🎵 Billboard Top 100 Hits of 1961 🎵

Welcome back to another journey through music history as WTSG-DB continues our Billboard Top 100 series.

The year 1961 delivered a remarkable collection of songs that helped define a generation. From the emotional vocals of Patsy Cline and Roy Orbison to the dance craze hits of Chubby Checker and the soulful sounds of Ray Charles, the charts reflected a music industry filled with creativity, innovation, and timeless talent.

This year’s Billboard Top 100 showcases a blend of pop, country, rock and roll, rhythm and blues, vocal groups, and instrumental classics. Many of these songs continue to be celebrated decades later and remain favorites among music lovers around the world.

Whether you’re revisiting old memories or discovering these classics for the first time, we invite you to take a look back at the biggest hits of 1961.

📻 Great Music. Great Radio. Great Community.

— WTSG Digital Broadcasting

🎵 Top 10 Hits of 1961

1. Tossin’ And Turnin’ — Bobby Lewis
2. I Fall To Pieces — Patsy Cline
3. Michael — Highwaymen
4. Crying — Roy Orbison
5. Runaway — Del Shannon
6. My True Story — Jive Five
7. Pony Time — Chubby Checker
8. Wheels — String-A-Longs
9. Raindrops — Dee Clark
10. Wooden Heart (Muss I Denn) — Joe Dowell

📻 WTSG-DB Reflection

1961 was a year of transition in popular music. Rock and roll continued to mature, country music reached wider audiences, and vocal harmony groups remained a powerful force on the charts. Artists such as Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Ben E. King, and The Shirelles created recordings that would stand the test of time and influence generations of musicians to come.

Looking back more than six decades later, these songs remind us why great music never truly fades away. They continue to tell stories, spark memories, and connect listeners across generations.

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🎵 Complete Billboard Top 100 of 1961

🎵 #1–10

1. Tossin’ And Turnin’ — Bobby Lewis
2. I Fall To Pieces — Patsy Cline
3. Michael — Highwaymen
4. Crying — Roy Orbison
5. Runaway — Del Shannon
6. My True Story — Jive Five
7. Pony Time — Chubby Checker
8. Wheels — String-A-Longs
9. Raindrops — Dee Clark
10. Wooden Heart (Muss I Denn) — Joe Dowell

🎵 #11–20

11. Calcutta — Lawrence Welk
12. Take Good Care Of My Baby — Bobby Vee
13. Running Scared — Roy Orbison
14. Dedicated To The One I Love — The Shirelles
15. Last Night — The Mar-Keys
16. (Will You Love Me) Tomorrow — The Shirelles
17. Exodus — Ferrante and Teicher
18. Where The Boys Are — Connie Francis
19. Hit The Road Jack — Ray Charles
20. Sad Movies (Make Me Cry) — Sue Thompson

🎵 #21–30

21. Mother-In-Law — Ernie K-Doe
22. Bristol Stomp — The Dovells
23. Travelin’ Man — Ricky Nelson
24. Shop Around — The Miracles
25. The Boll Weevil Song — Brook Benton
26. A Hundred Pounds Of Clay — Gene McDaniels
27. The Mountain’s High — Dick and Deedee
28. Don’t Worry — Marty Robbins
29. On The Rebound — Floyd Cramer
30. Portrait Of My Love — Steve Lawrence

🎵 #31–40

31. Quarter To Three — Gary U.S. Bonds
32. Who Put The Bomp (In The Bomp, Bomp, Bomp) — Barry Mann
33. Calendar Girl — Neil Sedaka
34. I Like It Like That — Chris Kenner
35. Apache — Jørgen Ingmann
36. Don’t Bet Money Honey — Linda Scott
37. Without You — Johnny Tillotson
38. Wings Of A Dove — Ferlin Husky
39. Little Sister — Elvis Presley
40. Blue Moon — The Marcels

🎵 #41–50

41. Daddy’s Home — Shep and The Limelites
42. This Time — Troy Shondell
43. I Don’t Know Why But I Do — Clarence “Frogman” Henry
44. Asia Minor — Kokomo
45. Hello Walls — Faron Young
46. Runaround Sue — Dion
47. Yellow Bird — Arthur Lyman
48. Hurt — Timi Yuro
49. Hello Mary Lou — Ricky Nelson
50. There’s A Moon Out Tonight — The Capris

🎵 #51–60

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 (Until You Lose It) — 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

🎵 #61–70

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 — Caesar and The Romans
70. The Fly — Chubby Checker

🎵 #71–80

71. (Marie’s The Name) His Latest Flame — Elvis Presley
72. Wonderland By Night — 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

🎵 #81–90

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

🎵 #91–100

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 — Dave Brubeck
96. Are You Lonesome Tonight — Elvis Presley
97. Sea Of Heartbreak — Don Gibson
98. More Money For You And Me Medley — Four Preps
99. You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby — Bobby Darin
100. Please Stay — The Drifters

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🎵 What were your favorite songs from 1961?

Did your favorite make the list? Let us know in the comments below and share your memories of the music that helped define an unforgettable year in music history.

Disclaimer: Billboard® is a trademark of its respective owner. WTSG Digital Broadcasting (WTSG-DB) is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Billboard. Chart information is presented for historical, educational, and discussion purposes.

📻 Great Music. Great Radio. Great Community.

— WTSG Digital Broadcasting