3 Iconic Frontwomen Who Hit No. 1 in 1967

Writing a song is difficult. To say something that truly means something to you and your audience is a tough assignment. But to do it in a way that it gets attention and even rockets up the pop charts—that’s a feat unto itself. Then, when the tune hits No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, well, you have something that no one can take away from you.

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Here, we wanted to celebrate three artists who did just that. In fact, we wanted to showcase three frontwomen who achieved the mark in the crucial year of 1967. When perhaps the most impactful decade in music history was cresting, who were the women making waves in the industry? That’s who we wanted to highlight below.

Diana Ross

The Motown group led by Diana Ross actually boasted two songs that hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967. Indeed, the Supremes hit the top spot twice thanks to their tracks “Love Is Here and Now You’re Gone” and “The Happening”. With such a distinctive sound as a group in harmony or when led by Ross with the lead vocals, the Supremes were legends in their time. But 1967 was one of their best years as they brought shine to their iconic label, too.

Bobbie Gentry

While some may know country star Bobbie Gentry for her iconic song “Fancy”, it was her 1967 track “Ode to Billie Joe” that hit No. 1, staying there for a whopping four weeks. It’s rare for a country artist to crossover into the mainstream and hit No. 1, but that’s what this entry on our list of frontwomen did with this acoustic-driven offering. Part-Bob Dylan poetry, part-folk song storytelling, the tune is bolstered by swelling strings and Gentry’s inviting, powerful voice.

Aretha Franklin

It was in 1967 when one of the greatest songs of all time hit No. 1 on the Hot 100. Yes, that’s when Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” topped the charts for two weeks. As the big-voiced gold standard for singing belted out lyrics about dignity and kindness, she also propelled herself to Billboard fame. Today, we recognize Aretha as perhaps the best singer ever. And it’s songs like “Respect” that helped to bring that deserved attention to her as an artist.

Photo Courtesy Capitol Records