Top 100 Best Selling R&B Soul Songs of 1961

Below is a list of the best selling Soul R&B songs from 1961, sorted by the most popular or best selling first. Click "year" to sort by year. 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 from 1961.

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

showing 1-100 of 340 records Next >
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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


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