THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

326-? and the Mysterians-96 Tears.

1966-Number 37 single.

Best Bit-At 0.04. In the piecing together of the development of Rock Music, and learning about how the previous generation influenced the next, this band, and this song were definitely an inspiration. Of that there is no question.

The Mysterians were formed in 1962 in Bay City, Michigan Saginaw, United States, by Larry Borjas, (guitar) Robert Martinez, (drums) and Bobby Balderrama, (lead guitar) the three of them were all sons of migrant farmers who had settled in Michigan,they took their name from the 1957 Japanese science fiction film ‘The Mysterians.’ Their initial motivation was the instrumental ‘Surf Rock’ music of artists such as Link Wray (1929-2005) (see also best songs 301) and Duane Eddy, but after the ‘British Invasion’ they decided they also needed a vocalist, after hearing the Beatles, and The Rolling Stones. The new vocalist was Rudy Martinez, the brother of Robert, who went by the stage name of ‘Question Mark.’ To cement this new line up they became ‘? and the Mysterians,’ the original quintet were completed by the recruiting of keyboard player Frank Rodriguez. The band which have seen 19 members come and go have never officially been retired, but have had periods where they have been on hiatus. They have released four studio Albums between 1966-1999, and 13 singles between 1966-2012. In America this song was a Billboard Number 1 single, and they also charted at Number 22 with the follow up ‘I Need Somebody,’ while in the UK this song remains their only hit.

’96 Tears’ was written and produced by Rudy Martinez, when asked why 96? Martinez has said that the number 96 has ‘A deep, philosophical meaning,’ but he has refused to elaborate any further. The organ riff on the track was played by Frank Rodriguez on a ‘Vox Continental,’ although the organ had been used on previous hits,(see also best songs 851) the playing of it on this track would lead to it’s use on future hit singles, (see also best songs 235) and also by countless other wannabee hit makers.

In 1971 the Rock music critic, and writer Dave Marsh wrote a piece for the ‘Creem’ music magazine, where when writing about ‘? and the Mysterians’ called them ‘Punk Rock,’ this was the first time ‘Punk Rock’ had ever been mentioned, and Marsh is credited with coining the term. ‘? and the Mysterians’ are also retrospectively remembered as one of the first ‘Garage Rock’ bands, a term that was not used until the early 1970’s. ‘? and the Mysterians’ were the archetypal American Garage Rock band playing a raw and energetic style of Rock ‘N Roll in the early 1960’s. The genre of ‘Garage Rock’ derives from the perception that groups were often made up of young amateurs who rehearsed in the family garage.

’96 Tears’ are not the narrators tears. He has been given the elbow by his partner, and plans to get back with them in order to make then suffer how he has suffered, by then splitting up with them, in order to get his own back.

‘You’re way on top now since you left me, you’re always laughing way down at me, but watch out now, I’m gonna get there.’