Favorite singles 1965 - 1974

A few years ago, I and a number of others were asked to come up with lists for our favorite singles and albums from 10 year periods.  The results were tabulated and weighted and a final list for each was made. Yes, this is what music geeks do. 

We decided on breaking up the 10 year periods at mid decade as opposed to simple decade splits.  This was intriguing because if you think about it, the big shifts in music happen during mid decade.  Look at punk and disco for example. 

Anyway, from time to time I'll post my personal list for posterity sake.  As is the case with all lists, they are fluid, and I'm sure this one would go through some changes if I were to give it some thought. 

Here's my list of top 100 singles for the years 1965 through 1974.  Mind you, I was a child during much of this time and the songs that are near and dear to me were on AM radio.  This isn't about music criticism and ranking Hendrix, Dylan, etc. singles.  That's revisionist history and not a concern for this exercise. 

1.    Waterloo Sunset  The Kinks 1967
2.    Different Drum – The Stone Poneys (Linda Ronstadt) 1967
3.    Daydream – The Lovin’ Spoonful 1966
4.    Wichita Lineman – Glen Campbell 1968
5.    Itchycoo Park – The Small Faces 1967
6.    Everybody’s Talkin’ – Nilsson 1969
7.    Paperback Writer The Beatles 1966
8.    Sunshine Superman – Donovan 1966
9.    No Matter What – Badfinger 1970
10.    The Tears Of A Clown – Smokey Robinson and the Miracles 1970

11.    Something In The Air – Thunderclap Newman 1969
12.    96 Tears - ? and the Mysterians 1966
13.    I’ll Take You There – The Staple Singers 1972
14.    I Hear You Knockin’ – Dave Edmunds 1971
15.    It’s Cold Outside – The Choir 1967
16.    Heart Full Of Soul – The Yardbirds 1965
17.    Time Won’t Let Me – The Outsiders 1966
18.    There’s A Kind Of Hush – Herman’s Hermits 1967
19.    Band Of Gold – Freda Payne 1970
20.    Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes) – Edison Lighthouse 1970

21.    Daydream Believer – The Monkees 1967
22.    The Rain, The Park & Other Things – The Cowsills 1967
23.    Let’s Pretend – The Raspberries 1973
24.    Kind Of A Drag – The Buckinghams 1966
25.    Just A Little – The Beau Brummels 1965
26.    Don’t Sleep In The Subway – Petula Clark 1967
27.    Hank Panky – Tommy James And The Shondells 1966
28.    One Bad Apple – The Osmonds 1972
29.    What Becomes Of The Broken Hearted – Jimmy Ruffin 1966
30.    If You Want Me To Stay – Sly And The Family Stone 1973

31.    Do You Know What I Mean – Lee Michaels 1971
32.    I Can Help – Billy Swan 1974
33.    The Israelites – Desmond Dekker 1969
34.    Seasons In The Sun – Terry Jacks 1974
35.    Walk Away Renee – The Left Banke 1966
36.    Tumbling Dice – The Rolling Stones 1971
37.    Spirit In The Sky – Norman Greenbaum 1970
38.    Fortunate Son – Creedence Clearwater Revival 1969
39.    Bernadette – The Four Tops 1967
40.    Superstar – The Carpenters 1971

41.    I Wonder What She’s Doing Tonight – Boyce and Hart 1967
42.    I Want You Back – The Jackson 5 1970
43.    Stoney End – Barbara Streisand 1971
44.    Overnight Sensation – The Raspberries 1974
45.    Cracklin’ Rosie – Neil Diamond 1970
46.    Come See About Me – The Supremes 1965
47.    Laugh Laugh – The Beau Brummels 1965
48.    Secret Agent Man – Johnny Rivers 1966
49.    Skinny Legs And All – Joe Tex 1967
50.    Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag – James Brown 1965

51.    Waterloo – Abba 1974
52.    It’s Not Unusual – Tom Jones 1965
53.    She’s About A Mover – The Sir Douglas Quintet 1965
54.    Poor Side Of Town – Johnny Rivers 1966
55.    This Guy’s In Love With You – Herb Alpert 1968
56.    Lighting Strikes – Lou Christie 1966
57.    Last Song – Edward Bear 1974
58.    Bus Stop – The Hollies 1966
59.    Come On Down To My Boat – Every Mothers Son 1967
60.    Carrie-Ann – The Hollies 1967

61.    Judy In Disguise (With Glasses) – John Fred  & His Playboy Band 1967
62.    Bend Me, Shape Me – The American Breed 1967
63.    Nobody But Me – The Human Beinz 1967
64.    Baby, Now That I’ve Found You – The Foundations 1968
65.    Sugar Sugar – The Archies 1969
66.    Honky Tonk Woman – The Rolling Stones 1969
67.    Color Him Father – The Winstons 1969
68.    Ball Of Confusion – The Temptations 1970
69.    Tighter Tighter – Alive And Kickin’ 1970
70.    Clean Up Woman – Betty Wright 1971

71.    Groove Me – King Floyd 1970
72.    Have You Seen Her – The Chi-Lites 1972
73.    Rose Garden – Lynn Anderson 1971
74.    Little Willy – The Sweet 1973
75.    Stuck In The Middle With You – Stealers Wheel 1973
76.    Behind Closed Doors – Charlie Rich 1974
77.    Rocky Your Baby – George McCrae 1974
78.    Green River – Creedence Clearwater Revival  1969
79.    Baby I’m Yours – Barbara Lewis 1965
80.     With A Girl Like You – The Troggs 1966

81.    The Beat Goes On – Sonny and Cher 1967
82.    Goin’ Up The Country – Canned Heat 1968
83.    Sweet Cream Ladies, Forward March 1968
84.    Hitchin’ A Ride – Vanity Fare 1970
85.    Walk On The Wild Side – Lou Reed 1973
86.    I Think We’re Alone Now – Tommy James And The Shondells 1967
87.    These Boots Are Made For Walking – Nancy Sinatra 1966
88.    Patches – Clarence Carter 1970
89.    We Gotta Get Out Of This Place – The Animals 1965
90.    Son Of A Preacher Man – Dusty Springfield 1969

91.    I Fought The Law – The Bobby Fuller Four 1965
92.    Kicks – Paul Revere And The Raiders 1966
93.    Rainy Night In Georgia – Brook Benton 1970
94.    Stone Soul Picnic – The Fifth Dimension 1968
95.    Respect Yourself – The Staple Singers 1972
96.    Hey Jude – The Beatles 1968
97.    Sunny Afternoon – The Kinks 1966
98.    The Weight – The Band 1968
99.    Chestnut Mare – The Byrds 1969
100.    The Kids Are All Right – The Who 1966