Wikipedia

List of Billboard Hot 100 number ones of 1961

The Billboard Hot 100 is a chart published since August 1958 by Billboard magazine which ranks the best-performing singles in the United States. In 1961, it was compiled based on a combination of sales and airplay data sourced from surveys of retail outlets and playlists submitted by radio stations respectively.[1] During the year, 22 different spent time at number one.

The singer Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison achieved his first number one in 1961.

In the issue of Billboard dated January 2, Elvis Presley was at number one with "Are You Lonesome Tonight?", the song's sixth week in the top spot.[2] Presley returned to number one in March with "Surrender" and was the only act with two chart-toppers in 1961. "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" was displaced from the top of the chart by "Wonderland by Night" by Bert Kaempfert, the first Hot 100 entry for the German bandleader and his only number one.[3] Another bandleader, Lawrence Welk, who at the time starred in his own variety show on the ABC television network, gained his only Hot 100 chart-topper with "Calcutta" in February.[4] Between the two bandleaders' chart-toppers, the Shirelles topped the Hot 100 for the first time with "Will You Love Me Tomorrow".[5] In April and May, the Marcels, Del Shannon, and Ernie K-Doe all topped the listing for their first and only time with "Blue Moon", "Runaway", and "Mother-in-Law" respectively.[6] "Running Scared" gave Roy Orbison his first Hot 100 number one in June;[7] in 1987, the influential singer known for his melodramatic style was among the earliest inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.[8][9]

In June, Pat Boone spent his only week at number one on the Hot 100, when "Moody River" topped the chart, although between 1955 and 1957 he had taken five songs to number one on the separate sales, airplay, and jukebox play charts, which Billboard had published prior to the creation of the consolidated listing.[10] "Moody River" was replaced in the top spot by "Quarter to Three" by U.S. Bonds. The singer, whose real name is Gary Anderson, had reportedly had his stage name chosen without his knowledge;[11] soon after "Quarter to Three" topped the Hot 100, his forename was appended and he had further success as Gary U.S. Bonds.[12] The year's longest-running number one was "Tossin' and Turnin'" by Bobby Lewis, which spent seven weeks in the top spot in July and August. It was Lewis's first single to enter the Hot 100; despite the success he achieved with "Tossin' and Turnin'", his chart career was short-lived and his final Hot 100 entry came the following year.[13] Between August and October, Joe Dowell, The Highwaymen, Bobby Vee, and Dion all topped the chart for the first time.[14] In November, Jimmy Dean reached number one on the Hot 100 for the first and only time with "Big Bad John".[15] The song was a triple chart-topper, also reaching the peak position on Billboard's easy listening and country charts.[16][17] The Marvelettes and the Tokens both reached number one for the first time in December.[18] The Marvelettes' "Please Mr. Postman" was the first number-one pop single on the influential Motown record label.[19] Several of 1961's number ones have been considered among the best pop songs ever recorded. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow",[20] "Runaway",[21] "Hit the Road Jack" by Ray Charles,[22] and "Runaround Sue" by Dion[23] were all included on iterations of Rolling Stone magazine's lists of the 500 greatest songs of all time.

Chart history

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Pop group The Shirelles
The Shirelles topped the Hot 100 with "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" in 1961.
Musician Lawrence Welk
"Calcutta" was a chart-topper for Lawrence Welk.
Singer Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was the only act with more than one number one during 1961.
Singer Ray Charles
Ray Charles took "Hit the Road Jack" to number one.
Pop group The Tokens
The Tokens ended the year at number one.
Chart history
No.[a] Issue date Title Artist(s) Ref.
42 January 2 "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" Elvis Presley [24]
43 January 9 "Wonderland by Night" Bert Kaempfert [25]
January 16 [26]
January 23 [27]
44 January 30 "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" The Shirelles [28]
February 6 [29]
45 February 13 "Calcutta" Lawrence Welk [30]
February 20 [31]
46 February 27 "Pony Time" Chubby Checker [32]
March 6 [33]
March 13 [34]
47 March 20 "Surrender" Elvis Presley [35]
March 27 [36]
48 April 3 "Blue Moon" The Marcels [37]
April 10 [38]
April 17 [39]
49 April 24 "Runaway" Del Shannon [40]
May 1 [41]
May 8 [42]
May 15 [43]
50 May 22 "Mother-in-Law" Ernie K-Doe [44]
51 May 29 "Travelin' Man" Ricky Nelson [45]
52 June 5 "Running Scared" Roy Orbison [46]
51 (re) June 12 "Travelin' Man" Ricky Nelson [47]
53 June 19 "Moody River" Pat Boone [48]
54 June 26 "Quarter to Three" U.S. Bonds [49]
July 3 [50]
55 July 10 "Tossin' and Turnin'" Bobby Lewis [51]
July 17 [52]
July 24 [53]
July 31 [54]
August 7 [55]
August 14 [56]
August 21 [57]
56 August 28 "Wooden Heart" Joe Dowell [58]
57 September 4 "Michael" The Highwaymen [59]
September 11 [60]
58 September 18 "Take Good Care of My Baby" Bobby Vee [61]
September 25 [62]
October 2 [63]
59 October 9 "Hit the Road Jack" Ray Charles [64]
October 16 [65]
60 October 23 "Runaround Sue" Dion [66]
October 30 [67]
61 November 6 "Big Bad John" Jimmy Dean [68]
November 13 [69]
November 20 [70]
November 27 [71]
December 4 [72]
62 December 11 "Please Mr. Postman" The Marvelettes [73]
63 December 18 "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" The Tokens [74]
December 25 [75]

Notes

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  1. ↑ The "No." column indicates the numerical sequence of number ones in Hot 100 history. "Re" indicates a single returning to number one.[2]

Number-one artists

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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Whitburn 2005, p. xii.
  2. 1 2 Whitburn 2005, p. 987.
  3. ↑ Whitburn 2005, pp. 372–373.
  4. ↑ Whitburn 2005, p. 732.
  5. ↑ Whitburn 2005, p. 637.
  6. ↑ Whitburn 2005, pp. 376, 440, 633.
  7. ↑ Whitburn 2005, p. 524.
  8. ↑ Smith, Troy L. (November 18, 2019). "The Timeline: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's defining moments". Cleveland.com. Advance Publications. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  9. ↑ Unterberger, Richie. "Roy Orbison Biography". AllMusic. Archived from the original on April 14, 2026. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  10. ↑ Whitburn 2005, pp. 72–73.
  11. ↑ Edelstein, Andy (June 14, 1981). "Gary Bonds hits a new note". The New York Times. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  12. ↑ Whitburn 2005, p. 69.
  13. ↑ Whitburn 2005, p. 408.
  14. ↑ Whitburn 2005, pp. 194–195, 207, 314, 741–742.
  15. ↑ Whitburn 2005, p. 180.
  16. ↑ Whitburn 1996, p. 92.
  17. ↑ Whitburn 2002, p. 74.
  18. ↑ Whitburn 2005, pp. 447, 716.
  19. ↑ Whitburn 2005, p. 447.
  20. ↑ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 200 – 151". Rolling Stone. February 16, 2024. Archived from the original on August 10, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  21. ↑ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 500 – 451". Rolling Stone. December 11, 2003. Archived from the original on February 13, 2026. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  22. ↑ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 387". Rolling Stone. May 28, 2010. Archived from the original on May 28, 2011. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  23. ↑ "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time: 400 – 351". Rolling Stone. December 11, 2003. Archived from the original on December 5, 2025. Retrieved May 15, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Hot 100: January 2, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Hot 100: January 9, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Hot 100: January 16, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Hot 100: January 23, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Hot 100: January 30, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Hot 100: February 6, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 26, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Hot 100: February 13, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Hot 100: February 20, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Hot 100: February 27, 1961". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Hot 100: March 6, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Hot 100: March 13, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Hot 100: March 20, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Hot 100: March 27, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Hot 100: April 3, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 3, 2025. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Hot 100: April 10, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Hot 100: April 17, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 16, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Hot 100: April 24, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Hot 100: May 1, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Hot 100: May 8, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Hot 100: May 15, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 20, 2026. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Hot 100: May 22, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  45. ↑ "Hot 100: May 29, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Hot 100: June 5, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Hot 100: June 12, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Hot 100: June 19, 1961". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  49. ↑ "Hot 100: June 26, 1961". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Hot 100: July 3, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Hot 100: July 10, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 12, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Hot 100: July 17, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  53. ↑ "Hot 100: July 24, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Hot 100: July 31, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Hot 100: August 7, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  56. ↑ "Hot 100: August 14, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  57. ↑ "Hot 100: August 21, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  58. ↑ "Hot 100: August 28, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  59. ↑ "Hot 100: September 4, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  60. ↑ "Hot 100: September 11, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 22, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  61. ↑ "Hot 100: September 18, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 24, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  62. ↑ "Hot 100: September 25, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  63. ↑ "Hot 100: October 2, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  64. ↑ "Hot 100: October 9, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  65. ↑ "Hot 100: October 16, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  66. ↑ "Hot 100: October 23, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 27, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  67. ↑ "Hot 100: October 30, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  68. ↑ "Hot 100: November 6, 1961". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  69. ↑ "Hot 100: November 13, 1961". Billboard. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  70. ↑ "Hot 100: November 20, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  71. ↑ "Hot 100: November 27, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  72. ↑ "Hot 100: December 4, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  73. ↑ "Hot 100: December 11, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 14, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  74. ↑ "Hot 100: December 18, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  75. ↑ "Hot 100: December 25, 1961". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved May 6, 2026.

Works cited

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