Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of September 15, 1962
The Billboard Hot 100 for September 15, 1962 marked a major turning point as The 4 Seasons exploded to #1 with “Sherry.” After sitting at #11 the previous week, the record made a huge leap to the top and introduced one of the most important vocal groups of the decade to a national audience.
Tommy Roe’s “Sheila” slipped to #2 after its run at #1, while Nat King Cole continued climbing with the warm and elegant “Ramblin’ Rose.” Little Eva’s “The Loco-Motion” remained strong at #4, keeping one of the year’s biggest dance records alive in the upper chart positions.
The other major story this week was the arrival of Booker T. & The MG’s in the Top 5 with “Green Onions.” The instrumental jumped from #22 to #5, bringing a cool, organ-driven Memphis soul sound into the heart of the pop charts.
Below the Top 5, Elvis Presley, Rick Nelson, Ray Charles, Dickey Lee, and Baby Cortez filled out a chart that blended teen idols, soul instrumentals, emotional ballads, and rock and roll personality. It was one of those weeks where the sound of the early 1960s seemed to stretch in several directions at once.
Top 5 Songs
1. Sherry – The 4 Seasons
“Sherry” reached #1 this week and instantly changed the direction of The 4 Seasons’ career. The record introduced Frankie Valli’s soaring falsetto to millions of listeners and gave the group a sound that was unlike almost anything else on the radio.
The song had a driving rhythm, sharp vocal arrangement, and a hook that landed immediately. It was polished enough for pop radio but still full of street-corner energy, giving it a special place between doo-wop, rock and roll, and the vocal group sound of the early 1960s.
The rise of “Sherry” was more than just a hit single. It launched The 4 Seasons as one of the decade’s most important American groups, arriving just before the British Invasion would change the pop landscape. For now, this was a fresh American sound taking full command of the chart.
2. Sheila – Tommy Roe
Tommy Roe slipped from #1 to #2 with “Sheila,” but the record still held strong after its breakthrough at the top. Its bright pop-rock sound continued to give the chart a lively, youthful spark.
The Buddy Holly influence in Roe’s vocal style remained easy to hear, but “Sheila” also had its own clean early 1960s charm. It was simple, direct, and built around a melody that stayed with listeners.
Even as The 4 Seasons took over #1, “Sheila” remained an important record for the year. It proved that guitar-driven pop-rock could still compete strongly alongside ballads, dance records, and vocal group hits.
3. Ramblin’ Rose – Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole climbed to #3 with “Ramblin’ Rose,” bringing warmth, elegance, and classic vocal style into the Top 5. In a chart full of young pop acts and energetic records, Cole’s smooth performance stood apart beautifully.
The song had a relaxed, country-tinged feel, but Cole’s voice gave it polish and emotional grace. He made the record sound effortless, proving once again why he remained one of America’s most beloved singers.
“Ramblin’ Rose” also showed that traditional pop vocalists still had a place on the Hot 100 in 1962. Cole’s success bridged generations, appealing to older listeners while still reaching younger radio audiences.
4. The Loco-Motion – Little Eva
Little Eva moved to #4 with “The Loco-Motion,” continuing the strong chart run of one of 1962’s biggest dance records. Even after its time at #1, the song still carried plenty of energy and charm.
The record worked because it was both fun and well-crafted. Gerry Goffin and Carole King gave it a memorable melody, while Little Eva’s enthusiastic vocal made the dance feel easy and inviting.
Its continued presence in the Top 5 showed how deeply dance-craze records had shaped the year. “The Loco-Motion” was not just a passing novelty; it became one of the signature pop moments of the early 1960s.
5. Green Onions – Booker T. & The MG’s
Booker T. & The MG’s made a huge leap into the Top 5 with “Green Onions,” jumping from #22 to #5. The instrumental brought a cool, smoky Memphis groove to a chart filled mostly with vocal records.
The song’s organ riff was simple, unforgettable, and full of attitude. It did not need lyrics to make an impression. Its rhythm section, guitar lines, and laid-back confidence gave it a sound that felt both relaxed and powerful.
“Green Onions” became one of the defining instrumentals of the decade and helped introduce the Stax sound to a wider pop audience. Its arrival in the Top 5 was a major moment for soul music and for the future of American rhythm and blues.
More Weeks at #1 for “Sherry”
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 15, 1962, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Sherry by The Four Seasons
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Try your own birthday:
- Sherry – The 4 Seasons
- Sheila – Tommy Roe
- Ramblin’ Rose – Nat King Cole
- The Loco-Motion – Little Eva
- Green Onions – Booker T. & The MG’s
- She’s Not You – Elvis Presley
- Teen Age Idol – Rick Nelson
- You Don’t Know Me – Ray Charles
- Patches – Dickey Lee
- Rinky Dink – Baby Cortez
Chart Movers This Week
A New Vocal Group Sound Took Over
The September 15, 1962 Billboard Hot 100 felt like the beginning of something new. The 4 Seasons reached #1 with “Sherry,” bringing a bold vocal sound that would help define American pop before the British Invasion arrived.
At the same time, the rest of the Top 5 showed the chart’s remarkable range. Nat King Cole represented classic pop elegance, Little Eva kept dance music alive, and Booker T. & The MG’s brought Memphis soul into the mainstream.
This was a week where the past, present, and future of pop music all seemed to meet. The smooth voices of earlier generations, the teenage energy of the moment, and the soulful sounds still to come were all sharing space on the same countdown.