Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of August 13, 1966
The Billboard Hot 100 for August 13, 1966 captured the sound of summer at its peak. The Lovin’ Spoonful climbed to #1 with “Summer In The City,” a record that perfectly reflected the heat, noise, and energy of urban America during one of the hottest summers of the decade. Unlike many sunshine-pop records of the era, “Summer In The City” carried a tougher edge, making it one of the most distinctive chart-toppers of 1966.
The Top 5 reflected the remarkable diversity of popular music during the mid-1960s. Sam The Sham and the Pharaohs remained near the top with “Lil’ Red Riding Hood,” while the unusual novelty record “They’re Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!” continued its surprising rise. Former #1 hit “Wild Thing” slipped to #4 after its successful run at the top, and Crispian St. Peters remained in the Top 5 with the catchy British pop hit “The Pied Piper.”
Elsewhere on the chart, The Mamas & The Papas continued their momentum with “I Saw Her Again,” Bobby Hebb was moving steadily upward with “Sunny,” and The Rolling Stones maintained a strong presence with “Mother’s Little Helper.” The Top 10 also included adult-pop favorite “Somewhere, My Love” and Tommy Roe’s cheerful hit “Sweet Pea.”
By August 1966, the Hot 100 was balancing British rock, folk-pop, novelty records, California harmonies, soul music, and traditional pop. It was one of the most varied and entertaining periods in Billboard history.
Top 5 Songs
1. Summer In The City – The Lovin’ Spoonful
“Summer In The City” surged from #3 to #1, giving The Lovin’ Spoonful their second Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper. The record stood apart from the group’s earlier folk-pop hits by presenting a harder, more aggressive sound built around pounding piano, driving rhythms, and memorable city sound effects.
The song captured the feeling of crowded streets, hot pavement, and restless summer nights. Few records have ever been more closely associated with a particular season, and its rise to #1 made it one of the defining songs of the summer of 1966.
2. Lil’ Red Riding Hood – Sam The Sham and the Pharaohs
“Lil’ Red Riding Hood” held at #2 and remained one of the biggest records in America. The song blended humor, storytelling, and rock & roll into a package that was instantly recognizable.
Following the success of “Wooly Bully,” Sam The Sham and the Pharaohs once again proved they had a knack for creating novelty-flavored hits that audiences could not forget.
3. They’re Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! – Napoleon XIV
One of the strangest records ever to reach the Top 5, “They’re Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!” climbed to #3. Built around spoken-word narration and unusual production effects, it sounded unlike anything else on the radio.
Its popularity demonstrated how unpredictable the charts could be in 1966. Even a record that ignored nearly every traditional pop formula could become a national sensation.
4. Wild Thing – The Troggs
After two weeks at #1, “Wild Thing” slipped to #4 but remained one of the year’s defining rock records. Its raw energy and unforgettable riff helped establish garage rock as a major commercial force.
The song’s influence would continue long after its chart run ended, inspiring countless rock musicians with its simplicity and attitude.
5. The Pied Piper – Crispian St. Peters
“The Pied Piper” rounded out the Top 5, continuing its successful run on the American charts. Its cheerful melody and sing-along chorus made it one of the most accessible pop records of the summer.
While rock music was becoming more adventurous, songs like “The Pied Piper” showed that straightforward melodic pop still had a strong place on Top 40 radio.
More Weeks at #1 for “Summer in the City”
This song spent multiple weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Explore each chart week below:
🎂 What Was the #1 Song on Your Birthday?
If you were born during the week ending August 13, 1966, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Summer in the City by The Lovin’ Spoonful
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Summer In The City – The Lovin’ Spoonful
- Lil’ Red Riding Hood – Sam The Sham and the Pharaohs
- They’re Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa! – Napoleon XIV
- Wild Thing – The Troggs
- The Pied Piper – Crispian St. Peters
- I Saw Her Again – The Mamas & The Papas
- Sunny – Bobby Hebb
- Mothers Little Helper – The Rolling Stones
- Somewhere, My Love – Ray Conniff And The Singers
- Sweet Pea – Tommy Roe
Chart Movers This Week
Why This Chart Week Mattered
August 13, 1966 marked the arrival of one of the summer’s signature records at #1. “Summer In The City” captured the mood of the season and demonstrated that The Lovin’ Spoonful could move beyond folk-pop into a tougher and more contemporary sound.
This chart also showcased the incredible variety of 1966. A novelty record sat in the Top 3, garage rock remained in the Top 5, British acts continued to thrive, and California pop remained strong. It was a chart that perfectly reflected the creativity and unpredictability that made 1966 one of the greatest years in popular music.
