The 21st Edition of the Top 77 of All Time!
Commentary and analysis by Board Moderator Mike Riccio.
These are the songs YOU voted for as the very best!
Voting took place from 10/29/18 through 12/4/18 through OldiesBoard.com.
REMEMBER YOU CAN HEAR THE ENTIRE TOP 77 plus HUNDREDS OF OTHER SONGS THAT
GOT VOTES
ON REWOUND RADIO BETWEEN CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS DAY!
And check back here to get details on how you can get a copy of the list of
the Top 77 including every song that got votes!
Let’s start with the "extras"...the songs that just missed the top 77 on the
list.
From #100 to #78...Here we go!
(Asterisks {*} indicate a former #1 song on WABC or nationally.)
100 Da Doo Ron Ron
(When He Walked Me Home) Crystals - 1963
99
*Honky Tonk Women - Rolling Stones - 1969
98
Time Won't Let Me – Outsiders - 1966
97
*Groovin' - Young Rascals - 1967
96
Kashmir - Led Zeppelin - 1975
95
*Poor Side Of Town - Johnny Rivers - 1966
94
*Dreams - Fleetwood Mac – 1977
93
Morning Girl - Neon Philharmonic -1969
92
What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) - Jr. Walker and the All Stars
- 1969
91
Superstar - Carpenters - 1971
90
Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones - 1970
89 *Can't
Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli - 1967
88
*One Less Bell To Answer - 5th Dimension - 1971
87
*Daydream Believer – Monkees - 1967
86
Strawberry Fields Forever – Beatles - 1967
85 *The
House Of The Rising Sun – Animals - 1964
84 *Reach
Out I'll Be There - Four Tops - 1966
83
Precious and Few - Climax - 1972
82
*Theme From A Summer Place - Percy Faith & His Orchestra - 1960
81
*Happy Together – Turtles - 1967
80
*Dawn (Go Away) - Four Seasons - 1964
79
Mr. Dieingly Sad -
Critters - 1966
78
Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers - 1965
AND NOW --- THE SONGS THAT MADE THE 21st EDITION OF THE TOP 77 OF
ALL TIME
Asterisk (*) Indicates Former #1 Song Nationally or on WABC Radio, New York
“Top 77” refers to the number of times and the peak number for the song’s
history on the Top 77
(Unless otherwise noted, “By the Numbers” info is based on national chart
information)
(Position/Title/Artist/Year/WABC & Billboard Peak)
77 *Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season) – Byrds – 1965
(#1 WABC & Nat’l) Top 77 – 7 times, Peak #38
BY
THE NUMBERS: They had two number one hits in 1965, but after this song they
would never have another top ten hit.
76 *Stayin'
Alive - Bee Gees - 1978 (#1 WABC & Nat’l) Top 77 – 4 times, Peak #44
BY THE NUMBERS: This was the second of an incredible six straight #1 hits
for these guys.
75 *Mack
the Knife – Bobby Darin - 1959 (Pre-dates WABC, #1 Nat’l) Top 77 – 18 times,
Peak #2
BY THE NUMBERS: This was Bobby’s only #1 hit, staying on the national charts
for exactly half a year, 26 weeks.
74
*Respect – Aretha Franklin – 1967 (#2 WABC, #1 Nat’ l #1) Top 77 – 3 times,
Peak #30
BY THE NUMBERS: Before this hit, on the national charts , twelve of her
previous 13 top 100 songs got no higher than #37. After this song, ten of
her next twelve top 100 songs charted no lower than #19!
73 Thunder
Road (from “Born to Run”) - Bruce Springsteen
- 1975 (WABC and Nat’l – Did Not Chart) Top 77 – 6 times, Peak #56
BY THE NUMBERS: This song didn’t chart at all in 1975; however, starting in
1980, 15 of Bruce’s next 17 songs made the top 20.
72 Earth
Angel – Penguins – 1955 (Pre-dates WABC, #8 Nat’l ) Top 77 – 10 times, Peak
#11
BY THE NUMBERS: It was a classic by an act considered to be the second
doo-wop group to make the top ten pop charts (after The Chords “Sh-Boom got
to #5 in the summer of 1955). BUT these guys never charted on the top 100
again after this.
71 Cara
Mia – Jay and the Americans – 1965 (#3 WABC, #4 Nat’l) Top 77 – 5 times,
Peak #32
BY THE NUMBERS: This song was one of
four top ten hits for the group, but was the only record that brought
airplay to the flip side, “When It’s All Over”, which stalled at #129.
70 *Runaround Sue –
Dion – 1961 (#1 WABC, #1 Nat’l) Top 77 – 9 times, Peak #36
BY THE NUMBERS: Between 1958 and 1964, Dion charted 12 top 20 songs. Overall
he had 21 top 40 songs and three flip sides that charted.
69 Free
Bird – Lynyrd Skynyrd – 1974 (Did Not Chart WABC, #19 Nat’l) Top 77 – 3
times, Peak #62
BY THE NUMBERS: Two versions of this song charted by the group. This one,
released in 1974, got to #19. A live version got to #38 1976 into 1977.
68
Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry –1958 (Pre-dates WABC, #8 Nat’l ) Top 77 – 3
times, Peak #62
BY THE NUMBERS: This classic was Chuck’s LOWEST charting top ten song of the
1950’s!
67 *Nights in White
Satin – Moody Blues – 1972 (#1 WABC, #2 Nat’l) Top 77 – 17 times, Peak #16
BY THE NUMBERS: The last time the group charted before this was a hit was
four and a half years earlier in 1968 when they only got to #102 on the
Billboard Hot 100 with…this very same song.
66 *Lightnin’
Strikes – Lou Christie – 1966 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 15 times, Peak
#18
BY THE NUMBERS: Although Lou’s chart career spanned from 1963 to 1981, he
had top 30 hits in just three specific time frames; 1963 (“The Gypsy Cried”
and “Two Faces Have I”), 1966 (“Lightnin’ Strikes” and “Rhapsody in the
Rain”), and 1969 (“I’m Gonna Make You Mine”).
65 *Rock Around the
Clock – Bill Haley and His Comets – 1955 (Pre-dates WABC, #1 Nat’l) Top 77 –
8 times, Peak #33
BY THE NUMBERS: This record charted at #1 in 1955, #118 in 1968, and #39 in
1974.
64 Midnight
Confessions – Grass Roots – 1968 (#3 WABC, #5 Nat’l) Top 77 – 15 times, Peak
#33
BY THE NUMBERS: This was the
group’s biggest hit both on WABC and nationally.
63 In My Life
– Beatles – 1966 (from “Rubber Soul”) (WABC and Nat’l, Did Not Chart) Top 77
– 15 times, Peak #18
BY THE NUMBERS: If this had been a single, it would have been the only
Beatles love ballad to chart between 1965 (“Yesterday”) and 1969
(“Something”).
62 *I Can’t Help
Myself – Four Tops – 1965 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 13 times, Peak #17
BY THE NUMBERS: This group had 45 top 100 songs, but only this one and
“Reach Out I’ll Be There” the following year made the top 3.
61 Up on the
Roof – Drifters – 1962 (#3 WABC, #5 Nat’l) Top 77 – 1 time, Peak #61
BY THE NUMBERS: Despite having 36 top 100 hits, this song and the follow-up
“On Broadway” marked the only time the act has two successive top 5 records.
60 *Runaway – Del
Shannon – 1961 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 14 times, Peak #60
BY THE NUMBERS: This was Del’s first nationally charted top 100 song and it
was his only #1 hit.
59
Something – Beatles – 1969 (#7 WABC, #3 Nat’l) Top 77 – 9 times, Peak #20
BY THE NUMBERS: This was the last time the Beatles charted separately with a
two-sided hit. “Come Together”, the flip side, got to #1.
58 *Incense and
Peppermints – Strawberry Alarm Clock – 1967 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 18
times, Peak #12
BY THE NUMBERS: It was all downhill from here, as subsequent chart entries
for this band peaked lower than the previous
at #23, #65, #67 and finally #87.
57 I Fought
the Law – Bobby Fuller Four – 1965 (#12 WABC, #9 Nat’l) Top 77 – 1 time,
Peak #57
BY THE NUMBERS: Under the name “Bobby Fuller”, this act first released a
version of this song in 1964. It did not chart.
56 Go All the
Way – Raspberries - 1972 (#4 WABC, #5 Nat’l) Top 77 – 2 times, Peak #54
BY THE NUMBERS: This was Eric Carmen’s biggest hit with the group; however
as a solo act every one of his top ten hits peaked higher than this song,
landing at #2, #3 and #4.
55 *He’s a Rebel –
Crystals – 1962 (#2 WABC, #1 Nat’l) Top 77 – 16 times, Peak #18
BY THE NUMBERS: This was the act’s only #1 song, and it was actually sung by
Darlene Love as part of The Blossoms.
54 Beyond the
Sea – Bobby Darin – 1960 (Pre-dates WABC, #6 Nat’l) Top 77 – 13 times, Peak
#4
BY THE NUMBERS: This was the seventh of nine straight top 40 hits that began
Bobby’s career. Five of those first nine made the top 10.
53 *Sugar, Sugar – Archies
- 1969 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 8 times, Peak #38
BY THE NUMBERS: The Archies were the first “virtual” band to appear in
worldwide pop charts, and the first cartoon band since The Chipmunks to have
a #1 song in the U.S.
52 *Help! – Beatles
– 1965 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 11 times, Peak #23
BY THE NUMBERS: This was the only Beatles release between 1965 and “The
Ballad of John and Yoko” in 1969 where the “B” side did not also chart in
the top 100. The “B’ side of “Help!”, “I’m Down” only got to #101.
51 Jumpin’
Jack Flash – Rolling Stones – 1968 (#2 WABC, #3 Nat’l) Top 77 – 3 times,
Peak#23
BY THE NUMBERS: This song spent three weeks at #3, held back partially by
TWO instrumentals, “Grazing in the Grass” by Hugh Masekela and “The Horse”
by Cliff Nobles and Company, the latter of which spent three weeks at #2.
50 Baker
Street – Gerry Rafferty – 1976 (#2 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 4 times, Peak
#46
BY THE NUMBERS: This song spent six weeks at #2, blocked the entire time by
Andy Gibbs’ “Shadow Dancing”, which was #1 for seven straight weeks.
49 Imagine –
John Lennon – 1971 (#4 WABC, #3 Nat’l) Top 77 – 21 times, Peak #6
BY THE NUMBERS: John appeared on the top 100 with two other ex-Beatles when
this song was charting: Paul’s “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” and George’s “Bangla
Desh”.
48 *Maggie May
– Rod Stewart – 1971 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 13 times, Peak #24
BY THE NUMBERS: The flip side, “Reason to Believe” was the original “A”
side, entered the chart four weeks before “Maggie May”, and only got to #62.
But it actually stayed on the chart for 21 weeks, a month longer than
“Maggie May”.
47 *Sherry – Four
Seasons – 1962 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 14 times, Peak #21
BY THE NUMBERS: This was the
first of five #1 songs for this act in their 18 year chart run.
46 Beginnings
– Chicago – 1971 (#11 WABC, #7 Nat’l) Top 77 – 5 times, Peak #46
BY THE NUMBERS: This was originally released in 1969 with “Poem 58” on the
“B” side. In 1971, it paired with a much stronger “B” side, “Colour My
World”, with both sides charting together.
45 *The Twist – Chubby Checker –
1960 & 1962 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 11 times, Peak #26
BY THE NUMBERS: Although celebrated as the only song to get to #1 by the
same act in two separate chart runs, it’s not often noted that the song only
totaled THREE WEEKS at #1 combining BOTH chart runs.
44 I Only
Have Eyes for You – Flamingos – 1959 (Pre-dates WABC, #11 Nat’l) Top 77 – 11
times, Peak #17
BY THE NUMBERS: Although they charted from 1959 through 1970, this was their
only top 25 hit.
43 *The Sounds of
Silence – Simon and Garfunkel – 1965 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 7 times,
Peak #24
BY THE NUMBERS: Of their three #1 songs, this one stayed on top for the
fewest weeks, two.
42 Because –
Dave Clark Five – 1964 (#4 WABC, #3 Nat’l) Top 77 – 19 times, Peak #11
BY THE NUMBERS: Only one other Dave Clark Five song peaked higher, “Over and
Over”, which got to #1 for one week.
41 *To Sir with Love
– Lulu – 1967 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 11 times, Peak #24
BY THE NUMBERS: This was Lulu’s only record to peak higher than #18.
40 Piano Man –
Billy Joel – 1974 (#19 WABC #25 Nat’l) Top 77 – 5 times, Peak #40
BY THE NUMBERS: It was Billy’s first of 42 records to make the Hot 100.
39 *Aquarius/Let the
Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures) – 5th Dimension - 1969 (#1 WABC
and Nat’l) Top 77 – 9 times, Peak #16
BY THE NUMBERS: Besides staying #1 for six weeks nationally and seven weeks
on WABC, this song won Grammys for Record of the Year.
38 *Crystal Blue
Persuasion – Tommy James and the Shondells - 1969
(#1 WABC, #2 Nat’l) Top 77 – 14
times, Peak #27
BY THE NUMBERS: This was Tommy James’ last top ten song with the Shondells.
He had only solo credit for his 1971 #4 hit, “Draggin’ the Line”.
37 Can’t Help
Falling in Love – Elvis Presley – 1962 (#8 WABC, #2 Nat’l) Top 77 – 17
times, Peak #13
BY THE NUMBERS: This was Elvis’ 22nd straight top 40 “A” side. It
was a streak that included 32 top 20 hits (“A” and “B” sides), of which 12
were #1.
36 *The Rain, the
Park and Other Things – Cowsills – 1967 (#1 WABC, #2 Nat’l) Top 77 – 8
Times, Peak #18
BY THE NUMBERS: The chart numbers for this song were identical to those of
“Hair” except that this stayed on the top 100 for 16 weeks, one week longer
than “Hair”.
35 *Brandy
(You’re a Fine Girl) – Looking Glass – 1972 (#2 WABC, #1 Nat’l) Top 77 – 15
times, Peak #21
BY THE NUMBERS: Prophesy or Coincidence? This spent one week at #1. The flip
side was titled “One by One”.
34 *Will You Love Me
Tomorrow – Shirelles - 1961 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 13 times, Peak 23
BY THE NUMBERS: Originally released as simply “Tomorrow”, this and the
follow-up “Mama Said” was the only time The Shirelles had back-to-back top
ten hits.
33 *Suspicious Minds
– Elvis Presley - 1969 (#4 WABC,
#1 Nat’l) Top 77 - 13 times, Peak #20
BY THE NUMBERS: As Elvis’ last #1 song, it came a full 6 ½ years after his
previous chart topper, “Good Luck Charm”.
32 *You’ve Lost That
Lovin’ Feelin’- Righteous Brothers – 1965
(#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 17 times, Peak #22
BYTHE NUMBERS: Before this, nine consecutive original releases by this act
failed to rise higher than #49; after this song their next five original
releases made the top 20.
31 Layla –
Derek and the Dominos – 1971 and 1972 (#7 WABC, #10 Nat’l) Top 77 – 17
times, Peak #19
BY THENUMBERS: A shorter version of this peaked at #51 in 1971. A live
version with credit to “Eric Clapton” peaked at #12 in 1992.
30 Can’t Find
the Time – Orpheus - 1969 (WABC
-
Did Not Chart, #80 Nat’l) Top 77 – 7 times, Peak #20
BY THE NUMBERS: In March of 1968, this charted for the first time but only
made it to #80.
29 Waterloo
Sunset – Kinks – 1967 (Did Not Chart WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 - 13 times, Peak
#15
BY THE NUMBERS: Their next top 10 hit would come in 1970 with”Lola”.
28 Taxi –
Harry Chapin – 1972 (#9 WABC, #24 Nat’l) Top 77 – 19 times, Peak #20
BY THE NUMBERS: The 1980 sequel titled “Sequel” charted higher (#23) than
the original titled “Taxi”.
27 Wichita
Lineman – Glen Campbell – 1968 (#2 WABC, #3 Nat’l) Top 77 – 9 times, Peak
#22
BY THE NUMBERS: Before this hit, Glen peaked no higher than #26 with nine
top 100 songs.
26 *California
Dreamin’ – The Mamas and the Papas – 1966 (#1 WABC, #4 Nat’l) Top 77 – 10
times, Peak 25
BY THE NUMBERS: This groups only top 20 hits came within approximately 1 ½
years of each other.
25 Born to
Run – Bruce Springsteen – 1975 (#36 WABC, Nat’l #23) Top 77 – 16 times, Peak
#7
BY THE NUMBERS: Even though it’s considered his “signature song”, 16 other
songs by Bruce charted higher.
24 Since I
Don’t Have You – Skyliners – 1959 (Pre-Dates WABC, #15 Nat’l) Top 77 – 15
times, Peak 19)
BY THE NUMBERS: This was their first top 100 charter and their highest. They
never made the top 20 again.
23 *Downtown –
Petula Clark – 1965 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77-10 times, Peak #13
BY THE NUMBERS: This was the first of 15 top 40 hits for her.
22 A Day in
the Life (from “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”) – Beatles – 1967
(Did Not Chart WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 18 times, Peak #12
BY THE NUMBERS: Six Beatles songs debuted on the chart in 1967, all as
singles or “B” sides.
21 Like a
Rolling Stone – Bob Dylan – 1965 (#3 WABC, #2 Nat’l) Top 77 – 19 times, Peak
#12
BY THE NUMBERS: 6:00. That’s the time of the song listed on the 45 rpm
label. It was one of the longest singles to chart up to that time in 1965.
20 *My Girl –
Temptations – 1965 (#4 WABC, #1 Nat’l) Top 77 – 20 times, Peak #3
BY THE NUMBERS: They would not have another #1 song until 1969 and “I Can’t
Get Next to You”.
19 *Hotel California
– Eagles – 1977 (#2 WABC, #1 Nat’l) Top 77 – 17 times, Peak #13
BY THE NUMBERS: This was a Grammy “Record of the Year”.
18 *She Loves You –
Beatles – 1964 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 21 times, Peak #4
BY THE NUMBERS: It was one of their six #1 songs in 1964.
17 *Be My Baby –
Ronettes – 1963 (#1 WABC, #2 Nat’l) Top 77 – 16 times, Peak #12
BY THE NUMBERS: Believe it or not, this was their only top 20 song.
16 *Cherish –
Association – 1966 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 17 times, Peak #14
BY THE NUMBERS: Both #1 hits by this group (the other was “Windy”) stayed on
the chart for 14 weeks.
15 God Only Knows –
Beach Boys – 1966 (Did Not Chart WABC, #39 Nat’l) Top 77 – 18 times, Peak #9
BY THE NUMBERS: In 1966, the other side of this record, “Wouldn’t It Be
Nice” was the hit, not this side.
14 Bohemian Rhapsody –
Queen – 1976 and 1992 (#3 WABC, #2 Nat’l) Top 77 – 13 times, Peak #14
BY THE NUMBERS: In two chart runs, the totals for this song - #9 in 1976 and
a total of 41 weeks in “76 and ’92.
13 *Let It Be – Beatles –
1970 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 20 times, Peak #4
BY THE NUMBERS: This was only one of two Beatles #1 records in which the
flip side did not chart. The other was “She Loves You”.
12 MacArthur Park –
Richard Harris – 1968 (#2 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 21 times, Peak 3
BY THE NUMBERS: Ten years after this song climbed to #2 and charted for 13
weeks, Donna Summer’s version did it one better, getting to #1 for three
weeks and staying on the top 100 for five months.
11 *Ain’t No Mountain High
Enough – Diana Ross – 1970 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 19 weeks, Peak #2
BY THE NUMBERS: At the time of its release, this was Diana’s biggest hit
since “Baby Love” with the Supremes, which stayed at #1 for 4 weeks, one
week longer than this song.
10 *Bridge Over Troubled
Water – Simon and Garfunkel – 1970 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) – Top 77 – 21 times,
Peak #5
BY THE NUMBERS: This song stayed at #1 for longer than any other Simon and
Garfunkel hit, six weeks.
9
*Good Vibrations – Beach Boys – 1966 (#4 WABC, Nat’l #1) Top 77 – 21
times, Peak #4
BY THE NUMBERS: After this hit, The Beach Boys would not make the top ten
again for another ten years, with “Rock and Roll Music”.
8
*Rag Doll – 4 Seasons – 1964 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 20 times,
Peak #1
BY THE NUMBERS: It would be 1976 before this group had another #1 song,
their final #1 song, “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night).
7
*Light My Fire – Doors – 1967 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) – Top 77 – 21
times, Peak #3
BY THE NUMBERS: After peaking at #1 for three weeks in the summer of 1967,
this song returned to the chart in 1968, but only made it to #87.
6
Stairway to Heaven (from “Led Zeppelin IV”) – Led Zeppelin – 1972
(Did Not Chart, WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 21 times, Peak #2
5
In the Still of the Night – Five Satins – 1956 (Pre-dates WABC, #24
Nat’l) Top 77 – 21 times, Peak #2
BY THE NUMBERS: 24…81…99. Those are the numbers the song peaked at when it
was released in 1956, 1960 and 1961.
4
*I Want to Hold Your Hand – Beatles – 1964 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77
– 21 times, Peak #4
BY THE NUMBERS: It was one of an incredible 32 titles to chart for The
Beatles in 1964.
3
*American Pie – Don McLean – 1972 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 21
times, Peak #3
BY THE NUMBERS: Don’s signature hit stayed on the top 100 for 19 weeks; his
second biggest hit, “Crying”, almost stayed on the top 100 as long, peaking
at #5 in 18 weeks.
2
*(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – Rolling Stones – 1965 (#1 WABC and
Nat’l) Top 77 – 21 times, Peak #2
BY THE NUMBERS: With six titles charting on the top 100 and one peaking
under #100, The Rolling Stones would never chart as many titles in any other
year.
1
*Hey Jude – Beatles – 1968 (#1 WABC and Nat’l) Top 77 – 21 times,
Peak #1 (20 out of 21 years)
BY THE NUMBERS – This monster hit stayed on the top 100 for 19 weeks, the
longest of any Beatles charted songs.
THERE YOU HAVE IT! THE 21st EDITION OF THE TOP 77 OF ALL TIME AS VOTED BY
YOU!
CONGRATULATIONS TO “HEY JUDE” FOR MAKING IT TO THE TOP FOR THE 20th TIME,
AND THANKS FOR VOTING!
Check back for details on how you can get your own copy of the Top 77!