Top 100 Songs of 1961

Below is a list from Billboard magazine’s Top ear-End Hot 100 songs for 1961. Chart © by Billboard, a part of MRC Media and Info, a division of MRC. All Rights Reserved. Learn more about Billboard here.

Top 100 Songs of 1961

1

Crying – Roy Orbison

2

Wheels – String-a-longs

3

Pony Time – Chubby Checker

4

Calcutta – Lawrence Welk and His Orchestra

5

Take Good Care of My Baby – Bobby Vee

6

Dedicated to the One I Love – The Shirelles

7

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow – The Shirelles

8

Where the Boys Are – Connie Francis

9

Hit the road Jack – Ray Charles

10

Mother In Law – Ernie K-Doe

11

Sad Movies (Make Me Cry) – Sue Thompson

12

Bristol Stomp – The Dovells

13

Travelin’ Man – Ricky Nelson

14

Shop Around – The Miracles

15

A Hundred Pounds of Clay – Gene Mcdaniels

16

The Mountain’s High – Dick and Deedee

17

On the Rebound – Floyd Cramer

18

Portrait of My Love – Steve Lawrence

19

Quarter to Three – Gary “U.S.” Bonds

20

Who Put The Bomp (In The Bomp, Bomp,Bomp)? – Barry Mann

21

Calendar Girl – Neil Sedaka

22

I Like It Like That – Chris Kenner

23

Little Sister – Elvis Presley

24

I don’t know why but I do – Clarence “Frog Man” Henry

25

Runaround Sue – Dion

26

Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart) – Ricky Nelson

27

There’s a Moon Out Tonight – The Capris

More 73 Top Songs of 1961

28. 28. Michael – The Highwaymen
    29. I Fall to Pieces – Patsy Cline
    30. Tossin’ and Turnin’ – Bobby Lewis
    31. Runaway – Del Shannon
    32. My True Story – The Jive Five
    33. Raindrops – Dee Clark
    34. Wooden Heart – Joe Dowell
    35. Running Scared – Roy Orbison
    36. Last Night – The Mar-keys
    37. Exodus – Ferrante and Teicher
    38. The Boll Weevil Song – Brook Benton
    39. Don’t Worry – Marty Robbins
    40. Apache – Jorgen Ingmann
    41. Don’t Bet Money Honey – Linda Scott
    42. Without You – Johnny Tillotson
    43. Wings of a Dove – Ferlin Husky
    44. Blue Moon – The Marcels
    45. Daddys Home – Shep and The Limelites
    46. This Time – Troy Shondell
    47. Asia Minor – Kokomo
    48. Hello Walls – Faron Young
    49. Yellow Bird – Arthur Lyman
    50. rt – TimHui Yuro
    51. Surrender – Elvis Presley
    52. I Love How You Love Me – The Paris Sisters
    53. Ya Ya – Lee Dorsey
    54. School Is Out – Gary “U.S.” Bonds
    55. Mexico – Bob Moore
    56. You Don’t Know What You’ve Got – Ral Donner
    57. Walk Right Back – The Everly Brothers
    58. The Way You Look Tonight – The Lettermen
    59. Moody River – Pat Boone
    60. One Mint Julep – Ray Charles
    61. Take Good Care Of Her – Adam Wade
    62. Gee Whiz, Look At His Eyes – Carla Thomas
    63. Stand By Me – Ben E. King
    64. Spanish Harlem – Ben E. King
    65. It’s Gonna Work Out Fine – Ike and Tina Turner
    66. Baby Blue – The Echoes
    67. Baby Sittin’ Boogie – Buzz Clifford
    68. Hats Off to Larry – Del Shannon
    69. Those Oldies But Goodies Remind Me of You – Caesar and The Romans
    70. The Fly – Chubby Checker
    71. (Marie’s the Name Of) His Latest Flame – Elvis Presley
    72. Wonderland By Night (Wunderland bei Nacht) – Bert Kaempfert and His Orchestra
    73. Bless You – Tony Orlando
    74. I’ve Told Every Little Star – Linda Scott
    75. One Track Mind – Bobby Lewis
    76. Angel Baby – Rosie and The Originals
    77. Pretty Little Angel Eyes – Curtis Lee
    78. Think Twice – Brook Benton
    79. Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor (On the Bedpost Overnight) – Lonnie Donegan
    80. Breakin’ In a Brand New Broken Heart – Connie Francis
    81. Mama Said – The Shirelles
    82. Let the Four Winds Blow – Fats Domino
    83. The Writing On the Wall – Adam Wade
    84. My Kind of Girl – Matt Monro
    85. Tonight My Love, Tonight – Paul Anka
    86. Big Bad John – Jimmy Dean
    87. Good Time Baby – Bobby Rydell
    88. San Antonio Rose – Floyd Cramer
    89. Rubber Ball – Bobby Vee
    90. Missing You – Ray Peterson
    91. Dum Dum – Brenda Lee
    92. I’m Gonna Knock On Your Door – Eddie Hodges
    93. You Can Depend On Me – Brenda Lee
    94. Let’s Twist Again – Chubby Checker
    95. Take Five – The Dave Brubeck Quartet
    96. Are You Lonesome Tonight? – Elvis Presley
    97. Sea of Heartbreak – Don Gibson
    98. More Money for You and Me (medley) – The Four Preps
    99. You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby – Bobby Darin
    100. Please Stay – The Drifters

In the Mood for More Sad Songs?

Well then, check out our thoughts on the Saddest Rock Songs, the Best Sad Rap Songs, the Best Sad Songs, the Saddest Elton John Songs of All Time, the Saddest Taylor Swift Songs, and the Saddest Kanye West Songs for more heart-wrenching song selections.

Top 100 Songs of 1961 – Final Thoughts

The top 100 songs of 1961 represent a diverse range of musical styles, from doo-wop and rock and roll to country and soul. It was a year that saw the rise of several iconic artists, such as Roy Orbison, Del Shannon, and The Shirelles. The number one song of the year was “Tossin’ and Turnin'” by Bobby Lewis, which held the top spot for seven consecutive weeks.

Other notable hits included “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” by The Shirelles, “Runaway” by Del Shannon, and “Crying” by Roy Orbison. The music of 1961 reflects the changing times and the emergence of new sounds that would continue to influence music for decades to come.