"I'm A Believer" #1 12/31/1966

The final #1 record of 1966 stayed at the top for seven weeks for the Monkees and put Neil Diamond firmly on the map as a songwriter. Even though he'd recorded the song first, Neil was very happy with the Monkees version, saying the writing royalties sure helped pay his rent. The whole group sang on the record but didn't play their own instruments, which soon became a heated point of contention between them and the TV show's musical director, Don Kirshner.

"If I Fell" #53 9/5/1964 Bonus

It's pretty amazing that the US B-side of "And I Love Her" was one of the finest Beatle songs ever. John said this was his first real attempt at a ballad. Not too shabby, IMHO. The mono and stereo mixes have a noticeable difference near the end of the second "...was in vain" as Paul's voice cracks on the stereo version. They fixed it here on the mono one. It appeared on the soundtrack of "A Hard Day's Night" where John serenades an unhappy Ringo in the movie to cheer him up.

"And I Love Her" #12 9/5/1964 Bonus

From the first week of September '64, we give you an acoustic selection from "A Hard Day's Night." This was one where perhaps the writing credit should've read Lennon-McCartney-Harrison, since George came up with the lovely guitar part. It started out as a straightforward electric arrangement, but they weren't happy and substituted George's acoustic guitar and Ringo on congas. Subtitles in Portuguese.

"Mustang Sally" #23 12/24/1966

More Muscle Shoals magic from "Wicked" Wilson Pickett, one of many he recorded at FAME Studios. Yet another tune I thought charted much higher at the time, given how it still gets so much radio airplay. It was first recorded by Mack Rice with the original title of "Mustang Mama" until Aretha Franklin suggested a change. The master tape of Wilson's version flew off the reel and onto the floor during playback and broke into pieces, but recording engineer Tom Dowd (who worked on the Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb) spliced it back together in under 30 minutes.

"Cry" (Ronnie Dove) #18 12/24/1966

The last Top 40 record for Ronnie Dove was a remake of Johnnie Ray's first hit from 1951. Ronnie got started in the clubs around Baltimore in the late 50's and early 60's doing covers of Elvis songs. He made a career of performing ballads and doing them well. You could say he was basically the poor man's Bobby Vinton, never deviating from a successful style.

"A Place In The Sun" #9 12/24/1966

A Top 5 R&B tune of social commentary for 16-year-old Stevie Wonder. His voice was changing, and some of the honchos at Motown had seriously considered dropping Stevie from the label. He changed their minds by coming up with some hits after a prolonged period of non-hits. Amazing how persuasive that can be.

"That's Life" #4 12/24/1966

If the Chairman Of The Board sounded a little PO'd on this #1 easy listening record, you'd be correct. The way I heard the story, Frank had finished the session...or so he thought. He and Dean Martin (who was hanging out at the studio) were in the car heading to Vegas for the weekend and Rat Pack debauchery when producer Jimmy Bowen had them flagged down in the parking garage. He called Ol' Blue Eyes back for one more take. A visibly angry Sinatra did so, giving Bowen just the sound he wanted.

Merry Christmas!

Taking today and tomorrow off for family stuff. Be back on 12/26. Merry Christmas!

"I'll Cry Instead" #25 8/29/1964 Bonus

One that was deleted from "A Hard Day's Night" movie but still appeared on the accompanying UK and US soundtrack albums, as well as the "Something New" LP in America. Definitely country-sounding, like one maybe Ringo should've sung. It was replaced in the movie by "Can't Buy Me Love" per request of director Richard Lester.

Beatles - I'll Cry Instead

"Help Me Girl" (Outsiders) #37 12/17/1966

Here's a situation where two competing versions of a record barely made the Top 40, one by the Animals and this version by the Outsiders. They sort of canceled out one another. It was the last thing approaching a hit for Sonny Geraci and the band. They broke up soon after, with Sonny forming the one-hit wonder group Climax in the 70's.

"It's Only Love" #31 12/17/1966

The third Top 40 effort for Tommy James and the Shondells. Tommy wrote a book about the head of their label (Roulette Records), Morris Levy, who was notorious for being a control freak and for not being totally forthcoming with royalties due to artists. Tommy estimated Levy owed him something like $30 million. Morris was waaay in deep with the wiseguys and was a basis for the Hesh character in "The Sopranos," but Levy once said the only thing he knew about organized crime was his five ex-wives. Uhhhhhh, yeah.

"It Tears Me Up" #20 12/17/1966

The third straight Top 20 pop hit and third straight Top 10 R&B hit for Percy Sledge was yet another product of the Muscle Shoals scene. The music that came out of that little corner of northwest Alabama is just astounding. In the 70's everybody from the Rolling Stones to Cher to Lynyrd Skynyrd to Donny Osmond recorded there.

"Mame" #19 12/17/1966

The title song to a famed Broadway comedy and musical (and later two movies) spawned many other versions, so we give you the Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass Top 5 easy listening take. One of those movies from the 70's starred Lucille Ball and Bea Arthur. What a combo, but it didn't get good reviews, ostensibly because Lucy couldn't sing very well.

"I Got The Feelin' (Oh No No)" #16 12/17/1966

The followup to "Cherry, Cherry" for Neil Diamond. Bert Berns, the guy who ran Neil's initial label, BANG Records, was quite the character in the history of rock music. Besides owning a record company, Bert co-wrote numerous songs ingrained in our collective memory like "Twist And Shout," "Piece Of My Heart," "Hang On Sloopy" and "Here Comes The Night," but he ticked off a lot of people (including some wiseguys) before he died at 38. One former business associate, Jerry Wexler, said he didn't know where Berns was buried but if he did, he would piss on Bert's grave. Wow.

"Born Free" #7 12/17/1966

Pianist Roger Williams only had three Top 10 singles, of which this movie theme was the third, but he released 38 albums between 1955 and 1972. This was one of numerous cover versions of the Oscar-winning title song from the flick, about an orphaned lion cub and the efforts to re-acclimate it to the African wild. It did NOT mean that daddy was an OB-GYN and charged nothing for the birth. "Born free..."

"Handy Man" (Del Shannon) #22 8/22/1964 Bonus

Originally a Top 5 tune in 1960 for Jimmy Jones, this remake from August '64 by Del Shannon is rather serviceable. A slower version by James Taylor did quite well in 1977. Del would have only two more Top 40 records until '81 and his version of "Sea Of Love." He had been rumored as a replacement for Roy Orbison in the Traveling Wilburys when Roy passed away, but Del committed suicide in 1990.

"Ain't She Sweet" #19 8/22/1964 Bonus

Hoo boy. At the height of Beatlemania, record labels looked for ANYTHING in their vaults that had a Fab Four connection. Polydor Records had rights to a few songs the boys recorded while they were in Hamburg in 1961 and calling themselves the Beat Brothers, and Polydor found a rocked-up 1927 Tin Pan Alley standard they did. Folks, it's just bad, as in not good, yet still made the Top 20 in August '64.

"Games That Lovers Play" #45 12/10/1966

Eddie Fisher had 25 Top 10 pop hits between 1950-1956, and then rock and roll happened. Eddie may be best known today as the father of Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) and of actress Joely Fisher. He was no stranger to Hollywood scandal in the 50's as he had a very public affair with Elizabeth Taylor while married to one of her best friends, Carrie's mom, Debbie Reynolds. Carrie later co-wrote a TV movie called "These Old Broads" where Debbie and Elizabeth played characters making fun of a common ex-husband. Art imitating life.

"Knock On Wood" #28 12/10/1966

Another record that I thought charted much better on the pop side than it did, given how it turned into a staple of oldies radio. It did become a #1 R&B hit for Eddie Floyd, who co-wrote the song with Booker T. & the MG's guitarist Steve Cropper. Eddie said the "thunder and lightning" line stemmed from his memory of bad storms as a child in Montgomery, Alabama.

"Run, Run, Look And See" #25 12/10/1966

Here's the last Top 40 record for Brian Hyland until 1970 and his version of the Impressions' "Gypsy Woman." This is one that I didn't remember from its initial go-around, but then, I was 10 years old at the time. Last I heard, Brian is still touring from time to time and staying involved with his music.

"Holy Cow" #23 12/10/1966

The last hit record for Lee Dorsey. He was one of the relatively few performers that saw success both before and after the British Invasion altered the American music landscape. When the hits dried up, Lee went back to running his auto repair business in New Orleans until he passed away in 1986. He once said he wasn't sure if he was a better vocalist or body and fender guy.

"But It's Alright" #22 12/10/1966

A Top 5 R&B record and the only pop hit for J.J. Jackson. I was kind of surprised this one missed the Top 20 on the pop charts, because with as much airplay as it's gotten on oldies radio over the years, I thought the record had done much better on the Hot 100 at the time. To quote Roseanne Roseannadanna, "It's always something."

"A Hazy Shade Of Winter" #13 12/10/1966

One of my very favorite Simon and Garfunkel songs. Definitely one of Paul Simon's better writing efforts, it could be considered a companion piece to "California Dreamin' " as it deals with the transition from fall to winter. This didn't show up on any of their albums until "Bookends" in 1968. The Bangles did a somewhat harder-edged version in the late 80's that left out the final verse.

"Whispers (Gettin' Louder)" #11 12/10/1966

A comeback record for the legendary Jackie Wilson, one of the top R&B singers of the late 50's and early 60's. He hadn't had a hit since "Baby Workout" in 1963. Backing was provided by Motown's Funk Brothers studio musicians, who were moonlighting since this was on a competing label. They appeared uncredited here out of respect for Jackie...and to not offend their boss, Berry Gordy.

"I'm Ready For Love" #9 12/10/1966

Another hit for Martha and the Vandellas from the great songwriting team of Holland-Dozier-Holland. Here, the ladies had some help from Motown's top female backup vocal group, the Andantes. They were unsung (no pun intended) heroines of so many fine tunes that came from Berry Gordy's label.

"Stop Stop Stop" #7 12/10/1966

Another British music hall based tune, this one from the Hollies was their followup to "Bus Stop." It's about a fellow who keeps getting tossed out of a club because he can't restrain himself from going up on stage after a belly dancer. The video is from a BBC show. Gotta love those haircuts in the band! And check out the audience - definitely a stiff upper lip bunch of older Brits rocking out to a banjo!

"Lady Godiva" #6 12/10/1966

The first Top 10 appearance for Peter and Gordon in almost two years was a music hall styled ditty about the mythical naked horseback ride by an English noblewoman to relieve the tax burden imposed on the citizenry by her husband. It was updated by including a Hollywood movie director who signed the fair lady to a contract, making her the star of a porn flick. Hey, it was the 60's...

"Mellow Yellow" #2 12/10/1966

The 60's were a time where pretty much anything went as far as music, or anything else. Donovan certainly had an oddball arrangement here. I'd always heard Paul McCartney did the whispered part in the choruses, but that's just urban myth as he apparently was part of the background and whooping it up heard in the middle. The term "electrical banana" refers to some type of, uhhhh, ladies toy. Hmmmmm...

"Good Vibrations" #1 12/10/1966

A true masterpiece of rock, and maybe one of the greatest musical compositions ever of any genre. It was part of the mad, drug-fueled genius of Brian Wilson, from the greatest album never released, "Smile," and was documented in the movie "Love And Mercy." (The backstory of "Smile" is simply astounding.) This was probably the first hit record that used a modular structure, where disjointed song fragments are tied together. The most distinctive instrument on the record was an electro-theremin, usually heard in low budget horror movies. It cost between $50,000-$75,000 to make and was the most expensive single ever recorded up until then. The Beach Boys used four different studios over a six-month period with at least 17 recording sessions and more than 20 musicians, including many members of the Wrecking Crew, and had 90+ hours of tape - for a three and a half minute single! Nobody is 100% sure who appears on the finished record, however. There were something like 20 different mixes floating around, and the final version that was released...was in mono. An absolutely brilliant, iconic song of the 60's, and one of my Desert Island selections.

"I Should Have Known Better" #53 8/15/1964 Bonus

The B-side of "A Hard Day's Night," there's a definite Bob Dylan influence here. During filming of that movie, George met Pattie Boyd, whom he later married (inspiring him to compose "Something," one of the best love songs ever) and then divorced. Patti eventually hooked up with Eric Clapton and became the inspiration for "Layla." Today's clip is subtitled in Portuguese. Oh, well...with this feature sometimes you gotta take what you can get.

"She's The One" #33 8/15/1964 Bonus

A true one-hit wonder from August of '64, this group was said to be a source for Tom Hanks and "That Thing You Do." The Chartbusters came from the Washington, DC area. This one is certainly a hard-driving Beatle-type rocker, full speed ahead. These guys later became the house band at the late, great Crazy Horse, right there on M Street in the Georgetown section of DC.

"Sugar Lips" #30 8/15/1964 Bonus

The third and last Top 40 pop hit from late summer '64 for New Orleans jazz trumpeter Al Hirt. He was a French Quarter mainstay for decades and even owned his own club down there in the Vieux Carré. He was in countless Mardi Gras parades as well. Al became an original part-owner of the NFL's New Orleans Saints in 1967. This was used as the theme for the Bill Cullen-hosted 60's game show "Eye Guess."

"(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am" #11 8/15/64 Bonus

Here's the only real pop hit for jazz singer Nancy Wilson. She did have success on the easy listening charts, though, with a total of 11 records that made the Top 40 on that side. Nancy was a protégée of the legendary jazzman "Cannonball" Adderley.

"Shout" (Lulu) #94 8/8/1964 Bonus

The first American release from the summer of 1964 for the Scottish-born Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie, better known as Lulu. She was 15 when her version of this Isley Brothers tune made it into the British Top 10, billed as Lulu and the Luvvers. She was quite successful in the UK, even hosting several TV series, but wouldn't break through in the States until 1967. Later, she was married for several years to Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees. And yes, she was a mentor on "American Idol" in 2007.

"I'm Into Something Good" (Earl-Jean) #38 8/8/1964 Bonus

The debut single in America and Britain for Herman's Hermits became their first UK #1 hit. This Gerry Goffin-Carole King song was done originally, however, by Earl-Jean, lead singer of the Cookies. Her version (or is it the Cookies? Hard to tell - the billing was kinda interchangeable) just barely cracked the Top 40 in August '64. The Hermits took it to #13 here shortly thereafter.

"Al di Lá" #29 8/8/1964 Bonus

The August '64 followup to "Love Me With All Your Heart" by the Ray Charles Singers. Lots of folks have covered this song as first done by Betty Curtis, which was the Italian entry in the 1961 Eurovision contest where each country submits one song voted on across the continent. ABBA and Céline Dion are probably the two most recognized acts who got their start via this competition, which has taken place each year since 1956. Follow the bouncing ball with the video!

"Tell Me (You're Coming Back)" #24 8/8/1964 Bonus

From August 1964, the first Top 40 record in America for the Rolling Stones. Oddly, it was not released as a single in the UK. This wasn't quite as rowdy as their first few records and was the first A-side written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. It certainly wouldn't be their last composition to reach hit status, either.

"I Wanna Love Him So Bad" #9 8/8/1964 Bonus

A one-hit wonder from Jersey City, the Jelly Beans recorded this Jeff Barry/Ellie Greenwich song and had a Top 10 in August 1964. Unfortunately, they got lost in the shuffle at their label, as company management paid more attention to groups like the Shangri-Las and the Dixie Cups. The Jelly Beans broke up the next year.

"You're My World" #26 8/1/1964 Bonus

The only US Top 40 hit for Cilla Black, but she was extremely successful in her native UK. Cilla was discovered by Beatles manager Brian Epstein while working as a coat check girl at the legendary Cavern Club in Liverpool. She went on to have a total of 14 Top 20 hits over there and became a mainstay on British TV for decades as a hostess and star of several shows. (They call the host or hostess a presenter over there.) Backing vocals by the Breakaways, from August '64.

"Farmer John" #19 8/1/1964 Bonus

The only hit for the Premiers, a garage band composed of Latino guys from East L.A. who came from the area that also produced Chris Montez and Ritchie Valens, among many others. This record from August '64 contains overdubbed party noises and backing vocals by female members of a car club.

"Coming On Strong" #11 12/3/1966

Radio's playing some forgotten song, Brenda Lee "Coming On Strong." Rest assured "Radar Love" has forever immortalized this tune, the last of 18 Top 20 records on the pop charts for Little Miss Dynamite. Like many other 60's rockers, Brenda turned to country music in the 70's and early 80's. Her last big country hit was a collaboration with the Oak Ridge Boys called "Broken Trust."

"Nobody I Know" #12 8/1/1964 Bonus

The second release in America and in their native UK for Peter and Gordon was another Lennon-McCartney song, as was their first single "A World Without Love." It seemed only natural, as Paul was dating Peter Asher's sister Jane, that he would feed songs to the duo. It wasn't quite the success the first one was, but still did very well over here in August of '64.

"Dang Me" #7 8/1/1964 Bonus

From the first week of August 1964, the first Top 10 pop record for Roger Miller was also his first #1 country record. He claimed to have written it in four minutes while sitting in a Phoenix hotel room. For the song, Roger pictured himself in a booth at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge in Nashville getting hammered. It featured his sometimes squirrely delivery, which became something of a trademark.

"Wishin' And Hopin' " #6 8/1/1964 Bonus

The first US Top 10 for Dusty Springfield from August '64 was originally a B-side for Dionne Warwick. Like so many of Dionne's songs, it was a Burt Bacharach/Hal David tune. Burt and Hal strongly encouraged Dusty to release this as a single. I think everyone was happy she did...except Ms. Warwick.

"Winchester Cathedral" #1 12/3/1966

One of the most unusual one-hit wonders ever on the Billboard pop chart, this song was the brainchild of Geoff Stephens and was issued under the name of the New Vaudeville Band. It definitely has an American vaudeville/British music hall vibe, and is one of the few pop records to prominently feature a bassoon. It purposely had a Rudy Vallee 1920's style vocal delivery. Rudy later recorded this himself. Geoff got the idea while looking at a picture of the real Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire, England.

"The Mexican Shuffle" #85 7/18/1964 Bonus

A Top 20 easy listening tune from July '64 by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, it became the music used for a series of TV commercials selling chewing gum, retitled "The Teaberry Shuffle." My dad worked for another company with the same corporate parent as the gum folks. As a kid I really did like the product. The ad music was kind of incidental to me, but then, I was 8 years old.

"Not Fade Away" #48 7/18/1964 Bonus

This remake of a Buddy Holly classic was the first UK Top 10 for the Rolling Stones, and also their first charting record in America from July of 1964. What set this one apart was the Bo Diddley beat and arrangement, definitely radical for the times as done by a bunch of white kids from England.

"Alone" #28 7/18/1964 Bonus

One of the few songs from the '60s that featured a whistling refrain. This one, from the summer of 1964, was the last Top 40 record by the Four Seasons on the late, lamented Vee-Jay label. The group had already signed elsewhere due to a royalty dispute, yet Vee-Jay continued to milk their previously recorded material.

"Good Times" #11 7/18/1964 Bonus

Sam Cooke had a #1 R&B record with this one from July 1964. A remake by Dan Seals also reached #1 on the country charts in 1990. Goes to show that a great song can cross all the boundaries.

"Keep On Pushing" #10 7/18/1964 Bonus

From July 1964, an anthem of the civil rights movement by the Impressions. Front man Curtis Mayfield knew he'd need to keep the message low-key but still powerful to get any kind of airplay. It took on a whole new meaning to keep striving when Curtis became wheelchair-bound after a stage accident in 1990. He was certainly one of the most admired people in soul music of the 60's.