Here are the #1 pop hits for 1 week in 1966. These were on the Billboard charts, which is the usual standard I’ve been using.
BTW, here’s a clue from the Wednesday, March 25, 2026 episode of JEOPARDY in the category 2 “B” (each reply should have two letter B’s); it was the Daily Double, in the $1,000 slot. “The first issue of this magazine in 1894 was focused on advertising; music came later. ” The then eight-day champion Jamie Ding missed it, answering “Bubble,” and lost $1,000. But he won his ninth game anyway.
Lightnin’ Strikes – Lou Christie
These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ – Nancy Sinatra
Good Lovin’ – The Young Rascals. I did not know this was a cover until years later; I have this on a greatest hits LP.
Strangers In The Night – Frank Sinatra; also #1 for seven weeks AC
Sunshine Superman – Donovan. The Leitch songs I owned on a GH LP.
96 Tears – ? and the Mysterians
Last Train To Clarksville – the Monkees. I received a Monkees GH album for Christmas in 1980. But I didn’t know about its anti-war message until fairly recently.
Poor Side of Town – Johnny Rivers
Good Vibrations – the Beach Boys. I bought the Smiley Smile LP, largely for this song.
See also
But there were other charts, notably Cash Box (CB) and Record World (RW), formerly Music Vendor. These are songs that got to #1 in 1966 on one or both of those charts, but NOT on Billboard (BB).
Nowhere Man -the Beatles, #1 for two weeks RW; #3 BB pop. It was on Yesterday and Today in the US, which I had, and Rubber Soul in the UK.
Mellow Yellow – Donovan, #1 for two weeks RW; #2 BB pop for three weeks, gold record. Electrical banana.
A Groovy Kind of Love – The Mindbenders, #1 CB and RW; #2 BB pop for two weeks
They’re Coming To Take Me Away, Ha-Haaaa! – Napoleon XIV, #1 CB and RW; #3 BB pop
Lil’ Red Riding Hood – Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, #1 CB and RW; #2 BB pop for two weeks, gold record
Sunny -Bobby Hebb, #1 CB and RW; #2 BB pop for two weeks, #3 BB RB for two weeks, gold record
Yellow Submarine – the Beatles, #1 CB and RW; #2 BB pop
I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown, #1 RW; #3 BB pop for three weeks, #1 BB RB for six weeks
Daydream – Lovin’ Spoonful, #1 CB; #2 BB pop for two weeks. I got the Daydream LP from the Capitol Records Club; it remains one of my favorite albums.
19th Nervous Breakdown – Rolling Stones, #1 CB; #2 BB pop for three weeks, #32 BB RB
See You In September – the Happenings, #1 RW; #3 BB pop for two weeks.
That’s Life – Frank Sinatra, #1 RW. #4 BB pop, #1 BB AC. My favorite Ol’ Blue Eyes song
