Pop reverts pre-Rock ‘n Roll as the post-Payola chill on Top40 radio deepens, but fans rebel, propelling eight records by Black Artists into the top ten simultaneously as Freedom Riders go south to battle segregation. Meanwhile, Oldies but Goodies sparks a Doo-Wop nostalgia craze, grownups discover “The Twist,” and jukebox dimes push an indie R&B shouter to the top of the charts for seven weeks—the year’s #1 record.

#1 Song of the Year   The top song according to our Chartcrush ranking of all Hot100 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year

Artists of the Year   The top three artists based on all charted songs during the calendar year

1. Elvis Presley
2. Connie Francis
3. Chubby Checker

Artist with Most Charting Songs   Artist(s) with the most Hot100 charting songs during the year (song count in parentheses)

• Jackie Wilson (10)

Average #1 Artist Age   The average of how old artists who scored #1 Hot100 hits during the year were when their songs first reached #1

• 26.4 years

#1 Songs   List of Hot100 #1 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year, and (in parentheses), the month the song first hit #1 and the total number of weeks it was #1

1. Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires – Are You Lonesome To-Night? (November ’60, 6 wks)
2. Bert Kaempfert & His Orchestra – Wonderland by Night (January, 3 wks)
3. The Shirelles – Will You Love Me Tomorrow? (January, 2 wks)
4. Lawrence Welk & His Orchestra – Calcutta (February, 2 wks)
5. Chubby Checker – Pony Time (February, 3 wks)
6. Elvis Presley – Surrender (March, 2 wks)
7. The Marcels – Blue Moon (April, 3 wks)
8. Del Shannon – Runaway (April, 4 wks)
9. Ernie K-Doe – Mother-in-Law (May, 1 wk)
10. Ricky Nelson – Travelin’ Man (May, 2 wks)
11. Roy Orbison – Running Scared (June, 1 wk)
12. Pat Boone – Moody River (June, 1 wk)
13. Gary “U.S.” Bonds – Quarter to Three (June, 2 wks)
14. Bobby Lewis – Tossin’ and Turnin’ (July, 7 wks)
15. Joe Dowell – Wooden Heart (August, 1 wk)
16. The Highwaymen – Michael (September, 2 wks)
17. Bobby Vee – Take Good Care of My Baby (September, 3 wks)
18. Ray Charles with The Raeletts – Hit the Road Jack (October, 2 wks)
19. Dion – Runaround Sue (October, 2 wks)
20. Jimmy Dean – Big John (November, 5 wks)
21. The Marvelettes – Please Mr. Postman (December, 1 wk)