1965 was an interesting and troubled year. Activist Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965, the ‘Sound of Music’ was a hit at the movie theaters, and the song “The Girl From Ipanema,” by Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto, won a Grammy for ‘Record of the Year.’
What were the top songs at years’ end?
“Wooly Bully” from Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs
“I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones
“You Were On My Mind” from the We Five
“I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)” from The Four Tops
“Help!” by The Beatles
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin” from The Righteous Brothers
“Downtown” by Petula Clark
“Crying In the Chapel” from Elvis Presley
And finally “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat” by the Herman’s Hermits
Prologue: Elvis was still relevant in spite of the British Invasion, while Motown remains strong through the 60s. We were surprised to see Sam the Sham’s “Wooly Bull” finished up number one, but the band would never hit the charts again. Half of the artists on this list made it to the hallowed Hall of Fame in Cleveland.
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