Billboard Hot 100 | Top 5 – Week of September 26, 1964
The final week of September 1964 marked another turning point on the Billboard Hot 100. The British Invasion remained a dominant force, Motown continued producing hit after hit, and a new Roy Orbison masterpiece rose to the top of the chart. The result was one of the strongest Top 10 lineups of the entire year.
While The Animals’ dark and dramatic “House Of The Rising Sun” finally surrendered the top spot after a remarkable run, several future classics were still climbing. Martha & The Vandellas, Manfred Mann, and Gene Pitney were all gaining momentum as autumn began.
This week’s chart perfectly captures the diversity of 1964 radio. British rock, Motown soul, girl-group pop, teen car songs, and traditional pop all competed side-by-side for listeners’ attention.
At the center of it all stood Roy Orbison, whose newest release combined a memorable guitar riff, a soaring vocal performance, and one of the most recognizable hooks in music history.
Top 5 Songs
1. Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison reached #1 with one of the defining songs of the decade. “Oh, Pretty Woman” exploded onto radio thanks to its instantly recognizable opening guitar riff and Orbison’s powerful vocal performance.
The record blended rock, pop, and Orbison’s trademark dramatic style into a song that appealed to virtually every audience. Few records captured attention as quickly as this one.
Its arrival at #1 signaled the beginning of a chart run that would cement its place among the greatest singles ever recorded.
2. Bread And Butter – The Newbeats
The Newbeats held the runner-up position with one of the year’s most unusual and memorable hits. The distinctive falsetto vocal helped make “Bread And Butter” instantly recognizable on radio stations across America.
Its catchy melody and playful lyrics continued attracting new listeners as the record climbed toward its peak.
3. House Of The Rising Sun – The Animals
After an impressive stay at the summit, The Animals slipped to #3. The song’s haunting atmosphere and powerful storytelling had already secured its place as one of the most influential recordings of the British Invasion.
Even while falling from #1, it remained one of the most talked-about records in America.
4. G.T.O. – Ronny And The Daytonas
Car songs remained enormously popular in 1964, and “G.T.O.” represented the genre at its peak. The record celebrated horsepower, speed, and the growing youth culture built around performance automobiles.
Its continued climb reflected how deeply car culture had become intertwined with American pop music.
5. Remember (Walkin’ In The Sand) – The Shangri-Las
The Shangri-Las brought emotion and drama into the Top 5 with one of the defining girl-group records of the decade. Their storytelling approach helped separate them from many of their contemporaries.
The song’s atmospheric production and memorable spoken passages created a style that would influence countless artists in the years ahead.
More Weeks at #1 for “Oh, Pretty Woman”
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 26, 1964, this was your birthday song:
🎵 Oh, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison
▶ Watch and experience this song →
🎂 Try your own birthday:
Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 This Week
- Oh Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison
- Bread And Butter – The Newbeats
- House Of The Rising Sun – The Animals
- GTO – Ronny And The Daytonas
- Remember Walkin In The Sand – The Shangri-Las
- Do Wah Diddy Diddy – Manfred Mann
- Where Did Our Love Go – The Supremes
- Dancing In The Street – Martha And The Vandellas
- It Hurts To Be In Love – Gene Pitney
- Save It For Me – The 4 Seasons
Chart Movers This Week
A New Number One for Autumn
The week of September 26, 1964 showcased a changing musical landscape. Roy Orbison claimed the top spot, Motown remained a major force through The Supremes and Martha & The Vandellas, and British artists continued filling the upper reaches of the chart.
Several future classics were still climbing, including “Do Wah Diddy Diddy,” “Dancing In The Street,” and “It Hurts To Be In Love.” Each would help define the sound of late 1964.
As summer gave way to autumn, the Billboard Hot 100 continued to deliver one of the most competitive and memorable years in chart history.