Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of December 7, 1963
The Billboard Hot 100 for the week of December 7, 1963, delivered one of the most surprising chart-toppers of the entire decade. “Dominique” by The Singing Nun climbed from #2 to #1, giving America a hit unlike anything else on the radio. Sung in French by a Belgian nun, the song’s rise demonstrated just how unpredictable the Billboard charts could be during the early 1960s.
The week’s Top 5 featured a fascinating mix of styles. Dale & Grace slipped to #2 after their brief stay at the summit, while Tommy Roe surged into the Top 3 with “Everybody.” Perhaps the most dramatic mover was “Louie Louie” by The Kingsmen, which exploded from #23 to #4 and was quickly becoming one of the most talked-about records in the country.
Lesley Gore continued her impressive chart run with “She’s A Fool,” while former chart leaders such as “Sugar Shack” and “Washington Square” remained popular despite slipping lower in the rankings. The result was a chart that perfectly captured the variety of American music at the end of 1963.
Looking back, this week serves as a reminder that the final months before the British Invasion were filled with unexpected hits, regional favorites, and records that often broke conventional industry expectations.
Top 5 Songs
1. Dominique – The Singing Nun (Soeur Sourire)
“Dominique” reached #1 this week, completing one of the most unusual chart climbs in Billboard history. Performed by Belgian nun Jeannine Deckers, known professionally as The Singing Nun, the song told the story of Saint Dominic and was sung entirely in French.
Its success surprised nearly everyone in the music industry. At a time when rock and roll, girl groups, and soul music dominated the charts, a simple folk-inspired religious song became the most popular record in America.
The song’s gentle melody and uplifting spirit connected with listeners during a difficult period in American history. Its rise to #1 remains one of the most remarkable chart stories of the 1960s.
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2. I’m Leaving It Up To You – Dale & Grace
After two weeks at #1, Dale & Grace slipped to #2 with “I’m Leaving It Up To You.” The duet remained one of the strongest records on the chart and continued to receive heavy radio play across the country.
The song’s appeal came from its sincerity and the natural chemistry between the two singers. It felt authentic at a time when many pop recordings were becoming increasingly elaborate.
Even though it surrendered the top spot, its climb from #89 to #1 ensured its place among the biggest success stories of 1963.
3. Everybody – Tommy Roe
Tommy Roe enjoyed a major breakthrough as “Everybody” jumped from #7 to #3. The upbeat pop record showcased Roe’s ability to craft catchy melodies that connected quickly with listeners.
The song’s energetic delivery and memorable chorus helped it stand out on crowded radio playlists. It represented the lighter, more playful side of early 1960s pop music.
Its continued rise suggested that Tommy Roe might soon challenge the songs ahead of him for even higher chart positions.
4. Louie Louie – The Kingsmen
The biggest mover in the Top 5 was “Louie Louie,” which rocketed from #23 to #4. The Kingsmen’s rough, garage-band recording was unlike the polished productions that typically dominated the charts.
The song became famous for its raw energy and famously difficult-to-understand lyrics. Rumors about the words only fueled its popularity, helping turn the record into a cultural phenomenon.
Today, “Louie Louie” is widely regarded as one of the most influential rock and roll recordings ever made, inspiring generations of garage bands and future rock musicians.
5. She’s A Fool – Lesley Gore
Lesley Gore climbed to a new peak of #5 with “She’s A Fool.” The song continued her remarkable run of success following earlier hits and reinforced her position as one of the leading female pop stars of the era.
The record combined teenage drama with an infectious melody, a formula that worked extremely well for Gore throughout the early 1960s. Her confident vocal performance gave the song its personality and charm.
Its success demonstrated that the girl-pop sound remained an important force on American radio as 1963 drew to a close.
More Weeks at #1 for “Dominique”
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 7, 1963, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Dominique by The Singing Nun
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🎂 Try your own birthday:
- Dominique – The Singing Nun (Soeur Sourire)
- I’m Leaving It Up To You – Dale & Grace
- Everybody – Tommy Roe
- Louie Louie – The Kingsmen
- She’s A Fool – Lesley Gore
- Sugar Shack – Jimmy Gilmer And The Fireballs
- You Don’t Have To Be A Baby To Cry – The Caravelles
- Be True To Your School – The Beach Boys
- Washington Square – The Village Stompers
- Walking The Dog – Rufus Thomas
Chart Movers This Week
The week of December 7, 1963, showcased one of the most eclectic Top 10s of the decade. A French-language religious song sat at #1, while a garage-rock classic, surf music, soul, instrumentals, and pop duets all shared space on the same chart.
The arrival of “Louie Louie” in the Top 5 hinted at changes that were beginning to emerge in popular music. Its raw sound contrasted sharply with the polished productions that had dominated much of the early 1960s.
Looking back, this chart captures the final weeks of an era. American artists still controlled the Billboard Hot 100, but new sounds were beginning to emerge that would soon transform popular music around the world.