4 No. 1 Hits by Female Solo Artists From the Rock-Band-Dominated Year of 1967
Four female solo artists reached US No. 1 in 1967 despite rock groups dominating the charts.
– Nancy Sinatra shared the top spot with her father Frank on “Somethin’ Stupid”, a restrained father-daughter duet.
– Bobbie Gentry’s debut single “Ode to Billie Joe” succeeded with its Southern Gothic story and unresolved mystery.
– Aretha Franklin transformed Otis Redding’s “Respect” into a more forceful, rhythmically distinctive hit with feminist resonance.
– Lulu’s “To Sir With Love”, linked to the Sidney Poitier film in which she appeared, became her major US breakthrough.
- Four female solo artists topped US charts in 1967.
- Rock bands otherwise dominated the year’s No. 1 singles.
- Each hit succeeded through a distinct musical or film connection.