Over the years I have always thought that the two greatest years for music were 1965 and 1966. There was great variety in those years. How great it must have been then to listen to the radio. As far as the #1 hits go- 1965 was better than 1966 in my opinion but 1966 was very strong.
- 27. “The Ballad Of The Green Berets”- Barry Sadler
- 26. “Cherish”- The Association
- 25. “Westchester Cathedral”- The New Vaudeville Band
- 24.”Poor Side Of Town”- Johnny Rivers
- 23. “Lightenin’ Strikes”- Lou Christie
- 22. “My Love”-Petula Clark
- 21. “When A Man Loves A Woman’- Percy Sledge
- 20.” Strangers In The Night”- Frank Sinatra
- 19.”Hanky Panky”- Tommy James and The Shondells
- 18. “Soul And Inspiration”-The Righteous Brothers
- 17. “Last Train To Clarksville”- The Monkees
- 16. “You Keep Me Hangin’ On”- The Supremes
- 15. “These Boots Are Made For Walkin'”- Nancy Sinatra
- 14. “I’m A Believer”- The Monkees
- 13. “Monday, Monday”- Mama’s And The Papa’s
- 12.”You Can’t Hurry Love”- The Supremes
- 11.”Sunshine Superman”- Donovan
- 10. “Good Lovin’- The Young Rascals
- 9. “96 Tears”- ? And The Mysterians
- 8. “Wild Thing” The Troggs
- 7. “Summer In The City”- The Lovin’ Spoonful
- 6.”We Can Work It Out”- The Beatles
- 5. “The Sound Of Silence”- Simon And Garfunkel
- 4-“Paint It Black”- The Rolling Stones
- 3- ” Paperback Writer”- The Beatles
- 2- “Good Vibrations”- The Beach Boys
- 1. ” Reach Out I’ll Be There”- The Four Tops
slicethelife 
I agree that 1965 and 1966 were two of the greatest years for music, as well as the years 1967-72, 1982-88, and 2013-18. My top 5 songs of 1966 are:
1. California Dreamin’ – Mamas and the Papas (my #3 favorite song of all time)
2. The Sound of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel
3. Good Vibrations – The Beach Boys
4. Soul & Inspiration – The Righteous Brothers
5. Paint It, Black – The Rolling Stones
Those were all good eras- not sure about the last one 2013-2018 simply because I don’t have enough data- not a listener to new music then.
Then you should at least listen to my #1 songs. Not that all my choices are gonna appeal to you or anyone else, but at least you’d get more of a feel for current music.
Well what I am going to do is- after listening to all 30 songs- each week listen to the new additions that are added to the countdown.
Or, you could just listen to my 100 Best Songs of the 2010s post. https://eclecticmusiclover.com/2020/01/08/100-best-songs-of-the-2010s-100-1/
I loved reading your favs from 65 and 66. As a young teenager these songs were constantly playing on the radio. Great years, you bet… 🙂
I am jealous. The radio I grew up on was good- but those were the best!