Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of December 1, 1962
The Billboard Hot 100 for December 1, 1962 kept The 4 Seasons at #1 with “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” as the group continued one of the strongest late-year runs of 1962. After “Sherry” made them stars, this second chart-topper proved their sound had real staying power.
Elvis Presley held firm at #2 with “Return To Sender,” keeping one of his most memorable movie-era singles close to the top. Marcie Blane climbed to #3 with “Bobby’s Girl,” giving the chart a pure teenage pop moment full of youthful longing.
Chubby Checker moved to #4 with “Limbo Rock,” showing that dance records were still a major force as the year moved toward winter. Brenda Lee rounded out the Top 5 with “All Alone Am I,” bringing emotional depth and vocal elegance to the countdown.
The rest of the Top 10 showed how broad pop radio had become. The Orlons, Herb Alpert And Tijuana Brass, Dee Dee Sharp, The Crystals, and Neil Sedaka all represented different corners of the early 1960s sound, from dance music and instrumentals to girl groups and polished pop.
Top 5 Songs
1. Big Girls Don’t Cry – The 4 Seasons
The 4 Seasons stayed at #1 this week with “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” continuing the group’s remarkable rise. The record had the same bright vocal attack and unforgettable falsetto that made “Sherry” a smash, but it stood firmly on its own.
Frankie Valli’s lead vocal gave the song its signature spark, while the group’s harmonies added drive and personality. The combination made The 4 Seasons sound fresh, confident, and immediately recognizable on radio.
By this point, it was clear The 4 Seasons were becoming one of the defining American vocal groups of the decade. “Big Girls Don’t Cry” confirmed their place near the center of early 1960s pop music.
2. Return To Sender – Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley held at #2 with “Return To Sender,” continuing a strong run for one of his catchiest early 1960s singles. The song’s bouncing rhythm and playful rejection story made it a natural radio favorite.
Elvis delivered the record with charm and confidence. It had humor, heartbreak, and just enough rock and roll flavor to remind listeners why he remained one of the biggest stars in music.
Even as newer groups were changing the chart, Elvis still held his ground. “Return To Sender” proved that his voice, personality, and star power remained strong in a fast-moving pop landscape.
3. Bobby’s Girl – Marcie Blane
Marcie Blane climbed to #3 with “Bobby’s Girl,” one of the clearest teen-pop hits of late 1962. The song captured the innocent romantic dreams that filled so many early 1960s records.
Blane’s youthful vocal made the song feel sincere and personal. It was simple, direct, and easy for young listeners to understand, especially those caught up in crushes, school dances, and first love.
“Bobby’s Girl” became Marcie Blane’s signature hit. Its success showed how strongly teenage identity and romantic fantasy continued shaping the Billboard Hot 100.
4. Limbo Rock – Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker climbed to #4 with “Limbo Rock,” keeping dance music near the top of the chart. Checker had already helped make “The Twist” a cultural phenomenon, and this record kept him connected to America’s dance-floor excitement.
The song was built for participation. Its rhythm, title, and playful feel made it easy for listeners to imagine parties, school gyms, and living rooms turning into dance floors.
“Limbo Rock” also showed how powerful dance records remained in 1962. Even as vocal groups and ballads filled the Top 5, America still wanted songs that invited people to move.
5. All Alone Am I – Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee slipped to #5 with “All Alone Am I,” but the song remained one of the most emotional records on the chart. Her voice gave the ballad a sense of loneliness that felt genuine and deeply human.
Lee’s performance was restrained but powerful. She did not need to overstate the heartbreak, because her vocal tone carried the sadness naturally.
The song’s continued success proved her range as an artist. Brenda Lee could deliver bright rock and roll, polished pop, and dramatic heartbreak with equal strength.
More Weeks at #1 for “Big Girls Don’t Cry”
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 December 1, 1962, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Big Girls Don’t Cry by The Four Seasons
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Try your own birthday:
- Big Girls Don’t Cry – The 4 Seasons
- Return To Sender – Elvis Presley
- Bobby’s Girl – Marcie Blane
- Limbo Rock – Chubby Checker
- All Alone Am I – Brenda Lee
- Don’t Hang Up – The Orlons
- The Lonely Bull (El Solo Torro) – Herb Alpert And Tijuana Brass
- Ride! – Dee Dee Sharp
- He’s A Rebel – The Crystals
- Next Door To An Angel – Neil Sedaka
Chart Movers This Week
December Opened With Familiar Stars And Fresh Energy
The December 1, 1962 Billboard Hot 100 showed The 4 Seasons still leading the way, with Elvis Presley close behind and teen pop rising quickly through Marcie Blane’s “Bobby’s Girl.”
Dance music remained strong through Chubby Checker, while Brenda Lee brought emotional weight to the Top 5. Together, these records showed the mix of movement, romance, heartbreak, and vocal personality that defined late 1962.
As the year moved into its final month, the chart still felt alive with change. New stars were emerging, established names were holding strong, and the sounds that would shape the rest of the decade were becoming clearer week by week.