Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of January 2, 1961
The Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending January 2, 1961 opened the new year with Elvis Presley still at #1 with “Are You Lonesome To-night?” The romantic ballad continued its powerful run from late 1960 into 1961, showing how strongly Elvis’ smoother post-Army style had connected with listeners.
Bert Kaempfert And His Orchestra held at #2 with “Wonderland By Night,” while Floyd Cramer stayed at #3 with “Last Date.” Ferrante & Teicher climbed to #4 with “Exodus,” giving the Top 5 three major instrumental records. Kathy Young With The Innocents rounded out the Top 5 with “A Thousand Stars.”
This chart showed a very clear early-1961 pattern: Elvis still ruled the top, but instrumental pop was unusually strong. “Wonderland By Night,” “Last Date,” and “Exodus” all sat inside the Top 5, giving the chart a polished, cinematic, and easy-listening sound.
Top 5 Songs (January 2, 1961)
1. “Are You Lonesome To-night?” – Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires
Elvis Presley remained at #1 with “Are You Lonesome To-night?,” continuing one of the strongest ballad runs of his early 1960s career.
The song’s gentle vocal, spoken-word section, and sentimental mood gave Elvis a dramatic pop showcase far removed from his early rock-and-roll sound.
Its continued hold at #1 showed that Elvis had carried his 1960 comeback momentum directly into 1961.
2. “Wonderland By Night” – Bert Kaempfert And His Orchestra
Bert Kaempfert And His Orchestra remained at #2 with “Wonderland By Night,” a lush instrumental that was moving closer to the top.
The record’s smooth trumpet-led melody and elegant orchestration gave the chart a romantic easy-listening sound.
Its continued strength showed that instrumental pop had major commercial power as 1961 began.
3. “Last Date” – Floyd Cramer
Floyd Cramer held at #3 with “Last Date,” one of the defining piano instrumentals of the period.
The song featured Cramer’s famous slip-note piano style, giving the record a soft, emotional sound without lyrics.
Its long stay near the top showed how strongly Nashville’s country-pop musicianship had crossed into mainstream pop radio.
4. “Exodus” – Ferrante & Teicher
Ferrante & Teicher climbed to #4 with “Exodus,” another major movie-theme instrumental on the early-1961 chart.
The record’s dramatic piano sound and sweeping arrangement helped it stand apart from lighter teen-pop hits.
Its rise into the Top 5 showed the strong appetite for cinematic instrumental music during this chart period.
5. “A Thousand Stars” – Kathy Young With The Innocents
Kathy Young With The Innocents held the #5 position with “A Thousand Stars,” a tender teenage romance record with a soft doo-wop feeling.
The song’s dreamy vocal style and gentle group backing gave it a sweet, late-night quality.
Its continued Top 5 strength showed that young vocal-group ballads still had strong appeal beside Elvis and the instrumental hits dominating the upper chart.
More Weeks at #1 for “Are You Lonesome Tonight?”
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?
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🎵 Are You Lonesome Tonight? by Elvis Presley
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Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 – Week of January 2, 1961
- Are You Lonesome To-night? – Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires
- Wonderland By Night – Bert Kaempfert And His Orchestra
- Last Date – Floyd Cramer
- Exodus – Ferrante & Teicher
- A Thousand Stars – Kathy Young With The Innocents
- North To Alaska – Johnny Horton
- Many Tears Ago – Connie Francis
- You’re Sixteen – Johnny Burnette
- Angel Baby – Rosie And The Originals
- Corinna, Corinna – Ray Peterson
1961 Opened With Elvis and Instrumentals Dominating
The Billboard Hot 100 for January 2, 1961 looked very much like the final chart weeks of 1960: Elvis Presley remained at #1, and instrumental records were everywhere near the top.
“Wonderland By Night,” “Last Date,” and “Exodus” all sat inside the Top 5, showing how strongly orchestral, piano, and movie-theme instrumentals were connecting with listeners as the new year began.
The rest of the Top 10 added country storytelling from Johnny Horton, female pop from Connie Francis, teen rock-and-roll from Johnny Burnette, teenage doo-wop from Rosie And The Originals, and a revived pop standard from Ray Peterson.
The week of January 2, 1961 is a strong bridge between years: Elvis carried 1960’s momentum into 1961, instrumentals remained unusually powerful, and teen pop, country crossover, doo-wop, and romantic ballads all continued to share space on the national chart.