It was another good year for Ray Charles. "Don't Set Me Free" hit no. in mid-March. He returned to the top 10 with "Take These Chains From My Heart", a no. 8 smash in very late April. The double-sided hit "No One" backed by "Without Love"(There Is Nothing)" made no. 21 and no. 29, respectively in early July. "Busted" was a no. 4 smash in mid-Sept. "That Lucky Old Sun", a no. 20 hit in late Dec., capped off the year.
The Chiffons were a group of high school friends, discovered by songwriter Ronnie Mack. The megahit "He's So Fine" was a no. 1 smash (for four weeks!) in March. "One Fine Day" was a no. 5 smash in June. "A Love So Fine" made no. 40 in late Oct. (I detect another theme here, don't you?)
"The Gypsy Cried" marked the debut of Lou Christie (no. 24 in mid-Feb.). "Two Faces Have I" was a no. 6 smash in late April.
Nat King Cole followed up last year's success with the no. 6 smash "Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer" in late May and the lovely ballad "That Sunday, That Summer", a no. 12 hit in late Sept.
And the hits kept coming for one of Phil Spector's groups, The Crystals. "He's Sure The Boy I Love" (with Darlene Love singing the lead vocal on this) hit no. 11 in mid-Jan. "Da Doo Ron Ron(When He Walked Me Home)" was a no. 3 smash in May. "Then He Kissed Me" was a no. 6 smash on Aug. 31st. This would be their last top 40 hit.
Dick and Dee Dee(Dick St. John and Dee Dee Sperling) had the no. 17 hit "Young And In Love" in April. The duo returned in late Dec. with "Turn Around" (no. 27).
And another Motown act, Marvin Gaye, made his top 40 debut with "Hitch Hike" (no. 30, early March).("Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" was his first release in 1962, backed up by Martha and The Vandellas! They also sang backup on "Hitch Hike".) The singer also had his first top 10 hit with "Pride And Joy"(no. 10 in mid-June). "Can I Get A Witness" made no. 22 in late Nov.
Jan and Dean returned to the top 40 with four hits! "Linda" made no. 28 in late April. "Surf City" was a no. 1 smash in late June ("Two girls for every boy!"). "Honolulu Lulu" was a no. 11 hit in late Sept., and "Drag City" was a no. 10 smash in late Dec.
The copyright of the article Outstanding Performers and Songs in 1963 Pop Music - Page 2 in 60s Music is owned by . Permission to republish Outstanding Performers and Songs in 1963 Pop Music - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
