Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of December 9, 1967
The Billboard Hot 100 for December 9, 1967 remained firmly in the hands of “Daydream Believer” by The Monkees, which held the #1 position for a second consecutive week. The song’s rapid rise to the top reflected the group’s extraordinary popularity and gave them another signature hit during one of the most successful periods of their career. Its warm melody and optimistic lyrics offered a perfect contrast to many of the more experimental records climbing the charts.
Just behind The Monkees, The Cowsills continued their impressive run with “The Rain, The Park & Other Things,” while former #1 hit “Incense And Peppermints” remained strong at #3. Dionne Warwick climbed into the Top 5 with “I Say A Little Prayer,” and Gladys Knight and The Pips continued their rise with the unforgettable “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
The week’s chart also reflected major shifts taking place as 1967 approached its conclusion. Motown continued its dominance, psychedelic rock remained influential, and The Beatles returned to the Top 10 with “Hello Goodbye,” setting the stage for another major chart battle before year’s end.
Top 5 Songs (December 9, 1967)
1. Daydream Believer – The Monkees
“Daydream Believer” remained at #1 for a second week, confirming that its jump to the top was no fluke. The Monkees had already produced a remarkable string of hits, but this record quickly established itself as one of their finest.
Davy Jones delivered a warm and engaging vocal that perfectly matched the song’s nostalgic tone. Its catchy melody and relatable lyrics helped make it an instant favorite with listeners across the country.
The song’s continued success reinforced The Monkees’ status as one of the defining acts of the late 1960s.
2. The Rain, The Park & Other Things – The Cowsills
Holding steady at #2, The Cowsills continued the strongest chart run of their career. “The Rain, The Park & Other Things” blended sunshine pop optimism with a memorable melody that listeners found irresistible.
The song’s famous “flower girl” storyline and lush production helped it stand out on radio playlists. Even as musical trends shifted toward more experimental sounds, its cheerful spirit remained highly appealing.
Its continued climb toward the top reflected the broad appeal of well-crafted pop music.
3. Incense And Peppermints – Strawberry Alarm Clock
After reaching #1 two weeks earlier, “Incense And Peppermints” remained a major force at #3. The song became one of the defining psychedelic records of 1967 and introduced many mainstream listeners to a new musical style.
Its distinctive production, unusual lyrics, and dreamlike atmosphere made it one of the most recognizable songs of the year. Few records captured the psychedelic era more effectively.
Its continued Top 5 presence demonstrated the growing influence of psychedelic rock on popular music.
4. I Say A Little Prayer – Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick climbed to a new peak at #4 with one of the most sophisticated pop records of the decade. Written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the song combined intricate songwriting with Warwick’s elegant vocal style.
The record balanced emotional depth and melodic brilliance, creating a performance that felt timeless from the moment it was released. It stood apart from many of the louder and more experimental records surrounding it.
Its continued rise showed that exceptional songwriting remained a powerful force on the Hot 100.
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Gladys Knight And The Pips
Moving from #8 to #5, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” became one of the week’s biggest movers. Gladys Knight and The Pips delivered a powerful performance filled with tension, drama, and emotional intensity.
The song’s unforgettable storyline and driving rhythm made it instantly memorable. It demonstrated Motown’s ability to produce records that were both commercially successful and artistically compelling.
Its rise into the Top 5 suggested that an even bigger chart run could be ahead.
More Weeks at #1 for “Daydream 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 9, 1967, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Daydream 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
- Daydream Believer – The Monkees
- The Rain, The Park & Other Things – The Cowsills
- Incense And Peppermints – Strawberry Alarm Clock
- I Say A Little Prayer – Dionne Warwick
- I Heard It Through The Grapevine – Gladys Knight And The Pips
- To Sir With Love – Lulu
- I Second That Emotion – Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
- Hello Goodbye – The Beatles
- In And Out Of Love – Diana Ross & The Supremes
- An Open Letter To My Teenage Son – Victor Lundberg
Chart Movers This Week
Looking Back at December 1967
The December 9, 1967 chart highlighted the remarkable diversity that characterized the final weeks of one of music’s greatest years. The Monkees sat at #1, while sunshine pop, psychedelic rock, Motown, and sophisticated adult pop all held prominent positions within the Top 10.
The arrival of “Hello Goodbye” in the Top 10 signaled that The Beatles were preparing another major chart challenge, while Gladys Knight and The Pips continued their steady climb with one of Motown’s strongest releases.
Looking back today, this chart serves as an ideal snapshot of late 1967. Established stars, emerging classics, and rapidly changing musical styles combined to create one of the most fascinating periods in Billboard Hot 100 history.
