? and the Mysterians - 96 Tears (1966)

Only known as “?,” the front-man of this group claims to be a Martian who, in a past life, lived with dinosaurs. He also claims to have been to the future and to have visited other planets. This might seem like a funny gimmick… except he’s been keeping it up for fifty years. He and his group were the first to be called “punk rock” in print (May 1971), and are also credited as the first Latino rock group to have a mainstream hit album in the U.S.

Originally called “Too Many Teardrops,” this song was renamed to “69 Tears” when the band decided they wanted a title with more appeal. Fearing the new title might restrict their airplay, they inverted the digits and the title was finalized. It reached the top of the charts in 1966, sold over one million copies, and John Lennon (who was probably under the influence of something) called it “…the best rock 'n’ roll song ever."



? and the Mysterians - 96 Tears (1966)

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Lyrics:

Too many teardrops for one heart to be cryin'
Too many teardrops for one heart to carry on
You're way on top now since you left me
You're always laughin' way down at me
But watch out now, I'm gonna get there
We'll be together for just a little while
And then I'm gonna put you way down here
And you'll start cryin' ninety-six tears
Cry cry

And when the sun comes up, I'll be on top
You'll be right down there lookin' up
And I might wave, “Come up here”
But I don't see you wavin' now
I'm way down here wonderin' how
I'm gonna get you
But I know now
I'll just cry- cry- I'll just cry

Too many teardrops for one heart to be cryin'
Too many teardrops for one heart to carry on
You're gonna cry ninety-six tears
You're gonna cry ninety-six tears
You're gonna cry; cry, cry, cry now
You're gonna cry; cry, cry, cry ninety-six tears
Come on, let me hear you cry, now
Ninety-six tears; I wanna hear you cry
Night and day, yeah, all night long
Ninety-six tears; cry, cry, cry
C'mon baby, let me hear you cry now, all night long
Ninety-six tears; yeah, c'mon now
Ninety-six tears