Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of August 29, 1960
The Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending August 29, 1960 showed Elvis Presley still holding the #1 position with “It’s Now Or Never.” The song had become one of the biggest records of his post-Army comeback, blending romantic pop drama with the star power that kept Elvis at the center of American music.
Just below Elvis, The Ventures climbed to #2 with “Walk — Don’t Run,” one of the most important instrumental guitar hits of the early 1960s. Its clean electric-guitar sound helped point toward the surf-rock movement that would become a major force in the next few years.
Chubby Checker moved to #3 with “The Twist,” and its rise was one of the most important signs of what was coming next. The song was no longer just another dance record — it was becoming a full national craze.
Brenda Lee remained strong at #4 with “I’m Sorry,” while Bobby Rydell climbed into the Top 5 with “Volare.” The week of August 29, 1960 captured a chart where Elvis’ dramatic pop, instrumental guitar rock, dance music, teen ballads, and international-flavored pop were all moving at once.
Top 5 Songs (August 29, 1960)
1. “It’s Now Or Never” – Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires
Elvis Presley remained at #1 with “It’s Now Or Never,” continuing one of the most successful chart runs of his early 1960s career.
The song’s melody was adapted from “O Sole Mio,” giving Elvis a sweeping romantic sound that was very different from his earlier rock-and-roll records.
His vocal was smooth, controlled, and dramatic, showing how successfully he could move into a more mature pop style.
By this week, “It’s Now Or Never” had firmly proven that Elvis could dominate the new decade while expanding far beyond his original 1950s image.
2. “Walk — Don’t Run” – The Ventures
The Ventures climbed to #2 with “Walk — Don’t Run,” one of the most influential instrumental guitar records of the era.
The song’s sharp electric-guitar lead, driving rhythm, and clean arrangement gave it a modern sound that stood apart from orchestral instrumentals and vocal pop hits.
Its success helped establish The Ventures as one of the most important instrumental rock groups of the 1960s.
“Walk — Don’t Run” also helped lay groundwork for the surf-guitar sound that would soon become a major part of American rock-and-roll.
3. “The Twist” – Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker climbed to #3 with “The Twist,” one of the most important dance records in American pop history.
Written by Hank Ballard, the song had a simple dance concept that made it easy for teenagers across the country to copy.
Checker’s version had the clean, accessible energy needed for television, parties, and dance shows, which helped turn the record into more than just a hit single.
By the end of August, “The Twist” was clearly becoming a cultural movement, not simply another song on the chart.
4. “I’m Sorry” – Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee held the #4 position with “I’m Sorry,” one of the defining heartbreak ballads of 1960.
The song had already reached #1, but its continued strength showed how deeply listeners connected with Lee’s emotional performance.
Her vocal sounded mature, sincere, and carefully controlled, helping the record stand apart from lighter teen-pop hits.
“I’m Sorry” remained one of Brenda Lee’s signature recordings and confirmed her place as one of the strongest young singers of the period.
5. “Volare” – Bobby Rydell
Bobby Rydell climbed into the Top 5 with “Volare,” his teen-pop take on the Italian standard made famous internationally by Domenico Modugno.
Rydell’s version gave the song a brighter, youth-friendly arrangement that fit neatly into early 1960 radio.
The record showed how pop singers could revive older or international songs by reshaping them for teenage audiences.
Its rise helped keep Rydell among the leading teen idols of the early 1960s.
More Weeks at #1 for “It’s Now or Never”
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 September 3, 1960, this was your birthday song:
🎵 It’s Now or Never by Elvis Presley
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🎂 Born in the 60s? Try your own birthday:
Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 – Week of August 29, 1960
- It’s Now Or Never – Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires
- Walk — Don’t Run – The Ventures
- The Twist – Chubby Checker
- I’m Sorry – Brenda Lee
- Volare – Bobby Rydell
- Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini – Brian Hyland
- Finger Poppin’ Time – Hank Ballard And The Midnighters
- Mission Bell – Donnie Brooks
- Only The Lonely (Know How I Feel) – Roy Orbison
- In My Little Corner Of The World – Anita Bryant
The Twist and The Ventures Were Changing the Sound of the Chart
The Billboard Hot 100 for August 29, 1960 was still led by Elvis Presley, but the strongest signals of the future were coming from The Ventures and Chubby Checker.
“Walk — Don’t Run” brought electric guitar instrumentals into the #2 position and helped point toward the surf-rock and guitar-band explosion that would follow. “The Twist” climbed to #3 and was quickly becoming one of the biggest dance records of the decade.
The Top 10 also showed how much range the chart had by late summer. Brenda Lee and Roy Orbison kept emotional ballads alive, Bobby Rydell brought international-flavored teen pop, Brian Hyland carried summer novelty energy, and Hank Ballard remained present with another dance-oriented hit.
The week of August 29, 1960 remains a key chart snapshot because it shows Elvis still on top while two major early-1960s movements — guitar instrumentals and dance-craze pop — were rising fast beneath him.
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