Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of November 28, 1964
The Billboard Hot 100 for November 28, 1964 brought one of the most dramatic records of the year to #1. The Shangri-Las reached the top with “Leader Of The Pack,” a teenage tragedy song that sounded more like a short film than a typical pop single.
Motown remained close behind as The Supremes slipped to #2 with “Baby Love,” while Jay And The Americans held strong with “Come A Little Bit Closer.” The Zombies, Lorne Greene, The Kinks, and The Rolling Stones also helped make this one of the most varied Top 10s of late 1964.
This chart showed how quickly pop music was changing. Girl-group drama, Motown polish, British rock, spoken-word western storytelling, and American rock-and-roll all shared space near the top.
As November came to a close, the Hot 100 reflected both the emotional storytelling of early-1960s pop and the harder British sounds that would help shape the years ahead.
Top 5 Songs
1. Leader Of The Pack – The Shangri-Las
“Leader Of The Pack” reached #1 this week, giving The Shangri-Las their defining hit. The record combined spoken dialogue, teenage romance, motorcycle sound effects, and tragedy into one of the most theatrical singles of the 1960s.
The song stood out because it created a full story in just a few minutes. It was emotional, cinematic, and impossible to mistake for anything else on the radio.
As a single-week #1, “Leader Of The Pack” still made a lasting impact. Its style helped prove that girl-group records could be bold, dramatic, and unforgettable.
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2. Baby Love – The Supremes
After its run at #1, “Baby Love” slipped to #2 but remained one of the biggest records in America. The Supremes had now confirmed their place as Motown’s leading female group.
The song’s polished production, smooth vocal blend, and memorable hook helped continue the momentum that began with “Where Did Our Love Go.”
Even after leaving the top spot, “Baby Love” remained central to Motown’s breakthrough year.
3. Come A Little Bit Closer – Jay And The Americans
Jay And The Americans held at #3 with “Come A Little Bit Closer,” one of the group’s most memorable story songs. Its border-town setting, romantic tension, and catchy chorus gave it a colorful identity.
The record mixed pop craft with a sense of danger and adventure, helping it stand out among Motown and British Invasion hits.
Its strong chart run showed that American vocal groups still had a powerful place on the Hot 100.
4. She’s Not There – The Zombies
The Zombies climbed to #4 with “She’s Not There,” one of the most distinctive British records of 1964. Its cool vocal, jazz-influenced keyboard sound, and moody atmosphere separated it from the brighter beat-group hits of the year.
The song hinted at a more sophisticated direction for British rock. It was mysterious, stylish, and more restrained than many of the records around it.
Its rise showed that American listeners were ready for British groups with darker and more unusual sounds.
5. Ringo – Lorne Greene
Lorne Greene climbed to #5 with “Ringo,” one of the most unusual hits of the year. The spoken-word western story brought television-star recognition and cowboy drama into the upper reaches of the Hot 100.
The record stood apart from the rock, soul, and girl-group songs surrounding it. Instead of relying on a sung chorus, it told a frontier-style story with a dramatic spoken delivery.
Its success showed that novelty and storytelling records could still capture the public’s imagination in 1964.
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🎂 What Was the #1 Song on Your Birthday?
If you were born during the week ending November 28, 1964, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Leader of the Pack by The Shangri-Las
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🎂 Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Leader Of The Pack – The Shangri-Las
- Baby Love – The Supremes
- Come A Little Bit Closer – Jay And The Americans
- Shes Not There – The Zombies
- Ringo – Lorne Greene
- Mr. Lonely – Bobby Vinton
- You Really Got Me – The Kinks
- Time Is On My Side – The Rolling Stones
- Last Kiss – J. Frank Wilson And The Cavaliers
- Mountain Of Love – Johnny Rivers
Chart Movers This Week
Teen Drama Reaches Number One
The week of November 28, 1964 gave the Hot 100 one of its most memorable theatrical moments. “Leader Of The Pack” brought tragedy, romance, and rebellion to #1, making The Shangri-Las one of the most distinctive girl groups of the decade.
At the same time, British rock was growing sharper. The Zombies, The Kinks, and The Rolling Stones all appeared in the Top 10, pointing toward the more guitar-driven sound that would become increasingly important in the second half of the decade.
This chart captures late 1964 as a crossroads: Motown was thriving, girl-group storytelling was at its dramatic peak, and British rock was beginning to sound tougher and more adventurous.