Originally a trade publication for outdoor billboard advertising and entertainment-related news coverage, Billboard published its first music “hit parade” list in 1936. With the greater focus on song performance came a number of respective charts, paving the way for the Billboard Hot 100. It debuted in 1958 and remains the foremost domestic signifier of song popularity in America to this day. And for anyone who’s curious, Ricky Nelson’s “Poor Little Fool” was the first hit to take the No. 1 spot. (Over time, these are the artists with the most No. 1 hits.)
To determine the biggest pop hits of the first five years of the Billboard Hot 100, 24/7 Tempo reviewed performance data on the Hot 100 charts for songs that entered the Hot 100 between 1958 to 1962. We ranked them based on an inverse score wherein a week at No. 1 is worth 100 points, a week at No. 2 worth 99 points, and so on, up to a week at No. 100 worth one point. Chart data is current through the week of August 20, 2022. Christmas songs were not included.
The resulting list features an iconic mix of country, pop vocals, rock, and orchestral music. To this day, music lovers still recognize names like Conway Twitty, Frankie Avalon, Brenda Lee, and Bobby Darin, all of whom topped the chart at least once during its first five years. (Here, on the other hand, are famous musicians who never topped the Billboard Hot 100.)
Click here to see the biggest hits in the Billboard Hot 100’s first five years
As for the era’s biggest hit, it’s a song that pretty much any music expert will see coming. Not only did it inspire countless imitations and yield a seminal dance craze, but it reappeared at the top of the chart two years after its initial release. Come on baby, you definitely know this one! And if you don’t, you certainly will soon.
25. Brenda Lee, “Sweet Nothin’s”
> Entered Hot 100: December 21, 1959
> Peak position on Hot 100: #4 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 24
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24. Conway Twitty, “It’s Only Make Believe”
> Entered Hot 100: September 15, 1958
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 21
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23. Connie Stevens, “Sixteen Reasons”
> Entered Hot 100: February 1, 1960
> Peak position on Hot 100: #3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 24
22. Johnny Preston, “Running Bear”
> Entered Hot 100: October 12, 1959
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 27
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21. Johnny Horton, “North To Alaska”
> Entered Hot 100: September 19, 1960
> Peak position on Hot 100: #4 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 23
20. Frankie Avalon, “Venus”
> Entered Hot 100: February 9, 1959
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 28
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19. The Kingston Trio, “Tom Dooley”
> Entered Hot 100: September 29, 1958
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 21
18. Ferrante & Teicher, “Exodus”
> Entered Hot 100: November 14, 1960
> Peak position on Hot 100: #2 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 21
17. Percy Faith and His Orchestra, “The Theme From “A Summer Place””
> Entered Hot 100: January 11, 1960
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 21
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16. Ritchie Valens, “Donna”
> Entered Hot 100: November 24, 1958
> Peak position on Hot 100: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 23
15. Johnny Horton, “The Battle Of New Orleans”
> Entered Hot 100: April 27, 1959
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 21
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14. Big Bopper, “Chantilly Lace”
> Entered Hot 100: August 11, 1958
> Peak position on Hot 100: #6 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 24
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13. Chubby Checker, “Limbo Rock”
> Entered Hot 100: September 8, 1962
> Peak position on Hot 100: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 23
12. The Teddy Bears, “To Know Him, Is To Love Him”
> Entered Hot 100: September 22, 1958
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 23
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11. Clyde McPhatter, “A Lover’s Question”
> Entered Hot 100: October 6, 1958
> Peak position on Hot 100: #6 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 24
10. Brenda Lee, “I’m Sorry”
> Entered Hot 100: May 30, 1960
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 23
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9. Bobby Lewis, “Tossin’ and Turnin'”
> Entered Hot 100: April 24, 1961
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 23
8. Tommy Edwards, “It’s All in the Game”
> Entered Hot 100: August 18, 1958
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 22
7. Jim Reeves, “He’ll Have To Go”
> Entered Hot 100: December 28, 1959
> Peak position on Hot 100: #2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 23
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6. The Contours, “Do You Love Me”
> Entered Hot 100: August 11, 1962
> Peak position on Hot 100: #3 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 34
5. Bobby Darin, “Mack the Knife”
> Entered Hot 100: August 24, 1959
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 26
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4. Neil Sedaka, “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”
> Entered Hot 100: June 30, 1962
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 28
3. Ben E. King, “Stand By Me”
> Entered Hot 100: May 8, 1961
> Peak position on Hot 100: #4 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 35
2. Bobby “Boris” Pickett and the Crypt-Kickers, “Monster Mash”
> Entered Hot 100: September 8, 1962
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 38
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1. Chubby Checker, “The Twist”
> Entered Hot 100: August 1, 1960
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 39
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