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Broadcasting, Music, Music Countdowns, Pop Music, Radio, Retro Rock, Rock Music

1966 Sensational Singles 

Last month, I started reading about the Beach Boys album “Pet Sounds” on the 60th anniversary of that legendary vinyl record’s release. (May 16, 1966). It is one of my favorite albums from the 20th century.  

After exploring information on the Brian Wilson/Beach Boys musical masterpiece, I did a deep drive into the Beatles’ “Revolver” album that was released almost 3 months after “Pet Sounds.” (August 5, 1966).   

The 1966 groundbreaking recording project by the Beatles is among my favorite Fab Four studio albums by the British band.  As I listened to both “Pet Sounds” and Revolver” on that Mid-May day last month, I wanted to find out more about the biggest Top 40 hits of 60 years ago. 

My inquiry on the topic of outstanding 1966 singles has resulted in this month’s musical musings article: I will be counting down what I consider to be the 20 best Top 40 radio hits from 1966. 

In preparation for writing this article, I needed to educate myself on the biggest radio hit singles from 60 years ago.  I had a limited knowledge of music from that year as I was only 10 at the beginning of 1966 and turned 11 in May. 

However, I wasn’t totally devoid of musical trends in 1966 when I was a student in the fourth and fifth grades at Oakland Elementary School in Roanoke. I remember multiple conversations with some of my classmates on individual songs that we liked during recess times and on school bus rides.  

While I didn’t fully embrace listening to Top 40 radio until 1967, I do remember listening to WROV 1240 AM Roanoke, Virginia which was in my hometown. My parents bought a large RCA stereo console cabinet sometime during 1966, and I fondly remember hearing WROV that year.  

The two WROV DJs that I remember from 60 years ago are Jack Fisher and Fred Frelantz.  

Above is an audio recording of the Fisher/Frelantz show on WROV, March 25, 1966. This aircheck provided by the WROV History online website/Pat Garrett. 

I do have some other random memories of songs that I liked during 1966. 

  • “Eleanor Rigby” and “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles. The group from Liverpool, England became my favorite band when I first discovered Top 40 radio. 
  •  “Secret Agent Man” by Johnny Rivers. During the summer of ‘66, my dad regularly watched a replacement TV show called “Secret Agent” starring Patrick McGoohan. I watched this program with my father, and it featured Rivers’ tune as the theme song.   
  • “(Theme Song) The Monkees.”  Starting in September ‘66, I would watch the musical sitcom TV show called “The Monkees” every Monday evening. As soon as the program ended each week, my mother would send me directly to bed. 
  •  In August ‘66, my family went camping near Charlottesville, Virginia, and this facility had a swimming pool.  We went swimming for 3 consecutive days and I heard the following songs below multiple times on the jukebox each day while we were on vacation:      
  • Hanky Panky—Tommy James & the Shondells 
  • Lil’ Red Riding Hood—Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs  
  • Working in a Coal Mine—Lee Dorsey  
  • Wild Thing—The Troggs      
  • “Monday Monday” by the Mamas and the Papas. When this was a hit in the fall of ‘66, I would sing this song to myself on Monday mornings before I had to catch a bus for school. And I would change the lyrics by singing, “Monday, Monday, can’t stand that day.” 
  • “Gary Lewis & the Playboys Greatest Hits.”  I received this album as a gift for Christmas from my next-door neighbor Sandy and discovered all the top 40 hits by Lewis and his band.  “Sure Gonna Miss Her”, “Green Grass” and “She’s Just My Style” were all top 10 hits for this band in 1966. 
  • “These Boots Are Made for Walking” album by Nancy Sinatra. My parents gave me this LP as a Christmas gift as the blonde singer with her walking boots was my first musical artist crush. The title track on Sinatra’s album was my #1 favorite song of 1966. 

For the remaining portion of this message, I will be focusing on what I consider to be the 20 best singles from 1966.   

My countdown of songs is purely based upon Billboard’s Year-End Hot 100 Singles chart of 1966. Any song not listed on the Billboard survey was excluded for consideration on my countdown.    

All documentation of the chart positions that I share below comes from “The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits” by Joel Whitburn. I proudly own a hard copy of this excellent reference manual, which I consider to be the “bible” handbook for music history with Top 40 radio. 

As I put together the listing of best 1966 singles, please note that the countdown is entirely based on my opinions. My selections are songs that I deem to be culturally, historically, aesthetically significant, meaningful, or relevant. 

Before starting the countdown of best 1966 singles, I am sharing other outstanding hits from 1966 that didn’t make the cut. 

First off are ten singles that failed to make the Billboard Year-end top 100 Songs of 1966 list, but every song reached #20 or higher on the Billboard Hot 100 chart 60 years ago. 

  • Opus 17 (Don’t You Worry ‘bout Me)–The Four Seasons 
  • I Saw Her Again—The Mamas and the Papas 
  • Hold On I’m Coming—Sam and Dave 
  • Mr. Dieingly Sad—The Critters  
  • A Taste of Honey—Herb Alpert & the Tiuana Brass  
  • The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore)–The Walker Brothers  
  • Stop Stop Stop—The Hollies 
  • A Hazy Shade of Winter—Simon & Garfunkel  
  • Eight Miles High—The Byrds 
  • Sunny Afternoon—The Kinks 

Songs that I considered for the countdown but fell outside the top 20. These selections are random and not ranked: 

  • Shapes of Things—The Yardbirds 
  • Just Like Me—Paul Revere & the Raiders  
  • My World is Empty Without You—The Supremes 
  • Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind—The Lovin’ Spoonful  
  • Ain’t Too Proud to Beg—The Temptations 
  • Sloop John B—The Beach Boys 
  • Nowhere Man—The Beatles 
  • Daydream—The Lovin’ Spoonful  
  • You Can’t Hurry Love—The Supremes 
  • Paint It Black—The Rolling Stones 
  • Beauty is Only Skin Deep—The Temptations 
  • Hungry—Paul Revere & the Raiders  
  • See You in September—The Happenings  
  • My Love—Petula Clark  
  • Time Won’t Let Me—The Outsiders   
  • Day Tripper—The Beatles  
  • Green Grass—Gary Lewis & the Playboys  
  • Psychotic Reaction—Count Five  
  • A Well Respected Man—The Kinks  
  • Five O’ Clock World—The Vogues  

Without further ado, my 1966 best singles countdown begins: 

20.  Bus Stop—The Hollies 

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #5 Hot 100, 45th Biggest Song of 1966  

First top 10 hit for the British band in the U.S.  Alan Clarke had lead vocals while Graham Nash and Tony Hicks performed backup harmonies on tune. 

19.  Last Train to Clarksville—The Monkees  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 6th Biggest Songs of 1966  

Debut single by the Monkees. Song co-written by Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart. It was the first of three #1 hits for the pop rock group on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. 

18.  I Am a Rock—Simon & Garfunkel   

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #3 Hot 100, 42nd Biggest Song of 1966  

Originally, this song was an acoustic recording on “The Words and Music of Paul Simon” solo album in 1965. The single version added electric instruments and vocals by Art Garfunkel. 

17.  When a Man Loves a Woman—Percy Sledge  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 31st Biggest Song of 1966  

Percy Sledge was born in Alabama. Between 1966 and 1968, the R&B/Soul singer had five Top 40 hits. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. 

16.  Reach Out I’ll Be There—The Four Tops   

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 4th Biggest Song of 1966  

The Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs had a powerful vocal delivery on this Motown classic tune. It is the signature song by the Detroit, Michigan quartet.   

15. (You’re My) Soul and Inspiration—The Righteous Brothers  

Positions of Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 12th Biggest Song of 1966 

This blue-eyed soul ballad has outstanding instrumentation. It became the pop duo’s third top 5 smash after “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” and “Unchained Melody” were hits in the mid 60s. 

14.  What Becomes of the Brokenhearted—Jimmy Ruffin  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #7 Hot 100, 12th Biggest Songs of 1966  

This soul ballad about the misery of heartbreak was one of Motown’s most beloved hits during the 60s.  It is Jimmy Ruffin’s signature song. 

13.   We Can Work It Out—The Beatles  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 16th Biggest Song of 1966  

Co-written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. From the “Rubber Soul” album. Song was issued as a Double-A-Sided 45-rpm single with “Day Tripper.” 

12.   Cherish—The Association  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 7th Biggest Songs of 1966  

Superb harmonies on this smooth sunshine pop ballad. Terry Kirkman of the Association wrote and sang lead vocals on the song about unrequited love.  

11.   Walk Away Renee—The Left Banke   

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #5 Hot 100, 40th Biggest Song of 1966 

Baroque rock band formed in New York City. The tune employs a harpsichord, a flute, and multiple string instruments. Strong vocal harmonies throughout the melodic song. 

10.   The Sounds of Silence—Simon & Garfunkel  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 54th Biggest Song 1966  

The folk-rock duo’s first #1 hit was written by Paul Simon. It was first recorded as an acoustic tune in 1964. A year later a new version of the song added electric instruments for the single. 

9.    Good Vibrations—The Beach Boys  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 33rd Biggest Single of 1966  

This 45-rpm single was produced and composed by Brian Wilson with lyrics from Mike Love. Considered among the most influential recordings of the 20th century blending pop, rock and psychedelia. 

8.    Poor Side of Town—Johnny Rivers  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 18th Biggest Song of 1966  

Co-written by Johnny Rivers and Lou Adler.  This pop ballad had a strong orchestral sound with string and brass instruments. It is the signature song for the singer-songwriter and musician.  

7.    This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)—The Isley Brothers  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #12 Hot 100, 98th Biggest Song of 1966 

The Isley Brothers song was their only major hit on the Motown record label. Ronald Isley delivered an emotional vocal performance on the up-tempo groove.  

6.     Homeward Bound—Simon & Garfunkel   

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #5 Hot 100, 56th Biggest Songs of 1966  

The third Simon & Garfunkel song on the countdown. From the “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme” album. Paul Simon wrote this ode at a railway station in England during 1964. 

5.    Paperback Writer—The Beatles   

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 28th Biggest Song of 1966  

This psychedelic pop-rock song was originally released as a standalone non-album 45-rpm single.” Paperback Writer” became a record bridge between “Nowhere Man” and the Double-A-Sided “Yellow Submarine/Eleanor Rigby” hits. 

4.    Kicks—Paul Revere & the Raiders   

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #4 Hot 100, 9th Biggest Song of 1966 

Mark Lindsay was the lead singer on the biggest hit by this American rock band. With a catchy melody and superb guitar riff, “Kicks” is considered the first U.S. top 40 hit that featured an anti-drug message.  

3.    Wouldn’t It Be Nice—The Beach Boys  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #8 Hot 100, 97th Biggest Song of 1966  

From the legendary “Pet Sounds” album by the Beach Boys. Band member Brian Wilson produced this progressive pop-rock masterpiece, as he hired session musicians to play 18 different instruments on the track. I rate “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” as the #1 best sunshine pop single from the 60s. 

2.    Summer in the City—The Lovin’ Spoonful  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 35th Biggest Single of 1966  

The only number 1 hit single for John Sebastian and the Lovin’ Spoonful in the U.S.  The hard driving, up-tempo tune utilized many sound-effects such as car horns and a jackhammer tool to mimic city noises. I rank “Summer in the City” as my second favorite summer song of all time.  

1.    California Dreamin’—The Mamas & the Papas  

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #4 Hot 100, #1 Biggest Song of 1966 

My number 1 single of 1966 was written by John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas (M&P). It became a popular song among many counterculture young folks and a prime example of folk-rock music that originated in Southern California during the mid 60s. 

It is interesting that this (M&P) single peaked only at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 but is ranked by the magazine as the #1 biggest hit of 1966. Harmonies on this sunshine pop gem are superb. Without a doubt, I rate “California Dreamin’” as the #1 best single of 1966. 

That wraps up what I consider to be my favorite and best singles for 1966.  I completely understand that my listing of songs in this category was written from my own point of view and is subjective.   

If you were creating a similar register of outstanding 1966 Top 40 hits, your tabulation may be totally different. What do you consider to be the best-preeminent singles from 60 years ago?  I hope you will comment below.  

Mick Jagger opened the Rolling Stones 1966 hit “Mother’s Little Helper” with these lyrics: “What a drag it is getting old.”  Well, Jagger is still living 60 years later at age 82 and can still enjoy music as an elderly man. 

While I don’t share Jagger’s sentiments on aging, I am grateful to God for being alive and still having the opportunity to enjoy listening to my favorite 1966 singles here in 2026. Rock on!  

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Broadcasting, Music, Music Countdowns, Pop Music, Radio, Retro Rock

Sweet Saxophone Songs from Top 40 Golden Age

Without a doubt, my favorite instrument is a saxophone.  There just seems to be something magical for me whenever I hear a sax played in a song or tune, no matter what type of musical genre that is being presented.

Up until a few years ago, I had never analyzed why I loved certain songs during my youth. Then around the turn of the 21st century, I realized the common denominator with many of my beloved songs was the saxophone.

With this music blog message, I will be counting down what I consider to be my favorite songs featuring the saxophone. My selections are mostly tunes that I treasured when I was a teenager or as a young adult and I still love these songs in 2024.

My listing of superb sax songs all became hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the golden age of top 40 radio.  Obviously, that means that outstanding jazz ensembles, classical masterworks, and any other genre of music outside of pop, rock and soul, are excluded with this message.

To avoid any confusion, here are the criteria that I used to narrow down my listing of outstanding sax songs:

  • My selections were aired on Top 40 radio between the years 1965 and 1985.
  • Only songs released as 45-rpm singles are listed.
  • No album tracks used on countdown.
  • Saxophone needs to be prominently heard in a song.
  • Lead sax solos on instrumental breaks on songs with lyrical singing.
  • Countdown songs peaked at #40 or higher on the Billboard Hot 100.

Some groups that feature horn sections are not included in countdown:  Blood Sweat & Tears, Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago and Tower of Power.  All of these groups utilize saxophones, trumpets and trombones, but the sound of the sax generally isn’t elevated or distinguished among various brass instruments.

“25 or 6 to 4” by Chicago is an outstanding example of a saxophone being played in a song but the sax playing simply blends in with the other instruments and is not noticeable or pronounced on the tune.

As I surveyed the prominent sax hits, the countdown is entirely based on my opinions. My selections are songs that I deem to be culturally, historically, aesthetically significant, meaningful or relevant.

Before I start the sax countdown, I am sharing some other first-class saxophone songs in a couple of different categories. I am a fan of all of the extra songs that didn’t make my favorite sax songs all-time listing.

Songs played on Top 40 and AOR (album-oriented-radio) stations but not released as 45-rpm singles:

  • Turn the Page—Bob Seger
  • Us & Them—Pink Floyd
  • Scenes From an Italian Restaurant—Billy Joel
  • Jungleland—Bruce Springsteen
  • Bad to the Bone—George Thorogood & the Destroyers
  • Back in Time—Huey Lewis & the News
  • Moondance—Van Morrison
  • Can’t You Hear Me Knocking—The Rolling Stones

This next group are songs that I considered for the sax countdown but fell outside of my top 20 selections. Singles are not ranked and are placed in a random order:

  • Frankenstein—Edgar Winter Group
  • The One Thing—INXS
  • Time Passages—Al Stewart
  • Just the Two of Us—Grover Washington Jr. & Bill Withers
  • Careless Whisper—George Michael & Wham!
  • Whatever Gets You Thru the Night—John Lennon featuring Elton John
  • Who Can It Be Now—Men at Work
  • It’s Still Rock & Roll to Me—Billy Joel
  • Young Americans—David Bowie
  • Rio—Duran Duran
  • Urgent—Foreigner
  • The Letter—Joe Cocker
  • Heart to Heart—Kenny Loggins
  • I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)—Hall and Oates
  • Caribbean Queen—Billy Ocean
  • Freeway of Love—Aretha Franklin
  • Get It Right Next Time—Gerry Rafferty
  • Let’s Dance—David Bowie
  • On the Dark Side—John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band
  • You Belong to Me—Carly Simon
  • Long As I Can See the Light—Creedence Clearwater Revival
  • Waiting on a Friend—The Rolling Stones
  • Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)—Marvin Gaye
  • Ooo Baby Baby—Linda Ronstadt
  • The Heat is On—Glenn Frye
  • Harden My Heart—Quarterflash
  • Opus 17 (Don’t You Worry ‘Bout Me)—The Four Seasons
  • True—Spandau Ballet
  • Same Old Lang Syne—Dan Fogelberg
  • You Belong to the City—Glenn Frey
  • You’re a Friend of Mine—Clarence Clemons and Jackson Browne
  • Miracles—Jefferson Starship

Without further ado, here is my top saxophone songs countdown:

20.  Smooth Operator—Sade: 1985

Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 AC, #5 Hot 100, 62nd Biggest Song of 1985

Co-written by Sade Adu and Ray St John. Saxophone artist Stuart Matthewman. From Sade debut album “Diamond Life.”  Smooth jazz/R&B/pop. First top ten hit for Sade in the U.S.

19.  Respect—Aretha Franklin: 1967

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Hot 100, 13th Biggest Song of 1967

Written by Otis Redding. Saxophone artists: King Curtis and Willie Bridges. From “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You” album. Signature song for Franklin. Ranked the #1 best song of all-time by Rolling Stone.

18.  The Heart of Rock & Roll—Huey Lewis & the News: 1984

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #5 Hot 100, #4 Album Rock Tracks, 44th Biggest Song of 1984.

Co-written by Huey Lewis and Johnny Colla. Saxophone artist Johnny Colla. The 2nd of 4 top ten hits from 1983 “Sports” album. Pop/rock.  Features excellent horn section.

17.  Just the Way You Are—Billy Joel: 1978

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 AC, #3 Hot 100, 17th Biggest Song of 1978

Written by Billy Joel. Saxophone artist Phil Woods. From album “The Stranger.”  Pop ballad/smooth jazz. Received two Grammy Awards for “Record of the Year” and “Song of the Year” in 1979.

16.  Modern Love—David Bowie: 1983

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #6 Mainstream Rock Tracks, #14 Hot 100

Written by David Bowie. Saxophone artists: Robert Aaron, Stan Harrison and Steve Elson. From the “Let’s Dance” album. Produced by Nile Rodgers. Video of song was a top MTV clip.

15.  Money—Pink Floyd: 1973

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #13, Hot 100, #6 Mainstream Rock Tracks

Written by Roger Waters. Saxophone artist Dick Parry. From legendary 1973 “The Dark Side of the Moon” album. Outstanding chord progression on tune. First top 40 hit for Pink Floyd.

14.  Deacon Blues—Steely Dan: 1978

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #19 Hot 100, 100th Biggest Song of 1978

Co-written by Walter Becker and Donald Fagen. Saxophone artist: Pete Christlieb. From “Aja” album. Jazz rock. Considered a core yacht rock song. Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour provide superb guitar playing on tune.

13.  Fortress Around Your Heart—Sting: 1985

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Top Rock Tracks, #8 Hot 100, 95th Biggest Song of 1985

Written by Sting. Saxophone artist Branford Marsalis. Third hit single from “The Dream of the Blue Turtles” album. Rock, pop and jazz. Melodic tune and melancholy lyrics are featured on this song.

12.  Brown Sugar—The Rolling Stones: 1971

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1, Hot 100, 18th Biggest Song of 1971

Co-written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. Saxophone artist: Bobby Keys. From “Sticky Fingers” album. Up tempo blues rock. Recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Sheffield, Alabama.

11.  Jazzman—Carole King: 1974

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #1 Ac, #2 Hot 100, 42nd Biggest Song of 1974

Co-written by Carole King and David Palmer. Saxophone artist Tom Scott. From the “Wrap Around Joy” album. Pop/jazz. King has been quoted stating that saxophonist Curtis Amy was the inspiration of her ode for a jazz man.

10.   Overkill—Men at Work: 1983

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts: #3 Hot 100, #3 Mainstream Rock Tracks, 54th Biggest Song of 1983

Written by Colin Hay. Saxophone artist Greg Ham, member of Men at Work. From “Cargo” album.  Third consecutive single by Australian band to reach #3 or higher on Billboard Hot 100. My second favorite single of 1983.

9.    What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)—Jr. Walker & the All Stars: 1969

Peak Positions on Billboard Charts:  #1 Soul, #4 Hot 100, 20th Biggest Song of 1969

Co-written by Johnny Bristol, Harvey Furqua and Vernon Bullock. Saxophone artist Junior Walker. From the “Home Cookin’” album. The Funk Brothers and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra played on tune. It was the number 1 biggest soul single of 1969, according to Billboard.

8.    The Logical Song—Supertramp: 1979

Peak Position on Billboard Charts: #6 Hot 100, 27th Biggest Song of 1979

Written by Roger Hodgson. Saxophone artist John Helliwell. From the “Breakfast in America” album. Progressive pop rock. Biggest hit single for the British band.  My second favorite single of 1979.

7.     Touch Me—The Doors: 1969

Peak Position on Cash Box and Billboard Charts:  #1 Top 100 Singles (C), #3 Hot 100 (B), 49th Biggest Song of 1969 (B)

Written by Robby Krieger. Saxophone artist Curtis Amy. From “The Soft Parade” album. Progressive pop rock. One of the first top 40 hits that included a jazz solo. Paul Harris provided orchestral arrangements on song.

6..    Year of the Cat—Al Stewart: 1977

Peak Positions on Cash Box and Billboard Charts: #4 Top 100 Singles (C), #8 Hot 100 (B), 92nd Biggest Song of 1977.

Co-written by Al Stewart and Peter Wood. Saxophone artist Phil Kenzie. From the “Year of the Cat” album. Progressive pop and classic yacht rock tune.  My 3rd favorite single of 1977.

5.     It Don’t Come Easy—Ringo Starr: 1971

Peak Positions on Cash Box and Billboard Charts: #1 Top 100 Singles (C), #4 Hot 100 (B), 43rd Biggest Song of 1971

Written by Richard Starkey (and uncredited to George Harrison). Saxophone artist Ron Cattermole. This first solo hit by the former Beatle didn’t appear on a Ringo Starr album until 1975’s “Blast From Your Past” LP. Produced by George Harrison. My second favorite single of 1971.

4.     Sir Duke—Stevie Wonder: 1977

Peak Positions on the Billboard Charts: #1 Hot 100, #1 R&B/Soul, 18th Biggest Song of 1977.

Written by Stevie Wonder. Saxophone artist Trevor Lawrence. From the “Songs in the Key of Life” album.  Lyrics are a tribute to Sir Duke Ellington, jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his own renowned jazz orchestra. My second favorite single of 1977.

3.     What’s Going On—Marvin Gaye

Peak Positions of Billboard Charts: #2 Hot 100, #2 Soul, 21st Biggest Song of 1971

Co-written by Marvin Gaye, Al Cleveland and Renaldo Benson. Saxophone artist Eli Fountain. From the “What’s Going On” album. Signature song by Marvin Gaye. My #1 favorite single of 1971 and my third most-esteemed Motown song of all-time.

2.     Born to Run—Bruce Springsteen: 1975

Peak Positions on Cash Box and Billboard Charts: #17 Top 100 Singles (C), #23 Hot 100 (B)

Written by Bruce Springsteen. Saxophone artist Clarence Clemons. From the ‘Born to Run” album.  Signature song by Bruce Springsteen.  My #1 favorite single of 1975 and the best song that I played on WROV Roanoke 49 years ago.

  1. Baker Street—Gerry Raffety: 1978

Peak Positions on Cash Box and Billboard Charts: #1 Top 100 Singles (C), #2 Hot 100 (B), 26th Biggest Song of 1978 (B)

Written by Gerry Rafferty.  Saxophone artist: Raphael Ravenscroft.  From the “City to City” album. Signature song by Gerry Rafferty. My second most-loved yacht rock song and #1 favorite single for 1978. “Baker Street” is definitely my top pick with this countdown of most-beloved sax songs.

That wraps up what I consider to be my favorite and best sax hits. I completely understand that my listing of songs in this category was written from my point of view and is subjective.

If you were creating a similar register of excellent sax hits, your tabulation may be totally different. What do you consider to be best preeminent saxophone singles?  I hope you will comment below.

Listening to music from the golden age of Top 40 radio will always have a special place in my heart.  I still cherish and fondly remember my favorite sax superfine singles of all-time. Rock on!

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