The Lovin’ Spoonful held on to the top spot of Billboard’s Top 100 the week of August 23, 1966, for the third and final week, with ‘Summer in the City.’
At #2 that week was Bobby Hebb’s ‘Sunny,’ which peaked in that spot for two weeks. This track, written by Hebbs after the death of his brother in 1963, became an international hit for him and his only song to crack the Billboard Top 20.
Throwing back to the week of August 22, 1956, we find The Platters’ ‘My Prayer‘ hanging on to the top spot of the Billboard singles chart.
Tied for #2, where it would surprisingly peak on the Top 100, was Elvis Presley’s ‘Hound Dog.’ ‘Hound Dog‘ would top the ‘Best Sellers in Stores’ chart for a then-record 11 weeks, but it was outperformed by Presley’s ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ on the Top 100, which accounted for radio and jukebox play in addition to sales.
The two songs atop the Billboard Hot 100 the week of August 16, 1986, had reversed positions from the week before. Peter Cetera’s ‘Glory of Love‘ was now in the #2 spot while Madonna ascended to #1 with ‘Papa Don’t Preach.’
Looking up at them was former Go-Go’s lead singer Belinda Carlisle, whose debut single as a solo artist peaked at #3. ‘Mad About You’ was the first of three top five singles for Carlisle.
Throwing back to the week of August 15, 1976, we find Elton John and Kiki Dee atop the Billboard Hot 100 with ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,’ the song that claimed Billboard’s official Song of the Summer crown that year.
At #2 that week was ‘You Should Be Dancing’ by the Bee Gees, on its way to a single week atop the Hot 100. This song — and Children of the World, the album on which it appeared — marked the band’s shift to disco, a controversial but wildly successful move.
The Lovin’ Spoonful held the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 the week of August 9, 1969, with ‘Summer in the City,’ the folk rock band’s first and only #1 hit. This was also the most overtly rocking song they had released to that point.
Dropping in the middle of a record heat wave in New York City, ‘Summer in the City’ was the right song at the right time. It spent three weeks in the top spot and earned critical acclaim for its shifting keys and use of sound effects.
Meet Me In Montauk 