Why 1966? Because my birthday was this weekend, and that's the year I was born. And since I really didn't get any chance to celebrate, due to The Other Half's schedule and our home improvement projects, I thought I owed it to myself to mark the occasion
somehow. So, here it is, some of the best songs of 1966. Some hold up really well, I think.
1. Monday, Monday by The Mamas and the Papas - Mom thought this song was number one when I was born, but I think it really hit soon after. And it was number 7 for the year.
2. (You're My) Soul and Inspiration by The Righteous Brothers - This song actually
was number one the day I was born.
3. These Boots are Made for Walkin' by Nancy Sinatra - Went all the way to number 13 for the year, and dear old dad hit the charts in '66 too.
4. Devil with a Blue Dress/Good Golly, Miss Molly by Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels - Number 32.
5. Uptight (Everything's Alright) by Stevie Wonder - One of Stevie's best, I always thought. It hit number 59 for the year.
6. Winchester Cathedral by The New Vaudeville Band - A weird one, sounding a bit like The Beatles' more "granny music" stuff. It was number 18 in 1966.
7. Yellow Submarine by The Beatles - Weird, even for The Beatles, but good enough for number 96.
8. Wipeout by The Surfaris - Every drummer's challenge. It was the number 63 song of 1966.
9. Secret Agent Man by Johnny Rivers - Almost cracked the year's top 50 at number 53.
10. The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel - See? I told you it was a good year for music. But still only number 54.
And there's a whole lot more. I got my data from the Wikipedia page for
Billboard's Hot 100 for 1966. Check it out for a bunch of other great songs, from The Beach Boys (
Barbara Ann, Sloop John B), to Cher
(Bang, Bang), to Neil Diamond
(Cherry, Cherry).
But that will wrap it up for the weekend. Have a great week, and Happy Monday!