Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of October 1, 1966
The Billboard Hot 100 for October 1, 1966 kept The Association at #1 with “Cherish,” extending the song’s run as one of the most romantic and polished pop ballads of the year. In a chart filled with Motown, garage rock, British pop, and early psychedelic sounds, “Cherish” continued to stand out for its soft harmonies and carefully arranged emotional tone.
The Supremes held at #2 with “You Can’t Hurry Love,” giving Motown a powerful presence just beneath the top spot. The Temptations climbed to #3 with “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep,” while Los Bravos moved to #4 with “Black Is Black.” The Hollies rounded out the Top 5 with “Bus Stop,” keeping British pop firmly represented.
Below the Top 5, the chart was clearly preparing for another shift. ? (Question Mark) & The Mysterians continued climbing with “96 Tears,” while the Four Tops moved closer to the summit with “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” The Beatles and Donovan were still present after major late-summer runs, and Neil Diamond entered the Top 10 with “Cherry, Cherry.”
As October began, the Hot 100 showed the full variety of late 1966. Soft harmony pop sat at #1, Motown was surging, garage rock was rising, and new voices were starting to break through.
Top 5 Songs
1. Cherish – The Association
“Cherish” remained at #1 for another week, continuing The Association’s breakthrough run at the top of the chart. Its gentle arrangement and lush harmonies gave the song a tender sound that connected strongly with listeners.
The record showed that romantic harmony pop could still dominate in a year increasingly shaped by louder rock and soul records. Its emotional softness made it one of the most memorable ballads of 1966.
2. You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes
“You Can’t Hurry Love” held at #2, keeping The Supremes near the top after their latest #1 success. The song’s bright Motown rhythm and memorable chorus continued to make it one of the strongest records on the chart.
Even after its time at #1, the single remained a showcase for Motown’s polished production and Diana Ross’s confident lead vocal.
3. Beauty Is Only Skin Deep – The Temptations
“Beauty Is Only Skin Deep” climbed from #6 to #3, giving The Temptations another major Motown hit. Its message, rhythm, and group vocal sound fit neatly into the label’s winning 1966 formula.
The song’s rise showed how strong Motown’s roster had become. With The Supremes and Four Tops also in the Top 10, the label was shaping the sound of the fall.
4. Black Is Black – Los Bravos
“Black Is Black” climbed from #7 to #4, giving Los Bravos one of the most striking hits of the season. Its dramatic vocal, driving beat, and international pop-rock sound made it stand out immediately.
The song’s success showed how global the Hot 100 was becoming. A Spanish group could break into the American Top 5 with a record that sounded powerful, modern, and radio-ready.
5. Bus Stop – The Hollies
“Bus Stop” held at #5, continuing The Hollies’ strong American chart run. The song’s bright melody and story-like lyrics gave it a polished British pop quality that remained appealing week after week.
Its staying power showed that British Invasion groups were still highly competitive in 1966, even as Motown and garage rock were gaining new momentum.
More Weeks at #1 for “Cherish”
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 October 1, 1966, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Cherish by The Association
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Cherish – The Association
- You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes
- Beauty Is Only Skin Deep – The Temptations
- Black Is Black – Los Bravos
- Bus Stop – The Hollies
- 96 Tears – ? (Question Mark) & The Mysterians
- Reach Out I’ll Be There – Four Tops
- Yellow Submarine – The Beatles
- Sunshine Superman – Donovan
- Cherry, Cherry – Neil Diamond
Chart Movers This Week
Why This Chart Week Mattered
This chart week mattered because it showed “Cherish” holding #1 while the next major sounds of fall 1966 were closing in. Motown was especially strong, with The Supremes, The Temptations, and Four Tops all appearing in the Top 10.
The October 1, 1966 Hot 100 also captured a shift toward a more forceful late-year sound. “96 Tears,” “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” “Black Is Black,” and “Cherry, Cherry” were all gaining strength, making this chart a bridge between soft harmony pop and the tougher records that would soon dominate October.
