Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of October 22, 1966
By the third week of October 1966, Motown’s dominance of the American charts was impossible to ignore. The Four Tops held the #1 position for a second consecutive week with “Reach Out I’ll Be There,” a dramatic and emotionally powerful single that had quickly become one of the defining records of the year. While Motown occupied the summit, garage rock, television-created pop stars, and harmony groups all battled for position just below.
The chart reflected the remarkable diversity of late-1966 music. ? (Question Mark) & The Mysterians continued their ascent with the raw and hypnotic “96 Tears,” while The Monkees moved steadily upward with “Last Train To Clarksville.” The Association’s gentle ballad “Cherish” remained in the Top 5 despite surrendering the #1 spot, and Count Five’s “Psychotic Reaction” continued proving that garage rock had become a legitimate force on Top 40 radio.
Elsewhere in the Top 10, Johnny Rivers’ “Poor Side Of Town” continued climbing toward the upper reaches of the chart, while Jimmy Ruffin’s heartfelt “What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted” kept Motown’s emotional storytelling firmly represented. New contenders were beginning to emerge, but for this week the Four Tops remained the group everyone was chasing.
October 1966 marked a transition period in popular music. The sounds that would define the final years of the decade were becoming increasingly visible, with stronger rock influences, deeper soul productions, and more ambitious songwriting all finding their way into the Billboard Hot 100.
Top 5 Songs (October 22, 1966)
1. Reach Out I’ll Be There – Four Tops
Holding steady at #1 for a second week, “Reach Out I’ll Be There” continued its reign as the nation’s most popular song. Levi Stubbs delivered one of the most compelling vocal performances of the decade, combining urgency, compassion, and power into every line.
The song showcased Motown at its creative peak. The driving rhythm, dramatic orchestration, and unforgettable chorus helped elevate the record beyond a standard love song and turned it into one of the label’s signature achievements.
2. 96 Tears – ? (Question Mark) & The Mysterians
“96 Tears” climbed from #3 to #2 and continued gaining momentum. Its distinctive organ riff and mysterious vocal delivery made it one of the most unusual hits on the chart.
The record stood apart from the polished productions surrounding it. Its garage-rock sound appealed to younger listeners looking for something rawer and less refined than mainstream pop.
3. Last Train To Clarksville – The Monkees
The Monkees moved up another spot to #3 as “Last Train To Clarksville” continued its impressive climb. Backed by the popularity of their television show, the group was quickly becoming one of the biggest acts in America.
The song combined catchy melodies with a subtle anti-war theme, giving it more depth than many casual listeners initially realized. Its rapid ascent suggested that a future #1 record was well within reach.
4. Cherish – The Association
After its successful run at #1, “Cherish” remained firmly entrenched in the Top 5. The Association’s rich harmonies and sophisticated arrangement helped the record stand out throughout the fall of 1966.
While harder-edged rock songs were climbing the charts, “Cherish” demonstrated that beautifully crafted vocal pop still had a large audience. Its continued success made it one of the year’s most enduring hits.
5. Psychotic Reaction – Count Five
Count Five held at #5 with “Psychotic Reaction,” one of the defining garage-rock records of the decade. Its aggressive guitar work and rebellious energy captured the growing appetite for harder rock sounds.
The song’s success signaled a shift in popular music. Records that might once have been considered too raw for mainstream audiences were now finding a place among the nation’s biggest hits.
More Weeks at #1 for “Reach Out I’ll Be There”
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 22, 1966, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Reach Out I’ll Be There by Four Tops
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Reach Out I’ll Be There – Four Tops
- 96 Tears – ? (Question Mark) & The Mysterians
- Last Train To Clarksville – The Monkees
- Cherish – The Association
- Psychotic Reaction – Count Five
- Walk Away Renee – The Left Banke
- Poor Side Of Town – Johnny Rivers
- What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted – Jimmy Ruffin
- Dandy – Herman’s Hermits
- See See Rider – Eric Burdon & The Animals
Chart Movers This Week
Looking Back at October 22, 1966
The October 22, 1966 Billboard Hot 100 perfectly captured the musical crossroads of the mid-1960s. Motown soul ruled the chart with the Four Tops at #1, while garage rock, harmony pop, and television-driven pop success all competed for listeners’ attention. The result was one of the most varied and exciting charts of the decade.
Many of the songs featured this week remain staples of 1960s radio and oldies playlists. Together they illustrate why 1966 is often remembered as one of the greatest years in popular music history, a year when nearly every style of music seemed capable of producing a major hit.
