Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of December 8, 1962
The Billboard Hot 100 for December 8, 1962 remained under the control of The 4 Seasons as “Big Girls Don’t Cry” held the #1 spot for another week. The group’s rapid rise from newcomers to chart leaders had become one of the biggest music stories of the year.
Elvis Presley stayed at #2 with “Return To Sender,” while Marcie Blane kept “Bobby’s Girl” at #3. The Top 5 also featured two strong dance-oriented records as The Orlons climbed with “Don’t Hang Up” and Dee Dee Sharp reached a new high with “Ride!”
The lower half of the Top 10 showed just how varied pop radio had become by late 1962. Herb Alpert And Tijuana Brass brought instrumental excitement with “The Lonely Bull,” while the futuristic instrumental “Telstar” by The Tornadoes continued climbing rapidly.
Meanwhile, Chubby Checker’s “Limbo Rock,” Brenda Lee’s emotional ballad “All Alone Am I,” and Esther Phillips’ soulful “Release Me” rounded out a chart filled with very different sounds all competing successfully at the same time.
Top 5 Songs
1. Big Girls Don’t Cry – The 4 Seasons
The 4 Seasons continued their reign at #1 this week with “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” proving that their success was no temporary trend. The group had quickly become one of the most recognizable acts in America.
Frankie Valli’s falsetto remained the record’s defining sound, while the harmonies and energetic rhythm gave the song tremendous radio appeal. The group blended doo-wop roots with polished pop production in a way that felt modern and exciting.
The continued success of the song confirmed The 4 Seasons as one of the leading vocal groups of the early 1960s. Their unique style helped separate them from every other act on the chart.
2. Return To Sender – Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley remained at #2 with “Return To Sender,” one of the standout hits from his movie years. The song’s playful lyrics and catchy rhythm continued making it a favorite on radio stations across the country.
Elvis balanced humor and heartbreak effortlessly, delivering the song with relaxed confidence and charm. Its memorable chorus helped it stand out even during one of the most competitive periods on the Billboard chart.
Even with younger groups and new dance crazes dominating pop culture, Elvis remained one of music’s biggest stars. “Return To Sender” showed that he could still compete directly with the hottest new acts.
3. Bobby’s Girl – Marcie Blane
Marcie Blane held at #3 with “Bobby’s Girl,” one of the clearest examples of teenage pop music in late 1962. The song captured the excitement and innocence of young romance in a way listeners immediately understood.
Blane’s youthful vocal style gave the record sincerity and warmth. It sounded personal and relatable, especially for younger audiences experiencing crushes and first love.
The continued popularity of “Bobby’s Girl” showed that simple, emotionally direct pop songs still connected strongly with American teenagers during the early 1960s.
4. Don’t Hang Up – The Orlons
The Orlons climbed to #4 this week with “Don’t Hang Up,” giving the charts another energetic dance-pop hit. The Philadelphia group had already become closely associated with dance records and upbeat party music.
The song mixed catchy vocals with playful storytelling built around teenage telephone conversations and romance. Its lively rhythm made it perfect for radio and school dances alike.
The rise of “Don’t Hang Up” showed how strongly dance-oriented vocal groups continued shaping the sound of early 1960s pop music.
5. Ride! – Dee Dee Sharp
Dee Dee Sharp reached the Top 5 this week with “Ride!,” continuing her success as one of the leading dance-oriented singers of the period. The record brought energy, rhythm, and excitement to the upper reaches of the chart.
Sharp’s lively vocal delivery matched the song’s driving beat perfectly. Like many dance hits of the era, the record encouraged participation and movement as much as listening.
The success of “Ride!” reflected how important dance music remained in 1962. Even as emotional ballads and vocal-group harmonies dominated the charts, audiences still wanted records built around fun and movement.
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 8, 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
- Don’t Hang Up – The Orlons
- Ride! – Dee Dee Sharp
- The Lonely Bull (El Solo Torro) – Herb Alpert And Tijuana Brass
- Telstar – The Tornadoes
- Limbo Rock – Chubby Checker
- All Alone Am I – Brenda Lee
- Release Me – Esther Phillips
Chart Movers This Week
Pop Music Kept Expanding
The December 8, 1962 Billboard Hot 100 showed just how broad American pop music had become. Vocal harmony groups, teen-pop singers, dance records, instrumentals, and soulful ballads all shared space together in the Top 10.
The 4 Seasons remained the dominant act of the moment, while Elvis Presley continued proving his staying power. At the same time, newer sounds like “Telstar” hinted at a more futuristic direction for popular music.
As 1962 moved toward its close, the charts reflected an industry full of creativity and change. Every week seemed to introduce another sound, another style, or another future star ready to reshape pop music again.