Catching up on my blog reading with Pollyanna Takes “Self Referential” to a New Level « Pollyanna Rainbow Sunshine and the Needles of Doom and feeling very superior about the songs that were popular when I graduated from high school, in 1966, I decided to Google for a list of the Top 100 hit songs list of 1966. Shot my superiority all to you know where.
Disclaimer: I had several friends and relatives who were in the Vietnam war. One of them had his company shot out around him three times. I have one grandson who is in the Army and overseas right now, and two more grandsons who are considering a military career. I have the utmost respect for men in the military.
That said:
The Ballad of the Green Berets. Seriously, what were we thinking? Neither the music, nor the lyrics are worthy of honoring the military.
There were some good songs: 2. Cherish by the associations; 3. (You’re My) Soul and Inspiration – Righteous Brothers; 4. Monday – The Mama’s and the Papa’s; 8. Summer in the City – Lovin’ Spoonful; 10. California Dreamin’ by The Mama’s and the Papa’s.
It was a diverse list that included Nancy Sinatra, Roger Williams and Frank Sinatra, as well as The Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
But, what truly amazes me is this:
On a list that includes four Beatles songs: We Can Work It Out, Paperback Writer, Yellow Submarine and Nowhere man and three Simon and Garfunkel songs: I am a Rock, Sounds of Silence and Homeward Bound, just exactly how did a Green Beret come out number one?
I guess that shows where our hearts were.
I just watched Hard Day’s Night again on the weekend and I’ve been feeling all melancholy for days now. I feel so sorry for kids these days that they have nothing like The Beatles. They just have 10 million new bands every day to download to their iPods – no waiting for the next big hit to make it to stores, no screaming excitement when THE band finally comes to town, no nostalgia decades later.
I was shocked the other day to hear about Virgin Records closing all but two stores. Husband still has like 3,000 vinyls. I prefer the CD’s because I listen to music while painting and sculpting and I can change them easier. But, now, a world without music to hold in your hand???? It’s all digital???? Something just doesn’t seem right about that.
To totally age myself, my high school years were spent walking across the street from the school and putting coins in the juke box. They should be so lucky now.
Music sure has evolved hasn’t it Sheryl? What it has evolved in to I don’t quite understand. I remember seeing the Beatles in Chicago and thinking, what a great way to make a living, and the babes. We formed a band in Black Oak and played at the Legion Hall and a few parties. I have continued to play my guitar and piano over the years. My favorite past time is writing songs. You can go to Neil Young’s site, “Living With War Today” and find one of my songs, “Dyin’ For Oil”. The video can also be seen on that page, both in the upper left hand corner under protest songs, and protest videos. Or, you can just google, “Dyin’ For Oil”.
Yes, I miss the Beatles, Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel, and the Motown greats. Evolution doesn’t always do us justice does it?
From Gregg Payton, Class of ’66 Calumet High School.
Gregg, I also graduated from Calumet in 1966. I never saw the Beatles in person, but saw the Rolling Stones and a ton of others.
Congratulations on your song. I really love Paul Simon and think ‘Graceland’ is one of his best. Harrison’s ‘All Things Must Pass’ got me through some tough times too.
I do love all kinds of music, and began learning violin when I inherited my uncle’s violin. I had wanted to become a classical musician, back at Calumet, but I just do not understand RAP. Other than for teaching children math and such, it leaves me cold.
[...] Top 100 Hit Songs of 1966 [...]
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Super great article! Truely.