1
record label: Tamla 54046
chart position: RandB #1 (7 weeks), US #1
weeksinr&bchart: 23
written by: Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Brian Holland, Robert Bateman & Freddie Gorman
album: Please Mr. Postman
comments: [Motown Sound]
The Marvelettes
Please, Mr. Postman
1961
Tamla
2
record label: Colpix 186
chart position: RandB #1 (2 weeks), US #1, UK #1
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart
The Marcels
Blue Moon
1961
Colpix
3
record label: Beltone 1002
chart position: RandB #1 (10 weeks), US #1
weeksinr&bchart: 19
written by: Ritchie Adams & Malou Rene
album: Tossin' & Turnin'
Bobby Lewis
Tossin' and Turnin
1961
Beltone
4
record label: Beltone 1006
chart position: RandB #1 (3 weeks), US #3
weeksinr&bchart: 20
written by: Eugene Pitt, Oscar Waltzer & Phil Belmonte
The Jive Five
My True Story
1961
Beltone
5
record label: Minit 623
chart position: RandB #1 (5 weeks), US #1, UK #29
weeksinr&bchart: 16
written by: Allen Toussaint
album: Mother in Law
comments: [southern soul]
Ernie K-Doe
Mother-in-Law
1961
Minit
6
record label: ABC Paramount 10244
chart position: RandB #1 (5 weeks), US #1, UK #6
weeksinr&bchart: 15
written by: Percy Mayfield
album: Ray Charles Greatest Hits
Ray Charles
Hit the Road Jack
1961
ABC Paramount
7
record label: Atco 6194
chart position: RandB #1 (4 weeks), US #4, UK #27
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller
album: Don't Play That Song! / Atlantic Soul Classics
Ben E. King
Stand by Me
1961
Atco
8
record label: Fury 1053
chart position: RandB #1 (1 week), US #7
weeksinr&bchart: 19
written by: Lee Dorsey, Clarence Lewis, Morgan Robinson & Morris Levy
Lee Dorsey
Ya Ya
1961
Fury
9
record label: London 9451
chart position: RandB #2 (2 weeks), US #14
weeksinr&bchart: 21
written by: Seneca, Lee
album: Dynamite!!!
Ike & Tina Turner
It's Gonna Work Out Fine
1961
London
10
record label: Duke 332
chart position: RandB #1 (1 week), US #46
weeksinr&bchart: 16
written by: Don Robey (as Deadric Malone)
album: Two Steps from the Blues Deep Soul Treasures Vol.4 (compiled by Dave Godin)
comments: [deep soul]
Bobby 'Blue' Bland
I Pity the Fool
1961
Duke
11
record label: Art Tone 825
chart position: RandB #2 (2 weeks), US #64
weeksinr&bchart: 19
written by: Jimmy McCracklin
album: I Just Gotta Know
Jimmy McCracklin
Just Got to Know
1961
Art Tone
12
record label: Duke 340
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week), US #71
weeksinr&bchart: 20
written by: Don Robey (as Deadric Malone)
album: Two Steps from the Blues
Bobby Bland
Don't Cry No More
1961
Duke
13
record label: Satellite 107
chart position: RandB #2 (3 weeks), US #3
weeksinr&bchart: 15
written by: Mar Keys
album: Last Night!!!
comments: [jazz funk instrumental]
The Mar-Keys
Last Night
1961
Satellite
14
record label: Instant 3229
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week), US #2
weeksinr&bchart: 17
written by: Chris Kenner & Allen Toussaint
album: Land Of 1000 Dances
Chris Kenner
I Like It Like That
1961
Instant
15
record label: Parkway 818
chart position: RandB #1 (2 weeks), UK #27, US #1
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Don Covay & John Berry
album: It's Pony Time
Chubby Checker
Pony Time
1961
Parkway
16
record label: Vee Jay 386
chart position: RandB #1 (1 week), US #6
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Johnny Otis
album: Letter Full Of Tears
comments: [ballad]
Gladys Knight & the Pips
Every Beat of My Heart
1961
Vee Jay
17
record label: Impulse 200
chart position: RandB #1 (1 week), US #8
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Rudy Toombs
album: Genius+Soul=Jazz
comments: [instrumental]
Ray Charles
One Mint Julep
1961
Impulse
18
record label: Mercury 71820
chart position: RandB #2 (4 weeks), US #2, UK #30, US AC #1
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Brook Benton, Clyde Otis
album: The Boll Weevil Song and 11 Other Great Hits
Brook Benton
The Boll Weevil Song
1961
Mercury
19
record label: Parkway 824
chart position: UK #2. RandB #26, US #8
written by: Kal Mann & Dave Appel
album: Let's Twist Again
Chubby Checker
Let's Twist Again
1961
Parkway
20
record label: Nomar 103
chart position: RandB #2 (weeks), US #19
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: Brown, Kirkland, Johnson
album: The Fabulous Sound Of Maxine Brown / Deep Soul Treasures Vol.3 (compiled by Dave Godin)
comments: [deep soul] [released 1960, charted 1961]
Maxine Brown
All in My Mind
1961
Nomar
21
record label: Duke 344
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week), US #28
weeksinr&bchart: 15
written by: Don Robey (as Deadric Malone) & Joe Scott (as Joseph Scott)
album: Here's The Man
Bobby Bland
Turn On Your Love Light
1961
Duke
22
record label: Mercury 71774
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week), US #28
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Clyde Otis & Willie Dixon
Brook Benton
For My Baby
1961
Mercury
23
record label: Argo 5380
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week), US #47
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Harry Warren and Mack Gordon
album: At Last!
comments: [ballad]
Etta James
At Last
1961
Argo
24
record label: Imperial 5764
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week), US #15
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Fats Domino (as Antoine Domino) & Dave Bartholomew
album: Let The Four Winds Blow
Fats Domino
Let the Four Winds Blow
1961
Imperial
25
record label: Scepter 1203
chart position: RandB #2 (2 weeks), US #3
weeksinr&bchart: 9
written by: Ralph Bass & Lowman Pauling
album: Tonight's The Night
The Shirelles
Dedicated to the One I Love
1961
Scepter
26
record label: Liberty 55308
chart position: RandB #11, US #3
written by: Luther Dixon & Bob Elgin
album: 100 Lbs. Of Clay!
Gene McDaniels
A Hundred Pounds of Clay
1961
Liberty
27
record label: Sar Records 117
chart position: RandB #4, US #8
weeksinr&bchart: 22
written by: Sam Cooke
comments: [southern soul]
The Sims Twins
Soothe Me
1961
Sar Records
28
record label: Vee Jay 398
chart position: RandB #3, US #58
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Jimmy Reed
album: Plays 12 String Guitar Blues
comments: [blues]
Jimmy Reed
Bright Lights, Big City
1961
Vee Jay
29
record label: Scepter 1223
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week), US #21
weeksinr&bchart: 9
written by: John Patton & Amiel Sommer
album: Baby It's You
The Shirelles
Big John
1961
Scepter
30
record label: Legrand 1008
chart position: RandB #3 (1 week), US #1, UK #7
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Gene Barge, Frank Guida & Joseph Royster
Gary U.S. Bonds
Quarter to Three
1961
Legrand
31
record label: Scepter 1217
chart position: RandB #2 (2 weeks), US #4
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Luther Dixon & Willie Denson
album: The Shirelles Sing To Trumpets And Strings
The Shirelles
Mama Said
1961
Scepter
32
record label: Vee Jay 383
chart position: RandB #3 (1 week), US #2
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Dee Clark
album: Hold On....It's Dee Clark
Dee Clark
Raindrops
1961
Vee Jay
33
record label: Federal 12401
chart position: RandB #5, US #29
weeksinr&bchart: 19
written by: Freddie King, Sonny Thompson & Hound Dog Taylor
comments: [instrumental]
Freddy King
Hide Away
1961
Federal
34
record label: Argo 5378
chart position: RandB #9, US #4, UK #3
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Robert Guidry and Paul Gayten
album: You Always Hurt the One You Love
Clarence Frogman Henry
But I Do
1961
Argo
35
record label: Atlantic 2114
chart position: RandB #7, US #24, US AC #6
weeksinr&bchart: 19
written by: Virgil Stewart
album: Rock and Soul
comments: [ballad]
Solomon Burke
Just Out of Reach
1961
Atlantic
36
record label: King 5510
chart position: RandB #3 (1 week), US #26
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Al Kasha, Alonzo Tucker & Gordon Evans
album: Dance Along
Hank Ballard & the Midnighters
The Switch-A-Roo
1961
King
37
record label: Legrand 1009
chart position: RandB #12, US #5
written by: Gary U.S. Bonds (as Gary Anderson) & Gene Barge
Gary U.S. Bonds
School Is Out
1961
Legrand
38
record label: Atlantic 2086
chart position: RandB #5, US #10
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: Carla Thomas
album: Gee Whiz
Carla Thomas
Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)
1961
Atlantic
39
record label: Wand 106
chart position: RandB #5, US #36
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: Luther Dixon and Chuck Jackson
album: I Don't Want to Cry! / Chuck Jackson's Greatest Hits
Chuck Jackson
I Don't Want to Cry
1961
Wand
40
record label: Liberty 55343
chart position: RandB #22, US #4, US AC #2
written by: Al Jacobs & Jimmie Crane
album: Hurt!!!!!!
comments: [ballad]
Timi Yuro
Hurt
1961
Liberty
41
record label: Argo 5385
chart position: RandB #4, US #30
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Ned Wever, Milton Ager & Jean Schwartz
album: At Last!
comments: [ballad]
Etta James
Trust in Me
1961
Argo
42
record label: Mercury 71774
chart position: RandB #6, US #11
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: Joe Shapiro, Jimmy Williams [Jimmy T. Williams] & Clyde Otis
Brook Benton
Think Twice
1961
Mercury
43
record label: Motown 1003
chart position: RandB #8, US #45
weeksinr&bchart: 15
written by: Mary Wells
album: Bye, Bye Baby
comments: [Motown Sound]
Mary Wells
Bye Bye Baby
1961
Motown
44
record label: King 5430
chart position: RandB #3 (1 week), US #23
weeksinr&bchart: 7
written by: Billy Myles & Hank Ballard
album: Spotlight on Hank Ballard
Hank Ballard & the Midnighters
The Hoochi Coochi Coo
1961
King
45
record label: ABC Paramount 10266
chart position: RandB #1, US #9
written by: A. Jones, F. James
album: Ray Charles Greatest Hits
Ray Charles
Unchain My Heart
1961
ABC Paramount
46
record label: Hull 740
chart position: RandB #4, US #2
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Sheppard, Bassett, Baskerville
album: Our Anniversary
comments: [ballad]
Shep & the Limelites
Daddy's Home
1961
Hull
47
record label: King 5466
chart position: RandB #4, US #47
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: James Brown
album: Shout and Shimmy
James Brown
I Don't Mind
1961
King
48
record label: Colpix 612
chart position: RandB #19, US #7
written by: Al Hoffman & John Klenner
The Marcels
Heartaches
1961
Colpix
49
record label: Parkway 830
chart position: RandB #11, US #7
written by: Woodcrest, Mured
album: For Teen Twisters Only
Chubby Checker
The Fly
1961
Parkway
50
record label: Laurie 3098
chart position: RandB #7, US #12
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Bert Russell (as Bert Berns)
album: A Little Bit of Soap [6 track mini album]
The Jarmels
A Little Bit of Soap
1961
Laurie
51
record label: Nomar 106
chart position: RandB #3 (1 week), US #25
weeksinr&bchart: 6
written by: S. W. Taylor & Maxine Brown
album: The Fabulous Sound Of Maxine Brown
comments: [ballad]
Maxine Brown
Funny
1961
Nomar
52
record label: Legrand 1015
chart position: RandB #5, US #9
written by: Frank Guida (as Frank J. Guida)
album: Twist Up Calypso
Gary U.S. Bonds
Dear Lady Twist
1961
Legrand
53
record label: Fontana 298
chart position: RandB #6, US #12
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Bill Cook
album: You Can Have Her
Roy Hamilton
You Can Have Her
1961
Fontana
54
record label: Argo 5393
chart position: RandB #6, US #39
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Stella Unger, Saul Bernie and James Price Johnson
album: The Second Time Around
Etta James
Don't Cry, Baby
1961
Argo
55
record label: Columbia 42157
chart position: RandB #6
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Al Kasha, Alan Thomas & Curtis Williams
comments: [southern soul ballad]
Aretha Franklin
Operation Heartbreak
1961
Columbia
56
record label: Scepter 1219
chart position: RandB #5, US #48
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Luther Dixon
album: I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself
comments: [ballad]
Tommy Hunt
Human
1961
Scepter
57
record label: Del Fi 4158
chart position: RandB #28, US #9
written by: Nick Curinga & Paul Politi
album: The Blue Jays Meet Little Caesar and The Romans
Little Caesar & the Romans
Those Oldies but Goodies (Remind Me of You)
1961
Del Fi
58
record label: RCA 1242
chart position: UK #7, RandB #20, US #17
written by: Sam Cooke
album: The Best of Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Cupid
1961
RCA
59
record label: King 5516
chart position: RandB #5, US #87
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Mertis John
Little Willie John
Take My Love (I Want to Give It All to You)
1961
King
60
record label: Scepter 1227
chart position: RandB #3, US #8
written by: Mack David, Barney Williams, Bert Bacharach
album: Baby It's You
The Shirelles
Baby It's You
1961
Scepter
61
record label: Vee Jay 405
chart position: RandB #14, US #11, US AC #3
written by: Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer
album: Moon River
Jerry Butler
Moon River
1961
Vee Jay
62
record label: Philles 100
chart position: RandB #5, US #20
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Leroy Bates & Phil Spector
album: Twist Uptown
The Crystals
There's No Other (Like My Baby)
1961
Philles
63
record label: Mercury 71876
chart position: RandB #5, US #23, UK #35, US AC #5
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Harry Warren & Al Dubin
album: September in the Rain
comments: [jazz RnB]
Dinah Washington
September in the Rain
1961
Mercury
64
record label: Tri Phi 1001
chart position: RandB #5, US #27
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Harvey Fuqua & Gwen Gordy (as Gwen Gordy Fuqua)
album: The Original Spinners
The Spinners
That's What Girls Are Made For
1961
Tri Phi
65
record label: Argo 5388
chart position: RandB #11, US #12, UK #6
weeksinr&bchart: 7
written by: Allan Roberts and Doris Fisher
album: You Always Hurt the One You Love
Clarence Frogman Henry
You Always Hurt the One You Love
1961
Argo
66
record label: King 5524
chart position: RandB #2 (1 week), US 49
weeksinr&bchart: 19
written by: Joe Tex and James Brown
album: Think!
comments: [ballad]
James Brown
Baby, You're Right
1961
King
67
record label: Federal 12432
chart position: RandB #5
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Sonny Thompson
album: Freddy King Sings
comments: [blues]
Freddy King
I'm Tore Down
1961
Federal
68
record label: Tuff 1808
chart position: RandB #10, US #12
written by: Abner Spector
The Corsairs featuring Jay Bird Uzzell
Smoky Places
1961
Tuff
69
record label: Deluxe 6191
chart position: RandB #9, US #41
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Bud Johnson and Elliot Green
The Chanters
No, No, No
1961
Deluxe
70
record label: Beltone 1012
chart position: RandB #8, US #9
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Bobby Lewis & Malou Rene
album: Tossin' & Turnin'
Bobby Lewis
One Track Mind
1961
Beltone
71
record label: Brunswick 55201
chart position: RandB #25, US #9
written by: Hank Hunter & Al Kasha
Jackie Wilson
My Empty Arms
1961
Brunswick
72
record label: Hi 2040
chart position: RandB #3, US #17
written by: Ace Cannon
album: Tuff Sax
comments: [instrumental]
Ace Cannon
Tuff
1961
Hi
73
record label: Federal 12428
chart position: RandB #4, US #47
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Freddie King and Sonny Thompson
album: Let's Hide Away and Dance Away with Freddy King
comments: instrumental
Freddy King
San-Ho-Zay
1961
Federal
74
record label: Federal 12415
chart position: RandB #8, US #88
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Rudy Toombs, Elson Teat and Alan Moore
album: Freddy King Sings
comments: [blues]
Freddy King
Lonesome Whistle Blues
1961
Federal
75
record label: Carlton 555
chart position: RandB #6, US #14
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Richard Barrett
album: On Tour
The Chantels
Look in My Eyes
1961
Carlton
76
record label: Vee Jay 375
chart position: RandB #10, US #27
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Curtis Mayfield and Jerry Butler
album: Aware Of Love
Jerry Butler
Find Another Girl
1961
Vee Jay
77
record label: Liberty 55371
chart position: RandB #5, US #5
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Burt Bacharach & Bob Hilliard
album: Tower of Strength
Gene McDaniels
Tower of Strength
1961
Liberty
78
record label: ABC Paramount 10241
chart position: RandB #2, US #20
written by: Curtis Mayfield
album: The Impressions / The Best Impressions... Curtis, Sam and Fred
The Impressions
Gypsy Woman
1961
ABC Paramount
79
record label: Atco 6185
chart position: RandB #15, US #10
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Jerry Leiber & Phil Spector
album: Spanish Harlem
comments: [released 1960, charted 1961]
Ben E. King
Spanish Harlem
1961
Atco
80
record label: Fury 1054
chart position: RandB #3, US #19
written by: Don Covay
album: Letter Full of Tears
Gladys Knight & the Pips
Letter Full of Tears
1961
Fury
81
record label: Vee Jay 390
chart position: RandB #8, US #25
weeksinr&bchart: 9
written by: Jerry Butler & Curtis Mayfield
album: Aware Of Love
Jerry Butler
I'm a Telling You
1961
Vee Jay
82
record label: Atlantic 2105
chart position: RandB #13, US #14
written by: Burt Bacharach & Bob Hilliard
album: Save The Last Dance For Me
The Drifters
Please Stay
1961
Atlantic
83
record label: Atlantic 2117
chart position: RandB #10, US #16
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman
album: Save The Last Dance For Me
comments: [pop soul]
The Drifters
Sweets for My Sweet
1961
Atlantic
84
record label: King 5510
chart position: RandB #10, US #92
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Michael Cowan and Hank Ballard
album: Dance Along
Hank Ballard & The Midnighters
The Float
1961
King
85
record label: Columbia 41923
chart position: RandB #7, US #76
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: J. Leslie McFarland
album: Aretha (with the Ray Bryant Combo)
Aretha Franklin
Won't Be Long
1961
Columbia
86
record label: Mercury 71903
chart position: RandB #12, US #15
written by: Brook Benton, Oliver Hall & Marnie Ewald
Brook Benton
Revenge
1961
Mercury
87
record label: Kent 360
chart position: RandB #7, US #119
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Mayfield, King, and Davis
comments: [ballad]
B.B. King
Peace of Mind
1961
Kent
88
record label: Atlantic 2096
chart position: RandB #6, US #32
weeksinr&bchart: 7
written by: Gerry Goffin and Carole King
album: Save The Last Dance For Me
The Drifters
Some Kind of Wonderful
1961
Atlantic
89
record label: Mercury 71859
chart position: RandB #14, US #20, US AC #6
written by: Brook Benton
album: The Boll Weevil Song and 11 Other Great Hits
comments: Adapted by Brook Benton
Brook Benton
Frankie and Johnny
1961
Mercury
90
record label: King 5442
chart position: RandB #8, US #40
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Teddy Powell and Leonard Whitcup
album: Think!
James Brown
Bewildered
1961
King
91
record label: Atco 6203
chart position: RandB #10, US #18, UK #38
weeksinr&bchart: 6
written by: Sunny Skylar, Gabriel Ruiz, and Mendez
album: Spanish Harlem
Ben E. King
Amor
1961
Atco
92
record label: Caprice 110
chart position: RandB #10, US #22
written by: Rudy Clark
album: James Ray
James Ray
If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody
1961
Caprice
93
record label: Seven Arts 705
chart position: RandB #10, US #93
weeksinr&bchart: 9
written by: Sally Nix and Henry Glover
comments: new version of 1948 hit [R]
Bull Moose Jackson
I Love You, Yes I Do
1961
Seven Arts
94
record label: Gee 1064
chart position: RandB #10, US #18
written by: Hoagy Carmichael & Frank Loesser
The Cleftones
Heart and Soul
1961
Gee
95
record label: Imperial 5723
chart position: RandB #7, US #22
weeksinr&bchart: 7
written by: Fats Domino (as Antoine Domino), Jack Jessup & Pee Wee Maddux
album: Million Sellers by Fats
Fats Domino
What a Price
1961
Imperial
96
record label: Motown 1011
chart position: RandB #9, US #33
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Wm. Stevens, and B. Gordy Jr.
album: Bye, Bye Baby, I Don't Want to Take a Chance
comments: [Motown Sound]
Mary Wells
I Don't Want to Take a Chance
1961
Motown
97
record label: Imperial 5753
chart position: RandB #18, US #23, UK #49
written by: Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew & Bobby Charles
album: I Miss You So
Fats Domino
It Keeps Rainin'
1961
Imperial
98
record label: King 5535
chart position: RandB #9, US #49
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Hank Ballard
album: Dance Along
Hank Ballard & The Midnighters
Nothing But Good
1961
King
99
record label: Wand 110
chart position: RandB #13, US #59
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Burt Bacharach and Hal David
album: I Don't Want to Cry! / Chuck Jackson's Greatest Hits
comments: [ballad]
Chuck Jackson
I Wake Up Crying
1961
Wand
100
record label: Arvee 5027
chart position: RandB #25, US #20
written by: H.B. Barnum, Martin J. Cooper, Cliff Goldsmith & Fred Smith
album: Peanut Butter
The Marathons
Peanut Butter
1961
Arvee