Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of November 25, 1967
The Billboard Hot 100 for November 25, 1967 delivered one of the biggest surprises of the year as “Incense And Peppermints” by Strawberry Alarm Clock surged from #3 to become the nation’s #1 song. The record’s rise marked a victory for the psychedelic movement that had been reshaping popular music throughout 1967. Filled with swirling sounds, surreal lyrics, and an unmistakable atmosphere, the song represented a dramatic contrast to many of the traditional pop records that had dominated earlier years.
Its arrival at the top ended Lulu’s remarkable five-week reign with “To Sir With Love,” one of the year’s most beloved hits. While Lulu slipped to #2, The Cowsills continued their climb with “The Rain, The Park & Other Things,” and Sam & Dave remained strong with the soul classic “Soul Man.” The Monkees also made a dramatic leap into the Top 5 with “Daydream Believer,” a song that would soon become one of their signature recordings.
This week’s chart captures the incredible diversity of late-1967 radio. Psychedelic rock, soul, sunshine pop, television stars, and traditional vocalists all shared the same Top 10. Few periods in chart history better illustrate how rapidly popular music was evolving.
Top 5 Songs (November 25, 1967)
1. Incense And Peppermints – Strawberry Alarm Clock
“Incense And Peppermints” reached #1 this week, completing one of the most unusual climbs of 1967. The record’s psychedelic sound perfectly captured the spirit of the era and helped bring underground musical influences into the mainstream.
Its dreamy production, distinctive organ work, and surreal lyrics created an atmosphere unlike anything else on the radio. Listeners looking for something adventurous found exactly that in Strawberry Alarm Clock’s breakthrough hit.
The song’s arrival at #1 marked a major moment for psychedelic rock and demonstrated how dramatically the musical landscape had changed since the beginning of the decade.
2. To Sir With Love – Lulu
After five weeks at #1, “To Sir With Love” slipped to #2. Its chart reign may have ended, but the song remained one of the year’s defining records and continued to enjoy enormous popularity.
Lulu’s heartfelt performance and the song’s universal message ensured that it would remain a favorite long after its stay at the top concluded. Few soundtrack songs have connected with audiences as deeply.
Its extended run demonstrated the broad appeal of a record built on sincerity and emotional warmth.
3. The Rain, The Park & Other Things – The Cowsills
The Cowsills moved up to #3 with one of the brightest and most cheerful records on the chart. “The Rain, The Park & Other Things” blended catchy melodies, lush production, and youthful optimism into a memorable hit.
The song’s famous “flower girl” imagery made it instantly recognizable and helped it stand apart from many contemporary records. Its upbeat spirit appealed to listeners across a wide range of ages.
The climb to #3 positioned the group for their biggest chart success to date.
4. Soul Man – Sam & Dave
Although it slipped from #2 to #4, “Soul Man” remained one of the strongest records in the country. Sam & Dave’s energetic performance and the powerful Stax sound continued to make the record a favorite on radio stations nationwide.
The song’s influence extended far beyond the charts. It helped define Southern soul and inspired countless performers who followed.
Even with increased competition, “Soul Man” remained one of the essential records of 1967.
5. Daydream Believer – The Monkees
The biggest mover of the week was “Daydream Believer,” which exploded from #33 to #5 in only its second week on the chart. The Monkees had already proven themselves hitmakers, but this song immediately felt special.
Its memorable melody, warm production, and Davy Jones vocal gave the record an irresistible charm. Listeners responded quickly, sending it soaring into the Top 5.
The dramatic jump suggested that “Daydream Believer” was headed for an even bigger chart story in the weeks ahead.
🎂 What Was the #1 Song on Your Birthday?
If you were born during the week ending November 25, 1967, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Incense and Peppermints by Strawberry Alarm Clock
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Incense And Peppermints – Strawberry Alarm Clock
- To Sir With Love – Lulu
- The Rain, The Park & Other Things – The Cowsills
- Soul Man – Sam & Dave
- Daydream Believer – The Monkees
- Please Love Me Forever – Bobby Vinton
- I Say A Little Prayer – Dionne Warwick
- It Must Be Him – Vikki Carr
- I Can See For Miles – The Who
- Expressway (To Your Heart) – Soul Survivors
Chart Movers This Week
Looking Back at November 1967
The November 25, 1967 chart reflected a changing musical world. Psychedelic rock had reached the top spot, soul remained a dominant force, and television-created pop acts continued to compete successfully with traditional recording artists.
The rise of “Incense And Peppermints” showed how open listeners had become to new sounds and ideas. At the same time, the continued success of Lulu, Sam & Dave, and Dionne Warwick demonstrated that strong songwriting and memorable performances still mattered most.
Looking back, this chart stands as one of the most representative snapshots of late 1967. It captures a moment when popular music was becoming more adventurous, more diverse, and more influential than ever before.
