GLOBAL TRACK CHART NO.1 LIST

Global No.1 Hits 1955-1969 2020-2029 2010-2019 2000-2009 1990-1999 1980-1989 1970-1979 CHART INDEX
THIS SECTION LISTS, IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER, ALL TRACKS WHICH HIT NO.1 ON THE UNITED WORLD CHART

1955

Mr. Sandman - The Chordettes 4 weeks No.1 between week 1, 1955 and week 4, 1955
Label: Cadence - Songwriter: Pat Ballard - Producer: Archie Bleyer

The legendary "Mr. Sandman" was written by Pat Ballard and published in 1954. It was first recorded in May of that year by Vaughn Monroe & His Orchestra and later that year by the Four Aces and The Chordettes, the latter was the most successful version. Cadence Records' founder, Archie Bleyer, was the orchestra conductor on the recording, and provided a rhythmic beat using his knees. Bleyer's voice is heard in the third verse, when he says the word "Yes?" The piano is played by Moe Wechsler. Liberace's name is mentioned for his wavy hair, and a glissando (a flourish common in his music) immediately follows. Pagliacci is mentioned for having a lonely heart, which is a reference to the opera Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo. "Mr. Sandman" reached number one on all three of Billboard's popular music charts, in United Kingdom it peaked at no.11.

1958

	Nel Blu Dipinto Del Blu (Volaré) - Domenico Modugno 4 weeks No.1 between week 37, 1958 and week 40, 1958 Labels: Oriole / Decca - Composer: Domenico Modugno - Lyricists: Franco Migliacci, Domenico Modugno "Nel Blu Dipinto Del Blu (Volaré)" was released on February 1, 1958 and won the eighth Sanremo Music Festival. The song was chosen as the Italian entry to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958, where it came in third. It became an enormous success worldwide, including the United States, where it received two Grammys. Domenico was an Italian singer, songwriter, actor, guitarist, and later in life, a member of the Italian Parliament.
	Bird Dog - Everly Brothers 1 week No.1 week 41, 1958 Labels: London / Cadence - Composer: Boudleaux Bryant - Lyricist: Boudleaux Bryant "Bird Dog" was released on July 28, 1958 and topped the Global Chart for one week. The song deals with the singer's dismay that a boy by the name of Johnny is trying to take his girlfriend away. The singer calls him a bird dog sa a result of his actions. The muscial structure is relatively unusual in that is has a 12 bar blues stanza and an 8 bar blues chorus. "Bird Dog" went to no.2 in the United States and United Kingdom, respectively no.2 in Australia and Canada.
	It's All In The Game - Tommy Edwards 6 weeks No.1 between week 42, 1958 and week 47, 1958 Label: MGM - Composers: Carl Sigman, Charles G.Dawes - Lyricists: Carl Sigman, Charles G.Dawes "It's All In The Game" as an adaption to a wordless 1911 composition titled "Melody In A-Major", written by Charles G.Dawes, later Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Vice President of the United States under Calvin Coolidge. In summer 1951, the songwriter Carl Sigman had an idea for a song, and Dawes' "Melody" struck him as suitable for his sentimental lyrics. But it still took seven years, before it went to global success, inter alia no.1 in the United States and United Kingdom.
	It's Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty 2 weeks No.1 between week 48, 1958 and week 49, 1958 Label: MGM - Composers: Jack Nance, Conway Twitty - Producer: Jim Vienneau "It's Only Make Believe" was released on July 14, 1958. The power ballad is about the thoughts and feelings of a man who is devoted to a woman in every way, but it's a one-way relationship. She doesn't love him and only stays with him for appearances, a fact of which he is painfully aware. "It's Only Make Believe" went to no.1 in the United States, Canada and United Kingdom, no.2 in Norway, no.5 in Australia, and no.9 in Italy.
	Tom Dooley - Kingston Trio 8 weeks No.1 between week 50, 1958 and week 6, 1959 Label: Capitol - Composer: Thomas Land - Lyricist: Thomas Land "Tom Dooley" is a folk song based on the 1866 murder of a woman named Laura Foster in Wilkes County, North Carolina, allegedly by Tom Dula. A local poet named Thomas Land wrote a song about the tragedy, titled "Tom Dooley" (which was how Dula's name was pronounced), shortly after Dula was hanged. The sweetheart murder ballad was covered by many artists, but the most successful version was the Kingston Trio recordings. "Tom Dooley" reached no.1 in many countries, like the United States, Canada, Germany, Australia, Italy, and Norway. Furthermore it was the second most successful global hit in the 50's of the 20th century, after 'Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)' by Doris Day.

1959

	Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - Platters 2 weeks No.1 between week 4, 1959 and week 5, 1959 Label: Mercury - Composer: Jerome Kern - Lyricist: Otto Harbach - Producer: Buck Ram "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" was originally composed for the 1933 musical Roberta. Its first recorded performance was by Gertrude Niesen, who recorded the song with orchestral direction from Ray Sinatra, Frank Sinatra's second cousin, on October 13, 1933. Well, 25 years later the Platters produced a version of "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" for their album Remember When. The romantic slow tune went to no.1 in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia.
	Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price 3 weeks No.1 between week 7, 1959 and week 9, 1959 Label: ABC-Paramount - Composers: Lloyd Price, Harold Logan - Producer: Don Costa "Stagger Lee" is a popular American folk song about the murder of William Lyons by Lee 'Stag' Shelton in St.Louis, Missouri at Christmas, 1895. Lee Shelton was a black pimp, his nickname Stack Lee was taken from a riverboat owned by the Lee family of Memphis, which was known for its on-board prostitution. Also Shelton's victim, William Lyons, was a member of St.Louis' underworld. On Christmas night in 1895, Shelton and his acquaintance Lyons were drinking in a saloon. Eventually, the two men got into a dispute, during which Lyons took Shelton's Stetson hat. Subsequently, Shelton shot Lyons, recovered his hat and left. Lyons died of his injuries, and Shelton was charged, tried and convicted of the murder in 1897. He was paroled in 1909, but returned to prison in 1911 for assault and robbery. He died in incarceration in 1912. The song about him was first published in 1911, and was first recorded in 1923 by Fred Waring's Pennsylvanians. Lloyd Price's recording from November 1958 was the most successful version and reached no.1 in the United States.
	Petite Fleur - Chris Barber's Jazz Band 1 week No.1 week 10, 1959 Labels: Pye-Nixa / Metronome / Laurie - Composer: Sidney Bechet - Producer: Donald Christopher Barber "Petite Fleur" is an instrumental written by Sidney Bechet and recorded by him in January 1952, first with the Sidney Bechet All Stars and later with Claude Luter and his orchestra. In 1959 it was an international hit as a clarinet solo by Monty Sunshine with Chris Barber's Jazz Band. This recording peaked at no.5 in the United States, no.4 in United Kingdom and no.2 in Germany.
	Venus - Frankie Avalon 4 weeks No.1 between week 11, 1959 and week 14, 1959 Label: Chancellor - Writers: Ed Marshall, Peter DeAngelis "Venus" was released in February 1959 and became the biggest hit of the American actor, singer, and teen idol Frankie Avalon. The lyrics of the romantic song detail a man's plea to Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, to send him a girl to love and one who will love him as well. "Venus" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it spent five weeks atop the survey.
	Come Softly To Me - Fleetwoods 2 weeks No.1 between week 15, 1959 and week 16, 1959 Label: Dolphin - Writer: Gretchen Christopher - Producer: Fleetwoods "Come Softly To Me" was released on February 16,1959. Recording the song at home, the group sang it a cappella with the rhythmic shaking of Troxel's car keys. The tape was then sent to Los Angeles where the sparse instrumental accompaniment was added, including an acoustic guitar played by Bonnie Guitar. The title phrase never appears in the song's lyrics. "Come Softly To Me" went to no.1 in the United States.
	(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I - Elvis Presley 6 weeks No.1 between week 17, 1959 and week 22, 1959 Label: RCA - Writer: Bill Trader "(Now And Then There's) A Fool Such As I" was published in 1952. Recorded as a single by Hank Snow it peaked at no.4 on the US country charts early in 1953. Elvis Presley recorded this song on June 10, 1958 at RCA's Studio B, Nashville, while Presley was on leave from the Army. The song was initially released as B-side to "I Need Your Love Tonight", but was an even bigger hit, reaching no.1 in United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and no.2 in the United States.
	The Battle Of New Orleans - Johnny Horton 1 week No.1 week 23, 1959 Labels: Columbia / Philips - Songwriter: Jimmy Driftwood - Producer: Don Law "The Battle Of New Orleans", released in April 1959, based on a well-known American fiddle tune "The 8th Of January", which was the date of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. The song descirbes the battle from the perpective of an American soldier and tells the tale of the battle with a light tone and provides a rather comical version of what actually happened at the battle. It has been recorded by many artists, but Johnny Horton's performance was the most successful version. It ranked at no.1 in the United States and was also the biggest hits for 1959 there. "The Battle Of New Orleans" went also at on.1 in Canada and Australia.
	Dream Lover - Bobby Darin 3 weeks No.1 between week 24, 1959 and week 27, 1959 Labels: Atco / London - Songwriter: Bobby Darin - Producer: Ahmet Ertegun, Jerry Wexler "Dream Lover" was released on April 20, 1959. Bobby Darin decided to stretch out some chord changes he found on the piano and add strings and voices. He recorded the song on March 5, 1959 together with Neil Sedaka on piano. The romantic smash peaked at the no.2 position in the United States, was kept from the no.1 spot by Johnny Horton's "The Battle Of New Orleans", but in United Kingdom it leaded the hitlist for four weeks.
	Personality - Lloyd Price 2 weeks No.1 between week 26, 1959 and week 28, 1959 Labels: ABC-Paramount / HMV / Electrola - Songwriters: Harold Logan, Lloyd Price "Personality", released in April 1959, was Lloyd Price's second million seller in the United States, after "Stagger Lee" (also 1959). The R&B song went to no.2 there and Billboard ranked it as the no.3 song for 1959. "Personality" was five weeks at no.1 in Australia and peaked at no.9 in United Kingdom.
	Lonely Boy - Paul Anka 5 weeks No.1 between week 29, 1959 and week 36, 1959 Labels: ABC-Paramount / Columbia - Songwriter: Paul Anka - Producer: Don Costa "Lonely Boy" was recorded in August 1958 and released in April 1959 for the film Girls Town. It became Paul Anka's second biggest smash, after "Diana" two years earlier. The melancholy tune went to no.1 in the United States, short time later it climbed to no.3 in United Kingdom, no.2 in the Netherlands and Belgium and no.8 in Germany. On the year-end list 1959 "Lonely Boy" ranked at the runner-up slot behind Bobby Darin's "Mack The Knife".
	A Big Hunk O' Love - Elvis Presley 3 weeks No.1 between week 32, 1959 and week 34, 1959 Label: RCA - Songwriters: Aaron Schroeder, Sidney Wyche - Producer: Steve Sholes "A Big Hunk O' Love", a hard, driving rocker, was recorded on June 10, 1958, at Elvis' first and only session during his two years of army service, but it was released more than a year later on June 23, 1959. The recording featured Elvis' drummer D.J.Fontana and backing vocalists the Jordanaires, who would continue to work with Elvis until his appearance at the hilton in Las Vegas. The rest of the musicians were noted Nashville session men, such as guitarist Hank Garland on a Gibson Byrdland guitar, Floyd Cramer on piano, Bob Moore on double bass, and Buddy Harman and D.J.Fontana on drums. The song was recorded in four takes, the released version is actually spliced from takes three and four. "A Big Hunk O' Love" topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States for two weeks and reached no.4 in United Kingdom.
	The Three Bells - The Browns 3 weeks No.1 between week 37, 1959 and week 39, 1959 Label: RCA Victor - Songwriters: Jean Villard Gilles, Bert Reisfeld - Producer: Chet Atkins "The Three Bells", also known as "Jimmy Brown" or "Little Jimmy Brown", based on the 1945 French-language song "Les Trois Cloches" written and composed by Swiss artist Jean Villard Gilles. The English lyrics were written by Bert Reisfeld and first recorded by the Melody Maids in 1948. The song was a major 1952-53 hit by Edith Piaf and Les Compagnons De La Chanson. The song documents three stages of the life of Jimmy Brown, his birth, his marriage, and his death. The Browns' male vocalist, Jim Ed Brown, coincidentally had the same name as the song's character. "The Three Bells' reached no.1 in the United States and Australia.
	Mack The Knife - Bobby Darin 11 weeks No.1 between week 40, 1959 and week 50, 1959 Label: Atco / London - Songwriters: Kurt Will, Bertolt Brecht, Marc Blitzstein, Turk Murphy "Mack The Knife" (German: "Die Moritat Von Mackie Messer"), is a song composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht for their 1928 music drama The Threepenny Opera. The song has become a popular standard recorded by many artists, but the most successful version was the Bobby Darin recording, released in August 1959. A Moritat is a medieval version of the murder ballad performed by strolling ministrels. In The Threepenny Opera, the Moritat singer with his street organ introduces and closes the drama with the tale of the deadly Mackie Messer, or Mack The Knife, a character based on the dashing highwayman Macheath in John Gay's The Beggar's Opera. The Brecht-Weill version of the character was more cruel and sinister and has been transformed into a modern anti-hero. Bobby Darin's "Mack The Knife" led the US Billboard Hot 100 for 9 weeks and earned him a Grammy Award for the Record Of The Year. On the Global Chart it was the most successful song of 1959.
	Heartaches By The Numbers - Guy Mitchell 1 week No.1 week 51, 1959 Labels: Philips / Columbia - Songwriter: Harlan Howard - Producer: Joe Sherman "Heartaches By The Numbers" is a popular country song written by Harlan Howard. The biggest hit version was recorded by Guy Mitchell on August 24, 1959. It reached the no.1 spot in the United States for two weeks. In United Kingdom it went to no.5 in January 1960 and in Germany it climbed to no.10. A German-speaking cover version, called "Ich Zähle Täglich Meine Sorgen", performed by Austrian singer and entertainer Peter Alexander was a no.2 success in Germany.
	Why - Frankie Avalon 2 weeks No.1 between week 52, 1959 and week 3, 1960 Label: Chancellor - Songwriters: Peter De Angelis, Bob Marcucci - Producer: Bob Marcucci "Why" based on an Italian song. The Frankie Avalon version was released on November 9, 1959 and features an uncredited female singer (alleged to be Fran Lori), heard in the repeat of the first four lines of the first part of the song , with Avalon replying, 'yes, i love you'. He concludes the last quarter of the song with a coda, by himself. "Why" reached no.1 in the United States at the end of the year 1959. In United Kingdom it peaked at no.20 in January 1960, but a cover version by Anthony Newley topped the hitlist there.

1960

	El Paso - Marty Robbins 3 weeks No.1 between week 1, 1960 and week 4, 1960 Labels: Columbia / Fontana - Songwriter: Marty Robbins - Producer: Don Law "El Paso" is a country and western ballad and was released on October 26, 1959. It's widely considered a genre classic for its gripping narrative which ends in the death of its protagonist, its shift from past to present tense, haunting harmonies by vocalist Bobby Sykes and Jim Glaser and the eloquent and varied Spanish guitar accompaniment by Grady Martin that lends the recording a distinctive Tex-Mex feel. The name of the character Felina was based upon a schoolmate of Robbins in the fifth grade; Fidelina Martinez. "El Paso" topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and went to no.19 in United Kingdom, respectively no.38 in Germany. It won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording in 1961.
	Running Bear - Johnny Preston 4 weeks No.1 between week 5, 1960 and week 8, 1960 Label: Mercury - Songwriter: J.P. Richardson - Producer: Bill Hall "Running Bear", the lovely story about Running Bear, a 'young indian brave', and Little White Dove, an 'indian maid' was written by Jiles Perry 'The Big Bopper' Richardson in 1958. The version by Johnny Preston was released in August 1959, seven months after Richardson's death in the plane crash that also killed Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens. The song featured background vocals by Richardson, George Jones, and producer Bill Hall, who provided the indian chanting of 'uga uga' during the three verses, as well as the 'indian war cries' at the start and end of the record. "Running Bear" reached the no.1 positions in the United States and United Kingdom.
	Theme From 'A Summer Place' - Percy Faith & His Orchestra 8 weeks No.1 between week 9, 1960 and week 16, 1960 Labels: Philips / Columbia - Songwriter: Max Steiner - Producer: Percy Faith "Theme From A Summer Place" was originally a song with lyrics by Mack Discant and music by Max Steiner, written for the 1959 film A Summer Place, which starred Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue. It was recorded for the film as an instrumental by Hugo Winterhalter. Following its initial film appearance, the theme has been recorded by many artists in both instrumental and vocal versions, and has also appeared in a unmber of subsequent films and television programs. But the best-known cover version is the instrumental by Percy Faith. His recording of "Theme From A Summer Place" held the no.1 spot of the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States for nine consecutive weeks, in United Kingdom it went to no.2. It won the Grammy Award for the Record Of The Year in 1961. This was the first movie theme and the first instrumental to win a Record Of The Year Grammy.
	Stuck On You - Elvis Presley 4 weeks No.1 between week 17, 1960 and week 20, 1960 Label: RCA - Songwriters: Aaron Schroeder, J.Leslie McFarland "Stuck On You" was Elvis Presley's first hit single after his two-year stint in the US Army. He recorded the song during March 1960, and the single was released short time later on March 23. "Stuck On You' peaked at number one in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands. In United Kingdom it went to no.3.
	Cathy's Clown - Everly Brothers 8 weeks No.1 between week 21, 1960 and week 28, 1960 Label: Warner Bros. - Songwriters: Don & Phil Everly - Producer: Wesley Rose "Cathy's Clown" was released in April 1960 and became the biggest hit of the legendary American country-influenced Rock'n Roll duo. The lyrics describe a man who has been wronged and publicly humiliated by his lover: 'here he comes, that's Cathy's clown'. The choruses are sung by brothers Don and Phil in their trademark close harmony style, while Don síngs the bridges solo. "Cathy's Clown" is noted for its unorthodox structure, such as beginning on a chorus and having bridges but no verses. The song spent five weeks at no.1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and seven weeks at the summit on the UK Singles Chart.
	I'm Sorry - Brenda Lee 3 weeks No.1 between week 29, 1960 and week 31, 1960 Labels: Brunswick / Decca - Songwriters: Dub Allbritten, Ronnie Self - Producer: Owen Bradley Brenda Lee recorded the song early in 1960, but her label held it from release for several months out of concern that a 15 year-old girl was not mature enough to sing about unrequited love. When the song finally was released on April 30, 1960, it was considered to be the flip side of the more uptempo "That's All You Gotta Do". Although the latter was a chart success in its own right, reaching no.6 in the United States, it was "I'm Sorry" that became the big smash hit and the standard. The languishing love ballad jumped at the top position in the United States and went to no.7 in Canada, no.12 in United Kingdom, no.25 in Germany, no.2 in Belgium and no.14 in the Netherlands.
	Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini - Brian Hyland 3 weeks No.1 between week 32, 1960 and week 34, 1960 Labels: Leader / London - Songwriters: Paul Vance, Lee Pockriss "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini", released in June 1960, is a novelty song about a shy girl wearing a revealing polka dot bikini at the beach. The story told through the three verses of the song is as follows: (1) the young lady is too afraid to leave the locker where she has changed into her bikini; (2) she has made it to the beach but sits on the sand wrapped in a blanket; and (3) she has finally gone into the ocean, but is too afraid to come out, and stays immersed in the water, despite the fact that she's 'turning blue', to hide herself from view. The funny smash went to no.1 in the United States and Canada.
	It's Now Or Never - Elvis Presley 17 weeks No.1 between week 35, 1960 and week 51, 1960 Label: RCA - Songwriters: Wally Gold, Aaron Schroeder, Eduardo Di Capua "It's Now Or Never" based on the Italian song of the Neapolitan language, "O Sole Mio". In the late 1950s, while stationed in Germany with the U.S.Army, Presley heard this song. It's also likely that he was inspired to record this because of his fondness for Mario Lanza who had first popularized "Oh Sole Mio" to American audiences and who had died the year before "It's Now Or Never" was recorded. Released on July 5, 1960, "It's Now Or Never" became Elvis' biggest hit, it was a number one smash in almost all countries around the world. And it was also the largest global success of the year 1960 with a total of 10.981.000 points.
	Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Elvis Presley 10 weeks No.1 between week 52, 1960 and week 9, 1961 Label: RCA - Songwriters: Lou Handman, Roy Turkv - Producers: Steve Sholes, Chet Atkins "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" was originally recorded several times in 1927, first by Charles Hart, with successful versions by Vaughn De Leath, Henry Burr, and the duet of Jerry Macy and John Ryan. In 1950 the Blue Barron Orchestra version reached the Top 20 in the United States. In April 1960, after Presley's two-year service in the U.S.Army, he recorded the song at the suggestion of manager Colonel Tom Parker; "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" was Parker's wife, Marie Mott's, favorite song. Its release was delayed by RCA executives, who thought the song did not fit Presley's new (and publicized) style. Finally "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" jumps at no.1 in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Belgium, and Spain. Unforgettable is Presley's live-version of that song, called the "Laughing Version", from the midnight show at the International Hotel in Las Vegas on August 26, 1969.

1961

	Ebony Eyes - Everly Brothers 2 weeks No.1 between week 10, 1961 and week 11, 1961 Label: Warner Bros. - Songwriter: John D. Loudermilk "Ebony Eyes" was released in January 1961 as a single together with "Walk Right Back". The lyrics of this sad song tell a young man's tragic story of losing his beloved fiancée in an airplane crash in dark, stormy weather conditions... conditions which remind him of his fiancée's ebony eyes. "Ebony Eyes" was initially banned by the BBC from airplay in the United Kingdom as its lyrics were considered too upsetting to play on the radio. In this country the track went to number one for 3 weeks, on the other side of the Atlantic, in the United States, it went to on.8.
	Surrender - Elvis Presley 6 weeks No.1 between week 12, 1961 and week 24, 1961 Label: RCA - Songwriters: Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman, Ernesto De Curtis "Surrender" was released in on February 7, 1961 as an adaption, written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, to the music of a 1902 Neopolitan ballad by Giambattista and Ernesto De Durtis entitled "Torna A Surriento". The song was another no.1 smash for Elvis Presley in the United States and United Kingdom, furthermore a no.1 hit in Belgium, no.2 in Italy and Norway, no.3 in the Netherlands, no.6 in Germany.
	Blue Moon - Marcels 5 weeks No.1 between week 15, 1961 and week 19, 1961 Label: Colpix - Songwriters: Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart "Blue Moon" was written by the Broadway songwriting team Rodgers / Hart in 1934. It may be the first instance of the familiar '50s progression' in a popular song and has become a standard ballad. The song was a hit twice in 1949 with successful recordings in the United States by Billy Eckstine and Mel Tormé. But the most successful version was the doo-wop recording by the Marcels, released in February 1961. This song catapulted atop the hitlists in the United States and United Kingdom.
	Runaway - Del Shannon 2 weeks No.1 between week 20, 1961 and week 21, 1961 Label: Big Top - Songwriters: Del Shannon, Max Crook - Producer: Harry Balk Singer / guitarist Charles Westover and keyboard player Max Crook performed together as members of Charlie Johnson & The Big Little Show Band in Battle Creek, Michigan, before their group won a recording contract in 1960. Westover took the new stage name Del Shannon, and Crook, who had invented his own clavioline-based electric keyboard called a Musitron, became Maximilian. After their first recording session for Big Top Records in New York City had ended in failure, their manager Ollie McLaughlin persuaded them to rewrite and re-record an earlier song they had written, "Little Runaway", to highlight Crook's unique instrumental sound. "Runaway" was releaded on February 18, 1961, and topped the charts in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
	Travelin' Man - Ricky Nelson 4 weeks No.1 between week 25, 1961 and week 28, 1961 Labels: London / Imperial - Songwriter: Jerry Fuller - Producer: Joe Johnson Singer-songwriter Jerry Fuller wrote "Travelin' Man" with Sam Cooke in mind, but Cooke's manager was unimpressed and did not keep the demo, which eventually wound up being passed along to Ricky Nelson. The song details the loves of a world traveler with an eye for beautiful women. Songwriter Fuller has described it as a 'girl in every port' song. The women in each locale are referenced by a word or phrase associated with the location. The women were: a pretty señorita in Mexico, an Eskimo in Alaska, a fräulein in Berlin, a china doll in Hong Kong, and a Polynesian in Waikiki. Released in April 1961, "Travelin' Man" went to no.1 in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In United Kingdom it peaked at no.2.
	Hello Mary Lou - Ricky Nelson 5 weeks No.1 between week 29, 1961 and week 33, 1961 Labels: London / Imperial - Songwriter: Gene Pitney, Cayet Mangiaracina - Producer: Joe Johnson "Hello Mary Lou" was first recorded by Johnny Duncan in 1960, and later by Ricky Nelson in 1961. His version, issued as a double A-side with his other no.1 hit "Travelin' Man". The song is similar to an earlier song, "Merry, Merry Lou", written by Cayet Mangiaracina and recorded by his band, the Sparks, in 1957 on a single released by Decca Records. Mangiaracina would later become ordained as a Catholic priest. When "Hello Mary Lou" was released, the publisher of "Merry, Merry Lou" sued for plagiarism and a settlement was reached. Mangiaracina was given co-writing credit for "Hello Mary Lou" and a share of the song's royalties. In the United States the song reached only no.9, but it was no.1 smash in United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway, furthermore a no.2 hit in Germany.
	Tossin' And Turnin' - Bobby Lewis 1 week No.1 week 34, 1961 Label: Beltone - Songwriters: Ritchie Adams, Malou Rene "Tossin' And Turnin'", released on April 30, 1961, spent seven weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, and has since become a standard on oldies compilations. On the original hit single version, the track begins with Lewis singing 'I couldn't sleep at all last night', and it appears this way on most compilations. However, on some releases the song has a prelude, where Lewis sings 'Baby, Baby, you did something to me', followed by a musical cue into the first verse. Lewis usually included this prelude when he performed the song live.
	Wooden Heart - Joe Dowell 1 week No.1 week 35, 1961 Label: Smash - Songwriters: Fred Wise, Ben Weisman, Kay Twomey, Bert Kaempfert "Wooden Heart" based on a German folk song by Friedrich Silcher, "Muss I Denn", originating from Rems Valley in Württemberg, southwest Germany. "Wooden Heart" features several lines from the original folk song. Marlene Dietrich recorded a version of the song sometime before 1958, which appears as a B-side on a 1959 version of her single *Lili Marlene". Joe Dowell's recording spent three weeks at no.1 in the United States. But the most successful version of that song comes from Elvis Presley. He recorded the song for the 1960 film "G.I.Blues". It went to no.2 globally in March / April 1961 and placed at no.15 on the Year-End Chart, Joe Dowell's version reached only no.29 there.
	Michael - Highwaymen 8 weeks No.1 between week 36, 1961 and week 43, 1961 Label: United Artists - Songwriter: Tony Saletan, traditional - Producer: Lou Adler "Michael" (also called "Michael, Row Your Boat Ashore") is an African-American spiritual first noted during the American Civil War at St. Helena Island, one of the Sea Islands of South Carolina. It was sung by former slaves whose owners had abandoned the island before the Union navy arrived to enforce a blockade. The song was first published in 1867 in the book "Slave Songs of the United States". Folk musician and educator Tony Saletan rediscovered it in 1954 in a library copy of that book. The most successful recording of that spiritual was released in September 1960 by the folk group Highwaymen, and reached the no.1 position one year later in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Norway, furthermore no.3 in the Netherlands and no.4 in Germany.
	Hit The Road Jack - Ray Charles 1 week No.1 week 44, 1961 Label: ABC-Paramount - Songwriter: Percy Mayfield - Producer: Sid Feller "Hit The Road Jack" was first recorded in 1960 as an a cappella demo sent to music executive Art Rupe. It became famous after it was recorded by singer, songwriter, pianist Ray Charles with The Raelettes vocalist Margie Hendrix, and eventually became one of Charles' signature songs. Released in August 1961, the song reached no.1 in the United States later that year. "Hit The Road Jack" won a Grammy Award for 'Best Rhythm & Blues Recording'.
	Big Bad John - Jimmy Dean 6 weeks No.1 between week 45, 1961 and week 50, 1961 Labels: Philips / Columbia - Songwriter: Jimmy Dean - Producer: Don Law The country tune "Big Bad John" was released in September 1961. The song and its sequels tell a story typical of American folklore, reminiscent of Paul Bunyan or John Henry. It's about a mysterious and quiet miner who earns the nickname Big John because of his height, weight, and muscular physique. Country pianist Floyd Cramer, who was hired to play piano on the song, came up with the idea to use a hammer and a piece of steel instead. This became a distinctive characteristic of the song. "Big Bad John" climbed to the summit in the United States, to the runner-up spot in United Kingdom, and won a Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording.
	The Lion Sleeps Tonight - Tokens 3 weeks No.1 between week 51, 1961 and week 1, 1962 Label: RCA Victor - Songwriters: Solomon Linda, Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, George David Weiss, Albert Stanton - Producers: Hugo & Luigi "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is a song originally written and recorded by Solomon Linda under the title "Mbube" for the South African Gallo Record Company in 1939. Linda's original was written in Zuku, while the English version's lyrics were written by Georg David Weiss. The song was adapted and covered internationally by many pop and folk revival artists in the 1950 and 1960. But the most successful version came by the doo-wop group the Tokens. Released on November 17, 1961, their version of the song reached the number one position in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.

1962

	The Twist - Chubby Checker 4 weeks No.1 between week 2, 1962 and week 5, 1962 Label: Parkway - Songwriter: Hank Ballard - Producer: Dave Appell "The Twist" was written and originally released in 1958 by Hank Ballard, after seeing teenagers in Tampa, Florida doing the titular dance. This version was a moderate hit, peaking at no.28 on the Billboard Hot 100. Chubby Checker's cover version, released in June 1960, was far more successful and reached no.1 in the United States, respectively no.2 globally in September 1960. In late 1961 and early 1962, the twist craze belatedly caught on in high society. Sightings of celebrities doing the dance made the song a hit with adults. This new interest gave "The Twist" a second chart life in 1962 and marked a major turning point for adult acceptance of rock and roll music.
	Can't Help Falling In Love - Elvis Presley 5 weeks No.1 between week 6, 1962 and week 10, 1962 Label: RCA - Songwriters: Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, George David Weiss - Producers: Elvis Presley, Joseph Lilley "Can't Help Falling In Love", released on November 21, 1961, and was featured in Presley's film Blue Hawaii. The melody is based on "Plaisir D'Amour", a popular French love song composed in 1784 by Jean-Paul-Égide Martini. Initially it was written from the perspective of a woman. "Can't Help Falling In Love" topped the hitlist in United Kingdom, and went to the runner-up slot in the United States and Sweden. Furthermore it reached no.3 in Australia and no.4 in Canada.
	Midnight In Moscow - Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen 3 weeks No.1 between week 11, 1962 and week 13, 1962 Labels: Kapp / Pye - Songwriters: Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, George David Weiss - Producers: Elvis Presley, Joseph Lilley Well-established in their careers, Russian composer Vasily Solovyov-Sedoi and Russian poet Mikhail Matusovsky wrote the tune in 1955 with the title "Leningradskie Vechera". In 1957, quite to the surprise of its creators, the song won both the first prize at the 6th World Festival of Youth and Students held in Moscow and the international song contest. The British Dixieland band Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen, at the forefront of the early 1960s UK jazz revival, released a cover version at the end of 1961 and landed a big international smash with no.2 positions in the United States and United Kingdom.
	Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream) - Roy Orbison 1 week No.1 week 14, 1962 Label: Monument - Songwriter: Cindy Walker - Producer: Fred Foster The Rockabilly song "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)" was originally released as a non-album single on February 10, 1962. Later it was included on Orbison's Greatest Hits compilation. The tune reached the no.1 position only in Ireland, furthermore no.2 in United Kingdom, Australia, and no.4 in the United States.
	Good Luck Charm - Elvis Presley 10 weeks No.1 between week 15, 1962 and week 25, 1962 Label: RCA - Songwriters: Aaron Schroeder, Wally Gold - Producer: Steve Sholes The rock and roll / pop smash "Good Luck Charm" was released on February 27, 1962. Presley is joined vocally on the chorus by Jordanaires first tenor Gordon Stoker. The song completed his second hat-trick of chart topping singles in the United Kingdom. Furthermore it topped the hiltlists in the United States, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, and Norway. On the Year-End Chart 1962 it reached no.3 with a total of 7,595,000 points.
	Stranger On The Shore - Mr. Acker Bilk 1 week No.1 week 18, 1962 Labels: Metronome / Atco / Columbia - Songwriters: Acker Bilk, Robert Mellin - Producer: Denis Preston "Stranger On The Shore" is a piece for clarinet written by Acker Bilk for his young daughter and originally named "Jenny" after her. The tune was written on a single scrap of paper by Bilk and handed over to Leon Young who crafted the string arrangement, including the characteristic harmonic shifts at the very end. The recording was subsequently used as the theme tune of a BBC TV drama serial for young people, "Stranger On The Shore". It was first released in October 1961 in United Kingdom and went to on.2 there and then it climbed to no.1 in the United States.
	I Can't Stop Loving You - Ray Charles 6 weeks No.1 between week 26, 1962 and week 31, 1962 Label: ABC-Paramount - Songwriter: Don Gibson - Producer: Chet Atkins "I Can't Stop Loving You" was first recorded in December 1957 by country singer, songwriter, and musician Don Gibson, as the B-side of "Oh, Lonesome Me". The song was covered by Ray Charles in 1962, featured on his album Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music (1962). His version of that tune became a huge international success, reached no.1 in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden. "I Can't Stop Loving You" placed at the runner-up slot of the Year-End Chart 1962 with a total of 7.643.000 points.
	Speedy Gonzales - Pat Boone 6 weeks No.1 between week 32, 1962 and week 45, 1962 Labels: London / Dot - Songwriters: Buddy Kaye, Ethel Lee, David Hill - Producer: Randy Wood "Speedy Gonzales"... 'the fastest mouse in all Mexico'... was originally recorded by David Dante in 1961. One year later the song was popularised by Pat Boone. The female voice ("la-la-la...") on this song was of Robin Ward. It also incorporated Mel Blanc voicing Speedy Gonzales as he did in the Warner Brothers cartoons. Dante's version details a demand from a girl named Consuela to Speedy to stop roving about and take care of his neglected household. Boone's song adds a spoken introduction station that he was wandering between some old adobe haciendas on a moonlight night in Mexico, where he heard the voice of a Mexican girl calling to Speedy, and Mel Blanc's inserts replace a recurring line from Dante's lyrics. "Speedy Gonzales" was the biggest hit of the year 1962 globally with a total of 8,463,000 points and topped the charts in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, furthermore it reached no.2 in United Kingdom, no.3 in Australia, no.6 in the United States, and no.8 in France.
	She's Not You - Elvis Presley 4 weeks No.1 between week 37, 1962 and week 40, 1962 Label: RCA - Songwriters: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Doc Pomus - Producers: Steve Sholes, Chet Atkins "She's Not You" was released on July 17, 1962 and became another big smash for Elvis. The Jordanaires sang the background vocals. The song reached the top position in United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, and New Zealand. Furthermore it went to no.5 in the United States and no.4 in the Netherlands. The recording appeared one year later on the compilation Elvis' Golden Records Volume 3.
	Ramblin' Rose - Nat 'King' Cole 3 weeks No.1 between week 41, 1962 and week 44, 1962 Label: Capitol - Songwriters: Noel Sherman, Joe Sherman - Producer: Lee Gillette The sentimental love song "Ramblin' Rose" was released in July 1962, written by brothers Noel Sherman (words) and Joe Sherman (music). It reached the runner-up slot in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Furthermore no.3 in Germany, and no.5 in United Kingdom, Norway, and Ireland.
	I Remember You - Frank Ifield 1 week No.1 week 42, 1962 Labels: Vee-Jay / Columbia - Songwriter: Victor Schertzinger - Producer: Johnny Mercer "I Remember You" was published and originally recorded in 1941 by Jimmy Dorsey. The song was one of several songs introduced in the film The Flett's In (1942). Dorothy Lamour sang it with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra. Australian singer Frank Ifield recorded the song in a yodeling country-music style. It was released on June 29, 1962 and reached no.1 in United Kingdom and no.5 in the United States.
	Big Girls Don't Cry - The 4 Seasons 1 week No.1 week 46, 1962 Label: Vee-Jay - Songwriters: Bob Crewe, Bob Gaudio - Producer: Bob Crewe "Big Girls Don't Cry" was released in October 1962. Like its predecessor "Sherry", it's sung mostly in falsetto. According to Gaudio, he was dozing off while watching the John Payne / Rhonda Fleming / Ronald Reagan movie Tennessee's Partner when he heard Payne's character slap Fleming in the face. After the slap, Fleming's character replied, 'big girls don't cry'. Gaudio wrote the line on a scrap of paper, fell asleep, and wrote the song the next morning. The song spent five weeks in the top position of the United States.
	Telstar - Tornados 13 weeks No.1 between week 47, 1962 and week 7, 1963 Labels: London / Decca - Songwriter: Joe Meek - Producer: Joe Meek "Telstar", released on August 17, 1962, is one of the most successful instrumentals in the music history. The tune was named after the Telstar commmunications satellite, which was launched into orbit on July 10, 1962. Written and produced my Joe Meek, it featured either a clavioline or the similar Jennings Univox, both keyboard instruments with distinctive electrinc sounds. It was recorded in Meek's studio in a small flat above a shop in Holloway Road, North London. "Telstar" won an Ivor Novello Award and was one of the earliest pop tracks influenced by science fiction, absolutely futuristic for its time. It peaked at the top position in the United States, United Kingdom, Belgium, and entered the Top 10 in many other countries around the globe.

1963

	Hey Paula - Paul & Paula 1 week No.1 week 8, 1963 Label: Philips - Songwriter: Ray Hildebrand - Producers: Major Bill Smith, Marvin 'Smokey' Montgomery The duo consisting songwriter Ray Hildebrand (Paul), a student at Texas' Howard Payne University, a Baptist institution in the city of Brownwood and Jill Jackson (Paula), the niece of the owner the boarding house where Ray lived. Both performed the song on a local radio station and it became popular enough for the duo to try to make a professional recording. Released in late 1962 "Hey Paula" went to number one in the United States in February 1963.
	Walk Right In - Rooftop Singers 1 week No.1 week 9, 1963 Labels: Philips / Vanguard - Songwriters: Gus Cannon, Hosea Woods - Producers: Erik Darling, Bill Svanoe The country blues song "Walk Right In" was originally written and recorded by Gus Cannon and his Jug Stompers in 1929. In December 1962 the country folk-singing trio the Rooftop Singers released a new version of the song and it became an international hit in 1963 with number one positions in the United States and Canada.
	Walk Like A Man - The 4 Seasons 2 weeks No.1 between week 10, 1963 and week 11, 1963 Label: Vee-Jay - Songwriters: Bob Crewe, Bob Gaudio - Producer: Bob Crewe The rock'n roll / doo-wop classic "Walk Like A Man" was released in January 1963. The song features the counterpoint of Nick Massi's bass voice and the falsetto of lead singer Frankie Valli. During the sessions that produced the hit recording, the fire department received an emergency call from the Abbey Victoria Hotel (the building that housed the Stea-Phillips Recording Studios). As producer Bob Crewe was insisting upon recording the prefect take, smoke and water started to seep into the studio; the room directly above the studio was on fire, but crewe had blocked the studio door. He continued recording until firemen used their axes on the door and pulled Crewe out. "Walk Like A Man" went to no.1 in the United States for three weeks.
	Rhythm Of The Rain - Cascades 3 weeks No.1 between week 12, 1963 and week 14, 1963 Label: Valiant - Songwriter: John Claude Gummoe - Producer: Barry De Vorzon "Rhythm Of The Rain" was released in November 1962. The arrangement of the romantic tune features distinctive use of a celesta (also called a bell-piano). The sound of rain and thunder are heard at the beginning and the end of the song. The lyrics are sung by a man whose lover has left him; the rain falling reminds him 'what a fool' he has been. He rhetorically asks the rain for answers, but ultimately he wishes it would 'go away' and let him cry alone. "Rhythm Of The Rain" reached to top position in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland.
	He's So Fine - The Chiffons 2 weeks No.1 between week 15, 1963 and week 16, 1963 Label: Laurie - Songwriter: Ronald Mack - Producers: Phil Margo, Mitch Margo, Jay Siegal, Hank Medress "He's So Fine" is one of the most instantly recognizable golden oldies with its doo-lang doo-lang doo-lang background vocal. It's is also renowned as the plaintiff song in the famous plagiarism case against George Harrison's "My Sweet Lord" from 1971. Released in January 1963, "He's So Fine" reached the top position in the United States, Canada and New Zealand.
	Can't Get Used To Losing You - Andy Williams 4 weeks No.1 between week 17, 1963 and week 20, 1963 Labels: CBS / Columbia - Songwriters: Jerome 'Doc' Pomus, Mort Shuman - Producer: Robert Mersey The often covered "Can't Get Used To Losing You" was first made popular by Andy Williams in a 1963 record release, which was a no.2 hit in both the United States and United Kingdom. William's vocals on the song's verses were double-tracked in unison, and overdubbed on the chorus so the listener hears Williams singing in harmony with himself.
	I Will Follow Him - Little Peggy March 1 week No.1 week 21, 1963 Label: RCA Victor - Songwriters: Franck Pourcel, Paul Mauriat, Arthur Altman, Norman Gimbel - Producers: Hugo & Luigi "I Will Follow Him" was first recorded in 1961 by Franck Pourcel, as an instrumental titled "Chariot". Pourcel co-wrote the song with his friend and fellow French bandleader Paul Mauriat. The song achieved its widest success when it was recorded by American singer Little Peggy March with English lyrics. Released on January 22, 1963, "I Will Follow Him" topped the hitlists in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
	It's My Party - Lesley Gore 3 weeks No.1 between week 22, 1963 and week 25, 1963 Label: Mercury - Songwriters: Walter Gold, John Gluck Jr., Herb Weiner, Seymour Gottlieb - Producer: Quincy Jones "It's My Party" was released on April 5, 1963, as the lead single from Lesley Gore's debut album I'll Cry If I Want To (1963). Lyrically it portrays the discomfort of a teenage girl at her birthday party when her boyfriend Johnny disappears, only to return in the company of Judy, another girl, who is "wearing his ring", to indicate he has replaced the birthday girl as his love interest. The song's effectiveness is enhanced by several musical touches that producer Quincy Jones incorporated, including Latin-sounding rhythms, double tracked vocals, and effective horn parts. "It's My Party" reached the number one position in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
	Sukiyaki (Ue O Muite Arukô) - Kyû Sakamoto 4 weeks No.1 between week 24, 1963 and week 28, 1963 Labels: Capitol / Toshiba Records Japan - Songwriters: Hachidai Nakamura, Rokusuke Ei - Producer: Kôji Kusano "Sukiyaki (Ue O Muite Arukô)" was firstly released on October 15, 1961 in Japan. The lyrics tell the story of a man who looks up and whistles while he is walking so that his tears will not fall, with the verses describing his memories and feelings. Rokusuke Ei wrote the lyrics while walking home from participating in the 1960 Anpo protests againts the USA / Japan Security Treaty, expressing his frustration and dejection at the failed efforts to stop the treaty. However, the lyrics were purposefully generic so that they might refer to any lost love. In 1963 "Sukiyaki (Ue O Muite Arukô)" became an international hit with no.1 positions in Japan, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway. The huge success has been described as a metaphor for the emerging post-World War II global expansion of Japan onto the world scene. Kyû Sakamoto died on August 12, 1985 in the crash of Japan Air Lines Flight 123, along with 519 other on board the flight.
	Surf City - Jan & Dean 1 week No.1 week 29, 1963 Label: Liberty - Songwriters: Brian Wilson, Jan Berry - Producer: Jan Berry Released on May 17, 1963, "Surf City" was the first surf song to become a number one hit in the United States. The first draft of the song, with the working title "Good Connie Won't You Come Back Home", was written by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. While a party with Jan Berry and Dean Torrence, Wilson played them "Surfin' USA" on the piano. Berry and Torrence suggested that they do the song as a single, but Wilson refusedm as "Surfin' USA" was inteded for the Beach Boys. Wilson then suggested that the duo record "Surf City" instead, demoing the opening, verse, and chorus. Wilson had lost interest in the song and believed he was never going to complete it himself. Berry later contributed additional writing to the song, while Torrence also contributed several phrases, but never insisted that he be given writing credits.
	(You're The) Devil In Disguise - Elvis Presley 11 weeks No.1 between week 30, 1963 and week 40, 1963 Label: RCA - Songwriters: Bill Giant, Bernie Baum, Florence Kaye - Producer: Bill Porter Bill Porter engineered the song for the Elvis Presley recording sessions on May 26, 1963, at RCA Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. "(You're The) Devil In Disguise" and its flipside, "Please Don't Drag That String Around", were recorded for a full-length album that was scheduled for released in 1963, but RCA chose instead to release the album piecemeal on singles and as soundtrack album bonus tracks. Bass singer Ray Walker, of the gospel vocal group The Jordanaires (who worked as Presley's backing vocalists for much of his early career), is featured in the song, singing the repeated phrase in a deep voice, in order to represent the devil: "Oh, yes, you are," before the song's fade. Released on June 18, 1963, "(You're The) Devil In Disguise" reached the top position in United Kingdom, France, Canada, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Ireland, furthermore no.2 in Germany and Australia, and no.3 in the United States.
	Sugar Shack - Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs 6 weeks No.1 between week 41, 1963 and week 46, 1963 Label: Dot - Songwriters: Keith McCormack, Faye Voss - Producer: Norman Petty "Sugar Shack" is a song written in 1962 by Keith McCormack. He gave songwriting credit to his aunt, Beulah Faye Voss, after asking what are"those tight pants that girls wear" to which she replied "leotards". The song was recorded in 1963 at the Norman Petty Studios in Clovis, New Mexico. The unusual and distinctive instrumental part was played by Norman Petty on a Hammond Solovox keyboard. "Sugar Shack" went atop the top position in the United States and Canada.
	If I Had A Hammer - Trini Lopez 1 week No.1 week 47, 1963 Label: Reprise - Songwriters: Pete Seeger, Lee Hays - Producer: Don Costa The protest song "If I Had A Hammer" was first performed publicity by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays on June 3, 1959, at St.Nicholas Arena in New York City at a testimonial dinner for the leaders of the Communist Party of the United States, who were then on trial in federal court, charged with violating the Smith Act by advocating the overthrow of the U.S.government. It was not particularly successful in commercial terms when it was first released. It fared notably better commercially when it was recorded by Peter, Paul & Mary 12 years later. Their version of the song became a Top 10 hit in the United States and won the Grammy Awards for Best Folk Recording and best Performance by a Vocal Group. Trini Lopez' version, released in July 1963, reached no.3 in the United States, furthermore no.3 in United Kingdom, no.2 in Germany and Norway, and no.1 in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden.
	Bossa Nova Baby - Elvis Presley 1 week No.1 week 48, 1963 Label: RCA - Songwriters: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller - Producer: Joseph Lilley "Bossa Nova Baby" was initially given to Tippie & The Clovers, who recorded and released the song in 1962 with a samba rhythm and a Farfisa hook. However, it flopped and did not chart. Elvis Presley recorded the song for the 1963 motion picture Fun In Acapulco, despite it having little to do with Acapulco or bossa nova. This version was in a rock and roll style with an organic riff, electric guitar and a mariachi band. "Bossa Nova Baby" reached the Top 10 in several countries, with the highest positions in Belgium and Norway, where it reached the runner-up slot.
	Dominique - Soeur Sourire (Singing Nun) 3 weeks No.1 between week 49, 1963 and week 3, 1964 Label: Philips - Songwriter: Jeanine Deckers "Dominique" is a French language popular song, written and performed by Belgian singer Jeannine Deckers, better known as Soeur Sourire (Sister Smile in French) or the Singing Nun. It's about Saint Dominic, a Spanish-born priest and founder of the Dominican Order, of which she was a member (as Sister Luc-Gabrielle). The English-version lyrics of the song were written by Noêl Regney. In addition to French and English, Deckers recorded versions in Dutch, German, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean, and Portuguese. "Dominique" went to the top position in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
	I Want To Hold Your Hand - Beatles 14 weeks No.1 between week 50, 1963 and week 13, 1964 Labels: Parlophone / Capitol - Songwriters: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Producer: George Martin "I Want To Hold Your Hand" catapulted the Beatles at the rock-olymp, initialized their worldwide break-through and started the British Invasion of the American music industry. The rousing smash reminiscent of Tin Pan Alley and Brill Building techniques and an example of modified 32-bar form. "I Want To Hold Your Hand" is writtten on a two-bridge model, with only an intervening verse to connect them. The song has no real lead singer, as Lennon and McCartney sing alternately in unison and in harmony with each other. With advance orders exceeding one million copies in United Kingdom alone it started after the release on November 29, 1963, easily atop the weekly Global Chart and reached short time later also no.1 in almost all countries around the world and finally even the pole position on the Year-End Chart 1964. The song was nominated for the 1964 Grammy Award for Record Of The Year, but the award went to Astrud Gilberto and Stan Getz for "The Girl From Ipanema".

1964

	Can't Buy Me Love - Beatles 9 weeks No.1 between week 14, 1964 and week 22, 1964 Labels: Parlophone / Capitol - Songwriters: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Producer: George Martin "Can't Buy Me Love" was released in March 1964, included on the group's album A Hard Day's Night (1964). While in Paris, the Beatles stayed at the five-star George V hotel and had an upright piano moved into one of their suites so that songwriting could continue. It was here that Paul McCartney wrote "Can't Buy Me Love". The song was written under the pressure of the success achieved by "I Want To Hold Your Hand", which had just reached number one in the United States. The song became another big success worldwide with no.1 positions in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Ireland, and New Zealand.
	My Guy - Mary Wells 2 weeks No.1 between week 23, 1964 and week 24, 1964 Label: Motown - Songwriter: Smokey Robinson - Producer: Smokey Robinson "My Guy" was released on March 13, 1964, written and produced by Motown star Smokey Robinson. The song is a woman's rejection of a sexual advance and affirmation of her fidelity to her boyfriend, who is her ideal and with whom she is happy, despite his ordinary physique and looks. Mary Wells was Motown's first female star and her "My Guy" reached the top position in the United States and New Zealand.
	My Boy Lollipop - Millie 4 weeks No.1 between week 25, 1964 and week 28, 1964 Labels: Smash / Fontana - Songwriters: Robert Spencer, Johnny Roberts - Producer: Chris Blackwell "My Boy Lollipop" was originally written in the mid-1950s and first recorded by American singer Barbie Gaye. A later version recorded by Jamaican singer Millie Small in 1964, with very similar rhythm, became an international hit that time and is one of the first songs to introduce ska music. "My Boy Lollipop" was a number one smash in Canada, Sweden, and Ireland, furthermore it reached the no.2 position in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, and New Zealand.
	Rag Doll - The 4 Seasons 1 week No.1 week 29, 1964 Label: Philips - Songwriters: Bob Crewe, Bob Gaudio - Producer: Bob Crewe According to songwriter Bob Gaudio, the recording was inspired by an occasion involving the homeless children who, at stop lights in the city, would run into the street and clean windshields for spare change. In the Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan neighborhood, a young girl with a dirty face and wearing ragged clothes approached Gaudio's automobile. When he reached into his wallet to pay her, he found that none of the notes were smaller than $10. He gave the girl a $10 bill. "The image of her stuck in my head until I wrote Rag Doll", Gaudio recalled in a 2009 interview. "Rag Doll", released in June 1964, jumped top the tally in the United States and Canada, furthermore it reached no.2 in United Kingdom and no.3 in Australia and New Zealand.
	A Hard Day's Night - Beatles 8 weeks No.1 between week 30, 1964 and week 37, 1964 Labels: Parlophone / Capitol - Songwriters: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Producer: George Martin "A Hard Day's Night" was first released to the United States on June 26, 1964, on the film soundtrack of the same name. The song's title originated from something said by Ringo Starr, he described it this way in an interview with disc jockey Dave Hull in 1964: "We went to do a job, and we'd worked all day and we happended to work all night. I came up still thinking it was day I suppose, and i said, 'it's been a hard day... and I looked around and saw it was dark so I said, ...night!' So we came to 'A Hard Day's Night." The song catapulted atop the hitlist in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Ireland, and New Zealand.
	House Of The Rising Sun - Animals 1 week No.1 week 38, 1964 Labels: MGM / Columbia - Songwriters: Traditional, Alan Price - Producer: Mickie Most "House Of The Rising Sun" is a traditional folk song. It tells of a person's life gone wrong in the city of New Orleans. The tune was first collected in Appalachia in the 1930s, but probably has its roots in traditional English folk song. Like many folk songs, "House Of The Rising Sun" is of uncertain authorship. Musicologists say that it's based on the tadition of broadside ballads. An interview with Animals' lead singer Eric Burdon revealed that he first heard the song in a club in Newcastle (United Kingdom), where it was sung by the Northumbrian folk singer Johnny Handle. The Animals were on tour with Chuck Berry and choose it because they wanted something dsitinctive to sing. Released as a single on June 19, 1964, it reached the top position in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Spain, and Finland.
	Oh, Pretty Woman - Roy Orbison 10 weeks No.1 between week 39, 1964 and week 49, 1964 Labels: Monument / London - Songwriters: Roy Orbison, Bill Dees - Producer: Fred Foster Roy Orbison's signature song "Oh, Pretty Woman" was released on August 26, 1964. The title was inspired by Orbison's wife, Claudette, interrupting a conversation to announce that she was going out. When Orbison asked if she had enough cash, his co-writer Bill Dees interjected, "A pretty woman never needs any money." The smash reached the no.1 position in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, Ireland, New Zealand and ranked at the runner-up slot on the Countdown Chart 1964 with 9,119,000 points.
	Baby Love - Supremes 1 week No.1 week 48, 1964 Label: Motown - Songwriters: Holland-Dozier-Holland - Producers: Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier "Baby Love" is the second single from The Supremes' second studio album Where Did Our Love Go and was released on September 17, 1964. At the insistence of Motown boss Berry Gordy hoping for a follow-up chart-topper, Holland-Dozier-Holland produced "Baby Love" to sound like "Where Did Our Love Go". Elements were reincorporated into the single such as Diana Ross' cooing lead vocal and oohing, Florence Ballard and Mary Wilson's "baby-baby" backup, the Funk Brothers' instrumental track, and teenager Mike Valvano's footstomping. "Baby Love" was the second of five consecutive Supremes songs to go to number one in the United States. Furthermore it reached also the top position in United Kingdom and went to the runner-up slot in Canada and Ireland.
	I Feel Fine - Beatles 8 weeks No.1 between week 49, 1964 and week 4, 1965 Labels: Parlophone / Capitol - Songwriters: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Producer: George Martin "I Feel Fine" was released on November 23, 1964, as the A-side of their eighth single. The recording includes one of the earliest uses of guitar feedback in popular music. Lennon wrote the song's guitar riff while the Beatles were in the studio recording "Eight Days A Week" in October 1964, and kept playing it between takes. He later recalled: "I told them I'd write a song specially for the riff. So they said, 'Yes. You go away and do that', knowing that we'd almost finished the album Beatles For Sale. Anyway, going into the studio one morning, I said to Ringo, 'I've written this song but it's lousy'. But we tried it, complete with riff, and it sounded like an A-side, so we decided to release it just like that." "I Feel Fine" went to the pole position in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Ireland.

1968

Hey Jude - Beatles 18 weeks No.1 between week 38, 1968 and week 2, 1969
Labels: Parlophone / Apple - Writers: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Producer: George Martin

"Hey Jude", released on August 26, 1968, was one of the most successful smashes of the legendary British band. The ballad with a length more than seven minutes, evolved from 'Hey Jules', a song McCartney wrote to comfort John Lennon's son, Julian, during its parents' divorce. It held the top position of the Global Chart for sensational 18 weeks and was, of course, far and away the biggest hit of the year 1968 with a total of 13,972,000 points.

1969

	I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye 2 weeks No.1 between week 3, 1969 and week 4, 1969 Label: Tamla - Writers: Norman Whitfield, Barrett Strong - Producer: Norman Whitfield "I Heard It Through The Grapevine", released on October 30, 1968, has since become an acclaimed soul classic. The lyrics tell the story in the first person of the singers' feeling of betrayal and disbelief when he hears of his girlfriend's infidelity only indirectly 'through the grapevine'. The phrase is associated with black slaves during the Civil War, who had their form of telegraph: the human grapevine. The first successful version of that song were recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips, which reached no.4 globally in January 1968. One year later Marvin Gaye's performance reached the top position in the United States and United Kingdom.
	Crimson And Clover - Tommy James & The Shondells 9 weeks No.1 between week 5, 1969 and week 13, 1969 Labels: Vogue / Roulette - Writers: Tommy James, Peter Lucia - Producer: Tommy James The unusual title was decided before a song had been written for it. The combination of unknown meaning came to James as he was waking up, comprising his favorite color - crimson - and his favorite flower - clover. "Crimson And Clover" was recorded in late 1968 in about five hours and is one of the earliest songs recorded on 16-track equipment. Tommy James played most of the instruments. The song contains a tremolo effect on the guitar, set so that it vibrated in time with the song's rhythm. Near the end of the recording, the band had an idea of utilizing the tremolo effect with vocals. To achive this, the voice microphone was plugged into an Ampeg guitar amplifier with tremolo turned on, and the output from the amplifier was recorded while James sang '...crimson and clover, over and over...'. The genius psychedelic rock song went to the top position in the United States, Canada, Germany, Switzerland and New Zealand.
	First Of May - Bee Gees 3 weeks No.1 between week 14, 1969 and week 16, 1969 Labels: Atco / Polydor - Writers: Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb - Producers: Robert Stigwood, Bee Gees "First Of May" was released in January 1969 for the double album Odessa. The song was first recorded in the Atlantic Studios in New York and was continued in IBC Studios, London. Barry Gibb said that the title of the song came from the birthday of his dog, Barnaby. "First Of May" reached inter alia no.1 in the Netherlands, no.3 in Germany, no.4 in Switzerland and New Zealand, and no.6 in United Kingdom.
	Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In - The Fifth Dimension 2 weeks No.1 between week 17, 1969 and week 18, 1969 Labels: Liberty / Soul City - Writers: James Rado, Gerome Ragni, Galt MacDermot - Producer: Bones Howe "Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In" is a medley of two songs written for the 1967 musical Hair. The lyrics of this song were based on the astrological belief that the world would soon be entering the 'Age Of Aquarius', an age of love, light, and humanity, unlike the current 'Age Of Pisces'. The exact circumstances for the change are 'when the moon is in the seventh house, and Jupiter aligns with Mars'. This change was presumed to occur at the end of the 20th century. However, astrologers differ extremely widely as to when. Their proposed dates range from 2062 to 2680. "Aquarius / Let The Sunshine In" climbed to no.1 in the United States and Canada, no.2 in Germany, and no.3 in Australia. The recording won both the Grammy Award 1970 for Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Group.
	Get Back - Beatles & Billy Preston 7 weeks No.1 between week 19, 1969 and week 25, 1969 Label: Appple - Writers: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Producer: George Martin "Get Back", released on April 11, 1969, is unusual in the Beatles' canon in that almost every moment of the song's evolution has been extensively documented, from its beginning as an offhand riff to its final mixing in sveral versions. The song's melody grew out of some unstructured jamming on 7 January 1969 during rehearsal sessions on the sound stage at Twickenham Studios. "Get Back" went to the top position in almost all countries around the world, like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Australia, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Ireland, and New Zealand.
	The Ballad Of John And Yoko - Beatles & Billy Preston 6 weeks No.1 between week 26, 1969 and week 31, 1969 Label: Appple - Writers: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Producer: George Martin "The Ballad Of John And Yoko", released on May 30, 1969, chronicling the events associated with Lennon's marriage to Yoko Ono. Authored by Lennon while on his honeymoon in Paris, it tells of the events of his marriage, in March 1969, to Ono, and their publicly held honeymoon activities, including their 'Bed-In' at the Amsterdam Hilton Hotel and their demonstration of 'bagism'. "The Ballad Of John And Yoko" reached only no.8 in the United States, but no.1 in United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Norway, Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland.
	Honky Tonk Women - Rolling Stones 9 weeks No.1 between week 32, 1969 and week 41, 1969 Labels: Decca / London - Writers: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards - Producer: Jimmy Miller "Honky Tonk Women" was released on July 4, 1969. The song was written by Jagger and Richards while on holiday in Brazil from late December 1968 to early January 1969, nispired by Brazilian 'Caipiras' (inhabitants of rural, remote areas of parts of Brazil) at the ranch where Jagger and Richards were staying in Matâo, Sâo Paulo. Thematically, a 'honky tonk woman' refers to a dancing girl in a western bar who may work as a prostitute. "Honky Tonk Women" is distinctive as it opens not with a guitar riff, but with a beat played on a cowbell, performed by producer Jimmy Miller. The song topped the hitlists in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Switzerland, Ireland, and New Zealand, furthermore it climbed to no.2 in Germany, Canada, and Norway. On the year-end chart 1969 it reached no.3 with a total of 8,963,000 points.
	In The Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus) - Zager & Evans 1 week No.1 week 40, 1969 Label: RCA Victor - Songwriter: Rick Evans - Producer: Zager & Evans "In The Year 2525 (Exordium & Terminus)", released in April 1969, has an overriding theme, of a world doomed by its passive acquiescence to and overdependence on its own overdone technologies, struck a resonant chord in millions of people around the world in the late 1960s. The songs opens with an introductory verse explaining that if mankind has survived to that point, he would witness the subsequent events in the song. Subsequent verses pick up the story at 1,010-year intervals from 3,535 to 6,565. Then the pattern as well as the music changes, going up a half-step in the key of the song (chromatic modulation), after two stanzas, first from A-flat minor, to A minor, etc. "In The Year 2525" was no.1 in the United States during the Apollo 11 moon landing. It went also atop the charts in United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand, Ireland, and ranked at no.2 on the Global Year-End Chart 1969.
	Sugar Sugar - The Archies 4 weeks No.1 between week 42, 1969 and week 45, 1969 Labels: Calendar / RCA - Writers: Andy Kim, Jeff Barry - Producer: Jeff Barry "Sugar Sugar", released on May 24, 1969, became the biggest hymn of the bubblegum pop genre that flourished from 1968 to 1973. Originally The Archies was an American fictional band that featured in the animated TV series, The Archies Show. The music featured in the series was recorded by session musicians, including Ron Dante on lead vocals and Toni Wine on duet and backing vocals. Together they provided the voices of The Archies using multitracking. "Sugar Sugar" went to no.1 in many countries and was the most successful song of the year 1969 in the United States and United Kingdom. On the Global Chart it reached no.4 on the year-end hitlist 1969, but with the additional success in 1970 and a total of 9.974.000 points, it was also worldwide the most successful single release of the year 1969.
	Come Together - Beatles 1 week No.1 week 46, 1969 Label: Apple - Songwriters: John Lennon, Paul McCartney - Producer: George Martin "Come Together" was released on October 6, 1969 as the opening track on their 1969 album Abbey Road and was also released as a single coupled with "Something". "Come Together" started as Lennon's attempt to write a song for Timothy Leary's campaign for govemor of California against Ronald Reagan, which promptly ended when Leary was sent to prison for possession of marijuana. Lennon played thythm guitar and electric piano and sang the lead vocals, Paul McCartney played bass, George Harrison played lead guitar and Ringo Starr played drums. The song reached no.1 among others things in the United States, Germany, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Spain.
	Someting - Beatles 8 weeks No.1 between week 47, 1969 and week 2, 1970 Label: Apple - Songwriter: George Harrison - Producer: George Martin "Something" was released on October 6, 1969 together with "Come Together" as a double A-side single, making it the first Harrison composition to become a Beatles A-side. The song is widely viewed by music historians as having marked Harrison's ascendancy as a composer to the level of the Beatles' principal songwriters, John Lennon and Paul McCartney. It's described as a love song to Pattie Boyd, Harrison's first wife, although Harrison offered alternative sources of inspiration in later interviews. Due to the difficulty he faced in getting more than two of his compositions onto each Beatles album, Harrison first offered "Something" to Joe Cocker. As recorded by the Beatles, the track features a guitar solo that several music critics identify among Harrison's finest playing. The song also drew praise from the other Beatles and their producer, George Martin, with Lennon stating that it was the song on Abbey Road.