Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of July 6, 1963
The Billboard Hot 100 for July 6, 1963 brought a new #1 song as The Essex climbed to the top with “Easier Said Than Done.” The upbeat vocal-group hit had moved quickly through the chart and gave the summer of 1963 one of its brightest and catchiest records.
Kyu Sakamoto slipped to #2 after his historic run with “Sukiyaki,” while Bobby Vinton climbed to #3 with the smooth ballad “Blue On Blue.” Barbara Lewis remained strong with “Hello Stranger,” and Lesley Gore’s former #1 hit “It’s My Party” rounded out the Top 5.
This week’s chart reflected the wide-open sound of mid-1963. Vocal groups, international pop, teen drama, soul, traditional ballads, surf music, and guitar instrumentals all shared space in the Top 10.
Lower on the chart, Jan & Dean and The Beach Boys helped keep surf music moving forward, while The Chiffons, The Tymes, and Lonnie Mack showed how rich and varied American radio had become during the summer months.
Top 5 Songs
1. Easier Said Than Done – The Essex
The Essex reached #1 this week with “Easier Said Than Done,” one of the most cheerful and infectious hits of the summer. The song’s bright rhythm, simple hook, and smooth vocal blend made it a natural radio favorite.
The group’s story also made the record stand out. The Essex were active-duty members of the United States Marine Corps, giving their chart success a unique place in pop history.
Its rise to #1 showed how quickly a catchy vocal-group record could capture national attention in 1963. “Easier Said Than Done” became one of the season’s most memorable feel-good hits.
2. Sukiyaki – Kyu Sakamoto
Kyu Sakamoto slipped to #2 with “Sukiyaki,” but the record remained one of the most remarkable hits in Billboard history. Sung entirely in Japanese, it had already proven that melody and emotion could cross language barriers.
The song’s gentle vocal performance and graceful arrangement gave it a universal beauty. American listeners connected with the feeling of the record even if they did not understand the words.
Even after leaving #1, “Sukiyaki” remained a rare and historic international pop breakthrough.
3. Blue On Blue – Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton climbed to #3 with “Blue On Blue,” continuing his strong run as one of the era’s leading romantic pop singers. The song’s smooth melody and polished arrangement made it a perfect fit for his voice.
Vinton delivered the record with warmth and control, turning heartbreak into something elegant and highly listenable. Its gentle sadness helped it stand apart from the brighter dance and surf records around it.
The song’s rise showed that traditional pop ballads still had major power on the Hot 100 during the summer of 1963.
4. Hello Stranger – Barbara Lewis
Barbara Lewis held at #4 with “Hello Stranger,” one of the smoothest soul-pop records of the season. Her gentle vocal delivery gave the song a warm and intimate feeling.
The record did not need a big arrangement to make an impact. Its strength came from mood, restraint, and Lewis’ quiet emotional confidence.
“Hello Stranger” helped establish Barbara Lewis as one of the most graceful new voices of 1963 and showed how beautifully soul music could blend with pop radio.
5. It’s My Party – Lesley Gore
Lesley Gore remained in the Top 5 with “It’s My Party,” the teen-pop smash that had made her a national star. Its story of birthday-party heartbreak still felt dramatic, catchy, and easy for young listeners to understand.
Produced by Quincy Jones, the record balanced teenage emotion with polished pop production. Gore’s vocal gave the song both vulnerability and attitude.
Even as new summer hits climbed around it, “It’s My Party” remained one of the defining records of 1963.
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More Weeks at #1 for “Easier Said Than Done”
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 6, 1963, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Easier Said Than Done by The Essex
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🎂 Try your own birthday:
- Easier Said Than Done – The Essex
- Sukiyaki – Kyu Sakamoto
- Blue On Blue – Bobby Vinton
- Hello Stranger – Barbara Lewis
- It’s My Party – Lesley Gore
- One Fine Day – The Chiffons
- Surf City – Jan & Dean
- Memphis – Lonnie Mack
- So Much In Love – The Tymes
- Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport – Rolf Harris
A Bright New Summer Number One
The July 6, 1963 Billboard Hot 100 marked a fresh change at the top as The Essex brought a bright vocal-group sound to #1. “Easier Said Than Done” gave the summer chart a cheerful lift after the historic run of “Sukiyaki.”
The rest of the Top 5 showed the range of American radio at the time. Bobby Vinton carried traditional pop, Barbara Lewis brought smooth soul, Lesley Gore represented teen drama, and Kyu Sakamoto kept international music in the spotlight.
Chart Movers This Week
As July began, surf music, girl groups, dance records, and romantic ballads were all fighting for attention. The Hot 100 remained wide open, colorful, and full of movement.