Ever wonder what the soundtrack of 1961 was? On TopTuneTales.com we love looking back at music history. There’s something thrilling about revisiting an entire year of chart-topping hits, week by week. It’s like a musical time capsule: from Elvis Presley’s swan song ballads to the rise of Motown and folk-spun singalongs, 1961 had it all. Below is a quick-reference table of every Billboard Hot 100 #1 single of 1961 (week, song title, artist) – followed by a week-by-week mini-nostalgia tour of each track.
Weekly #1 Hits of 1961
| Week (Issue Date) | Song Title | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|
| January 2, 1961 | Are You Lonesome Tonight? | Elvis Presley |
| January 9, 1961 | Wonderland by Night | Bert Kaempfert |
| January 16, 1961 | Wonderland by Night | Bert Kaempfert |
| January 23, 1961 | Wonderland by Night | Bert Kaempfert |
| January 30, 1961 | Will You Love Me Tomorrow | The Shirelles |
| February 6, 1961 | Will You Love Me Tomorrow | The Shirelles |
| February 13, 1961 | Calcutta | Lawrence Welk |
| February 20, 1961 | Calcutta | Lawrence Welk |
| February 27, 1961 | Pony Time | Chubby Checker |
| March 6, 1961 | Pony Time | Chubby Checker |
| March 13, 1961 | Pony Time | Chubby Checker |
| March 20, 1961 | Surrender | Elvis Presley |
| March 27, 1961 | Surrender | Elvis Presley |
| April 3, 1961 | Blue Moon | The Marcels |
| April 10, 1961 | Blue Moon | The Marcels |
| April 17, 1961 | Blue Moon | The Marcels |
| April 24, 1961 | Runaway | Del Shannon |
| May 1, 1961 | Runaway | Del Shannon |
| May 8, 1961 | Runaway | Del Shannon |
| May 15, 1961 | Runaway | Del Shannon |
| May 22, 1961 | Mother-in-Law | Ernie K-Doe |
| May 29, 1961 | Travelin’ Man | Ricky Nelson |
| June 5, 1961 | Running Scared | Roy Orbison |
| June 12, 1961 | Travelin’ Man (return) | Ricky Nelson |
| June 19, 1961 | Moody River | Pat Boone |
| June 26, 1961 | Quarter to Three | Gary U.S. Bonds |
| July 3, 1961 | Quarter to Three | Gary U.S. Bonds |
| July 10, 1961 | Tossin’ and Turnin’ | Bobby Lewis |
| July 17, 1961 | Tossin’ and Turnin’ | Bobby Lewis |
| July 24, 1961 | Tossin’ and Turnin’ | Bobby Lewis |
| July 31, 1961 | Tossin’ and Turnin’ | Bobby Lewis |
| August 7, 1961 | Tossin’ and Turnin’ | Bobby Lewis |
| August 14, 1961 | Tossin’ and Turnin’ | Bobby Lewis |
| August 21, 1961 | Tossin’ and Turnin’ | Bobby Lewis |
| August 28, 1961 | Wooden Heart | Joe Dowell |
| September 4, 1961 | Michael (Row the Boat Ashore) | The Highwaymen |
| September 11, 1961 | Michael (Row the Boat Ashore) | The Highwaymen |
| September 18, 1961 | Take Good Care of My Baby | Bobby Vee |
| September 25, 1961 | Take Good Care of My Baby | Bobby Vee |
| October 2, 1961 | Take Good Care of My Baby | Bobby Vee |
| October 9, 1961 | Hit the Road Jack | Ray Charles |
| October 16, 1961 | Hit the Road Jack | Ray Charles |
| October 23, 1961 | Runaround Sue | Dion |
| October 30, 1961 | Runaround Sue | Dion |
| November 6, 1961 | Big Bad John | Jimmy Dean |
| November 13, 1961 | Big Bad John | Jimmy Dean |
| November 20, 1961 | Big Bad John | Jimmy Dean |
| November 27, 1961 | Big Bad John | Jimmy Dean |
| December 4, 1961 | Big Bad John | Jimmy Dean |
| December 11, 1961 | Please Mr. Postman | The Marvelettes |
| December 18, 1961 | The Lion Sleeps Tonight | The Tokens |
| December 25, 1961 | The Lion Sleeps Tonight | The Tokens |
Week-by-Week #1 Hits of 1961
Week of January 2: Elvis Presley opened 1961 at #1 with “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” This lush ballad, recorded after his return from the Army, struck a chord with fans for its emotional depth and quiet vulnerability. Elvis’s spoken-word section gave it a theatrical edge that few others could pull off.
Week of January 9: The following week saw a shift in tone. Bert Kaempfert’s instrumental “Wonderland by Night” took the top spot. With its dreamy trumpet and soft orchestration, it brought a European lounge vibe to American radio waves.
Week of January 16: “Wonderland by Night” held steady at #1, its mellow charm and romantic undertones continuing to resonate with listeners looking for something smooth and reflective.
Week of January 23: The instrumental maintained its hold on the charts for a third week, proving that in the early ’60s, gentle melodies could still triumph in a rock-driven world.
Week of January 30: The Shirelles made history when “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” hit #1. As the first girl group to top the Hot 100, their song’s themes of love and uncertainty struck a powerful emotional chord.
Week of February 6: The Shirelles continued their reign, with the song’s lush harmonies and heartfelt lyrics captivating fans for a second week.
Week of February 13: Lawrence Welk surprised many with his bubbly instrumental “Calcutta” claiming #1. It brought an old-fashioned dance hall energy to modern pop radio.
Week of February 20: “Calcutta” kept its momentum, its lively polka-inspired beat a surprising crowd-pleaser.
Week of February 27: Chubby Checker returned to the top with “Pony Time,” launching a new dance craze and proving his staying power after the success of “The Twist.”
Week of March 6: The Pony was still trotting strong. Checker’s lively track gave dancers something fresh to groove to.
Week of March 13: For a third week, “Pony Time” held the top, confirming that America still had a soft spot for good dance floor fun.
Week of March 20: Elvis made a comeback with “Surrender,” a powerful love ballad showcasing his vocal range and romantic flair.
Week of March 27: Elvis’s emotive performance kept “Surrender” on top for a second week, reinforcing his role as the undisputed king of pop.
Week of April 3: The Marcels brought doo-wop back into the spotlight with their upbeat and playful version of “Blue Moon.”
Week of April 10: The catchy bass opening and fun harmonies helped “Blue Moon” hold steady in its second week.
Week of April 17: The song’s joyous energy carried it through a third week, solidifying The Marcels’ place in doo-wop history.
Week of April 24: Del Shannon debuted at #1 with “Runaway,” a haunting track with a signature falsetto and iconic keyboard solo.
Week of May 1: The emotional depth and innovative sound of “Runaway” gave it continued traction among young fans.
Week of May 8: Shannon’s expressive voice and the song’s mysterious vibe kept listeners coming back.
Week of May 15: For a fourth week, “Runaway” ruled the airwaves as one of the standout pop hits of the year.
Week of May 22: Ernie K-Doe’s humorous R&B number “Mother-in-Law” caught fire, thanks to its clever lyrics and New Orleans flair.
Week of May 29: Ricky Nelson delivered a breezy summer anthem with “Travelin’ Man,” painting a picture of love on every continent.
Week of June 5: Roy Orbison stunned listeners with the dramatic, operatic “Running Scared,” showcasing his signature high-register climax.
Week of June 12: Nelson returned with “Travelin’ Man,” giving the tune a second life at the top thanks to its enduring charm.
Week of June 19: Pat Boone’s “Moody River” took the crown with a tragic tale and his classic crooner style.
Week of June 26: Gary U.S. Bonds energized summer with “Quarter to Three,” a raucous rock-and-roll party starter.
Week of July 3: Bonds kept the fun going, with dance floors still shaking to the tune’s lively beat.
Week of July 10: Bobby Lewis hit #1 with “Tossin’ and Turnin’,” a sleepless anthem that quickly became the song of the summer.
Week of July 17: The insomniac hit stayed hot, its upbeat delivery masking the love-struck frustration underneath.
Week of July 24: Week three saw no slowdown, as Lewis’s voice and that driving rhythm proved irresistible.
Week of July 31: Still on top, “Tossin’ and Turnin’” was now clearly a sensation.
Week of August 7: By week five, it was cemented as a record-breaking smash.
Week of August 14: Lewis’s song continued to echo on radios nationwide, with no signs of stopping.
Week of August 21: The track finished its seven-week run as one of the year’s biggest blockbusters.
Week of August 28: Joe Dowell offered something sweeter with “Wooden Heart,” a sentimental track partially sung in German.
Week of September 4: The Highwaymen’s folk revival hit “Michael (Row the Boat Ashore)” brought spiritual harmony to the top.
Week of September 11: Its simple message and soothing vocals held strong for a second week.
Week of September 18: Bobby Vee took over with “Take Good Care of My Baby,” a polished, heart-on-sleeve pop gem.
Week of September 25: Vee’s emotional honesty kept his song in the hearts of fans and atop the chart.
Week of October 2: Three weeks in, the track proved that classic songwriting never goes out of style.
Week of October 9: Ray Charles brought grit and soul with “Hit the Road Jack,” a spirited call-and-response about a breakup.
Week of October 16: Its punchy delivery and Charles’s unmistakable voice gave it a two-week reign.
Week of October 23: Dion burst in with “Runaround Sue,” a high-energy doo-wop anthem about love gone wrong.
Week of October 30: His swagger and style kept the tune in pole position.
Week of November 6: Jimmy Dean’s storytelling shone in “Big Bad John,” a tale of heroism deep in a coal mine.
Week of November 13: The public loved the legend, keeping Dean on top for a second week.
Week of November 20: The narrative strength and bass-heavy delivery gave it even more staying power.
Week of November 27: A fourth week cemented its place as a modern folk classic.
Week of December 4: The saga of Big Bad John continued, making it one of the longest-running #1 hits of the year.
Week of December 11: The Marvelettes made history with “Please Mr. Postman,” giving Motown its first pop #1 hit.
Week of December 18: The Tokens took listeners on a jungle journey with “The Lion Sleeps Tonight,” a joyful and exotic close to the year.
Week of December 25: Christmas week stayed wild and wonderful with The Tokens still riding high, their song becoming a timeless classic.
From the King of Rock and Roll to girl group pioneers, doo-wop dreamers to soul shouters, 1961 was a year of variety, emotion, and timeless hits. We hope this journey through the weekly #1 songs brought the era to life again—only on TopTuneTales.com.