Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of July 17, 1961
The Billboard Hot 100 for July 17, 1961 continued to be dominated by the explosive energy of Bobby Lewis and “Tossin’ And Turnin’,” which held firmly to the #1 position for another week. The song had quickly become one of the defining rock and roll records of the summer.
This week’s chart showed a fascinating blend of musical styles. Hard-driving dance songs shared space with smooth rhythm and blues ballads, instrumental hits, and easy listening favorites as American pop music continued evolving.
While several longtime hits still remained near the top, new songs like “Yellow Bird” and “I Like It Like That” hinted that another wave of summer hits was beginning to rise quickly across the country.
Top 5 Songs (July 17, 1961)
1. Tossin’ And Turnin’ – Bobby Lewis
Bobby Lewis remained at #1 this week with the wildly energetic “Tossin’ And Turnin’.”
The song’s pounding rhythm and frantic vocal style perfectly captured the excitement and energy of summer 1961. Its nonstop momentum helped make it one of the most memorable dance records of the era.
As the song continued dominating jukeboxes and radio stations nationwide, it became increasingly clear that “Tossin’ And Turnin’” was one of the biggest records of the entire year.
2. The Boll Weevil Song – Brook Benton
Brook Benton held strong at #2 this week with “The Boll Weevil Song.”
The catchy novelty tune blended humor, storytelling, and Benton’s smooth vocal delivery into a record that continued connecting with pop audiences all summer long.
The song’s unique personality helped it stand apart from many of the more serious ballads and rock songs on the charts.
3. Quarter To Three – U.S. Bonds
Gary U.S. Bonds remained inside the Top 3 with the hard-driving party anthem “Quarter To Three.”
Even after leaving the #1 position, the song still sounded loud, exciting, and completely built for summer dancing. Its rough vocal style and pounding beat continued helping it stand out from smoother pop records.
The record remained one of the strongest examples of early-sixties rock and roll energy.
4. Raindrops – Dee Clark
Dee Clark stayed at #4 this week with the emotional crossover hit “Raindrops.”
The song’s polished arrangement and heartfelt vocal performance continued making it one of the strongest rhythm and blues influenced ballads on the Billboard Hot 100.
Its long chart run proved that emotional storytelling songs still had tremendous appeal with listeners during the rapidly changing music scene of 1961.
5. Yellow Bird – Arthur Lyman Group
The Arthur Lyman Group climbed into the Top 5 this week with the tropical instrumental favorite “Yellow Bird.”
The relaxing island-inspired melody gave the song a completely different sound from many of the louder rock and roll hits climbing the charts. Its smooth atmosphere made it a perfect summertime radio favorite.
The success of “Yellow Bird” showed that instrumental and easy-listening records still held an important place on American pop charts during 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 July 22, 1961, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Tossin’ and Turnin’ by Bobby Lewis
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🎂 Try your own birthday:
Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 – Week of July 17, 1961
- Tossin’ And Turnin’ – Bobby Lewis
- The Boll Weevil Song – Brook Benton
- Quarter To Three – U.S. Bonds
- Raindrops – Dee Clark
- Yellow Bird – Arthur Lyman Group
- Hats Off To Larry – Del Shannon
- Every Beat Of My Heart – Pips
- San Antonio Rose – Floyd Cramer
- I Like It Like That, Part 1 – Chris Kenner
- Dum Dum – Brenda Lee
Summer Hits Filled American Radio
The week of July 17, 1961 captured the incredible variety that defined early-sixties pop music. High-energy rock and roll songs shared chart space with smooth ballads, tropical instrumentals, and rhythm and blues crossover hits.
Bobby Lewis continued leading the way with one of the year’s most exciting records, while artists like Brook Benton and Dee Clark showed how important soulful crossover music had become to mainstream audiences.
Looking back today, this chart perfectly reflects the growing musical diversity of the early 1960s. The sounds of rock, rhythm and blues, pop, and easy listening were all blending together to shape the future of American music.