In February 1967, who would have predicted that in just a few months the “Summer of Love” would take place? Muhammad Ali would soon refuse military service and be stripped of his title. Elvis Presley would wed 21-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu and The Beatles would release Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
And an amazing batch of classic rock favorites via Britain shared the charts with many hits from the good ol’ U.S. of A. on New York City powerhouse Top 40 station WABC.
Bubbling under the Top 10 at #18 were Manchester, England’s Herman’s Hermits with “No Milk Today.” Graham Gouldman, who wrote huge hits for the Yardbirds and the Hollies (before co-founding 10cc), explains how he came to write the song.
The Mamas & The Papas‘ “Dedicated to the One I Love” jumped from #57 to #12. It would later reach #2 nationally, becoming their second biggest chart hit (after “Monday, Monday”).
Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels enjoyed back-to-back hits with 1966’s “Devil With a Blue Dress On” and 1967’s “Sock It To Me Baby,” at #11 this week. The man has a set of pipes.
Related: 1967 in rock music
The Beatles‘ “Penny Lane” continued the group’s trend of releasing two hits on one single: the flip side was “Strawberry Fields Forever.” The former, at #9 this week, would go on to become the group’s 13th U.S. #1; the B-side stalled at #8.
Related: Our feature on double-sided smash singles
At #8 was the Neil Diamond-penned hit for The Monkees, “I’m a Believer.” Though the song eventually reached #1, it’s hard to imagine, but just one year later, Monkees-mania would be over.
Yes, Steve Winwood wrote “Gimme Some Lovin'” with his brother Muff and with Spencer Davis. And, yes, that singing voice came out of an 18-year-old. The song peaked at #7 in the U.S.
New York area favorites The Rascals (or Young Rascals as they were known then) earned six Top 10 hits nationally. “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long” wasn’t one of them (though it would reach #3 on WABC).
The Seekers were the first Australian group to achieve popular success in America and the U.K. The folk-influenced quartet’s biggest U.S. chart hit was “Georgy Girl,” #4 this week.
Chicago’s The Buckinghams earned an astounding five Top 15 singles in 1967. (Unfortunately, those were the only ones they had!) None was bigger than their #1 smash, “Kind of a Drag,” at #2 this week.
At #1 this week? The Rolling Stones‘ beautiful “Ruby Tuesday,” their fourth (of eight) U.S. #1 singles. And just like The Beatles this week, the 45 had two hits. As you can see from the great picture sleeve (above), “Let’s Spend the Night Together” was actually the A-side. But it’s controversial (for the time) title and lyrics caused radio stations to opt for “Ruby Tuesday.” “Together” only reached #55 nationally.
Related: What were the biggest radio hits of 1967?
18. “No Milk Today” – Herman’s Hermits (MGM)
12. “Dedicated to the One I Love” – The Mamas & the Papas (ABC Dunhill)
11. “Sock It To Me Baby” – Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels (New Voice)
10. “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” – The Casinos (Fraternity)
9. “Penny Lane” – The Beatles (Capitol)
8. “I’m a Believer” – The Monkees (Colgems)
7. “98.6” – Keith (Mercury)
6. “Gimme Some Lovin'” – Spencer Davis Group (United Artists)
5. “I’ve Been Lonely Too Long” – The Young Rascals (Atlantic)
4. “Georgy Girl” – The Seekers (Capitol)
3. “Love is Here and Now You’re Gone” – The Supremes (Motown)
2. “Kind of a Drag” – The Buckinghams (USA)
1. “Ruby Tuesday” – The Rolling Stones (London)
Survey courtesy of the great Musicradio77.com website.
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6 Comments
Love Steve Winwood’s voice. Is it pathetic that I still know all of these songs and still love them?
Nope. You have good taste.
Yes, amazing from an eighteen-year-old, with his brother Muff? Not sure which one he was in that video, but a great tune standing the time test! Winwood was scheduled to tour with Steely Dan, in 2022. now replaced by two other artists. Steely Dan and Aimee Mann should be an interesting combo. Will see!
Not pathetic… LUCKY! I’m the same as you.
Do you think anyone will know, be able to sing, or even care about any of the songs that are in today’s current top ten 50 years from now? I highly doubt it.
1967 was my favorite year for Rock music everywhere you went the top 18 tunes you listed were playing everywhere I was 17 and ready to change the World!