"I've Passed This Way Before" #17 1/28/1967

Jimmy Ruffin always seemed to get lost in the shuffle at Motown. Songs he recorded first would frequently be covered by others at the company, including his brother David's group, the Temptations. Jimmy left Motown in the 70's and had very little success except for one record, "Hold On (To My Love)" in 1977.

"Knight In Rusty Armor" #15 1/28/1967

Peter and Gordon continued the medieval theme of their previous record with this ditty about a guy in rusted chain mail. It would be their last UK hit; they had one more US Top 40 entry before splitting up in '68. Peter Asher became a successful record producer working with James Taylor and Linda Ronstadt among others. They would eventually reunite in 2005 and do some shows until Gordon Waller passed away in 2009.

"Nashville Cats" #8 1/28/1967

An ode to the session musicians of Music City, this was the seventh single by the Lovin' Spoonful and also their seventh in a row to reach the Top 10. It makes reference to the "yellow Sun Records in Nashville." The label on the record was definitely yellow but Sun, the first home of Elvis, was actually based in Memphis. Close enough for the thirteen hundred and fifty-two guitar pickers.

"Tell It Like It Is" #2 1/28/1967

New Orleans' own Aaron Neville said that many people told him this song either brought them back together with their significant others - or broke them up for good. He wouldn't have another solo hit until the 90's, but had a Top 5 duet with Linda Ronstadt and "Don't Know Much." Aaron and his brothers are one of the finest live acts around. The Neville Brothers can play any - ANY - style of music and pull it off.

"Alley Oop" #1 7/16/1960

A #1 from July 1960 by the Hollywood Argyles, a studio group that took their name from Argyle Street in L.A., located a block from the famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine. Reportedly everyone at the session was drunk out of their gourds. Their one hit was based on a popular comic strip caveman and written by Dallas Frazier, who also wrote "Elvira" and "There Goes My Everything." The brains behind the record, Gary S. Paxton, also produced "Monster Mash."

"Wack Wack" #40 1/21/1967

The first (albeit minor) hit for bassist Eldee Young and drummer Red Holt after they parted ways with Ramsey Lewis and brought in a new pianist to fill out their trio. They soon changed their name to Young-Holt Unlimited and scored with "Soulful Strut" two years later, although it's believed neither Young or Holt actually played on that track. Whoever put together this video had some real issues about spanking. Wack Wack!

"Gallant Men" #29 1/21/1967

One of the few spoken word records to reach the Top 40, our selection today is notable on several fronts. The very patriotic poem was written and recited by Sen. Everett Dirksen of Illinois, although Rep. Sonny Bono remains the only member of Congress to ever have a #1 record. Yes, that's an unfair comparison. The backing music was co-written by Charles Wood III, better known by his professional name of Charles Osgood, longtime CBS newsman. Before joining the network, Osgood spent a few years in Washington, DC local radio, notably at WTOP, WGMS and WPGC.