This American Songwriter piece revisits four pop songs from 1966, a year often overshadowed by 1967's "Summer of Love" but which nonetheless produced a string of memorable chart hits recalled fondly by baby boomers. The article highlights how psychedelia was beginning to creep into mainstream pop even before its more famous 1967 peak, using these tracks as examples of the era's sound.

Each song is noted for its chart performance and background: "Red Rubber Ball" by The Cyrkle, co-written by Paul Simon, reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100; "96 Tears" by ? And The Mysterians topped several charts and became the band's only major hit; "Cherish" by The Association spent three weeks at No. 1; and "See You In September" by The Happenings reached No. 3, despite originating as a 1958 recording by The Tempos.