Back in the mid-1960's, you could record a single for about five grand ($5,000).

Then there was the single release that cost at least $40,000 to make. And perhaps as high as $60,000. The most-mentioned figure, though, is $50,000.

Whatever the case, "Good Vibrations" was a #1 single in late 1966, ranks as the most expensive #1 single ever and the #19 summer song of all time. It's one of five Beach Boys' songs ranked in this countdown.

Why was "Good Vibrations" so expensive? Well, it was because there was so many overdubs and studio sessions to complete the recording. In all, there were at least 17 sessions covering a period of six months. There were at least four studios used along with instruments like a cello and a theremin (which was used in the 1945 movie "Spellbound"). Yes, it was truly a unique song.

But then, the album the song came from, "Pet Sounds," was like no album before it. The Beach Boys' label, Capitol, was against the whole project, instead preferring that the group stick to their usual style of beach hit songs. The Beach Boys fought and won this battle, though.

NEXT TOMORROW AT #18: THE SONG THAT MADE JACKIE DESHANNON RICH

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SUMMER SONG #20: THE PURPLE PEOPLE EATER--SHEB WOOLEY, 1958

He was seen a lot on the TV western "Rawhide." He was the bad guy in the Gary Cooper movie, "High Noon," as well as a few "Lone Ranger" shows, too. He had that mean look, but in reality, he's a very friendly and delightful man.

I interviewed Sheb Wooley in 1991 before the Dr. Demento 20th anniversary TV show special in Pasadena along with Bobby (Boris) Pickett. Those interviews would be used at Halloween time on "American Top 40" to tell the stories of "The Monster Mash" and "The Purple People Eater."

The key to Sheb's biggest hit was simple. His son came home from school one day and asked him, "Dad, what has one eye, one horn, flies, is purple and eats people?"

"I don't know, son."

"Why, it's a one-eyed, one-horned, flying purple people eater." The #20 summer song of all time, "The Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley, was recorded almost as an afterthought....and it took off practically overnight. It debuted at #7 and the following week went to #1. It became the fastest climbing rock era #1 song and it took six years for a song to equal the chart feat. The Beatles' "Can't Buy Me Love" also only took two weeks to go to #1. The two songs shared the record for over 30 years, or until "You Are Not Alone" by Michael Jackson debuted at #1 in 1995.

To this day, "Purple People Eater" ranks as the most successful novelty chart single ever. It was helped by 1958 being a good year for novelty hits. David Seville set the pace with "Bird On My Head," "Witch Doctor" and "The Chipmonk Song."

Other notable novelty hits of 1958 include "Dinner With Drac" by John Zacherle and "The Little Blue Man" by Betty Johnson.