Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of November 7, 1964
The Billboard Hot 100 for November 7, 1964 showed Motown tightening its grip on American popular music. The Supremes remained at #1 with “Baby Love,” giving the group another powerful week at the top and proving that their breakthrough with “Where Did Our Love Go” was only the beginning.
The rest of the chart was filled with drama and variety. J. Frank Wilson and The Cavaliers climbed to #2 with the tragic “Last Kiss,” while Manfred Mann remained strong with “Do Wah Diddy Diddy.” The Shangri-Las made a major move into the Top 5 with “Leader Of The Pack,” one of the most theatrical girl-group records of the decade.
This week also reflected how broad the Hot 100 had become by late 1964. British Invasion energy, Motown soul, teen tragedy songs, country-flavored novelty records, and traditional pop all shared space in the Top 10.
As November began, The Supremes were no longer just rising stars. They were becoming one of the most important groups in America.
Top 5 Songs
1. Baby Love – The Supremes
“Baby Love” remained at #1, continuing The Supremes’ remarkable rise. Diana Ross delivered another cool, polished vocal, while Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard helped give the record the smooth Motown sound that listeners were quickly learning to recognize.
The song followed “Where Did Our Love Go” so closely that it confirmed the group’s formula was not a fluke. The Supremes had found a sound that was elegant, simple, and instantly memorable.
With “Baby Love,” Motown had another national smash and The Supremes were on their way to becoming one of the decade’s defining acts.
2. Last Kiss – J. Frank Wilson And The Cavaliers
“Last Kiss” climbed to #2, bringing one of the most emotional teen tragedy records of the era close to the top of the chart. Its story of love, loss, and heartbreak connected strongly with young listeners.
The song’s dramatic narrative made it different from the upbeat British and Motown records surrounding it. It asked listeners to follow a story and feel the sadness behind every line.
Its rise showed that story songs still had enormous power on American radio.
3. Do Wah Diddy Diddy – Manfred Mann
After its stay at #1, “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” remained strong at #3. The Manfred Mann hit was one of the most memorable British Invasion singles of the year, built around an easy-to-sing chorus and a driving beat.
The record’s cheerful energy helped it stand apart from some of the darker or more emotional songs now climbing the chart.
Even as it moved down, it remained one of the defining pop records of late 1964.
4. Leader Of The Pack – The Shangri-Las
The Shangri-Las surged from #14 to #4 with “Leader Of The Pack,” one of the most dramatic girl-group records ever made. The song combined spoken dialogue, teenage romance, and tragedy into a miniature pop melodrama.
Its motorcycle sound effects and cinematic structure made it unlike anything else in the Top 5. The record felt more like a short movie than a typical single.
This major jump signaled that “Leader Of The Pack” was becoming one of the fall’s biggest and most talked-about hits.
5. Let It Be Me – Betty Everett & Jerry Butler
Betty Everett and Jerry Butler climbed to #5 with their graceful duet version of “Let It Be Me.” The record brought warmth and soul to a song already known for its romantic tenderness.
Their voices blended beautifully, giving the performance a calm, sincere quality that stood apart from the more dramatic records around it.
Its Top 5 success showed that emotional duets still had a strong place on the Hot 100.
More Weeks at #1 for “Baby Love”
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 7, 1964, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Baby Love by The Supremes
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Baby Love – The Supremes
- Last Kiss – J. Frank Wilson And The Cavaliers
- Do Wah Diddy Diddy – Manfred Mann
- Leader Of The Pack – The Shangri-Las
- Let It Be Me – Betty Everett And Jerry Butler
- Have I The Right – The Honeycombs
- Come A Little Bit Closer – Jay And The Americans
- The Door Is Still Open To My Heart – Dean Martin
- Chug-A-Lug – Roger Miller
- Well Sing In The Sunshine – Gale Garnett
Chart Movers This Week
The Supremes Keep Motown on Top
The week of November 7, 1964 showed The Supremes continuing their transformation from promising Motown act to national superstars. “Baby Love” kept them at #1, while the rest of the chart proved just how competitive the fall season had become.
Teen tragedy records were also having a major moment, with “Last Kiss” and “Leader Of The Pack” both sitting in the Top 5. These songs brought drama and storytelling to a chart otherwise filled with British pop, soul, and traditional vocal records.
Looking back, this week captures late 1964 perfectly: Motown rising fast, British acts still strong, and American pop branching into some of its most emotional and memorable records.