96 Tears - wikipedia 96 Tears `` 96 Tears '' Cover of the 1966 Italy single Single by ? and the Mysterians from the album 96 Tears B - side `` Midnight Hour '' Released August 1966 ( 1966 ) Format 7 '' Recorded 1966 Genre Garage rock pop rock psychedelic rock Length 2 : 56 Label Pa - Go - Go Cameo - Parkway Songwriter ( s ) Rudy Martinez Producer ( s ) Rudy Martinez ? and the Mysterians singles chronology `` 96 Tears '' ( 1966 ) `` I Need Somebody '' ( 1966 ) `` 96 Tears '' ( 1966 ) `` I Need Somebody '' ( 1966 ) Audio sample file help `` 96 Tears '' is a song recorded by the American garage rock band ? and the Mysterians in 1966 ( see 1966 in music ). In October of that year, it was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. and on the RPM 100 in Canada. Billboard ranked the record as the number five song for 1966. It is ranked number 213 on the Rolling Stone list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. On November 11, 1966, the single was certified as gold by the RIAA. The song was written by Question Mark ( Rudy Martinez ) in 1962 in his manager 's living room, and was recorded in Bay City, Michigan. At first, Question Mark had to insist that `` 96 Tears '' be the A-side over `` Midnight Hour ''. Once the issue was settled, the band recorded the single for the small Pa - Go - Go label, owned by Lilly Gonzalez. She backed the band financially, and allowed access to her personal studio in her basement. When it began doing well locally, the band took a recording to Bob Dell, the radio director in Flint, Michigan. The song became the most requested, and wider radio play spread into Canada, where it was picked up by Cameo Records for national distribution. Various reports have suggested that Question Mark first wrote the song under the name `` Too Many Teardrops '' and then `` 69 Tears '', but then changed the title, fearing that radio stations would n't play the song. However, Question Mark denied this in an interview, stating that the number 96 has a deep philosophical meaning for him. Known for its signature organ licks and bare - bones lyrics, `` 96 Tears '' is recognized as one of the first garage band hits, and has even been given credit for starting the punk rock movement. The song appeared on the band 's album 96 Tears. The follow - up song, `` I Need Somebody '', peaked at number 22 later that year, but no other U.S. Top 40 singles followed. Personnel Rudy Martinez ( Question Mark ) -- lead vocals Frank Rodriguez -- Vox Continental organ Bobby Balderrama -- lead guitar Frank Lugo -- bass guitar Eddie Serrato -- drums Other versions Big Maybelle released a version of the song as a single in 1967 that reached # 23 on the US R&B chart and # 96 on the US pop chart. Aretha Franklin released a version of the song on her second Atlantic studio album `` Aretha Arrives '' in 1967. ( Costa Rican garage band The Thunderboys recorded a version for CBS Indica Records in 1967 Motown singer Jimmy Ruffin recorded the song in 1966, produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier, and it appeared on his 1969 album Ruff ' N ' Ready Shane Martin released a version of the song along with Black is Black on his 1968 45 on Columbia Records. The Music Explosion released a version of the song on their 1967 debut album, Little Bit O'Soul. Thelma Houston released a version of the song as a single in 1981 that reached # 22 on the US dance chart and # 76 on the US R&B chart. The Modern Lovers released a version of the song on their Album Live at the Longbranch and More. Garland Jeffreys released a version of the song as a single and track from his album `` Escape Artist '' in 1981 that reached # 5 on the US rock chart, # 66 on the US pop chart, and # 75 on the US dance chart. The Stranglers released a version that reached No. 17 in the UK Singles Chart in 1990. Eddie and the Hot Rods released a version of the song on the 2000 re-issue of their album, Teenage Depression. Primal Scream included a version of the song on the 2009 expanded edition of their 1997 Album Vanishing Point. Suicide recorded it the live album 211⁄2 Minutes in Berlin / 23 Minutes in Brussels. Another live version, recorded at CBGB, was included on re-issued copies of their self - titled, debut album. The Bonne Villes released a version in 1967 on the Justice record label. Available on Bringing it Home ( 1997 ) and Green Crystal Ties, Volume 3 : Gloria Meets 96 Tears ( 1998 ), both Collectables Records. The Fuzztones included a version of the song on the 2013 album Snake Oil. Punk Rock bands X and The Cramps both reference the song, including allusions to `` 96 Tears '' in the lyrics to `` Johnny Hit and Run Paulene '' and `` Human Fly '', respectively. References Jump up ^ Bill Dahl ( 28 February 2011 ). Motown : The Golden Years : More than 100 rare photographs. Krause Publications. p. 300. ISBN 1 - 4402 - 2783 - 7. Retrieved 16 October 2015. Jump up ^ Nielsen Business Media, Inc. ( 8 November 1997 ). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 68. ISSN 0006 - 2510. Retrieved 16 October 2015. Jump up ^ Gary Hartman ( 8 March 2008 ). The History of Texas Music. Texas A&M University Press. p. 207. ISBN 978 - 1 - 60344 - 002 - 8. Retrieved 16 October 2015. Jump up ^ Tom Moon ( 28 August 2008 ). 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die. Workman Publishing Company. p. 806. ISBN 978 - 0 - 7611 - 5385 - 6. Retrieved 16 October 2015. Jump up ^ Question Mark & the Mysterians, `` 96 Tears '' US chart position Retrieved July 1, 2015 Jump up ^ Question Mark & the Mysterians, `` 96 Tears '' Canadian chart position. Retrieved July 1, 2015 Jump up ^ Billboard Year - End Hot 100 singles of 1966 Jump up ^ `` RIAA Gold & Platinum Searchable Database -- 96 Tears ''. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved October 16, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Question Mark Bio ''. pharaohweb.com. Jump up ^ `` The Making of 96 Tears ''. vice.com. Jump up ^ `` Question ''. classicbands.com. Jump up ^ `` 96 Tears by ? & the Mysterians ''. songfacts.com. Jump up ^ Fred Bronson ( October 1, 2003 ). Billboard Book of Number One Hits ( 5th ed. ). Billboard Books U.S. p. ?. ISBN 978 - 0823076772. Jump up ^ Question Mark & the Mysterians, chart positions Retrieved July 1, 2015 Jump up ^ `` Question Mark : Library of Congress copyright registrations indicate that his birth name is Rudy Martinez ''. 96tears.net. Retrieved 2014 - 04 - 08. Jump up ^ Big Maybelle, `` 96 Tears '' chart positions Retrieved July 1, 2015 Jump up ^ https://www.discogs.com/Aretha-Franklin-Aretha-Arrives/release/576339 Retrieved November 3, 2016 Jump up ^ ( 1 ) Retrieved June 30, 2015 Jump up ^ The Music Explosion, Little Bit O ' Soul Retrieved June 30, 2015 Jump up ^ Thelma Houston, `` 96 Tears '' chart positions Retrieved July 1, 2015 Jump up ^ Garland Jeffreys, `` 96 Tears '' chart positions Retrieved July 1, 2015 Jump up ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/escape-artist-mw0000310354 Retrieved November 3, 2016 Jump up ^ Roberts, David ( 2006 ). British Hit Singles & Albums ( 19th ed. ). London : Guinness World Records Limited. p. 535. ISBN 1 - 904994 - 10 - 5. Jump up ^ Eddie and the Hot Rods, Teenage Depression Retrieved June 23, 2016. Jump up ^ http://www.lysergia.com/LamaWorkshop/lamaJustice.htm Jump up ^ http://www.allmusic.com/album/bringing-it-home-mw0000596911 Thelma Houston Studio albums Sunshower Thelma Houston ( 1972 ) I 've Got the Music in Me Any Way You Like It Thelma & Jerry The Devil in Me Two to One Ready to Roll Ride to the Rainbow Reachin ' All Around Breakwater Cat Never Gonna Be Another One Thelma Houston ( 1983 ) Qualifying Heat Throw You Down Thelma Houston ( 1994 ) A Woman 's Touch Collaboration albums Tore Down House Well to the Bone Associated albums Good News in Hard Times Soundtracks The Bingo Long Traveling All - Stars & Motor Kings Thank God It 's Friday Into the Night Lean on Me 54 Singles `` Baby Mine '' `` Jumpin ' Jack Flash '' `` Save the Country '' `` Me and Bobby McGee '' `` Do n't Leave Me This Way '' `` Love Machine '' `` Suspicious Minds '' `` 96 Tears '' `` You Used to Hold Me So Tight '' `` Moonlight Serenade '' `` My Lucille '' `` Lean on Me '' `` Let It Be '' Related articles Fame Divas of Disco Jerry Butler Scott Henderson Sisters of Glory Book : Thelma Houston The Stranglers Jet Black Jean - Jacques Burnel Dave Greenfield Baz Warne Hugh Cornwell Hans Wärmling Paul Roberts John Ellis Studio albums Rattus Norvegicus No More Heroes Black and White The Raven The Gospel According to the Meninblack La folie Feline Aural Sculpture Dreamtime 10 Stranglers in the Night About Time Written in Red Coup de Grace Norfolk Coast Suite XVI Giants Live albums Live at the Hope and Anchor Live ( X Cert ) All Live and All of the Night Saturday Night, Sunday Morning The Stranglers and Friends -- Live in Concert Friday the Thirteenth Live at the Hammersmith Odeon ' 81 Live at the Apollo Apollo Revisited Coast to Coast : Live on Tour Live at the Apollo 2010 ( DVD & CD ) Compilations IV The Collection 1977 -- 1982 Off the Beaten Track Rarities ( 1998 ) Singles ( The UA Years ) Greatest Hits 1977 -- 1990 The Early Years ' 74 ' 75 ' 76 Rare Live and Unreleased Strangled from Birth and Beyond The Sessions The Hit Men The Collection Collection Hits Collection The Stranglers The Masters Lies and Deception Peaches : The Very Best of The Stranglers Rarities ( 2002 ) Out of the Black Sweet Smell of Success -- Best of the Epic Years Live ' n ' Sleazy Miss You Gold The Very Best of The Stranglers Decades Apart Singles `` ( Get A ) Grip ( On Yourself ) '' `` Peaches '' `` Something Better Change '' `` No More Heroes '' `` 5 Minutes '' `` Nice ' n ' Sleazy '' `` Walk On By '' `` Duchess '' `` Nuclear Device ( The Wizard of Aus ) '' `` Bear Cage '' `` Who Wants the World ? '' `` Thrown Away '' `` Let Me Introduce You to the Family '' `` Golden Brown '' `` La Folie '' `` Strange Little Girl '' `` European Female '' `` Skin Deep '' `` Always the Sun '' `` All Day and All of the Night '' `` 96 Tears '' `` Long Black Veil '' `` Spectre of Love '' Other songs `` Tramp '' DVD releases The Collection 1977 -- 1982 Live At Alexandra Palace Friday the Thirteenth Euro Live On Stage on Screen Rattus at the Roundhouse Live at the Apollo 2010 ( DVD & CD ) Related Discography Soulsec Celia and the Mutations Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=96_Tears&oldid=847128574 '' Categories : 1966 songs 1966 singles 1967 singles 1981 singles 1990 singles Question Mark & the Mysterians songs The Stranglers songs Eddie and the Hot Rods songs Thelma Houston songs Billboard Hot 100 number - one singles RPM Top Singles number - one singles Cameo - Parkway Records singles RCA Records singles Epic Records singles Debut singles Hidden categories : Articles with hAudio microformats Talk About Wikipedia Español Français Italiano Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Edit links This page was last edited on 23 June 2018, at 04 : 15 ( UTC ). 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Question: when did the song 96 tears come out
Answer: August 1966