Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of December 31, 1966
The Billboard Hot 100 for December 31, 1966 closed the year with The Monkees at #1 as “I’m A Believer” surged to the top. After jumping from #3, the record gave the group its second chart-topper of the year and confirmed that The Monkees had become one of the biggest pop stories of 1966. Bright, catchy, and perfectly built for radio, “I’m A Believer” sent the year out on a burst of pure pop energy.
The Royal Guardsmen climbed to #2 with “Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron,” continuing the late-year run of novelty-flavored hits. The New Vaudeville Band slipped to #3 with “Winchester Cathedral,” while Frank Sinatra held strong at #4 with “That’s Life.” Nancy Sinatra rounded out the Top 5 with “Sugar Town,” giving the final chart of 1966 a mix of television pop, novelty, adult pop, and soft pop charm.
Below the Top 5, Donovan’s “Mellow Yellow” remained strong, Aaron Neville entered the upper chart with “Tell It Like It Is,” and Motown stayed present with The Temptations and Stevie Wonder. Paul Revere & The Raiders also made a major move with “Good Thing,” pointing toward early 1967.
The final chart of 1966 reflected the year’s personality perfectly. Pop music had become broader, brighter, stranger, and more competitive than ever, with television stars, soul singers, novelty acts, veteran performers, and rock bands all sharing the same national stage.
Top 5 Songs
1. I’m A Believer – The Monkees
“I’m A Believer” climbed from #3 to #1, giving The Monkees another major chart-topping hit. The song’s irresistible chorus and upbeat energy made it one of the most instantly memorable pop singles of the year.
Its rise confirmed that The Monkees were more than a television phenomenon. By the end of 1966, they had become one of the dominant forces on the Billboard Hot 100.
2. Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron – The Royal Guardsmen
“Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron” jumped from #7 to #2, becoming one of the fastest-rising novelty hits of the season. Its playful story, marching rhythm, and cartoon-inspired theme made it perfect for holiday-season radio.
The song’s rise showed once again how unpredictable the Hot 100 could be in 1966. A fun, character-driven record could compete directly with the biggest pop and soul acts in America.
3. Winchester Cathedral – The New Vaudeville Band
After another week at #1, “Winchester Cathedral” slipped to #3 but remained one of the most memorable chart stories of the year. Its old-time music-hall sound made it stand apart from nearly every other hit of 1966.
The record’s staying power proved that nostalgia and novelty could still find a massive audience during a year known for musical innovation.
4. That’s Life – Frank Sinatra
“That’s Life” held at #4, giving Frank Sinatra another strong late-career hit. Its brassy arrangement and defiant vocal performance gave the chart a confident adult-pop presence.
Sinatra’s success showed that classic vocal performers could still compete in a year dominated by rock, soul, and youth-driven pop.
5. Sugar Town – Nancy Sinatra
“Sugar Town” climbed from #6 to #5, giving Nancy Sinatra another Top 5 hit in a breakout year. Its gentle, dreamy sound offered a softer contrast to the novelty and rock records around it.
After the success of “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’,” this song showed a different side of Sinatra’s appeal and helped close 1966 on a lighter pop note.
More Weeks at #1 for “I’m a Believer”
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 December 31, 1966, this was your birthday song:
🎵 I’m a Believer by The Monkees
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- I’m A Believer – The Monkees
- Snoopy Vs. The Red Baron – The Royal Guardsmen
- Winchester Cathedral – The New Vaudeville Band
- That’s Life – Frank Sinatra
- Sugar Town – Nancy Sinatra
- Mellow Yellow – Donovan
- Tell It Like It Is – Aaron Neville
- (I Know) I’m Losing You – The Temptations
- A Place In The Sun – Stevie Wonder
- Good Thing – Paul Revere & The Raiders Featuring Mark Lindsay
Chart Movers This Week
Why This Chart Week Mattered
This chart week mattered because “I’m A Believer” closed 1966 at #1 and launched one of the strongest Monkees chart runs of the decade. The group’s second chart-topper confirmed how quickly television, radio, and pop songwriting could combine to create a national phenomenon.
The December 31, 1966 Hot 100 also served as a perfect year-end snapshot: The Monkees, Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Donovan, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Aaron Neville, and Paul Revere & The Raiders all appeared in the Top 10. It was a fitting finish to one of the most varied and exciting years in Billboard history.
