"96 Tears" is a song recorded by the Americangarage rock band ?? and the Mysterians in 1966. In October of that year, it was #1 on the BillboardHot 100 in the U.S. and on the RPM 100 in Canada. Billboard ranked the record as the #5 song for 1966. It is ranked #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 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 title "Too Many Teardrops" and then "69 Tears", but then changed the title, fearing that radio stations wouldn'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 #22 later that year, but no other U.S. Top 40 singles followed.
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.
Inspiral Carpets recorded a version for their 1989 demo albumdung 4, later released on CD / Vinyl in 2014.
The Stranglers released a version that reached #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.
The Bonne Villes released a version in 1967 on the Justice record label. Available on Bringing it Home and , both Collectables Records.
The Fuzztones included a version of the song on the 2013 album Snake Oil.
Punk Rock bandsX 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.
