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, and Saginaw, Michigan, 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, (1938-2024) but after the ‘British Invasion’ they decided they also needed a vocalist, after hearing the Beatles, (see also best songs 599-456-319-238-218-141-80-51-10 and 6) and The Rolling Stones (see also best songs 933-662-452-160 and 77.) 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. Prior to the recording of ’96 Tears’ in 1966, both Larry Borjas, and Robert Martinez received draft notices and opted to enlist to avoid being sent to Vietnam, after auditions Eddie Serrato (1945-2011) became the replacement drummer. ‘? and the Mysterians’ who have seen 20 members come and go, have never officially been retired, but have had periods where they have been on hiatus.

The discography of ? and the Mysterians includes four studio Albums released between 1966-1999, and 15 singles released between 1966-2012, there are also three official compilation Albums, and two live Albums available. Although ’96 Tears’ found great success on Billboard in America, their Album of the same name didn’t, stalling at Number 66 on the ‘Billboard 200 Album’ chart, and providing them with their only entry on that chart. On the ‘Billboard Hot 100,’ two of their singles have reached the top 40, with ’96 Tears’ making Number 1, and the follow up, ‘I Need Somebody,’ also in 1966, reaching Number 22. In the UK, ? and the Mysterians only chart entry is ’96 Tears.’

’96 Tears’ was the first released single recorded by ? and the Mysterians, and was the first of two singles issued from their debut studio Album of the same name, from November 1966, the song was written and produced by Rudy Martinez, who when asked why 96?, 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 American Rock Music magazine, ‘Creem,’ 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 considered the archetypal American ‘Garage Rock’ band.

‘Garage Rock’ (see also best songs is a raw and energetic style of ‘Rock Music’ that was at it’s peak in the mid-1960’s, most notably in the United States and Canada. The style is characterised by basic chord structures played on electric guitars and other instruments, sometimes distorted through a fuzzbox, as well as often with unsophisticated and occasionally aggressive lyrics and delivery. ‘Garage Rock’s’ name derives from the perception that groups were often made up of young amateurs who rehearsed in the family garage, although many were professional. During the 1960’s, Garage Rock was not recognised as a distinct genre and had no specific name, but critical hindsight in the early 1970’s, and especially the 1972 compilation Album ‘Nuggets,’ did much to define and memorialise the style. ‘Nuggets: Original Artyfacts from the First Psychedelic Era, 1965–1968,’ was a compilation Album created by the American guitarist, composer, and writer, Lenny Kaye, featuring the music of some of that era’s most influential ‘Garage Rock,’ and ‘Psychedelic Rock’ acts.

’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.’