Billboard Hot 100 Chart – Week of July 3, 1961

🎵 #1 Song This Week

“Quarter to Three” – Gary U.S. Bonds

• Weeks at #1: 2 (second and final week)
• A raw, high-energy rock & roll party anthem
• One of the most distinctive hits of 1961

👉 “Quarter to Three” held the #1 spot for a second week, completing its lively run atop the Billboard Hot 100.

---

🔝 Top 5 Songs – July 3, 1961

1. Quarter to Three – Gary U.S. Bonds
2. Travelin’ Man – Ricky Nelson
3. Moody River – Pat Boone
4. Stand by Me – Ben E. King
5. Running Scared – Roy Orbison

< Previous week | Next week >

---

🎶 What Was Happening This Week

• Rock & roll energy remained strong at the top
• Ballads like “Moody River” and “Running Scared” continued charting
• Soul classic “Stand by Me” held a steady presence in the Top 5

---

🧠 Why This Chart Week Matters

This week represents:

• The final week of a 2-week #1 run
• One of the most energetic and unpolished hits to reach #1
• A moment where raw rock & roll still dominated the charts

---

🎯 Snapshot of the Moment

By early July 1961:

• The charts featured a mix of styles—from polished ballads to raw party tracks
• Rock & roll remained a powerful force
• The competition for #1 stayed intense

At the top was “Quarter to Three” by Gary U.S. Bonds, finishing its energetic run as the #1 song in America.