Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of August 21, 1961
The Billboard Hot 100 for August 21, 1961 continued to be dominated by Bobby Lewis and the unstoppable “Tossin’ And Turnin’.” After spending week after week at the top of the chart, the energetic rock and roll smash had become one of the defining songs of the summer.
By late August, American popular music was clearly moving toward louder rhythms, danceable beats, and youthful energy. Rock and roll records driven by excitement and rhythm were now competing directly with softer ballads, folk harmonies, and rhythm and blues crossover hits.
This week’s chart also reflected the remarkable variety that made the early 1960s such a fascinating musical era. Instrumentals, emotional pop songs, twist records, and folk-inspired harmonies all shared space together inside the Top 10.
Top 5 Songs (August 21, 1961)
1. Tossin’ And Turnin’ – Bobby Lewis
Bobby Lewis continued his incredible run at #1 with “Tossin’ And Turnin’,” one of the biggest rock and roll records of 1961.
The song’s pounding rhythm, frantic energy, and unforgettable vocal performance continued making it a favorite on jukeboxes and radio stations across America. Few records from the era captured youthful excitement quite like this one.
Its lengthy stay at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 showed just how strongly audiences connected with energetic dance records during the summer of 1961.
2. Wooden Heart – Joe Dowell
Joe Dowell climbed all the way to #2 this week with the sentimental favorite “Wooden Heart.”
The song offered a softer and gentler sound compared to many of the louder rock and rhythm-driven hits dominating the charts. Its emotional melody and easy-listening style appealed strongly to mainstream pop audiences.
Originally connected to Elvis Presley’s film G.I. Blues, the song proved that sentimental ballads still had tremendous commercial power during the rapidly changing early sixties music scene.
3. Michael – The Highwaymen
The Highwaymen continued climbing the charts this week with the folk-inspired hit “Michael.”
The song’s smooth harmonies and traditional folk influence gave it a very different sound from the harder-driving rock and roll records surrounding it in the Top 10. Its calm and uplifting style connected strongly with audiences during the growing folk music revival.
The success of “Michael” helped pave the way for the folk boom that would become even larger later in the decade.
4. Last Night – Mar-Keys
The Mar-Keys remained strong at #4 with the instrumental smash “Last Night.”
The song’s unforgettable saxophone hook and driving rhythm section helped make it one of the most exciting instrumentals of the year. Its soulful Memphis sound stood out from the polished pop records dominating much of the chart.
“Last Night” also reflected the growing importance of Southern soul and rhythm sections in shaping the future sound of American popular music.
5. I Like It Like That, Part 1 – Chris Kenner
Chris Kenner slipped slightly to #5 this week, but “I Like It Like That” remained one of the hottest rhythm and blues crossover records in America.
The song’s party atmosphere, catchy beat, and New Orleans rhythm made it a favorite with younger listeners and dancers. Its loose and lively style helped it stand apart from many of the smoother mainstream pop hits of the period.
The record’s long chart run showed how deeply rhythm and blues was influencing the direction of popular music in 1961.
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 26, 1961, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Tossin’ and Turnin’ by Bobby Lewis
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Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 – Week of August 21, 1961
- Tossin’ And Turnin’ – Bobby Lewis
- Wooden Heart – Joe Dowell
- Michael – The Highwaymen
- Last Night – Mar-Keys
- I Like It Like That, Part 1 – Chris Kenner
- You Don’t Know What You’ve Got (Until You Lose It) – Ral Donner
- Pretty Little Angel Eyes – Curtis Lee
- Dum Dum – Brenda Lee
- Let’s Twist Again – Chubby Checker
- School Is Out – Gary U.S. Bonds
The Summer Of 1961 Kept Rock And Roll Moving Forward
The week of August 21, 1961 perfectly captured the rapidly changing sound of early-sixties American music. Bobby Lewis continued dominating the charts with one of the decade’s great dance records while rhythm and blues, folk music, instrumentals, and polished pop songs all continued competing for radio attention.
Songs like “Michael” showed the growing popularity of folk harmonies while records such as “Last Night” and “I Like It Like That” highlighted the increasing influence of Southern rhythm and blues and soul music. At the same time, softer songs like “Wooden Heart” reminded listeners that traditional pop ballads still remained extremely popular.
Looking back today, this chart represents a fascinating bridge between the simpler rock and roll sound of the 1950s and the more diverse musical explosion that would soon define the rest of the 1960s.