Billboard Hot 100 Chart – Week of August 11, 1962

1. Breaking Up Is Hard To Do – Neil Sedaka

Neil Sedaka reached #1 this week with “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do,” one of the most memorable pop songs of 1962. The record turned heartbreak into something bright, catchy, and almost impossible not to sing along with.

Sedaka’s gift was making emotional songs feel light on their feet. The lyrics dealt with sadness, but the melody had bounce, charm, and a polished Brill Building feel. That combination made the song perfect for early 1960s radio.

This became one of Sedaka’s signature records and helped define his place as one of the era’s great pop craftsmen. Its rise to #1 showed that a breakup song did not have to be slow or gloomy to connect deeply with listeners.

▶ Watch and experience this song →

2. Roses Are Red (My Love) – Bobby Vinton

Bobby Vinton moved down to #2 with “Roses Are Red (My Love),” ending its stay at #1 but not its hold on listeners. The song remained one of the defining romantic ballads of the summer.

Its appeal came from simplicity. Vinton’s smooth vocal, gentle melody, and sentimental lyrics gave the record a timeless pop quality. It did not chase trends. It simply delivered a sincere love song with warmth and confidence.

The song’s success helped launch Vinton into a long run as one of the decade’s leading ballad singers. Even after leaving #1, “Roses Are Red” still sounded like the record that had introduced a major new romantic voice.

▶ Watch and experience this song →

3. The Wah Watusi – The Orlons

The Orlons climbed from #4 to #3 with “The Wah Watusi,” keeping one of the summer’s biggest dance records near the top of the chart. Its rhythm and group energy made it a perfect fit for record hops and teen parties.

The song belonged to a moment when dance crazes could sweep across the country through radio, television, and word of mouth. The title alone sounded like movement, and the group delivered it with personality and fun.

For The Orlons, this hit helped establish them as one of the standout vocal groups of 1962. It also kept the Cameo sound front and center during one of the label’s strongest periods.

4. The Loco-Motion – Little Eva

Little Eva made a big move this week as “The Loco-Motion” jumped from #8 to #4. The record had all the ingredients of a classic early 1960s dance hit: a simple instruction, a strong beat, and a chorus that could stick in your head after one listen.

The song’s energy was bright and youthful, but its pop craftsmanship was also strong. Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, “The Loco-Motion” had a professional polish that helped it rise quickly beyond novelty status.

Little Eva’s performance gave the record its charm. She sounded natural, excited, and believable, which made the dance feel like something anyone could join. Its climb into the Top 5 was only the beginning of its impact.

▶ Watch and experience this song →

5. Ahab, The Arab – Ray Stevens

Ray Stevens held at #5 with “Ahab, The Arab,” keeping one of the year’s biggest novelty records in the Top 5. The song used comedy, character voices, and a fast-moving story to stand apart from the rest of the chart.

Novelty songs had always found room on American pop radio, and Stevens had a special talent for making them memorable. His timing, delivery, and sense of absurdity helped turn the record into a major summer hit.

While the song reflected the novelty style of its time, it also pointed toward Stevens’ long career as an entertainer who could mix music and humor. He would continue building a reputation as one of pop and country music’s most unusual personalities.

More Weeks at #1 for “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do”

This song spent multiple weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Explore each chart week below: