Elvis Presley had the best-selling single of 1961 with "Wooden Heart", which spent eleven weeks in the top 10, six of which were at number-one. In total, Presley had six top-ten singles during the year, five of which reached number-one.Helen Shapiro had three top 10 singles this year, including the number-ones "You Don't Know" and "Walkin' Back to Happiness". Aged 14 years and 11 months old when "You Don't Know" topped the chart, Shapiro remains the youngest female artist to have a UK number-one single.Del Shannon made his UK top 10 debut in 1961 with "Runaway", which spent three weeks at number-one. He scored a second top 10 hit later in the year with "Hats Off to Larry", which peaked at number six.
The UK Singles Chart is one of many music charts compiled by the Official Charts Company that calculates the best-selling singles of the week in the United Kingdom.[1] Before 2004, the chart was only based on the sales of physical singles.[2][3] This list shows singles that peaked in the Top 10 of the UK Singles Chart during 1961, as well as singles which peaked in 1960 and 1962 but were in the top 10 in 1961. The entry date is when the single appeared in the top 10 for the first time (week ending, as published by the Official Charts Company, which is six days after the chart is announced).
One-hundred and four singles charted in the top 10 in 1961, with ninety-two singles reaching their peak this year. Three songs were recorded by several artists with each version reaching the top 10:
Twenty-eight artists scored multiple entries in the top 10 in 1961. The Shadows secured the record for most top 10 hits in 1961 with nine hit singles, four of which were with Cliff Richard.
The following table (collapsed on desktop site) does not include acts who had previously charted as part of a group and secured their first top 10 solo single.
Until 1970 there was no universally recognised year-end best-sellers list. However, in 2011 the Official Charts Company released a list of the best-selling single of each year in chart history from 1952 to date. According to the list, "Wooden Heart" by Elvis Presley is officially recorded as the biggest-selling single of 1961.
Top-ten singles
Key
Symbol
Meaning
‡
Single peaked in 1960 but still in chart in 1961.
♦
Single released in 1961 but peaked in 1962.
(#)
Year-end best-selling single.
Entered
The date that the single first appeared in the chart.
Peak
Highest position that the single reached in the UK Singles Chart.
Actor and singer John Leyton had two top 10 entries this year, including "Johnny Remember Me", which spent four weeks at number-one.American country singer Jimmy Dean scored his only UK top 10 hit this year with "Big Bad John", which peaked at number two in November.Matt Monro made the UK Singles Chart for the first time in 1961, achieving two top 10 singles, including his debut hit "Portrait of My Love", which peaked at number three in January.
The following table shows artists who achieved two or more top 10 entries in 1961, including singles that reached their peak in 1960 or 1962. The figures include both main artists and featured artists. The total number of weeks an artist spent in the top ten in 1961 is also shown.
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