Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of September 12, 1964
The Billboard Hot 100 for September 12, 1964 showed that the British Invasion was continuing to evolve. The Animals remained at #1 with the haunting “House Of The Rising Sun,” while fellow British group The Dave Clark Five climbed into the Top 3 with “Because.”
Yet this chart was far more than a British showcase. Motown remained strong with The Supremes, Dean Martin continued his remarkable run near the top, and new records from The Shangri-Las and Roy Orbison were beginning to make their presence felt.
As summer faded into autumn, the sound of popular music was changing. The carefree beach songs and dance records of earlier months were gradually sharing space with more emotional, dramatic, and sophisticated recordings.
The result was one of the most balanced and fascinating charts of 1964, with established stars and future classics appearing side by side.
Top 5 Songs
1. House Of The Rising Sun – The Animals
The Animals remained at #1 for a second consecutive week with one of the most distinctive records of the decade. “House Of The Rising Sun” sounded unlike anything else in the Top 10, combining folk traditions with rock intensity and a haunting atmosphere.
Eric Burdon’s powerful vocal performance and Alan Price’s unforgettable organ created a record that felt darker and more serious than most pop hits of the era. It demonstrated that rock music could tell complex stories and evoke powerful emotions.
Its continued success showed that American listeners were embracing a broader range of sounds than ever before.
2. Where Did Our Love Go – The Supremes
The Supremes held firmly at #2 as their breakthrough smash continued its historic run. The song had already transformed the group into national stars and was helping establish Motown as one of the most important labels in America.
The simple melody, memorable rhythm, and Diana Ross’s distinctive lead vocal created a formula that audiences could not resist.
Even after leaving the top spot, “Where Did Our Love Go” remained one of the defining records of 1964.
3. Because – The Dave Clark Five
The Dave Clark Five climbed to a new peak with “Because,” demonstrating that they were far more than just a hard-driving rock band. The song revealed a softer, more romantic side that connected strongly with listeners.
Its smooth melody and heartfelt lyrics provided a contrast to the group’s earlier hits while maintaining the appeal that had made them one of the leading British acts.
The record’s rise helped keep British artists firmly entrenched near the top of the Hot 100.
4. Everybody Loves Somebody – Dean Martin
Dean Martin continued one of the year’s most impressive chart runs. Even as rock and soul dominated radio, his warm vocal style and timeless delivery kept “Everybody Loves Somebody” near the top.
The song appealed to both longtime fans and younger listeners looking for something different from the British and Motown sounds surrounding it.
Its enduring popularity remains one of the most surprising success stories of the decade.
5. Bread And Butter – The Newbeats
The Newbeats cracked the Top 5 with one of the most distinctive novelty-pop records of 1964. Driven by Larry Henley’s unusual falsetto lead vocal, the song immediately stood out on radio playlists.
Its catchy hook and playful lyrics made it a favorite among younger listeners and helped it climb rapidly up the chart.
The record would become one of the most recognizable pop hits of the mid-1960s.
More Weeks at #1 for “The House of the Rising Sun”
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 September 12, 1964, this was your birthday song:
🎵 The House of the Rising Sun by The Animals
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- House Of The Rising Sun – The Animals
- Where Did Our Love Go – The Supremes
- Because – The Dave Clark Five
- Everybody Loves Somebody – Dean Martin
- Bread And Butter – The Newbeats
- Cmon And Swim – Bobby Freeman
- GTO – Ronny And The Daytonas
- A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles
- Remember Walkin In The Sand – The Shangri-Las
- Oh Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison
Chart Movers This Week
The Sound of 1964 Continues to Evolve
The week of September 12, 1964 showed just how diverse the Billboard Hot 100 had become. British rock, Motown soul, traditional pop, novelty records, and emerging girl-group classics all shared space in the Top 10.
The Animals continued to lead the chart, but challengers were closing in from every direction. The Supremes remained strong, while new records from Roy Orbison and The Shangri-Las hinted at the changes still to come.
As the summer of 1964 gave way to fall, the Hot 100 reflected a music industry that was expanding rapidly in style, ambition, and influence. Few years in chart history changed popular music as dramatically as this one.