Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of August 24, 1963
The Billboard Hot 100 for August 24, 1963 remained under the control of Little Stevie Wonder as “Fingertips (Part II)” held the #1 position for a third consecutive week. The live Motown recording had become one of the biggest surprises of the year and continued capturing the imagination of music fans across America.
This week also featured one of the most unusual Top 5 lineups of the decade. Allan Sherman’s novelty smash “Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh!” jumped to #2, while The 4 Seasons climbed with “Candy Girl” and The Angels continued their rapid rise with “My Boyfriend’s Back.”
The chart reflected the incredible variety of popular music during the summer of 1963. Soul, novelty songs, girl groups, teen pop, and harmony records all competed for listeners at the same time.
Top 5 Songs
1. Fingertips (Part II) – Little Stevie Wonder
Little Stevie Wonder remained at #1 with “Fingertips (Part II),” continuing one of the most remarkable chart runs of the early 1960s. The song’s live energy and spontaneous feel made it stand apart from virtually every other hit on the radio.
The record showcased Wonder’s extraordinary talent as both a performer and harmonica player. Audiences responded to the excitement of hearing a genuine live performance transformed into a national hit.
With a third week at the top, the young Motown star had firmly established himself as one of the most exciting new artists in popular music.
2. Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh! (A Letter From Camp) – Allan Sherman
Allan Sherman jumped to #2 with one of the decade’s most memorable novelty records. “Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh!” humorously told the story of an unhappy camper writing home about his summer adventures.
The song connected with families across America because so many children could relate to homesickness, summer camp stories, and exaggerated complaints about everyday problems.
Its rapid climb demonstrated how novelty songs could still become major chart events when they captured the public’s imagination.
3. Candy Girl – The 4 Seasons
The 4 Seasons reached a new high of #3 with “Candy Girl,” continuing the remarkable success the group enjoyed throughout the early 1960s. Frankie Valli’s distinctive falsetto remained one of the most recognizable sounds on radio.
The song blended catchy melodies, strong harmonies, and an upbeat arrangement that fit perfectly alongside the group’s earlier hits.
Its continued rise proved that The 4 Seasons remained among the most reliable hitmakers in America.
4. My Boyfriend’s Back – The Angels
The Angels surged into the Top 5 with “My Boyfriend’s Back,” one of the defining girl-group records of the era. The song combined confidence, attitude, and memorable vocal performances.
Its playful warning to a troublesome admirer immediately connected with teenage audiences. The catchy chorus helped make it one of the most recognizable records of 1963.
The song’s rapid rise suggested an even higher chart position could be just around the corner.
5. Judy’s Turn To Cry – Lesley Gore
Lesley Gore held onto the #5 position with “Judy’s Turn To Cry,” the successful follow-up to her earlier #1 hit “It’s My Party.” The song continued the story that listeners had eagerly followed throughout the summer.
Gore’s performance balanced teenage drama with confidence and humor, helping establish her as one of the leading female pop stars of the decade.
Even as newer records climbed the chart, “Judy’s Turn To Cry” remained one of the season’s biggest hits.
More Weeks at #1 for “Fingertips (Part II)”
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 24, 1963, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Fingertips (Part II) by Little Stevie Wonder
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Try your own birthday:
- Fingertips (Part II) – Little Stevie Wonder
- Hello Mudduh, Hello Fadduh! (A Letter From Camp) – Allan Sherman
- Candy Girl – The 4 Seasons
- My Boyfriend’s Back – The Angels
- Judy’s Turn To Cry – Lesley Gore
- Blowin’ In The Wind – Peter, Paul & Mary
- Wipe Out – The Surfaris
- More – Kai Winding & Orchestra
- (You’re The) Devil In Disguise – Elvis Presley
- Denise – Randy & The Rainbows
Chart Movers This Week
A Summer Of Surprises
The week of August 24, 1963 demonstrated just how unpredictable the Billboard Hot 100 could be. A live Motown performance sat at #1, a novelty song occupied #2, and both girl groups and harmony groups continued making major chart moves.
While Little Stevie Wonder maintained his hold on the top spot, several challengers were rapidly gaining momentum. The Angels, The 4 Seasons, and Allan Sherman all looked capable of becoming major stories in the weeks ahead.
Looking back, this chart captures one of the most diverse moments of the pre-Beatles era, when virtually every style of popular music could still find a place in the Top 10.