "novelty" wore off (or enough radio stations banned it).  Incredibly this record ... and HARPER VALLEY PTA by JEANNIE C. RILEY (coming up later in the countdown) had perhaps the most IMMEDIATE chart impact during this era ... but then both records burned out quickly once we'd heard them enough times!

#169 - YOUNG GIRL by GARY PUCKETT AND THE UNION GAP

These guys never had a #1 Record in Billboard ... but you'll find TWO of their titles on OUR list!!!

#168 - NOWHERE MAN by THE BEATLES

#167 - CECILIA by SIMON AND GARFUNKEL

#166 - MELLOW YELLOW by DONOVAN

#165 - WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN by THE CARPENTERS

#164 - FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE by STEVIE WONDER

#163 - GEORGY GIRL by THE SEEKERS

#162 - SUNNY by BOBBY HEBB

#161 - LOUIE LOUIE by THE KINGSMEN

Yes!!!  Thank God for Cash Box Magazine!!!  While Billboard and Record World took the safe route and charted "Dominique" by The Singing Nun and "There, I've Said It Again" by Bobby Vinton in the top spot, Cash Box acknowledged the record we were REALLY buying and listening to!  (In fact, "Louie Louie" topped their chart for two weeks back in 1964!)

A couple of other surprises ... I think most of the world recognizes "Cecilia", "We've Only Just Begun", "For Once In My Life", "Georgy Girl" and "Sunny" as #1 Records ... yet NONE of these titles topped the chart in Billboard.  It's great to be able to finally honor them now!

On With The Countdown (#180 - #171)

#180 - NEVER MY LOVE by THE ASSOCIATION

(Currently the second-most played song in the history of pop radio, right behind The Righteous Brothers' Hit "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" ... yet NOT a #1 Record?!?!?  It topped the chart in Cash Box ... which was good enough for a #180 showing on our list!)

#179 - MY GIRL by THE TEMPTATIONS

A classic ... yet incredibly this record only went to #1 in Billboard ... 
it failed to reach the top in Cash Box and Record World!

#178 - TURN BACK THE HANDS OF TIME by TYRONE DAVIS

#177 - THE RAPPER by THE JAGGERZ

#176 - SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED, I'M YOURS by STEVIE WONDER

#175 - LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD by SAM THE SHAM AND THE PHARAOHS

#174 - YELLOW SUBMARINE by THE BEATLES

(The first of 24 entries by The Fab Four!)

#173 - I GOT RHYTHM by THE HAPPENINGS

(This was a #1 Record in Cash Box Magazine.  The Happenings also topped the Record World  Charts with their version of "See You In September" ... but it didn't earn enough points to make our Top 200 Countdown)

#172 - EASY TO BE HARD by THREE DOG NIGHT

(One of THREE "Hair" songs to make the list!)

#171 - SOUL MAN by SAM AND DAVE