Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of July 3, 1961
The Billboard Hot 100 for July 3, 1961 captured the growing excitement of the summer music season as Gary U.S. Bonds held onto the #1 position with the wild rock and roll party anthem “Quarter To Three.” The record continued bringing raw energy and dance-floor excitement to radios across America.
This week’s chart showed just how diverse popular music had become by mid-1961. Hard-driving rock songs, emotional ballads, rhythm and blues crossovers, and smooth pop vocals all battled for attention near the top of the Hot 100.
The chart also hinted at major changes coming soon. Bobby Lewis’ “Tossin’ And Turnin’” continued climbing rapidly, while longtime favorites like “Travelin’ Man” and “Moody River” slowly began sliding downward after dominating earlier weeks.
Top 5 Songs (July 3, 1961)
1. Quarter To Three – U.S. Bonds
Gary U.S. Bonds remained at #1 this week with the explosive “Quarter To Three,” one of the most energetic rock and roll hits of 1961.
The pounding beat, party atmosphere, and rough vocal delivery gave the song a raw excitement that stood apart from many smoother pop hits of the era. It felt loud, spontaneous, and built perfectly for summer dancing.
The continued success of “Quarter To Three” proved that audiences still loved energetic rock and roll records filled with excitement and personality.
2. Tossin’ And Turnin’ – Bobby Lewis
Bobby Lewis climbed to #2 this week as “Tossin’ And Turnin’” continued becoming one of the hottest records in America.
The song’s restless rhythm and driving vocal performance perfectly captured the growing energy of early-sixties rock and roll. Lewis delivered the performance with urgency and excitement that made the record impossible to ignore.
Its rapid climb suggested the song could soon challenge for the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
3. The Boll Weevil Song – Brook Benton
Brook Benton climbed into the Top 3 this week with “The Boll Weevil Song.”
The song mixed humor, storytelling, and Benton’s smooth vocal delivery into one of the more unique records on the charts. Its catchy melody and playful lyrics helped make it highly memorable with listeners.
Benton continued proving he could successfully blend rhythm and blues influence with mainstream pop appeal.
4. Raindrops – Dee Clark
Dee Clark slipped slightly to #4 this week with the emotional ballad “Raindrops.”
The song’s polished rhythm and blues style and Clark’s emotional vocal performance helped it remain one of the strongest crossover hits of the summer. Its smooth melody continued making it a radio favorite.
Even after falling from #2, “Raindrops” remained one of the defining emotional hits of 1961.
5. The Writing On The Wall – Adam Wade
Adam Wade climbed into the Top 5 this week with “The Writing On The Wall.”
The emotional ballad featured Wade’s polished and heartfelt vocal delivery, helping the song stand out among the louder rock and roll records climbing the charts during the summer.
Its success showed that romantic storytelling songs still had a powerful place on the Billboard Hot 100.
More Weeks at #1 for “Quarter to Three”
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 8, 1961, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Quarter to Three by Gary U.S. Bonds
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Try your own birthday:
Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 – Week of July 3, 1961
- Quarter To Three – U.S. Bonds
- Tossin’ And Turnin’ – Bobby Lewis
- The Boll Weevil Song – Brook Benton
- Raindrops – Dee Clark
- The Writing On The Wall – Adam Wade
- Moody River – Pat Boone
- Travelin’ Man – Ricky Nelson
- Every Beat Of My Heart – Pips
- Those Oldies But Goodies (Remind Me Of You) – Little Caesar and The Romans
- Yellow Bird – Arthur Lyman Group
Summer Rock And Roll Was Taking Over
The week of July 3, 1961 showed the Billboard Hot 100 leaning toward a louder and more energetic sound. Gary U.S. Bonds and Bobby Lewis brought dance-driven excitement into the Top 5, while rhythm and blues continued becoming more important to mainstream pop music.
At the same time, emotional ballads like “Raindrops” and “The Writing On The Wall” continued proving that softer and more romantic songs still connected deeply with audiences.
Looking back today, this chart captures a fascinating transition point in music history. The polished sound of the 1950s still remained, but the stronger rhythms, energy, and emotion that would help define the 1960s were becoming impossible to stop.