Songs in this article are from the Billboard Top 40 (unmarked), the Billboard Top 100 (*) and the surveys of KYA, denoted by (KYA)
January 1966
Songs that would debut on the charts this month would include “Sandy” by Ronny & The Daytonas, “My Love” by Petula Clark, “Second Hand Rose” by Barbra Streisand (this was a remake of a hit song by Fanny Brice from the year 1922), “The Men In My Little Girl’s Life” by Mike Douglas (in 1946 Mike would have 2 Top 40 hits while singing with the band of Kay Kyser- they were “Ole Buttermilk Sky” and “The Old Lamp Lighter”),”It Was Very Good Year” by Frank Sinatra (Frank first recorded with the band of Harry James in 1939 and by the year 1940 he was on the top of the charts with the band of Tommy Dorsey), “Going To A Go Go” by The Miracles, “Crying Time” by Ray Charles, “This Can’t Be True” by Eddie Holman (*), “Harlem Nocturne” by The Viscounts (originally on the charts in 1959), “Lies” by The Knickerbockers, “Lightning Strikes” by Lou Christie, “Jenny Take A Ride” by Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, “Zorba The Greek” by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, “Follow Your Heart” by The Manhattans (*), “Something I Want To Tell You” by Johnny & The Expressions (*) and “Don’t Mess With Bill” by The Marvelettes.
————————–These recording artists would hit the charts this year—————
February 1966
Songs that would debut this month would include “I See The Light” by The Five Americans, “My Baby Loves Me” by Martha & The Van Dellas, “Call Me” by Chris Montez, “The Elusive Butterfly” by Bob Lind, “Tijuana Taxi” by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, “I Fought The Law” by The Bobby Fuller Four (Bobby fuller would die mysteriously on July 18 of this year at the age of 23), “The Cheater” by Bob Kuban & The In Men, “California Dreamin’ ” by The Mamas & The Papas, “Working My Way Back To you” by The Four Seasons, “Mr. Moon” by The Coachmen (KYA), “Listen People” by Herman’s Hermits, “Ballad Of The Green Berets” by SSgt Barry Saddler, “Time” by The Pozo Seco Singers (*) ( this group would include Don Williams , who would become a star in country music),”You Baby” by The Turtles, “Put Yourself In My Place” by The Elgins (*), “Tears” by Bobby Vinton (*), “The One On The Right” by Johnny Cash (*), “Love Makes The World Go Round” by Deon Jackson, “Homeward Bound” by Simon & Garfunkel, “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’ ” by Nancy Sinatra and “Batman Theme” by The Marketts.
March 1966
Songs that would hit the charts this month would include “The Rains Came (Rain Rain Rain)” by The Sir Douglas Quintet, “Magic Town” by The Vogues, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” by B.J. Thomas & The Triumphs, “Time Won’t Let Me” by The Outsiders, “Darling Baby” by The Elgins (*), “This Old Heart Of Mine” by The Isley Brothers, “I Want To Go With you” by Eddie Arnold, “Get Ready” by The Temptations, “Daydream” by The Lovin’ Spoonful, “Kicks” by Paul Revere & The Raiders, “I Spy” by Jamo Thomas (*), “Good Lovin ” by The Young Rascals, “Tippy Toeing” by The Harden Trio, “Secret Agent Man” by Johnny Rivers, “Bang Bang” by Cher, “Nowhere Man” by The Beatles, “Soul And Inspiration” by The Righteous Brothers, “Sure Gonna Miss Her” by Gary Lewis & The Playboys, “Husbands And Wives” by Roger Miller, “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me” by Elvis Presley (*), “Follow Me” by Lyme & Cybelle (*), “19th Nervous Breakdown” by The Rolling Stones, “Walkin’ My Cat Named Dog” by Norma Tanega, “Baby Scratch My Back” by Slim Harpo, “Woman” by Peter & Gordon, “Shake Me, Wake Me” by The Four Tops, “Lullabye Of Love” by The Poppies (*) and “634-5789 (Soulsville U.S.A)” by Wilson Pickett
April 1966
Songs that would hit the charts this month would include “Phoenix Love Theme” by The Brass Ring, “A Sign Of The Times” by Petula Clark, “Greetings This Is Uncle Sam” by The Monitors (*), “Message To Michael” by Dionne Warwick, “Please Don’t Sell My Daddy No More Wine” by The Greenwood County Singers (*), “The Cruel War” by Peter, Paul & Mary (*), “Monday Monday” by The Mamas & Papas, “Spanish Flea” and “What Now My Love” by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass, “Sloop John B” by The Beach Boys, “When A Man Loves A Woman” by Percy Sledge, “Leaning On The Lamp Post” by Herman’s Hermits, “Groovy Kind Of Love”
by The Mindbenders, “No Man Is An Island” by The Van Dykes (*), “The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine” by The Walker Brothers, “My Little Red Book” by Love (*), “How Does That Grab You Darlin’ ” by Nancy Sinatra, “Got My Mojo Workin’ ” by Jimmy Smith (*), “Frankie And Johnny” by Elvis Presley, “Caroline No” by Brian Wilson, “Rainy Day Women # 12 And 35” by Bob Dylan, “I Hear Trumpets Blow” by The Tokens, “Inside Looking Out” by The Animals, “Shape Of Things” by The Yardbirds, “Somewhere” by Len Barry, “Rhapsody In The Rain” by Lou Christie, “Eight Miles High” by The Byrds and “Try Too Hard” by The Dave Clark Five.
May 1966
Songs that would debut on the charts this month would include “I’m Comin’ Home Cindy” by Trini Lopez, “Cool Jerk” by The Capitols, “Opus 17” by The Four Seasons, “Younger Girl” by The Critters (*), “Green Grass” by Gary Lewis & The Playboys, “I Am A Rock” by Simon & Garfunkel, “Strangers In The Night” by Frank Sinatra, Sweet Talkin’ Guy” by The Chiffons, “I’m A Road Runner” by Jr. Walker & The All Stars, “Solitary Man” by Neil Diamond (*), “Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind” by The Lovin’ Spoonful, “Come And Get Me” by Jackie DeShannon (*), “History Repeats Itself” by Buddy Starcher, “I Can’t Grow Peaches On A Cherry Tree” by Just Us, “Love’s Made A Fool Of You” by The Bobby Fuller Four, “Love Is Like An Itching In My Heart” by The Supremes, “Younger Girl” by The Hondells, “There’s No Livin’ Without Your Love” by Peter & Gordon (*), “It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World” by James Brown, “Better Use Your Head” by Little Anthony & The Imperials (*), “Barefootin’ ” by Robert Parker, “Twinkle Toes” by Roy Orbison, “Oh How Happy” by The Shades Of Blue and “Loving You Is Sweeter Than Ever” by The Four Tops.
June 1966
“Tar And Cement” by Verdelle Smith was one of my favorite records from this month.Other songs that would debut this month would include “I Love You 1,000 Times” by The Platters, “Hold On I’m Comin’ ” by Sam & Dave, “Double Shot Of My Baby’s Love” by The Swingin’ Medallions, “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” by Dusty Springfield, “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” by The Temptations, “Paperback Writer” and “Rain” by The Beatles, “Along Comes Mary” by The Association, “Mama” by B.J Thomas, “Little Girl” by The Syndicate Of Sound, “He” and “He Will Break Your Heart” by The Righteous Brothers, “Day For Decision” by Johnny Sea, “Dirty Water” by The Standells, “Hanky Panky” by Tommy James & The Shondells, “Hey Joe” by The Leaves, “Don’t Bring Me Down” by The Animals, “It’s You Alone” by The Wailers (KYA), “Red Rubber Ball” by The Cyrkle, “It’s Over” by Jimmie Rodgers and “(I Washed My Hands In) Muddy Water” by Johnny Rivers. 🙂 🙂 🙂
References: “The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Hits, 9th Edition” and “Pop Memories 1890-1954”, both by Joel Whitburn. Also, The Billboard Top 100 and the music surveys of KYA in the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area.
