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50 Song Hits
1963
Compiled by former disc jockey, Roger Hall
In 1963, as in previous years, there was a wide variety of songs heard on radio, movies and television. Just consider these different categories:
French: "Dominique"
Italian/English: "More"
Japanese: "Sukiyaki"
Anti-war song: "Blowin' in the Wind"
Movie song: "Call Me Irresponsible"
Cult song: "Louie, Louie"
Rhythm & Blues: "He's So Fine"
50 Song Hits From 1963
Look at this list and see how many of these songs you know
( listed in alphabetical order not by record sales)
1. +Abilene (adapted by John D. Loudermilk, Lester Brown, Bob Gibson, Albert Stanton) - recorded by George Hamilton IV
2. Act Naturally (w: Vonie Morrison/m: Johnny Russell) -
recorded by Buck Owens and later in 1965 by The Beatles3. Amen (w/m: Jester Hairston, from film, LILIES OF THE FIELD) -
recorded by The Impressions3. As Long As He Needs Me (w/m: Lionel Bart from musical, OLIVER!)
4. Be My Baby (w/m: Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector) -
recorded by The Ronettes5. +Blowin' in the Wind (w/m: Bob Dylan) - recorded by Bob Dylan, and
Peter, Paul and Mary6. +Blue Velvet (w/m: Bernie Wayne and Lee Morris, 1951) -
recorded by Bobby Vinton7. Bye Bye Birdie (w: Lee Adams/ m: Charles Strouse from film,
BYE BYE BIRDIE) - recorded by Ann-Margaret7. Call Me Irresponsible (w: Sammy Cahn/ m: James Van Heusen) - used in film, PAPA'S DELICATE CONDITION - recorded by Frank Sinatra, and Jack Jones
8. Charade (w: Johnny Mercer/ m: Henry Mancini) from film, CHARADE -
recorded by Henry Mancini and His Orchestra, and Andy Williams9. +Dominique (w: Noel Regney (English words)/French words/music: Soeur Sourire) - recording by The Singing Nun (Sister Luc-Gabrielle)
10. +End of the World (w: Sylvia Dee/ m: Arthuir Kent) -
recorded by Sketter Davis11. Fingertips, Part 2 (w/m: Steveland Wonder) - Little Stevie Wonder
12. From Me to You (w/m: John Lennon and Paul McCartney) -
recorded by The Beatles, also Del Shannon13. +Go Away Little Girl (w/m: Gerry Goffin and Carole King) -
recorded by Steve Lawrence, and others later like Donnie Osmond, 197114. The Good Life (w: Jack Reardon/ m: Sacha Distel) -
recorded by Tony Bennett15. +Hello Stranger (w/m: Barbara Lewis) - recorded by Barbara Lewis
16. +He's So Fine (w/m: Ronnie Mack) - recorded by The Chiffons
17. +Hey Paula (w/m: Ray Hildebrand) - recorded by Paul (Ray Hildebrand) and Paula (Jill Jackson)
18. +If I Had A Hammer (w/m: Lee Hays and Pete Seeger) -
recorded by The Weavers, also Peter, Paul and Mary, and Trini Lopez19. +If You Wanna Be Happy (w/m: Carmela Guida, Frank J. Guida, Joseph Royster) - recorded by Jimmie Soul
20. +I Love You Because (w/m: Leon Payne, 1950) -
recorded by Al Martino21. +It's My Party (w/m: John Gluck Jr.,Wally Gold, Herb Wiener) -
recorded by Leslie Gore22. I Wanna Be Around (w: Johnny Mercer/ m: Saddie Vimmerstedt - song title only, music by Johnny Mercer) - recorded by Tony Bennett
23. +I Will Follow Him (w: Norman Gimbel and Arthur Altman (English version of French song)/ m: J.W. Stole and Del Roma) - recorded by Little Peggy March
24. +Louie, Louie (w/m: Richard Berry) - recorded by The Kingmen
25. Make The World Go Away (w/m: Hank Cochran) - recorded by
Ray price, and Timi Yuro, later by Eddy Arnold in 196526. More (w: Norman Newell (English version)/ m: Riz Ortolani and Nino Oliviero from film, MONDO CANE - recorded by Kai Winding (instrumental), and Vic Dana (vocal)
27. My Boyfriend's Back (w/m: Robert Feldman, Gerald Goldstein, Richard Gottehrer) - recorded by The Angels
28. On Broadway (w/m: Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jerry Lieber, Mike Stoller) - recorded by The Drifters
29. +Our Day Will Come (w: Mort Garson/m: Bob Hilliard, 1962) -
recorded by Ruby and The Romantics30. +Puff The Magic Dragon (w/m: Peter Yarrow and Leonard Lipton) -
recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary31. Rhythm Of The Rain (w/m: John Gummoe) - recorded
by The Valiants32. Ring Of Fire (w/m: Junme Carter and Merle Kilgore) -
recorded by Johnny Cash33. +Ruby Baby (w/m: Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller) -
recorded by Dion34. +Sally, Go Round The Roses (w/m: Zell Sanders and Lona Spector) -
recorded by The Jaynetts35. Saturday Night (w/m: Randy Sparks) - recorded by
The New Christy Minstrels36. She Loves Me (w: Sheldon Harnick/ m: Jerry Bock) from
SHE LOVES ME - recorded by Daniel Massey37. Since I Fell For You (w/m: Buddy Johnson, 1948) -
recorded by Lennie Welch38. So Much In Love (w/m: William Jackson and George Williams) -
recorded by The Tymes39. +Sugar Shack (w/m: Keith McCormack and Faye Voss) -
recorded by The Fireballs with Jimmie Gilmer40. +Sukiyaki (w. Tom Leslie and Buzz Cason (English lyrics)/
m: Hachidai Nakamura and Rokusuke Ei) -
recorded by Kyu Sakamoto41. +Surf City (w/m: Jan Berry and Brian Wilson) -
recorded by Jan and Dean42. +Surfin' USA (w/m: Chuck Berry and Brian Wilson) -
recorded by The Beach Boys43. Those Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days Of Summer (w: Charles Tobias (English lyrics of German song/ m: Hans Carste) - recorded by Nat "King" Cole
44. Twenty-Four Hours From Tulsa (w: Hal David/m: Burt Bacharach) -
recorded by Gene Pitney45. Up On The Roof (w/m: Gerry Goffin and Carole King) -
recorded by The Drifters46. Walk Like A Man (w/m: Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio) -
recorded by The Four Seasons with Frankie Valli47. +Walk Right In (w: Gus Cannon/ m: Hosie Woods, 1930) -
recorded by The Rooftop Singers48. We Shall Overcome (unknown author, based partly on a 1901 hymn, "I'll Overcome Some Day" by C. Albert Tinley) -
recorded by Joan Baez49. +You're The Devil In Disguise (w/m: Bill Giant, Bernie Baum, Florence Kaye) - recorded by Elvis Presley
50. You've Really Got A Hold On Me (w/m: William Robinson) -
recorded by The Miracles
+ = from Billboard Top 1000 Singles, 1955-1996,
compiled by Joel Whitburn
Singers with most recordings listed:
Peter, Paul and Mary = 3
The Beatles = 2
Tony Bennett = 2
The Drifters = 2
No. 1 Songs from 1963
Arranged by number of weeks (3 or more weeks) at No. 1 and alphaebtical titles if tied weeks (according to The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits by Joel Whitburn)
Sugar Shack - Jimmy Gilmore and The Fireballs (5 weeks)
Dominique -- The Singing Nun (4 weeks)
He's So Fine - The Chiffons (4 weeks)
Blue Velvet - Bobby Vinton (3 weeks)
Fingertips, Part 2 - Little Stevie Wonder (3 weeks)
Hey Paula - Paul and Paula (3 weeks)
I Will Follow Him - Little Peggy March (3 weeks)
My Boyfriend's Back - The Angels (3 weeks)
Walk Like A Man - The Four Seasons (3 weeks)
Recommended CD Recordings
Songwriter Memories
Read about songs from the 1950s and '60s, including stories about the author's early life as a pop songwriter, in these this illustrated PDF book:
"Dream World" - Songs, Poems and Stories
AMP Song Links
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