45s.com -- Search for Songs by Year - 1961

1961 was the year that Motown records was established.  Lawrence Welk had one of the top "pop/rock" songs of the year, Calcutta; my how times have changed.  There were several top songs in 1961 that were instrumentals, as was Calcutta. 1961's top songs also included those tied to more new dances -- Pony and Bristol Stomp.  I became a teenager in 1961 and was REALLY interested in girls; I wonder if that is why I have so many favorite songs from 1961. 

The top songs in 1961 were:

Tossin' And Turnin' -- Bobby Lewis
Exodus -- Ferrante And Teicher
Wonderland By Night -- Bert Kaempfert
Big Bad John -- Jimmy Dean
Travelin' Man -- Ricky Nelson
Will You Love Me Tomorrow -- The Shirelles
Pony Time -- Chubby Checker
Runaway -- Del Shannon
Calcutta -- Lawrence Welk
Runaround Sue -- Dion
The Lion Sleeps Tonight -- The Tokens
Bristol Stomp -- The Dovells
Dedicated To The One I Love -- The Shirelles
Running Scared -- Roy Orbison
Blue Moon -- The Marcels
Run To Him -- Bobby Vee
Mother-In-Law -- Ernie K-Doe
Please Mr. Postman -- The Marvelettes
Hit The Road Jack -- Ray Charles
Surrender -- Elvis Presley
A Hundred Pounds Of Clay -- Gene McDaniels
Take Good Care Of My Baby -- Bobby Vee
Crying -- Roy Orbison
Where The Boys Are -- Connie Francis
Walk On By -- Leroy Van Dyke
Hello Mary Lou -- Ricky Nelson
Apache -- Jordan Ingmann & His Guitar
Shop Around -- The Miracles
Angel Baby -- Rosie & The Originals
Last Night -- Mar-Keys
Raindrops -- Dee Clark
Let's Twist Again -- Chubby Checker
I Like It Like That, Part 1 -- Chris Kenner
Fool #1 -- Brenda Lee
Daddy's Home -- Shep & The Limelites
Calendar Girl -- Neil Sedaka
Stand By Me -- Ben E. King
Hats Off To Larry -- Del Shannon
Every Beat Of My Heart -- The Pips
Tower Of Strength -- Gene McDaniels
I Love How You Love Me -- The Paris Sisters
Corinna, Corinna -- Ray Peterson
There's A Moon Out Tonight -- The Capris
Mama Said -- The Shirelles
Sad Movies (Make Me Cry) -- Sue Thompson
Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavor (On The Bedpost Over Night) -- Lonnie Donegan & His Skiffle Group
Please Love Me Forever -- Cathy Jean & The Roommates
Pretty Little Angel Eyes -- Curtis Lee
Those Oldies But Goodies (Remind Me Of You) -- Little Caesar & The Romans  

Click here to see all songs that hit the charts in 1961.

If you would like to order records of any of these songs, you may print this page, and then search for the songs in our search engine and add the songs to the shopping cart.