Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of August 14, 1961
The Billboard Hot 100 for August 14, 1961 continued to reflect one of the most energetic summers in early rock and roll history. Bobby Lewis remained locked into the #1 position with “Tossin’ And Turnin’,” a record that had completely taken over American radio and dance floors.
By mid-August, rhythm-driven rock songs and rhythm and blues crossover hits were dominating the charts. Fast tempos, pounding beats, and danceable records were becoming increasingly important as younger audiences helped shape the future direction of popular music.
At the same time, the chart still showed remarkable musical diversity. Emotional pop ballads, folk-inspired harmonies, instrumentals, and easy-listening favorites all continued competing alongside the louder and more energetic rock records climbing toward the top.
Top 5 Songs (August 14, 1961)
1. Tossin’ And Turnin’ – Bobby Lewis
Bobby Lewis held onto the #1 spot for another week with the explosive “Tossin’ And Turnin’.”
The song’s relentless rhythm and frantic vocal delivery continued making it one of the most exciting records of the year. Few songs on the radio sounded as energetic or as urgent, and its dance-floor appeal remained enormous throughout the summer.
Its remarkable chart run showed how strongly audiences were embracing louder and more rhythm-heavy rock and roll by 1961. “Tossin’ And Turnin’” had clearly become one of the defining songs of the entire year.
2. I Like It Like That, Part 1 – Chris Kenner
Chris Kenner continued holding strong at #2 this week with the lively New Orleans rhythm and blues hit “I Like It Like That.”
The song’s infectious beat and party atmosphere made it one of the hottest dance records in America. Its loose, energetic sound helped separate it from many of the more polished pop productions surrounding it on the charts.
The record also highlighted the growing influence of New Orleans rhythm and blues on mainstream American popular music during the early 1960s.
3. Last Night – Mar-Keys
The Mar-Keys remained at #3 this week with the powerful instrumental hit “Last Night.”
Driven by its unforgettable saxophone riff and strong rhythm section, the song became one of the standout instrumentals of the year. Its soulful Memphis sound gave listeners something very different from the vocal-heavy pop hits dominating most radio playlists.
The success of “Last Night” also helped shine a spotlight on the growing Southern soul sound that would soon become one of the most important musical movements of the decade.
4. Dum Dum – Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee stayed inside the Top 5 this week with the upbeat pop favorite “Dum Dum.”
Lee’s powerful voice and polished vocal style continued making her one of the most reliable hitmakers in America. The song balanced youthful excitement with smooth production, giving it broad appeal across many different audiences.
Its continued success added another major hit to Brenda Lee’s already impressive chart career during the early 1960s.
5. Wooden Heart – Joe Dowell
Joe Dowell climbed into the Top 5 this week with “Wooden Heart,” a song originally associated with Elvis Presley’s film G.I. Blues.
The gentle melody and sentimental lyrics gave the song a softer and more traditional feel compared to many of the louder rock and rhythm-driven records climbing the charts during the summer of 1961.
Its success proved that emotional and easy-listening pop songs still held strong appeal even as rock and roll continued evolving into a more energetic sound.
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More Weeks at #1 for “Tossin’ and Turnin’”
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 August 19, 1961, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Tossin’ and Turnin’ by Bobby Lewis
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🎂 Try your own birthday:
Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 – Week of August 14, 1961
- Tossin’ And Turnin’ – Bobby Lewis
- I Like It Like That, Part 1 – Chris Kenner
- Last Night – Mar-Keys
- Dum Dum – Brenda Lee
- Wooden Heart – Joe Dowell
- Michael – The Highwaymen
- Pretty Little Angel Eyes – Curtis Lee
- Let’s Twist Again – Chubby Checker
- Together – Connie Francis
- School Is Out – Gary U.S. Bonds
The Sound Of Summer 1961 Was Everywhere
The week of August 14, 1961 perfectly captured the wide variety of sounds dominating American popular music during one of the most exciting summers of the early rock era. Dance songs, rhythm and blues crossover hits, polished pop records, folk harmonies, and soulful instrumentals all shared space together on the Billboard Hot 100.
Bobby Lewis continued leading the charts with one of the year’s most explosive rock and roll records while artists like Chris Kenner and The Mar-Keys showed how deeply rhythm and blues and Southern musical styles were beginning to influence mainstream radio.
At the same time, songs like “Wooden Heart” and “Together” reminded listeners that softer emotional ballads still had an important place in popular music. Looking back today, this chart reflects a fascinating transition period as the sound of the 1950s slowly blended into the more energetic and diverse music that would soon define the rest of the 1960s.