The Top 100 Songs of 1965: #30-21

We have told you that 18 songs from 1965 are strong enough to have made The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*.  Here, then, are some of the songs from the year just outside the list.  Another million in sales or another million in airplay might just be what these songs need to make the elite list.  Strong songs all:

#30:

 
  Game Of Love

Mindbenders

This group from Manchester, England would go on the following year to score a huge hit with the original version of "A Groovy Kind Of Love".  Here they are with their debut hit which went all the way to #1.

#29:

  Eve Of Destruction

Barry McGuire

This pessimistic prediction of the future by a former member of the New Christy Minstrels also gave Barry McGuire a #1 smash in his first solo effort.  It was formerly a member of The Top 500 Songs Club* but has faded a bit.

#28:

  You Were On My Mind

We Five

Here's one of the great One-Hit Wonders* of all-time led by lead singer Beverly Bivens and Mike Stewart, the brother of John Stewart (of the Kingston Trio who scored a big 1979 solo hit--"Gold").  It soared to #3 on the Popular chart and #1 Adult.

#27:

  Like A Rolling Stone

Bob Dylan

This legend scored his biggest career hit in 1965 with a song which features Al Kooper on organ.  Kooper would go on to form Blood, Sweat & Tears later in the decade.

#26:

 
  A Lover's Concerto

Toys

At #26 for the year, another group that scored a #2 smash of three weeks but would never find the Top 10 again.  They aren't a One-Hit Wonder*, however, as their follow-up single, "Attack", reached #18 the following year.  Classical music buffs will recognize the melody--it is adapted from Bach's Minuet.

#25:

   
Wooly Bully 
Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs

Here's another song formerly in The Top 500 Songs*.  Formed in Dallas, Texas earlier in the decade, lead singer Domingo "Sam" Samudio later became a street preacher.

#24:

  This Diamond Ring

Gary Lewis & the Playboys

The lead singer of this group, born as Cary Levitch, had his name changed at age two; he is the son of comedian Jerry Lewis.  The band scored four big hits that are amongst The Top Songs of 1965* in their first year in the business.  Lewis & the Playboys would go on to extend that streak to seven Top 10 songs in a row to become one of The Top Artists Out of the Gate* in the Rock Era.

#23:

   Hang On Sloopy

McCoys

The McCoys were still in high school when they were discovered. Song #23 features a young singer/guitarist who would enjoy a solo hit nine years later.  The styles of the two songs are completely different; the solo hit by Rick Derringer was "Rock And Roll, Hoochie Koo".

#22:

I Hear A Symphony

Supremes

This supergroup from Detroit landed eight songs in The Top 500* for the Rock Era and rank as The #6 Female Artist of the Rock Era*.  Here's one that is ever so close to the elite 500.

#21:

 
  Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter

Herman's Hermits

Here's another act from Manchester, one of many who enjoyed success after the Beatles from Liverpool paved the way for British acts the year before.  We learned that Gary Lewis & the Playboys enjoyed four hits in 1965 to finish the year as one of the top acts of the year.  This group did them one better--they score five hits in The Top 100 of 1965*.