Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of November 13, 1961
The Billboard Hot 100 for November 13, 1961 remained under the command of Jimmy Dean’s “Big Bad John,” one of the most dramatic and unusual #1 songs of the early sixties. In a year filled with teen pop, dance records, rhythm and blues, and emotional ballads, this spoken-word story song continued to stand tall above the rest.
The chart was also packed with movement. Brenda Lee’s “Fool #1” climbed into the Top 3, Gene McDaniels jumped into the Top 5 with “Tower Of Strength,” and The Marvelettes entered the Top 10 with “Please Mr. Postman,” giving Tamla one of its most important early national breakthroughs.
This week captured a fascinating moment in music history. Rock and roll energy was still strong, soul and R&B were gaining ground, girl-group records were beginning to rise, and story songs still had enough power to dominate the entire country.
Top 5 Songs (November 13, 1961)
1. Big Bad John – Jimmy Dean
Jimmy Dean held the #1 spot for a second week with “Big Bad John,” continuing one of the most memorable chart runs of 1961. The song was unlike most of the records around it because it relied on atmosphere, narration, and character rather than a traditional pop chorus.
The story of Big John felt almost like a modern folk legend. Dean’s deep voice gave the song weight and mystery, while the spare arrangement helped the listener focus on the story of a quiet, powerful miner who became a hero in a moment of danger.
Its continued stay at #1 proved that audiences still loved songs with strong storytelling. In the middle of a fast-changing pop scene, “Big Bad John” connected because it gave listeners something vivid, dramatic, and unforgettable.
2. Runaround Sue – Dion
Dion remained at #2 this week with “Runaround Sue,” keeping one of 1961’s greatest rock and roll records near the very top of the chart.
The song still carried all the energy that had taken it to #1 in October. Its street-corner feel, driving rhythm, and confident vocal performance made it a perfect snapshot of early-sixties teenage attitude.
Even with “Big Bad John” holding the top spot, “Runaround Sue” remained one of the strongest and most exciting records in America, proving Dion’s place as one of the era’s defining rock and roll voices.
3. Fool #1 – Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee climbed from #5 to #3 this week with “Fool #1,” giving her another major Top 5 success during an already remarkable early-sixties run.
The song gave Lee room to show the emotional strength in her voice. She could sound young and vulnerable, but also powerful and mature, which made her heartbreak songs stand out from many other teen-pop records of the time.
Its continued climb showed how strongly listeners connected with emotional female pop vocals in 1961. Brenda Lee was not just a regular chart presence — she was becoming one of the most reliable hitmakers in American music.
4. Bristol Stomp – The Dovells
The Dovells slipped slightly to #4 with “Bristol Stomp,” but the record remained one of the biggest dance hits in the country.
Its success came from the same energy that made so many early-sixties dance records popular. It was upbeat, easy to move to, and tied directly to teen culture. The song helped turn a local dance into a national pop moment.
“Bristol Stomp” also showed how important dance songs were becoming to the Billboard Hot 100. Radio, television dance programs, and teen parties all helped records like this spread quickly across America.
5. Tower Of Strength – Gene McDaniels
Gene McDaniels made a major move this week as “Tower Of Strength” climbed from #10 to #5.
The song mixed emotional pop with a powerful vocal performance, giving McDaniels another strong chart moment in 1961. His smooth voice and dramatic delivery helped the record stand apart from both the dance hits and the novelty records around it.
Its rise into the Top 5 showed that polished, emotional pop songs still had a strong place on the chart, especially when delivered by a singer with McDaniels’ vocal presence.
More Weeks at #1 for “Big Bad John”
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 November 18, 1961, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Big Bad John by Jimmy Dean
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🎂 Try your own birthday:
Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 – Week of November 13, 1961
- Big Bad John – Jimmy Dean
- Runaround Sue – Dion
- Fool #1 – Brenda Lee
- Bristol Stomp – The Dovells
- Tower Of Strength – Gene McDaniels
- Hit The Road Jack – Ray Charles And His Orchestra With The Raelettes
- The Fly – Chubby Checker
- This Time – Troy Shondell
- Please Mr. Postman – The Marvelettes
- Sad Movies (Make Me Cry) – Sue Thompson
A Chart Full Of Stories, Soul, And Change
The week of November 13, 1961 showed how broad the Billboard Hot 100 had become. Jimmy Dean’s “Big Bad John” kept a dramatic story song at #1, while Dion, The Dovells, and Chubby Checker kept rock and dance energy alive inside the Top 10.
The emotional side of the chart was just as strong. Brenda Lee, Gene McDaniels, Troy Shondell, Sue Thompson, and The Paris Sisters all represented the continuing popularity of heartfelt pop vocals and romantic storytelling.
Most importantly, The Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman” reaching the Top 10 hinted at something much bigger on the horizon. Tamla and the growing Motown sound were beginning to make their mark, and the future of American pop music was starting to come into focus.