60 Years Ago Today, A 1966 No. 1 Hit Became One of the Most Controversial Songs to Top the Charts

Exactly 60 years ago today, on March 11, 1966, a song that was widely embraced at the time was the No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. While 'The Ballad of the Green Berets' by Staff Sergeant Barry Sadler was a huge success, the track would ultimately earn a reputation as one of the most divisive No. 1 songs in U.S. chart history.

60 Years Ago Today, 'The Ballad of the Green Berets' by SSgt. Barry Sadler Was No. 1

Released in January 1966, SSgt. Barry Sadler's 'The Ballad of the Green Berets' quickly caught on with many listeners. After the song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on February 5, 1966, it reached No. 1 on March 5 and held that position for five weeks. That means that 60 years ago today, on March 11, 1966, the track was dominating the charts.

In addition to reigning supreme over the charts in March 1996, the song would enjoy a staggering amount of sales success for much longer than that. After all, it spent a total of 13 weeks on the charts in total, and History.com reported that 'The Ballad of the Green Berets' became "Billboard magazine’s #1 single for all of 1966."

Why SSgt. Barry Sadler's Song 'The Ballad of the Green Berets' Became So Controversial

During the full span of the Vietnam War, many musicians released songs that were deeply critical of the conflict. Some of those tracks would become huge hits that are still praised decades later. Some notable examples of that include Marvin Gaye's 'What’s Going On,' Bob Dylan's 'Blowin’ in the Wind,' John Lennon's 'Give Peace a Chance,' Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young's 'Ohio,' and Edwin Starr's 'War.'

In contrast to those songs, 'The Ballad of the Green Berets' was seen as a much more pro-military and patriotic song due to its lyrics and Sadler performing while fully in uniform. A 2023 Billboard article about the most controversial songs to top the chart included 'The Ballad of the Green Berets' for that reason. The article noted that even though it was initially embraced, the song became highly divisive as the Vietnam War itself became extremely controversial.

SSgt. Barry Sadler – The Ballad of the Green Berets Full Lyrics:
Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Beret

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret

Trained to live off nature's land
Trained in combat, hand-to-hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courage take from the Green Berets

Silver wings upon their chest
These are men, America's best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret

Back at home, a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her his last request

Put silver wings on my son's chest
Make him one of America's best
He'll be a man they'll test one day
Have him win the Green Beret