Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of October 8, 1966
The Billboard Hot 100 for October 8, 1966 found The Association still holding the top position with “Cherish,” a song that had become one of the defining ballads of the year. While “Cherish” remained comfortably at #1, the chart beneath it was changing rapidly. Motown, garage rock, and television-driven pop were all gaining momentum, signaling that the sound of late 1966 was evolving quickly.
The biggest move came from the Four Tops, whose powerful Motown classic “Reach Out I’ll Be There” surged from #7 to #2. Just behind them, ? (Question Mark) & The Mysterians continued their climb with the garage-rock hit “96 Tears.” Los Bravos held steady at #4 with “Black Is Black,” while The Temptations rounded out the Top 5 with “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep.”
The rest of the Top 10 reflected the diversity of the era. The Monkees made a dramatic jump into the Top 10 with “Last Train To Clarksville,” Neil Diamond continued his breakthrough with “Cherry, Cherry,” and Count Five brought psychedelic garage rock to the upper reaches of the chart with “Psychotic Reaction.”
As October began, the Hot 100 was becoming more energetic and adventurous. The softer sounds that had dominated late summer were now sharing chart space with harder-edged records that pointed toward the future of rock music.
Top 5 Songs
1. Cherish – The Association
“Cherish” remained at #1 for a third consecutive week, continuing its impressive run as America’s favorite love song. The Association’s rich harmonies and emotional delivery gave the record a timeless quality that connected with listeners across the country.
Its success proved that sophisticated vocal harmony records could still dominate the charts even as rock music became louder and more experimental. Few songs captured romantic longing as effectively as “Cherish.”
2. Reach Out I’ll Be There – Four Tops
The Four Tops made the biggest move of the week, jumping from #7 to #2 with “Reach Out I’ll Be There.” Built around a dramatic vocal performance from Levi Stubbs and one of Motown’s most distinctive arrangements, the record sounded unlike anything else on radio.
Its rapid climb signaled that a new #1 contender had arrived. The song combined urgency, emotion, and power in a way that made it one of Motown’s greatest achievements.
3. 96 Tears – ? (Question Mark) & The Mysterians
“96 Tears” climbed from #6 to #3, bringing raw garage-rock energy into the Top 5. Driven by its distinctive electric organ and mysterious vocal style, the song stood apart from almost everything else on the chart.
Its success demonstrated the growing popularity of garage bands and helped pave the way for a harder, more aggressive rock sound later in the decade.
4. Black Is Black – Los Bravos
Los Bravos held steady at #4 with “Black Is Black,” one of the year’s most successful international hits. Its driving beat and dramatic vocal performance helped the song maintain its place among the nation’s most popular records.
The group’s continued success showed that American listeners were increasingly receptive to artists from outside the United States and Britain.
5. Beauty Is Only Skin Deep – The Temptations
The Temptations slipped slightly from #3 to #5 but remained one of Motown’s strongest chart acts. “Beauty Is Only Skin Deep” combined a memorable message with the group’s trademark vocal excellence.
With both The Temptations and Four Tops in the Top 5, Motown’s dominance of popular music was impossible to ignore.
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 8, 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
- Reach Out I’ll Be There – Four Tops
- 96 Tears – ? (Question Mark) & The Mysterians
- Black Is Black – Los Bravos
- Beauty Is Only Skin Deep – The Temptations
- Last Train To Clarksville – The Monkees
- Cherry, Cherry – Neil Diamond
- You Can’t Hurry Love – The Supremes
- Psychotic Reaction – Count Five
- I’ve Got You Under My Skin – The 4 Seasons Featuring the Sound of Frankie Valli
Chart Movers This Week
Why This Chart Week Mattered
The October 8, 1966 chart captured a turning point in popular music. While “Cherish” represented the polished harmony-pop sound that had dominated much of the year, records like “96 Tears,” “Psychotic Reaction,” and “Last Train To Clarksville” pointed toward new directions in rock and pop.
Most importantly, the dramatic rise of “Reach Out I’ll Be There” signaled the arrival of one of Motown’s greatest records. The song’s surge from #7 to #2 made it clear that the Four Tops were poised to challenge for the top spot and become one of the defining acts of late 1966.
