Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of May 9, 1960
The Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending May 9, 1960 showed Elvis Presley still holding the #1 position with “Stuck On You.” After returning from military service, Elvis had quickly reestablished himself as the dominant figure in American popular music.
But the biggest story just beneath the top spot was the rapid rise of The Everly Brothers. “Cathy’s Clown” jumped from #15 to #3 in only its fourth week on the chart, signaling that a major new hit was charging toward the top. Its dramatic beat and unmistakable sibling harmonies gave the chart a fresh sense of momentum.
The Brothers Four remained strong at #2 with “Greenfields,” keeping folk-pop harmony near the top of the Hot 100. Jackie Wilson climbed to #4 with the dramatic “Night,” while Connie Stevens stayed in the Top 5 with the sweet teen-pop ballad “Sixteen Reasons.”
The week of May 9, 1960 captured a chart in transition. Elvis was still leading, but The Everly Brothers were quickly becoming the next major threat. Folk harmony, dramatic vocals, teen romance, historical story songs, and rhythm-and-blues records all shared space in one of the most varied Top 10 lineups of the spring.
Top 5 Songs (May 9, 1960)
1. “Stuck On You” – Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires
Elvis Presley remained at #1 with “Stuck On You,” continuing his powerful return to the Billboard Hot 100 after military service.
The song’s polished production and confident vocal delivery showed a slightly smoother Elvis for the new decade, while still keeping the charm and personality that made him a superstar.
Its continued success proved that Elvis had not lost his connection with American listeners during his time away.
By May 1960, “Stuck On You” had firmly reestablished Presley as one of the most important forces in popular music.
2. “Greenfields” – The Brothers Four
The Brothers Four held the #2 position with “Greenfields,” continuing one of the strongest folk-pop runs of early 1960.
The song’s gentle acoustic feel and smooth vocal harmonies gave the chart a thoughtful, reflective sound beside Elvis’ polished pop-rock comeback.
Its success showed that folk-inspired music had real mainstream appeal before the larger folk revival fully took shape.
“Greenfields” remained one of the most important harmony records of the spring.
3. “Cathy’s Clown” – The Everly Brothers
The Everly Brothers made a major leap to #3 with “Cathy’s Clown,” one of the most distinctive records of their career.
The song’s dramatic rhythm, emotional lyric, and tight brotherly harmonies helped it stand apart immediately from the smoother ballads and folk-pop records around it.
Its jump from #15 to #3 showed that listeners were responding quickly and strongly to the record.
“Cathy’s Clown” was clearly becoming one of the biggest hits of 1960 and was already changing the direction of the chart.
4. “Night” – Jackie Wilson
Jackie Wilson climbed to #4 with “Night,” a dramatic vocal performance that showcased his power, control, and emotional intensity.
The song blended pop sophistication with Wilson’s commanding rhythm-and-blues vocal style, giving it a grand and theatrical feeling.
Wilson’s voice brought elegance and urgency to the record, helping it stand apart from the lighter teen-pop songs on the chart.
Its rise showed that dramatic R&B-influenced vocals were becoming an important part of mainstream pop music.
5. “Sixteen Reasons” – Connie Stevens
Connie Stevens remained inside the Top 5 with “Sixteen Reasons,” a sweet teen-pop ballad that had connected strongly with young listeners.
The song’s simple romantic theme and gentle vocal style gave it a soft emotional charm that fit perfectly on early 1960 radio.
Stevens’ success reflected the growing importance of young female pop stars during this period.
Even as newer records surged upward, “Sixteen Reasons” remained one of the defining teen ballads of the spring.
More Weeks at #1 for “Stuck on You”
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 May 14, 1960, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Stuck on You by Elvis Presley
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Try your own birthday:
Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 – Week of May 9, 1960
- Stuck On You – Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires
- Greenfields – The Brothers Four
- Cathy’s Clown – The Everly Brothers
- Night – Jackie Wilson
- Sixteen Reasons – Connie Stevens
- Sink The Bismark – Johnny Horton
- The Old Lamplighter – The Browns Featuring Jim Edward Brown
- Cradle Of Love – Johnny Preston
- Stairway To Heaven – Neil Sedaka
- Let The Little Girl Dance – Billy Bland
The Everly Brothers Were Charging Toward #1
The Billboard Hot 100 for May 9, 1960 was still led by Elvis Presley, but the chart’s biggest movement belonged to The Everly Brothers.
“Cathy’s Clown” made a dramatic leap into the Top 3, bringing a sharper emotional edge and a more urgent vocal harmony sound to the chart. Its momentum made it clear that Elvis’ hold on #1 would soon be challenged.
The rest of the Top 10 showed the broad musical range of spring 1960. The Brothers Four represented folk-pop harmony, Jackie Wilson brought dramatic vocal power, Connie Stevens and Neil Sedaka added teen-pop romance, Johnny Horton and Johnny Preston continued storytelling traditions, and Billy Bland brought rhythm-and-blues energy.
The week of May 9, 1960 remains a fascinating snapshot of a chart between major moments — Elvis was still on top, but The Everly Brothers were rapidly moving into position for one of the year’s biggest chart takeovers.