Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of December 5, 1964
The Billboard Hot 100 for December 5, 1964 brought one of the year’s most unusual #1 records to the top. Lorne Greene reached the summit with “Ringo,” a spoken-word western story that stood apart from nearly everything else on the chart.
Behind Greene, Bobby Vinton climbed to #2 with “Mr. Lonely,” while The Shangri-Las slipped from the top spot with “Leader Of The Pack.” The Zombies, The Rolling Stones, and The Kinks kept the British Invasion moving in a harder and moodier direction.
Motown also remained a major force. The Supremes were still in the Top 5 with “Baby Love,” and their next hit, “Come See About Me,” was already rising into the Top 10.
This chart captured late 1964 at its most unpredictable: spoken-word western drama, teen tragedy, Motown polish, British rock, and American pop all competing in the same Top 10.
Top 5 Songs
1. Ringo – Lorne Greene
“Ringo” reached #1 this week, giving Lorne Greene one of the most unexpected chart-toppers of 1964. Best known to television audiences for Bonanza, Greene delivered the song as a dramatic spoken-word western rather than a traditional pop vocal.
The record told a frontier story filled with mystery, reputation, and fate. Its storytelling format helped it stand apart from the rock, soul, and girl-group records surrounding it.
As a single-week #1, “Ringo” remains one of the more unusual chart-toppers of the decade, but its success showed that story records could still capture the national imagination.
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2. Mr. Lonely – Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton climbed to #2 with “Mr. Lonely,” one of the most emotional ballads of the season. The song’s theme of isolation and longing connected strongly with listeners as 1964 moved toward winter.
Vinton had already built a reputation for romantic ballads, but this record carried a deeper sense of sadness than many of his earlier hits.
Its continued rise suggested that it was ready to become one of the final major #1 records of the year.
3. Leader Of The Pack – The Shangri-Las
After one week at #1, “Leader Of The Pack” slipped to #3 but remained one of the most talked-about records in America. The song’s spoken dialogue, motorcycle effects, and tragic ending made it unforgettable.
The Shangri-Las had turned a teenage romance into a full pop drama, creating a record that felt almost cinematic.
Even after leaving the top spot, it remained one of the defining girl-group records of the decade.
4. She’s Not There – The Zombies
The Zombies held at #4 with “She’s Not There,” one of the most stylish British Invasion hits of late 1964. Its moody vocal, cool keyboard sound, and jazz-influenced feel gave it a distinctive edge.
The record was smoother and more mysterious than many of the beat-group hits that had dominated earlier in the year.
Its success showed that British rock was becoming more sophisticated and atmospheric.
5. Baby Love – The Supremes
The Supremes remained in the Top 5 with “Baby Love,” continuing one of Motown’s most important chart runs. The song had already confirmed the group as one of the biggest acts in America.
Diana Ross’s smooth lead vocal and the polished Motown production helped make the record instantly memorable.
Even as “Baby Love” moved down the chart, The Supremes were already preparing another major hit with “Come See About Me.”
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🎂 What Was the #1 Song on Your Birthday?
If you were born during the week ending December 5, 1964, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Ringo by Lorne Greene
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🎂 Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Ringo – Lorne Greene
- Mr. Lonely – Bobby Vinton
- Leader Of The Pack – The Shangri-Las
- Shes Not There – The Zombies
- Baby Love – The Supremes
- Time Is On My Side – The Rolling Stones
- You Really Got Me – The Kinks
- Come See About Me – The Supremes
- Mountain Of Love – Johnny Rivers
- Im Gonna Be Strong – Gene Pitney
Chart Movers This Week
An Unusual Number One Closes Out the Fall
The week of December 5, 1964 gave the Hot 100 one of its most unexpected leaders. “Ringo” was not a typical pop single, but its western storytelling and Lorne Greene’s television fame helped carry it to #1.
At the same time, the chart pointed toward the future. The Zombies, The Kinks, and The Rolling Stones showed British rock becoming sharper and more influential, while The Supremes continued Motown’s rise.
Late 1964 was filled with surprises, and this chart proves it. Spoken-word western drama, teen tragedy, soul, ballads, and rock all shared the national spotlight in one of the most varied weeks of the year.