Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of July 25, 1964
The final Billboard Hot 100 chart of July 1964 captured a fascinating transition period in popular music. The 4 Seasons remained at #1 with “Rag Doll,” but a brand-new Beatles single was rapidly approaching the summit. Just one week after debuting at #21, “A Hard Day’s Night” exploded to #2, signaling that Beatlemania was about to enter another chapter.
American artists continued to show remarkable strength. The Beach Boys remained near the top with “I Get Around,” Johnny Rivers kept “Memphis” in the Top 5, and Jan & Dean were climbing with another California car-song classic.
At the same time, the chart reflected the growing international influence on American radio. Dusty Springfield was climbing into the Top 10, while “The Girl From Ipanema” continued introducing millions of listeners to the smooth sounds of Brazilian-inspired bossa nova.
Looking back, this chart serves as the calm before another Beatles storm. While “Rag Doll” still occupied the top spot, the momentum clearly belonged to “A Hard Day’s Night.”
Top 5 Songs
1. Rag Doll – The 4 Seasons Featuring The Sound Of Frankie Valli
“Rag Doll” spent its second week at #1 and continued to dominate American radio. Frankie Valli’s soaring falsetto and the song’s memorable storyline made it one of the defining hits of the summer of 1964.
The song stood out because it combined a catchy pop melody with lyrics that told a compelling story. That emotional connection helped separate it from many other records climbing the charts.
The 4 Seasons had already established themselves as one of America’s premier vocal groups, and “Rag Doll” reinforced their ability to remain relevant during the British Invasion.
2. A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles
The biggest story of the week was the explosive rise of “A Hard Day’s Night,” which jumped from #21 to #2 in only its second week on the chart. The song served as the title track for The Beatles’ first feature film and quickly became another worldwide sensation.
Its opening guitar chord remains one of the most recognizable moments in rock history. Combined with the group’s trademark harmonies and energy, the record immediately captured the attention of fans.
With this kind of momentum, it was becoming increasingly clear that “A Hard Day’s Night” was headed toward the top spot.
3. I Get Around – The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys held steady at #3 with “I Get Around.” Even after its run at #1, the song remained one of the most popular records in America and continued to define the sound of summer.
Brian Wilson’s increasingly sophisticated production and the group’s rich harmonies elevated the song beyond a simple surf-rock record.
Its continued Top 5 presence demonstrated that American rock could still compete with the flood of British hits dominating radio playlists.
4. Memphis – Johnny Rivers
Johnny Rivers slipped from #2 to #4, but “Memphis” remained one of the biggest records in the country. His energetic interpretation of the Chuck Berry classic connected older rock-and-roll traditions with the newer sounds of 1964.
The song’s live-performance feel helped it stand apart from more heavily produced records on the chart.
Rivers’ success would continue throughout the decade, but “Memphis” remains one of the signature recordings of his career.
5. The Girl From Ipanema – Stan Getz/Astrud Gilberto
Holding at #5, “The Girl From Ipanema” continued its remarkable crossover success. The recording brought jazz, pop, and Brazilian bossa nova together in a way that appealed to a wide audience.
Astrud Gilberto’s understated vocal style and Stan Getz’s smooth saxophone performance created a timeless recording that sounded unlike anything else on the chart.
More than sixty years later, it remains one of the most influential and recognizable recordings of the era.
More Weeks at #1 for “Rag Doll”
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 25, 1964, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Rag Doll by The Four Seasons
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Rag Doll – The 4 Seasons Featuring The Sound Of Frankie Valli
- A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles
- I Get Around – The Beach Boys
- Memphis – Johnny Rivers
- The Girl From Ipanema – Stan Getz/Astrud Gilberto
- The Little Old Lady (From Pasadena) – Jan & Dean
- Can’t You See That She’s Mine – The Dave Clark Five
- Dang Me – Roger Miller
- Wishin’ And Hopin’ – Dusty Springfield
- Keep On Pushing – The Impressions
Chart Movers This Week
The Beatles Prepare Another Takeover
The week of July 25, 1964 was one of those charts where the future seemed obvious. While “Rag Doll” remained at #1, “A Hard Day’s Night” was climbing so rapidly that few observers doubted what would happen next.
The chart also highlighted the incredible variety of music available to listeners. Surf rock, British beat music, vocal harmony groups, country crossover hits, soul music, and international jazz-pop influences all appeared in the same Top 10.
That diversity is one reason 1964 remains one of the most celebrated years in Billboard history. Every week seemed to introduce another classic record that would endure for generations.