Top 100 Best Selling R&B Soul Songs of 1960
1960

Place mouse on to see information about song. Click song title to play song and to read details about the song including lyrics (if available). Click checkbox to add song to playlist. Click checkbox at top of column to add all songs below it to playlist. Click label to list songs from that record label. Following on from the top 100 chart are listings of hundreds of other lesser-known Soul R&B songs that did not make it into our top 100.

(Songs are sorted in highest US R&B Top 100 and/or UK Top 100 chart position order)

showing 1-100 of 223 records Next >
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record label
1 record label: Atlantic 2071
chart position: RandB #1 (1 week), US #1, UK #2
weeksinr&bchart: 15
written by: Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman
album: Save The Last Dance For Me
 		The Drifters Save the Last Dance for Me
1960 Atlantic
2 record label: Mercury 71565
chart position: RandB #1 (10 weeks), US #5
weeksinr&bchart: 17
written by: Clyde Otis, Murray Stein & Brook Benton
album: The Two Of Us
comments: [jazz RnB]
 		Dinah Washington & Brook Benton Baby, You've Got What It Takes
1960 Mercury
3 record label: Tamla 54034
chart position: RandB #1 (8 weeks), US #2
weeksinr&bchart: 16
written by: Smokey Robinson & Berry Gordy
album: Hi We're The Miracles / US Motown Chartbusters Vol. 1
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Smokey Robinson & The Miracles Shop Around
1960 Tamla
4 record label: Mercury 1109
chart position: RandB #1 (9 weeks), US #7, UK #41
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: Brook Benton & Clyde Otis
album: Golden Hits
Brook Benton Kiddio
1960 Mercury
5 record label: Vee Jay 354
chart position: RandB #1 (7 weeks), US #7
weeksinr&bchart: 16
written by: Jerry Butler, Curtis Mayfield & Calvin Carter
album: He Will Break Your Heart
 		Jerry Butler He Will Break Your Heart
1960 Vee Jay
6 record label: Brunswick 55166
chart position: RandB #1 (3 weeks), US #15
weeksinr&bchart: 19
written by: Lena Agree
album: Jackie Sings The Blues
 		Jackie Wilson Doggin' Around
1960 Brunswick
7 record label: Tamla 54027
chart position: RandB #2 (6 weeks), US #23
weeksinr&bchart: 21
written by: Janie Bradford & Berry Gordy
album: US Motown Chartbusters Vol. 1
comments: [Motown Sound]
 		Barrett Strong Money
1960 Tamla
8 record label: Cub 9067
chart position: RandB #8, US #3, UK #1
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Fred Tobias & Clint Ballard Jr.
album: Good Timin'
 		Jimmy Jones Good Timin'
1960 Cub
9 record label: Hi 2018
chart position: RandB #1 (4 weeks), US #17
weeksinr&bchart: 15
written by: Bill Black
comments: [instrumental]
Bill Blacks Combo Smokie
1960 Hi
10 record label: Scepter 1211
chart position: RandB #2 (4 weeks), UK #4, US #1
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Gerry Goffin & Carole King
album: Tonight's The Night
 		The Shirelles Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
1960 Scepter
11 record label: King 5400
chart position: RandB #1 (1 week), US #6
weeksinr&bchart: 15
written by: Hank Ballard
album: Spotlight on Hank Ballard
 		Hank Ballard & the Midnighters Let's Go, Let's Go, Let's Go
1960 King
12 record label: King 5341
chart position: RandB #2 (2 weeks), US #7
weeksinr&bchart: 21
written by: Hank Ballard
album: Mr. Rhythm And Blues
 		Hank Ballard & the Midnighters Finger Poppin' Time
1960 King
13 record label: Sue 730
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week), US #27
weeksinr&bchart: 21
written by: Ike Turner
album: The Soul Of Ike & Tina Turner
 		Ike & Tina Turner A Fool in Love
1960 Sue
14 record label: Mercury 1099
chart position: RandB #1 (4 weeks), US #7
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Brook Benton, Clyde Otis & Luchi DeJesus
album: The Two Of Us
comments: [jazz RnB]
 		Dinah Washington & Brook Benton A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around And Fall In Love)
1960 Mercury
15 record label: Brunswick 4027
chart position: RandB #1 (4 weeks), US #15
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Sid Wyche
album: A Woman, A Lover, A Friend
 		Jackie Wilson A Woman, a Lover, a Friend
1960 Brunswick
16 record label: RCA Victor 1202
chart position: RandB #2 (2 weeks), US #2, UK #9
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Sam Cooke & Charles Cooke
album: Swing Low / The Best of Sam Cooke
 		Sam Cooke Chain Gang
1960 RCA Victor
17 record label: Mercury 71635
chart position: RandB #1 (1 week), US #24
weeksinr&bchart: 16
written by: Clyde Otis
album: Unforgettable
comments: [jazz RnB]
 		Dinah Washington This Bitter Earth
1960 Mercury
18 record label: Fire 1022
chart position: RandB #1 (1 week), US #31
weeksinr&bchart: 15
written by: Big Jay McNeely
album: There's Something on Your Mind
comments: [ballad]
 		Bobby Marchan There's Something on Your Mind (Part 2)
1960 Fire
19 record label: Parkway 811
chart position: RandB #2 (2 weeks), US #1, UK #44
weeksinr&bchart: 16
written by: Hank Ballard
album: Twist with Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker The Twist
1960 Parkway
20 record label: Fire 1008
chart position: RandB #1 (1 week), US #38
weeksinr&bchart: 25
written by: Morris Levy, Clarence Lewis and Waymon Glasco
album: New King Of The Blues
 		Buster Brown Fannie Mae
1960 Fire
21 record label: Vee Jay 332
chart position: RandB #1 (1 week), US #64
weeksinr&bchart: 17
written by: D. Gordon
 		Rosco Gordon Just a Little Bit
1960 Vee Jay
22 record label: Argo 5359
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week), US #33
weeksinr&bchart: 15
written by: Billy Davis [Roquel Davis], Berry Gordy and Gwen Gordy
album: At Last!
comments: [ballad]
 		Etta James All I Could Do Was Cry
1960 Argo
23 record label: Kent 45330
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week)
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: King, Josea
album: The Great B.B. King
comments: [blues]
 		B.B. King Sweet Sixteen (Pt. 1)
1960 Kent
24 record label: ABC Paramount 10135
chart position: RandB #3 (4 weeks), US #1, UK #24
weeksinr&bchart: 16
written by: Hoagy Carmichael & Stuart Gorrell
album: The Genius Hits the Road
Ray Charles Georgia on My Mind
1960 ABC Paramount
25 record label: Herald 552
chart position: RandB #3 (2 weeks), US #1, UK #14
weeksinr&bchart: 18
written by: Maurice Williams
album: Stay
 		Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs Stay
1960 Herald
26 record label: ABC Paramount 10118
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week), US #40
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Henry Glover and Titus Turner
 		Ray Charles Sticks and Stones
1960 ABC Paramount
27 record label: United Artists 208
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week), US #9, UK #35
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Berry Gordy & Mikaljon
album: More Marv Johnson
 		Marv Johnson I Love the Way You Love
1960 United Artists
28 record label: Keen 82112
chart position: RandB #2 (2 weeks), US #12, UK #27
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Sam Cooke, Herb Alpert & Lou Adler
album: The Wonderful World Of Sam Cooke / The Best of Sam Cooke
 		Sam Cooke Wonderful World
1960 Keen
29 record label: Imperial 5675
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week), US #6, UK #19
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Fats Domino (as Antoine Domino), Dave Bartholomew & Bobby Charles (as Robert Guidry)
album: Million Sellers by Fats
 		Fats Domino Walking to New Orleans
1960 Imperial
30 record label: ABC Paramount 45 10075
chart position: RandB #3 (3 weeks), US #14, UK #45
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Lloyd Price & Harold Logan
album: Mr Personality's 15 Hits
 		Lloyd Price Lady Luck
1960 ABC Paramount
31 record label: Brunswick 55166
chart position: RandB #3 (1 week), US #4
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Camille Saint Saëns (as Saint Saëns), Johnny Lehman & Herb Miller
album: A Woman, A Lover, A Friend
comments: [ballad]
 		Jackie Wilson Night
1960 Brunswick
32 record label: Minit 607
chart position: RandB #3 (1 week), US #28
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Jessie Hill
album: Can't Get Enough (Of That Ooh Poo Pah Doo)
 		Jessie Hill Ooh Poo Pah Doo
1960 Minit
33 record label: Jurny 501
chart position: RandB #3 (1 week)
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Jon Thomas
album: Heartbreak
 		Jon Thomas & Orchestra Heartbreak (It's Hurtin' Me)
1960 Jurny
34 record label: Columbia 41628
chart position: RandB #5, US #30
weeksinr&bchart: 18
written by: Ray Bryant and Eddie Morrison
album: Madison Time
comments: (Calls by Eddie Morrison)
 		Ray Bryant Combo Madison Time
1960 Columbia
35 record label: Argo 5368
chart position: RandB #5, US #34
weeksinr&bchart: 17
written by: Eddie Bo (as Edwin Bocage) and Paul Gayten
album: At Last!
comments: [ballad]
 		Etta James My Dearest Darling
1960 Argo
36 record label: Peacock 1697
chart position: RandB #3 (1 week), US #43
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Don Robey (as Deadric Malone)
comments: [instrumental]
 		James Booker Gonzo
1960 Peacock
37 record label: Duke 327
chart position: RandB #9, US #71
weeksinr&bchart: 18
written by: Don Robey (as Deadric Malone)
album: Two Steps from the Blues
comments: [blues]
 		Bobby Bland Cry, Cry, Cry
1960 Duke
38 record label: Legrand 1003
chart position: RandB #5, US #6, UK #16
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: Frank Guida & Joseph Royster
album: Dance 'Til Quarter To Three With U. S. Bonds
 		Gary U.S. Bonds New Orleans
1960 Legrand
39 record label: King 5356
chart position: RandB #6, US #38
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: Jon Thomas
album: Sure Things
 		Little Willie John Heartbreak (It's Hurtin' Me)
1960 King
40 record label: Federal 12370
chart position: RandB #7, US #33
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: Lowman Pauling
album: Think!
 		James Brown Think
1960 Federal
41 record label: Atlantic 2050
chart position: RandB #4, US #16
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman
 		The Drifters This Magic Moment
1960 Atlantic
42 record label: King 5171
chart position: RandB #6, US #28
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Hank Ballard
 		Hank Ballard & the Midnighters The Twist
1960 King
43 record label: ABC Paramount 45 10123
chart position: RandB #5, US #19
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Lloyd Price & Harold Logan
 		Lloyd Price Question
1960 ABC Paramount
44 record label: Kent 346
chart position: RandB #8
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: B.B. King
album: King Of The Blues
comments: [blues]
 		B.B. King Partin' Time
1960 Kent
45 record label: Check 103
chart position: RandB #4
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: Ronald Dean Badger, Sugar Pie DeSanto and Bob Geddins (as Robert L. Geddins)
album: Sugar Pie
 		Sugar Pie DeSanto I Want to Know
1960 Check
46 record label: Prestige 180
chart position: RandB #5, US #36
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: David A. Mann, Arthur Kent and Redd Evans
album: Don't Go to Strangers
comments: [ballad]
 		Etta Jones Don't Go to Strangers
1960 Prestige
47 record label: Imperial 5704
chart position: RandB #7, US #14 UK #32
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Fats Domino & Dave Bartholomew
album: Million Sellers by Fats
 		Fats Domino My Girl Josephine
1960 Imperial
48 record label: King 45 5799
chart position: RandB #11, US #100
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: Sonny Thompson
album: In Action
comments: [ballad]
 		Little Willie John Let Them Talk
1960 King
49 record label: Paramount 10062
chart position: RandB #6, US #43
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Harold Logan and Lloyd Price
comments: US B side to Come Into My Heart
 		Lloyd Price Won't Cha Come Home
1960 Paramount
50 record label: Chess 1760
chart position: RandB #6, US #52
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Etta James and Harvey Fuqua
 		Etta James & Harvey If I Can't Have You
1960 Chess
51 record label: Ric 972
chart position: RandB #9, US #3
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Reggie Hall (as Reginald Hall) & Joe Jones
 		Joe Jones You Talk Too Much
1960 Ric
52 record label: Dade 1804
chart position: RandB #8, US #84
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Rozier
 		Nat Kendrick & the Swans (Do the) Mashed Potatoes
1960 Dade
53 record label: Columbia 41793
chart position: RandB #10
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Curtis Lewis
album: Aretha (with the Ray Bryant Combo)
 		Aretha Franklin Today I Sing the Blues
1960 Columbia
54 record label: Mercury 71660
chart position: RandB #7, US #23
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Clyde McPhatter & Jimmy Oliver
album: Ta Ta!
 		Clyde McPhatter Ta Ta
1960 Mercury
55 record label: Promo 1002
chart position: RandB #8, US #5
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Phil Medley
comments: [ballad]
 		Jimmy Charles A Million to One
1960 Promo
56 record label: Hi 2026
chart position: RandB #9, US #11, UK #32
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Otis Blackwell & Elvis Presley
album: Solid and Raunchy
comments: instrumental
 		Bill Blacks Combo Don't Be Cruel
1960 Hi
57 record label: King 45 5394
chart position: RandB #10, US #13
weeksinr&bchart: 9
written by: Earl Burnett & Adam Geibel
album: Sure Things
 		Little Willie John Sleep
1960 King
58 record label: Mercury 71722
chart position: RandB #5, US #24, UK #50
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Rube Bloom & Johnny Mercer
album: Songs I Love To Sing
 		Brook Benton Fools Rush in (Where Angels Fear to Tread)
1960 Mercury
59 record label: Atlantic 2062
chart position: RandB #9, US #54
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman
 		The Drifters Lonely Winds
1960 Atlantic
60 record label: Old Town 1076
chart position: RandB #11, US #7, UK #15
written by: Carl Spencer & Henry Glover
 		Billy Bland Let the Little Girl Dance
1960 Old Town
61 record label: Donna 1315
chart position: RandB #11, US #7
weeksinr&bchart: 9
written by: Ron Holden
 		Ron Holden Love You So
1960 Donna
62 record label: Federal 12369
chart position: RandB #15, US #15
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: James Brown
album: Think!
 		James Brown I'll Go Crazy
1960 Federal
63 record label: Verve 10209
chart position: RandB #6, US #27, UK #19
weeksinr&bchart: 6
written by: Kurt Weill & Bertolt Brecht
album: Mack The Knife Ella In Berlin
comments: [jazz RnB]
 		Ella Fitzgerald Mack the Knife
1960 Verve
64 record label: Brunswick 55170
chart position: RandB #10, US #32
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Bob Hamilton and Tom King
album: A Woman, A Lover, A Friend
Jackie Wilson Am I the Man
1960 Brunswick
65 record label: Sue 735
chart position: RandB #5, US #82
weeksinr&bchart: 9
written by: Ike Turner
album: The Soul of Ike and Tina Turner
 		Ike & Tina Turner I Idolize You
1960 Sue
66 record label: End 1060
chart position: RandB #14, US #24
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Bob Smith
 		Little Anthony & the Imperials Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko Bop
1960 End
67 record label: Scepter 1208
chart position: RandB #14, US #39
weeksinr&bchart: 9
written by: Luther Dixon and Shirley Owens
album: Tonight's the Night
 		The Shirelles Tonight's the Night
1960 Scepter
68 record label: DeLuxe 6189
chart position: RandB #17, US #104
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: James and Gibson
 		Annie Laurie If You're Lonely
1960 DeLuxe
69 record label: Atlantic 2068
chart position: RandB #13
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Lowman Pauling
album: Ray Charles in Person
 		Ray Charles Tell the Truth
1960 Atlantic
70 record label: Mercury 71563
chart position: RandB #15, US #8, UK #11
weeksinr&bchart: 9
written by: Will Grosz (as Hugh Williams) & Jimmy Kennedy
album: Reflections
 		The Platters Harbor Lights
1960 Mercury
71 record label: Imperial 5687
chart position: RandB #8, US #15, UK #45
weeksinr&bchart: 5
written by: Fats Domino (as Antoine Domino)
album: Million Sellers by Fats
Fats Domino Three Nights a Week
1960 Imperial
72 record label: United Artists 273
chart position: RandB #7, UK #58
weeksinr&bchart: 9
written by: Berry Gordy (as Berry Gordy Jr.) and Toni McKnight
 		Marv Johnson Happy Days
1960 United Artists
73 record label: Brunswick 55170
chart position: RandB #20, US #8, UK #50
written by: Johnny Lehman
 		Jackie Wilson Alone at Last
1960 Brunswick
74 record label: Vee Jay 333
chart position: RandB #10, US #37
weeksinr&bchart: 6
written by: Jimmy Reed
album: Found Love
comments: [blues]
 		Jimmy Reed Baby, What Do You Want Me to Do
1960 Vee Jay
75 record label: Amy 804
chart position: RandB 14, US #23
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Al Brown
 		Al Brown's Tunetoppers with Cookie Brown The Madison
1960 Amy
76 record label: Atco 6168
chart position: RandB #14, US #51
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Billy Guy
album: Coast Along with the Coasters
 		The Coasters Wake Me, Shake Me
1960 Atco
77 record label: Federal 12370
chart position: RandB #14, US #86
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: James Brown
album: Think!
comments: [ballad] B side to Think
 		James Brown with Bea Ford You've Got the Power
1960 Federal
78 record label: Duke 318
chart position: RandB #9
weeksinr&bchart: 5
written by: Don Robey (as Deadric Malone)
album: Two Steps from the Blues
 		Bobby Bland Lead Me On
1960 Duke
79 record label: Atlantic 2052
chart position: RandB #10, US #62
weeksinr&bchart: 5
written by: Chuck Willis
comments: [ballad]
 		Ruth Brown Don't Deceive Me
1960 Atlantic
80 record label: Signature 12026
chart position: RandB #12
weeksinr&bchart: 6
written by: Ray Bryant
album: Little Susie
comments: [jazz instrumental]
Ray Bryant Trio Little Susie
1960 Signature
81 record label: RCA 477644
chart position: RandB #13, US #16
weeksinr&bchart: 6
written by: Ella Robertson, Donald Robertson and Hal Blair
comments: [ballad]
 		Della Reese Not One Minute More
1960 RCA
82 record label: Kent 333
chart position: RandB #8
weeksinr&bchart: 3
written by: B.B. King and Joe Josea
album: Let Me Love You
comments: [blues]
 		B.B. King Got a Right to Love My Baby
1960 Kent
83 record label: Vee Jay 357
chart position: RandB #18, US #75
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Jimmy Reed
album: Found Love
comments: [blues]
 		Jimmy Reed Hush-Hush
1960 Vee Jay
84 record label: United Artists 241
chart position: RandB #12, US #20
weeksinr&bchart: 3
written by: Berry Gordy
 		Marv Johnson (You've Got To) Move Two Mountains
1960 United Artists
85 record label: Parkway 813
chart position: RandB #15, US #14
weeksinr&bchart: 6
written by: Andy Gibson & Roy Alfred
album: Twist with Chubby Checker
Chubby Checker The Hucklebuck
1960 Parkway
86 record label: Atlantic 2047
chart position: RandB #17, US #95
weeksinr&bchart: 7
written by: Joe Greene
album: The Genius of Ray Charles
comments: [ballad]
 		Ray Charles Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'
1960 Atlantic
87 record label: Vee Jay 344
chart position: RandB #10, US #70
weeksinr&bchart: 3
written by: Jesse Stone
album: Wade Flemons
 		Wade Flemons Easy Lovin'
1960 Vee Jay
88 record label: Atlantic 452087
chart position: RandB #6, US #17, UK #28
weeksinr&bchart: 6
written by: Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman
album: Save The Last Dance For Me
 		The Drifters I Count the Tears
1960 Atlantic
89 record label: Abner 1032
chart position: RandB #10, US #33
weeksinr&bchart: 3
written by: Doris Troy (as Doris Payne) and Frank Augustus
album: How About That
 		Dee Clark How About That
1960 Abner
90 record label: ABC Paramount 10164
chart position: RandB #10, US #28
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Mitchell Parish and Heinz Roemheld
album: Dedicated to You
comments: [ballad]
 		Ray Charles Ruby
1960 ABC Paramount
91 record label: Capitol 4393
chart position: RandB #12
weeksinr&bchart: 4
written by: Ollie Jones
 		Nat King Cole & Stan Kenton My Love
1960 Capitol
92 record label: MGM 12843
chart position: RandB #13, US #48
weeksinr&bchart: 4
written by: Billy Smith
 		Clyde McPhatter Let's Try Again
1960 MGM
93 record label: Atlantic 2048
chart position: RandB #13
weeksinr&bchart: 4
written by: Joe Morris
album: Saved
 		LaVern Baker Shake a Hand
1960 Atlantic
94 record label: Capitol 4325
chart position: RandB #15, US #92
weeksinr&bchart: 5
written by: Nat King Cole
comments: US B side to Time and The River
 		Nat King Cole What 'Cha Gonna Do
1960 Capitol
95 record label: Fire 1016
chart position: RandB #15
weeksinr&bchart: 5
written by: Elmore James, Morris Levy and Clarence Lewis
comments: [blues]
 		Elmo James & His Broomdusters The Sky Is Crying
1960 Fire
96 record label: Mercury 71652
chart position: RandB #21, US #16
written by: Brook Benton & Clyde Otis
album: Golden Hits
 		Brook Benton The Same One
1960 Mercury
97 record label: Atco 6153
chart position: RandB #29, US #36
weeksinr&bchart: 6
written by: Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
album: Coast Along With The Coasters
 		The Coasters Run Red Run
1960 Atco
98 record label: Value 213
chart position: RandB #19, US #78
weeksinr&bchart: 7
written by: Oscar Straus
comments: [ballad]
 		Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes My Hero
1960 Value
99 record label: Ace 577
chart position: RandB #14
weeksinr&bchart: 4
written by: J. Joseph and Alvin Tyler
album: Great RandB Duets
 		Joe & Ann Gee Baby
1960 Ace
100 record label: Milestone 2003
chart position: RandB #27, US #18
written by: West Tyler
comments: [ballad]
 		The Paradons Diamonds and Pearls
1960 Milestone


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