Best Songs and Vocalists in the Pop Music Charts 1964

Elvis Presley had no number 1s or top 10s, but still made a respectable showing with 5 hits, 3 of which were double-sided. ”Kissin' Cousins”, a March entry, was a no. 12 hit, /backed by ”It Hurts Me” (also a March entry) at no. 29. ”Kiss Me Quick” (originally recorded in 1961) was a late May entry that charted at no. 34. ”What I'd Say” (also late May) peaked at no. 21, /backed by ”Viva Las Vegas” (late May, too), which hit no. 29. ”Such A Night” (originally recorded in 1960) gave the King a no. 16 hit (Aug). ”Ask Me”, a late October entry, made no. 12, /backed by ”Ain't That Loving You Baby” (originally recorded in 1958), also late October, became a no. 16 hit.

Motown was a powerhouse force this year (and for the rest of the decade).

One of its stars, Marvin Gaye, had four hits: ”You're A Wonderful One”, a late March entry, kicked off the year at no. 15. ”Try It Baby” (late June) also made no. 15. ”Baby Don't You Do It” peaked at no. 27 (October), but ”How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You”, a mid-Dec. entry, was a no. 6 smash. How sweet indeed!

The Ronettes also had four hits, but amazingly, none of these now-classic songs made top 10 or no.1. ”Baby, I Love You” , a Jan. entry, made no. 24. ”(The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up” only peaked at no. 39 (mid-May). ”Do I Love You?”, a late July entry, only made no. 34. And ”Walking In The Rain” (late Nov.) only made no. 23! This would be their last top 40 hit.

Lesley Gore fared better. ”You Don't Own Me”, a Jan. entry, was a no. 2 smash. ”That's The Way Boys Are” was a no. 12 hit (April). ”I Don't Wanna Be A Loser”, a late June entry, peaked at no. 37, and ”Maybe I Know”, a mid-August entry, was a no. 14 hit.

Jan and Dean had a great year, kicking off with a late March entry and no. 8 hit, ”Dead Man's Curve”/backed by ”The New Girl In School” (no. 37, April). Their July entry ”The Little Old Lady (From Pasadena)” gave the duo a no. 3 smash. ”Ride The Wild Surf” (Oct.) was a no. 16 hit, and ”Sidewalk Surfin'” peaked at

Go To Page: 1 2 3

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic