Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of June 4, 1966
The Billboard Hot 100 for June 4, 1966 kept Percy Sledge at #1 with “When A Man Loves A Woman,” one of the most emotional soul ballads of the decade. After reaching the top the previous week, the song held its ground and continued to show the power of a raw, heartfelt vocal performance. In a year filled with folk-rock, British rock, garage bands, and polished pop harmonies, Sledge’s record stood out because it felt deeply personal and direct.
The Mindbenders stayed at #2 with “A Groovy Kind Of Love,” while The Rolling Stones climbed to #3 with “Paint It, Black,” bringing a darker and more dramatic rock sound into the upper chart. The Lovin’ Spoonful moved to #4 with “Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?,” and Simon & Garfunkel reached #5 with “I Am A Rock.” Together, the Top 5 showed the remarkable range of popular music in the middle of 1966.
This was a chart where soul, British pop, folk-rock, and more serious songwriting all competed at the same time. The former #1 “Monday, Monday” remained strong at #6, Bob Dylan stayed in the Top 10, James Brown brought deep soul intensity, and Frank Sinatra made a major move with “Strangers In The Night.”
June 1966 was becoming a turning point in the decade. The chart was no longer dominated by one trend or one sound. Instead, it reflected a rapidly expanding pop audience willing to embrace heartfelt soul, experimental rock, classic vocal pop, and thoughtful folk-rock all in the same week.
Top 5 Songs
1. When A Man Loves A Woman – Percy Sledge
“When A Man Loves A Woman” remained at #1 for a second week, continuing one of the most powerful soul runs of 1966. Percy Sledge’s vocal performance gave the record its emotional center, turning a simple arrangement into something unforgettable.
The song’s success showed that deep soul could reach the very top of the pop chart. Its honesty and intensity made it one of the defining ballads of the decade.
2. A Groovy Kind Of Love – The Mindbenders
“A Groovy Kind Of Love” held steady at #2, continuing its strong run as one of the gentlest hits near the top of the chart. Its soft melody and romantic mood gave listeners a smooth contrast to the more intense records around it.
The Mindbenders kept British pop firmly represented in the Top 5. The song’s warmth and simplicity helped it remain a favorite during a competitive stretch of the year.
3. Paint It, Black – The Rolling Stones
“Paint It, Black” climbed from #4 to #3, continuing one of the most striking chart runs of the season. The Rolling Stones brought a darker mood and a more urgent sound than most of the records surrounding it.
The song showed how far rock music was moving by 1966. Its atmosphere, rhythm, and intensity pointed toward a more dramatic and experimental direction for the genre.
4. Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind? – The Lovin’ Spoonful
“Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?” climbed from #7 to #4, giving The Lovin’ Spoonful another major Top 5 hit. The song’s playful feel and catchy melody reflected the group’s gift for light, memorable pop.
After the success of “Daydream,” the group continued to show that American bands could bring personality, humor, and musicianship into the upper reaches of the Hot 100.
5. I Am A Rock – Simon & Garfunkel
“I Am A Rock” moved from #6 to #5, giving Simon & Garfunkel another strong folk-rock entry. The song’s guarded, introspective lyrics fit the duo’s growing reputation for thoughtful and emotionally focused songwriting.
Its rise confirmed that Simon & Garfunkel had become one of the key voices of 1966. Their records were helping bring more reflective themes into mainstream pop radio.
More Weeks at #1 for “When a Man Loves a Woman”
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 June 4, 1966, this was your birthday song:
🎵 When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- When A Man Loves A Woman – Percy Sledge
- A Groovy Kind Of Love – The Mindbenders
- Paint It, Black – The Rolling Stones
- Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind? – The Lovin’ Spoonful
- I Am A Rock – Simon & Garfunkel
- Monday, Monday – The Mamas & The Papas
- Rainy Day Women #12 & 35 – Bob Dylan
- It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World – James Brown And The Famous Flames
- Green Grass – Gary Lewis And The Playboys
- Strangers In The Night – Frank Sinatra
Chart Movers This Week
Why This Chart Week Mattered
This chart week mattered because “When A Man Loves A Woman” continued to prove that soul music could dominate the pop chart with emotional force rather than polish. Percy Sledge’s record brought deep feeling to #1 and became one of the signature songs of 1966.
The June 4, 1966 Hot 100 also showed the remarkable range of the era. The Rolling Stones, Simon & Garfunkel, James Brown, Bob Dylan, The Mamas & The Papas, and Frank Sinatra all appeared in the Top 10. Few charts better show how wide popular music had become by the middle of the decade.
