Becky's Book Reviews: 1961 Hits Archive

Mom and I finished 1961!!!! the45prof's YouTube channel is super-amazing and wonderful. I highly recommend it! The 1961 Hits Archive--Alphabetically by Song Title.

Overall thoughts on the year: it was good; solidly good. A THOUSAND TIMES BETTER than 1959. (1959 was the last year Mom and I did before this one!)

Billboard Year End Hot 100 Singles of 1961

Billboard List of Hot 100 Number Ones of 1961, 63 songs

Billboard Hot 100 Top-Ten Singles in 1961

Everything Old is New Again

Amor by Ben E. King

At Last by Etta James

Bumble Bee -- B. Bumble and the Stingers; this is a "boogie" version of the classic FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLE BEE.

The Charleston by Ernie Fields

Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White by Jerry Murad's Harmonicats

Dance by the Light of the Moon Olympics

Froggy by Brothers Four

Glory of Love -- Roommates

Heart and Soul; The Cleftones; Heart and Soul by Jan and Dean

I've Told Every Little Star -- Linda Scott

If I Didn't Care -- The Platters

Jambalaya Fats Domino

One Summer Night -- The Diamonds

Pomp & Circumstance the Graduation Song Adrian Kimberly (also worthy of the reject pile)

Theme From Dixie; Duane Eddy

Theme from "Tunes of Glory" Cambridge Strings & Singers

The Way You Look Tonight -- Lettermen

You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby -- Bobby Darin

New to Me Artists and Songs

Baby Sitting Boogie - Buzz Clifford (features real babies) I don't know that I love it. But if you love little ones, it's worth one listen at least.

Baby's First Christmas -- Connie Francis. Francis is NOT new, but I usually can't stand her. But this one was cute or cutesy.

Barbara Ann -- The REGENTS. Who knew that there was a version other than the Beach Boys????

Big Bad John -- Jimmy Dean

The Boll Weevil Song -- Brook Benton. This probably isn't his best song, but, I found this 'novelty' song surprisingly charming. (For My Baby) (Think Twice)

Don't Cry Baby -- Etta James

Exodus -- theme from movie -- Ferrante & Teicher

Fool #1 -- Brenda Lee;

Funny How Time Slips Away Jimmy Elledge

Girl of My Best Friend -- Ral Donner -- there was a TREND in 1961 to SING ABOUT BEING IN LOVE WITH YOUR BEST FRIEND'S GIRL. Jimmy's Girl by Johnny Tillotson

God, Country and My Baby -- Johnny Burnette; military themed;

Good Time Baby by Bobby Rydell; Rydell is usually HARD FOR ME TO TOLERATE but this song makes me happy

Goodbye Cruel World James Darren (He was "Moondoggie" in the Gidget movie)

I Dreamed of Hill Billy Heaven -- Tex Ritter; Mom *made* me listen all the way through. Apparently this was a record her mom had and played all the time.

I'll Be There by Damita Jo is the answer song to Ben E. King's Stand By Me.

Jeremiah Peabody's Poly Unsaturated Quick Dissolving Fast Acting Pleasant Tasting Green and Purple Pills by Ray Stevens

Kissing on the Phone by Paul Anka -- I KNOW Paul Anka...but not this more obscure song

More Money for You and Me; COMEDY ROUTINE by The Four Preps

Never on Sunday -- Chordettes

So Long Baby Del Shannon; I don't know why but I love it.

That's It, I Quit, I'm Movin' On -- Sam Cooke

Turn Around, Look at Me, Glen Campbell

When We Get Married -- Dreamlovers

You Can Have Her -- Roy Hamilton

Classics

Angel Baby by Rosie and the Originals -- I can't help but wonder what she would have sounded like WITHOUT a cold. It reminds me of the Friends episode where Phoebe is trying to stay sick so she "sounds good."

Blue Moon -- The Marcels

(I Don't Know Why I Love You) But I Do by Clarence Henry

Calendar Girl -- Neil Sedaka; in my personal opinion this song epitomizes the original Barbie; by the way 1961 was the year KEN made his appearance; Other Sedaka songs from this year Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen; Little Devil;

Crazy -- Patsy Cline also I Fall To Pieces

Cupid- Sam Cooke I fell in love LOVE with this song when I was in junior high. It was probably my first Sam Cooke song to LOVE and I had no idea WHO sang it--this was the days before the internet.

Daddy's Home Shep & the Limelites; a follow up to his "A Thousand Miles Away..."

Dedicated to the One I Love -- The Shirelles; I believe this is the first year the Shirelles make an appearance?? I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this group and have had their greatest hits album for decades. Mama Said; Will You Love Me Tomorrow

I Love How You Love Me -- The Paris Sisters

Let's Twist Again -- Chubby Checker; MY FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE SONG????

THE Lion Sleeps Tonight -- Tokens MY FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE SONG????

Little Sister by Elvis Presley; probably my favorite Elvis?

Moon River -- Henry Mancini

Peanut Butter -- Marathons

Please Mr. Postman -- Marvelettes

Pretty Little Angel Eyes -- Curtis Lee

Rama Lama Ding Dong -- Edsels

Shop Around -- Miracles

Some Kind of Wonderful -- Drifters

Take Good Care of My Baby Bobby Vee