'Monday, Monday': The Mamas & the Papas' Only No. 1 Song Topped the Charts 60 Years Ago Today

The Mamas & the Papas dominated the '60s music scene despite their short tenure. They also shaped the counterculture of the time. Formed in 1965, the folk-rock vocal group consisted of members John Phillips, Cass Elliot, Michelle Phillips, and Denny Doherty (Jill Gibson replaced Michelle in 1966 after Phillips fired her for having an affair). They released five studio albums and 17 singles, and first disbanded in 1968 before reuniting in 1971 to record one last album.

Over two decades later, the Mamas & the Papas reunited for a second and final time for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Elliot's daughter, Owen Elliot-Kugell, filled in for her during this performance, since she had passed away in 1974.

The band's debut studio album, If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears, produced two of their most enduring tracks: "California Dreamin'" and "Monday, Monday." The latter was released as the third single from said record in March 1966.

On this day 60 years ago, "Monday, Monday" hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It's their only song to reach No. 1 on this particular chart. If You Can Believe Your Eyes and Ears is also the Mamas & the Papas' only album to peak at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. In addition to topping the Billboard Hot 100, the song skyrocketed to No. 1 on three other global weekly charts. It also went Platinum in the US.

Phillips wrote the tune, with backing music from members of the Wrecking Crew band. Doherty served as lead vocalist. Elliot and Michelle hated the song, calling it "pretentious." Phillips claimed he penned "Monday, Monday" in 20 minutes. Doherty revealed his true feelings about the track in an interview:

"I liked the opening background vocals...but nobody likes Monday, so I thought it was just a song about the working man. Nothing about it stood out to me. It was a dumb f***in' song about a day of the week. By the time the rehearsals were over for the vocals, I thought, 'Thank god that's over!'"

"Monday, Monday" snagged a Grammy Award for "Best Contemporary (R&R) Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental" in 1967. The song was eventually inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.