Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of February 6, 1961
The Billboard Hot 100 for the week of February 6, 1961 showed the musical transition of the early 1960s continuing at full speed. The Shirelles remained at #1 with “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” while Motown’s early crossover success “Shop Around” climbed even higher into the Top 5.
At the same time, orchestral instrumentals still held major chart power with “Calcutta” and “Exodus” remaining firmly inside the Top 3. The mix of polished orchestras, emotional pop ballads, girl groups, and emerging soul music made early 1961 one of the most diverse periods in Billboard history.
Teen pop stars like Neil Sedaka and Brenda Lee also continued building momentum, helping define the youthful sound that would dominate much of the decade ahead.
Top 5 Songs (February 6, 1961)
1. “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” – The Shirelles
The Shirelles held onto the #1 spot with “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” one of the defining records of the girl-group era.
Written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin, the song brought emotional maturity and vulnerability into mainstream teenage pop music. Its honest lyrics and soft harmonies helped separate it from many earlier teen hits.
The record’s success helped open the door for future girl groups throughout the 1960s and established The Shirelles as one of the most important vocal groups of the era.
2. “Calcutta” – Lawrence Welk And His Orchestra
Lawrence Welk And His Orchestra remained at #2 with “Calcutta,” continuing the surprising strength of instrumental music on the Billboard charts.
The lively melody and polished orchestral arrangement appealed strongly to adult pop audiences while still finding mainstream crossover success.
The record proved that big-band and orchestra traditions still had enormous popularity even as rock-and-roll and rhythm & blues continued growing rapidly.
3. “Exodus” – Ferrante & Teicher
Ferrante & Teicher stayed at #3 with “Exodus,” one of the most dramatic instrumental hits of the period.
Inspired by the hit film, the sweeping dual-piano arrangement gave the record a powerful cinematic feeling that stood apart from most pop singles of the era.
The song’s continued popularity showed just how influential movie themes remained on American radio during the early 1960s.
4. “Shop Around” – The Miracles featuring Bill “Smokey” Robinson
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles climbed to #4 with “Shop Around,” one of the earliest national Motown hits.
The record blended rhythm & blues vocals, polished pop production, and catchy melodies into the formula that would soon make Motown one of the most successful music labels in history.
“Shop Around” also introduced Smokey Robinson as one of the decade’s most important singers and songwriters.
5. “Calendar Girl” – Neil Sedaka
Neil Sedaka climbed to #5 with “Calendar Girl,” one of the catchiest teen-pop hits of the early 1960s.
The upbeat melody and playful lyrics made the record a perfect fit for the growing youth-oriented pop market.
Sedaka’s polished vocal style and memorable songwriting helped establish him as one of the era’s biggest pop stars.
More Weeks at #1 for “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”
This song spent multiple weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Explore each chart week below:
🎂 What Was the #1 Song on Your Birthday?
If you were born during the week ending February 11, 1961, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Will You Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles
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🎂 Try your own birthday:
Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 – Week of February 6, 1961
- Will You Love Me Tomorrow – The Shirelles
- Calcutta – Lawrence Welk And His Orchestra
- Exodus – Ferrante & Teicher
- Shop Around – The Miracles featuring Bill “Smokey” Robinson
- Calendar Girl – Neil Sedaka
- Wonderland By Night – Bert Kaempfert And His Orchestra
- Angel Baby – Rosie And The Originals
- Emotions – Brenda Lee
- My Empty Arms – Jackie Wilson
- Rubber Ball – Bobby Vee
Girl Groups, Motown, And Instrumentals Shared the Charts
The Billboard Hot 100 for February 6, 1961 perfectly captured the changing sound of popular music. Traditional orchestral instrumentals still remained hugely successful with “Calcutta” and “Exodus,” but newer styles were rapidly taking over.
The Shirelles continued leading the growing girl-group movement, while Smokey Robinson and The Miracles helped introduce Motown to mainstream pop audiences with “Shop Around.”
At the same time, teen pop stars like Neil Sedaka and Brenda Lee continued attracting younger listeners, helping shape the sound that would dominate radio throughout the rest of the decade.