List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 1960s
This page is about the chart compiled by Record Retailer. For other singles charts compiled in the 1960s, see here
| UK Singles Chart number ones |
|---|
| UK Singles Chart Official Charts Company Christmas number one |
The UK Singles Chart is the official record chart in the United Kingdom. Prior to 1969 there was no official singles chart;[1][2][3] however, The Official Charts Company and Guinness' British Hit Singles & Albums regard the canonical sources as New Musical Express (NME) before 10 March 1960 and Record Retailer from then until 15 February 1969 when Retailer and the BBC jointly commissioned the British Market Research Bureau (BMRB) to compile the charts.[1][4] The choice to use Record Retailer as the canonical source for the 1960s has been contentious because NME (which continued compiling charts beyond March 1960) had the biggest circulation of periodicals in the decade and was more widely followed.[1][2] As well as the chart compilers mentioned previously, Melody Maker, Disc and Record Mirror all compiled their own charts during the decade. Due to the lack of any official chart the BBC aggregated results from all these charts to announce its own Pick of the Pops chart.[1] One source explains that the reason for using the Record Retailer chart for the 1960s was that it was "the only chart to have as many as 50 positions for almost the entire decade".[3] The sample size of Record Retailer in the early 1960s was around 30 stores whereas NME and Melody Maker were sampling over 100 stores.[1] In 1969, the first BMRB chart was compiled using postal returns of sales logs from 250 record shops.[4]
In terms of number-one singles, The Beatles were the most successful group of the decade having seventeen singles reach the top spot.[5] The longest duration of a single at number-one was eight weeks and this was achieved on three occasions: "It's Now or Never" by Elvis Presley in 1960; "Wonderful Land" by The Shadows in 1962 and "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies in 1969. The Beatles' song "She Loves You" became the best-selling single of all time in 1963, a record it held until 1977 when band member Paul McCartney's new band, Wings, surpassed it with "Mull of Kintyre".[6] "She Loves You" was the best-selling song of the decade and one of fourteen songs believed to have sold over one million copies in the 1960s.[7][8][9]
Number-one singles
The Beatles had seventeen number-one singles in the 1960s, more than any other artist. Their single "She Loves You" was the best-selling of the decade.
Elvis Presley had eleven number-ones throughout the decade. "It's Now or Never" spent an unsurpassed (but equalled) eight weeks at number one during the 1960s.
Cliff Richard achieved seven of his number-one singles during the 1960s.
The Everly Brothers had the best-selling single of 1960 with "Cathy's Clown".
Louis Armstrong had the best-selling single of 1968.
| † | Best-selling single of the year[11][nb 1] |
|---|---|
| ‡ | Best-selling single of the decade[11] |
| Contents |
|---|
| No. | Artist[nb 2] | Single[nb 2] | Week ending date[nb 2][nb 3] | Weeks at number one[nb 2] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | ||||
| 94 | Ford, EmileEmile Ford and the Checkmates | "What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?" | 18 December 1959 | 6 |
| 95 | Holliday, MichaelMichael Holliday | "Starry Eyed" | 29 January 1960 | 1 |
| 96 | Newley, AnthonyAnthony Newley | "Why" | 5 February 1960 | 4 |
| 97 | Faith, AdamAdam Faith | "Poor Me" | 10 March 1960 | 2 |
| 98 | Preston, JohnnyJohnny Preston | "Running Bear" | 17 March 1960 | 2 |
| 99 | Donegan, LonnieLonnie Donegan | "My Old Man's a Dustman" | 31 March 1960 | 4 |
| 100 | Newley, AnthonyAnthony Newley | "Do You Mind?" | 28 April 1960 | 1 |
| 101 | The Everly Brothers | "Cathy's Clown" † | 5 May 1960 | 7 |
| 102 | Cochran, EddieEddie Cochran | "Three Steps to Heaven" | 23 June 1960 | 2 |
| 103 | Jones, JimmyJimmy Jones | "Good Timin'" | 7 July 1960 | 3 |
| 104 | Richard, CliffCliff Richard and The Shadows | "Please Don't Tease" | 28 July 1960 | 1 |
| 105 | Johnny Kidd & The Pirates | "Shakin' All Over" | 4 August 1960 | 1 |
| re | Richard, CliffCliff Richard and The Shadows | "Please Don't Tease" | 11 August 1960 | 2 |
| 106 | The Shadows | "Apache" | 25 August 1960 | 5 |
| 107 | Valance, RickyRicky Valance | "Tell Laura I Love Her" | 29 September 1960 | 3 |
| 108 | Orbison, RoyRoy Orbison | "Only the Lonely (Know How I Feel)" | 20 October 1960 | 2 |
| 109 | Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | "It's Now or Never" | 3 November 1960 | 8 |
| 110 | Richard, CliffCliff Richard and The Shadows | "I Love You" | 29 December 1960 | 2 |
| 1961 | ||||
| 111 | Tillotson, JohnnyJohnny Tillotson | "Poetry in Motion" | 12 January 1961 | 2 |
| 112 | Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" | 26 January 1961 | 4 |
| 113 | Clark, PetulaPetula Clark | "Sailor" | 23 February 1961 | 1 |
| 114 | The Everly Brothers | "Walk Right Back" / "Ebony Eyes" | 2 March 1961 | 3 |
| 115 | Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | "Wooden Heart" | 23 March 1961 | 6 |
| 116 | The Marcels | "Blue Moon" | 4 May 1961 | 2 |
| 117 | Cramer, FloydFloyd Cramer | "On the Rebound" | 18 May 1961 | 1 |
| 118 | The Temperance Seven | "You're Driving Me Crazy" | 27 May 1961 | 1 |
| 119 | Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | "Surrender" | 3 June 1961 | 4 |
| 120 | Shannon, DelDel Shannon | "Runaway" † | 1 July 1961 | 3 |
| 121 | The Everly Brothers | "Temptation" | 20 July 1961 | 2 |
| 122 | Kane, EdenEden Kane | "Well I Ask You" | 3 August 1961 | 1 |
| 123 | Shapiro, HelenHelen Shapiro | "You Don't Know" | 10 August 1961 | 3 |
| 124 | Leyton, JohnJohn Leyton | "Johnny Remember Me" | 31 August 1961 | 3 |
| 125 | Bassey, ShirleyShirley Bassey | "Reach for the Stars" / "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" | 21 September 1961 | 1 |
| re | Leyton, JohnJohn Leyton | "Johnny Remember Me" | 28 September 1961 | 1 |
| 126 | The Shadows | "Kon-Tiki" | 5 October 1961 | 1 |
| 127 | The Highwaymen | "Michael" | 12 October 1961 | 1 |
| 128 | Shapiro, HelenHelen Shapiro | "Walkin' Back to Happiness" | 19 October 1961 | 3 |
| 129 | Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | "Little Sister" / "(Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame" | 9 November 1961 | 4 |
| 130 | Vaughan, FrankieFrankie Vaughan | "Tower of Strength" | 7 December 1961 | 3 |
| 131 | Williams, DannyDanny Williams | "Moon River" | 28 December 1961 | 2 |
| 1962 | ||||
| 132 | Richard, CliffCliff Richard and The Shadows | "Young Ones, TheThe Young Ones" | 11 January 1962 | 6 |
| 133 | Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | "Rock-A-Hula Baby" / "Can't Help Falling in Love" | 22 February 1962 | 4 |
| 134 | The Shadows | "Wonderful Land" | 22 March 1962 | 8 |
| 135 | B. Bumble and the Stingers | "Nut Rocker" | 17 May 1962 | 1 |
| 136 | Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | "Good Luck Charm" | 24 May 1962 | 5 |
| 137 | Sarne, MikeMike Sarne with Wendy Richard | "Come Outside" | 28 June 1962 | 2 |
| 138 | Charles, RayRay Charles | "I Can't Stop Loving You" | 12 July 1962 | 2 |
| 139 | Ifield, FrankFrank Ifield | "I Remember You" | 26 July 1962 | 7 |
| 140 | Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | "She's Not You" | 13 September 1962 | 3 |
| 141 | The Tornados | "Telstar" | 4 October 1962 | 5 |
| 142 | Ifield, FrankFrank Ifield | "Lovesick Blues" | 8 November 1962 | 5 |
| 143 | Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | "Return to Sender" | 13 December 1962 | 3 |
| 1963 | ||||
| 144 | Richard, CliffCliff Richard and The Shadows | "Next Time, TheThe Next Time" / "Bachelor Boy" | 3 January 1963 | 3 |
| 145 | The Shadows | "Dance On!" | 24 January 1963 | 1 |
| 146 | Harris, JetJet Harris and Tony Meehan | "Diamonds" | 31 January 1963 | 3 |
| 147 | Ifield, FrankFrank Ifield | "Wayward Wind, TheThe Wayward Wind" | 21 February 1963 | 3 |
| 148 | Richard, CliffCliff Richard and The Shadows | "Summer Holiday" | 14 March 1963 | 2 |
| 149 | The Shadows | "Foot Tapper" | 28 March 1963 | 1 |
| re | Richard, CliffCliff Richard and The Shadows | "Summer Holiday" | 4 April 1963 | 1 |
| 150 | Gerry & The Pacemakers | "How Do You Do It?" | 11 April 1963 | 3 |
| 151 | The Beatles | "From Me to You" † | 2 May 1963 | 7 |
| 152 | Gerry & The Pacemakers | "I Like It" | 20 June 1963 | 4 |
| 153 | Ifield, FrankFrank Ifield | "Confessin' (That I Love You)" | 18 July 1963 | 2 |
| 154 | Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | "(You're the) Devil in Disguise" | 1 August 1963 | 1 |
| 155 | The Searchers | "Sweets for My Sweet" | 8 August 1963 | 2 |
| 156 | Kramer, Billy J.Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas | "Bad to Me" | 22 August 1963 | 3 |
| 157 | The Beatles | "She Loves You" ‡ | 12 September 1963 | 4 |
| 158 | Brian Poole and The Tremeloes | "Do You Love Me" | 10 October 1963 | 3 |
| 159 | Gerry & The Pacemakers | "You'll Never Walk Alone" | 31 October 1963 | 4 |
| re | The Beatles | "She Loves You" ‡ | 28 November 1963 | 2 |
| 160 | The Beatles | "I Want to Hold Your Hand" | 12 December 1963 | 5 |
| 1964 | ||||
| 161 | The Dave Clark Five | "Glad All Over" | 16 January 1964 | 2 |
| 162 | The Searchers | "Needles and Pins" | 30 January 1964 | 3 |
| 163 | The Bachelors | "Diane" | 20 February 1964 | 1 |
| 164 | Black, CillaCilla Black | "Anyone Who Had a Heart" | 27 February 1964 | 3 |
| 165 | Kramer, Billy J.Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas | "Little Children" | 19 March 1964 | 2 |
| 166 | The Beatles | "Can't Buy Me Love" | 2 April 1964 | 3 |
| 167 | Peter & Gordon | "World Without Love, AA World Without Love" | 23 April 1964 | 2 |
| 168 | The Searchers | "Don't Throw Your Love Away" | 7 May 1964 | 2 |
| 169 | The Four Pennies | "Juliet" | 21 May 1964 | 1 |
| 170 | Black, CillaCilla Black | "You're My World (Il Mio Mondo)" | 28 May 1964 | 4 |
| 171 | Orbison, RoyRoy Orbison | "It's Over" | 25 June 1964 | 2 |
| 172 | The Animals | "House of the Rising Sun" | 9 July 1964 | 1 |
| 173 | The Rolling Stones | "It's All Over Now" | 16 July 1964 | 1 |
| 174 | The Beatles | "Hard Day's Night, AA Hard Day's Night" | 23 July 1964 | 3 |
| 175 | Mann, ManfredManfred Mann | "Do Wah Diddy Diddy" | 13 August 1964 | 2 |
| 176 | The Honeycombs | "Have I the Right?" | 27 August 1964 | 2 |
| 177 | The Kinks | "You Really Got Me" | 10 September 1964 | 2 |
| 178 | Herman's Hermits | "I'm Into Something Good" | 24 September 1964 | 2 |
| 179 | Orbison, RoyRoy Orbison | "Oh, Pretty Woman" | 8 October 1964 | 2 |
| 180 | Shaw, SandieSandie Shaw | "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me" | 22 October 1964 | 3 |
| re | Orbison, RoyRoy Orbison | "Oh, Pretty Woman" | 12 November 1964 | 1 |
| 181 | The Supremes | "Baby Love" | 19 November 1964 | 2 |
| 182 | The Rolling Stones | "Little Red Rooster" | 3 December 1964 | 1 |
| 183 | The Beatles | "I Feel Fine" | 10 December 1964 | 5 |
| 1965 | ||||
| 184 | Fame, GeorgieGeorgie Fame | "Yeh Yeh" | 14 January 1965 | 2 |
| 185 | The Moody Blues | "Go Now" | 28 January 1965 | 1 |
| 186 | The Righteous Brothers | "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" | 4 February 1965 | 2 |
| 187 | The Kinks | "Tired of Waiting for You" | 18 February 1965 | 1 |
| 188 | The Seekers | "I'll Never Find Another You" † | 25 February 1965 | 2 |
| 189 | Jones, TomTom Jones | "It's Not Unusual" | 11 March 1965 | 1 |
| 190 | The Rolling Stones | "Last Time, TheThe Last Time" | 18 March 1965 | 3 |
| 191 | Unit 4 + 2 | "Concrete and Clay" | 8 April 1965 | 1 |
| 192 | Richard, CliffCliff Richard | "Minute You're Gone, TheThe Minute You're Gone" | 15 April 1965 | 1 |
| 193 | The Beatles | "Ticket to Ride" | 22 April 1965 | 3 |
| 194 | Miller, RogerRoger Miller | "King of the Road" | 13 May 1965 | 1 |
| 195 | Trent, JackieJackie Trent | "Where Are You Now (My Love)" | 20 May 1965 | 1 |
| 196 | Shaw, SandieSandie Shaw | "Long Live Love" | 27 May 1965 | 3 |
| 197 | Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | "Crying in the Chapel" | 17 June 1965 | 1 |
| 198 | The Hollies | "I'm Alive" | 24 June 1965 | 1 |
| re | Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | "Crying in the Chapel" | 1 July 1965 | 1 |
| re | The Hollies | "I'm Alive" | 8 July 1965 | 2 |
| 199 | The Byrds | "Mr. Tambourine Man" | 22 July 1965 | 2 |
| 200 | The Beatles | "Help!" | 5 August 1965 | 3 |
| 201 | Sonny & Cher | "I Got You Babe" | 26 August 1965 | 2 |
| 202 | The Rolling Stones | "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" | 9 September 1965 | 2 |
| 203 | The Walker Brothers | "Make It Easy on Yourself" | 23 September 1965 | 1 |
| 204 | Dodd, KenKen Dodd | "Tears" | 30 September 1965 | 5 |
| 205 | The Rolling Stones | "Get Off of My Cloud" | 4 November 1965 | 3 |
| 206 | The Seekers | "Carnival Is Over, TheThe Carnival Is Over" | 25 November 1965 | 3 |
| 207 | The Beatles | "Day Tripper" / "We Can Work It Out" | 16 December 1965 | 5 |
| 1966 | ||||
| 208 | The Spencer Davis Group | "Keep On Running" | 20 January 1966 | 1 |
| 209 | The Overlanders | "Michelle" | 27 January 1966 | 3 |
| 210 | Sinatra, NancyNancy Sinatra | "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" | 17 February 1966 | 4 |
| 211 | The Walker Brothers | "Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore, TheThe Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore" | 17 March 1966 | 4 |
| 212 | The Spencer Davis Group | "Somebody Help Me" | 14 April 1966 | 2 |
| 213 | Springfield, DustyDusty Springfield | "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" | 28 April 1966 | 1 |
| 214 | Mann, ManfredManfred Mann | "Pretty Flamingo" | 5 May 1966 | 3 |
| 215 | The Rolling Stones | "Paint It, Black" | 26 May 1966 | 1 |
| 216 | Sinatra, FrankFrank Sinatra | "Strangers in the Night" | 2 June 1966 | 3 |
| 217 | The Beatles | "Paperback Writer" | 23 June 1966 | 2 |
| 218 | The Kinks | "Sunny Afternoon" | 7 July 1966 | 2 |
| 219 | Fame, GeorgieGeorgie Fame and the Blue Flames | "Getaway" | 21 July 1966 | 1 |
| 220 | Farlowe, ChrisChris Farlowe | "Out of Time" | 28 July 1966 | 1 |
| 221 | The Troggs | "With a Girl Like You" | 4 August 1966 | 2 |
| 222 | The Beatles | "Yellow Submarine" / "Eleanor Rigby" | 18 August 1966 | 4 |
| 223 | Small Faces | "All or Nothing" | 15 September 1966 | 1 |
| 224 | Reeves, JimJim Reeves | "Distant Drums" † | 22 September 1966 | 5 |
| 225 | Four Tops | "Reach Out I'll Be There" | 27 October 1966 | 3 |
| 226 | The Beach Boys | "Good Vibrations" | 17 November 1966 | 2 |
| 227 | Jones, TomTom Jones | "Green, Green Grass of Home" | 1 December 1966 | 7 |
| 1967 | ||||
| 228 | The Monkees | "I'm a Believer" | 19 January 1967 | 4 |
| 229 | Clark, PetulaPetula Clark | "This Is My Song" | 16 February 1967 | 2 |
| 230 | Humperdinck, EngelbertEngelbert Humperdinck | "Release Me" † | 2 March 1967 | 6 |
| 231 | Sinatra, NancyNancy Sinatra and Frank Sinatra | "Somethin' Stupid" | 13 April 1967 | 2 |
| 232 | Shaw, SandieSandie Shaw | "Puppet on a String" | 27 April 1967 | 3 |
| 233 | The Tremeloes | "Silence Is Golden" | 18 May 1967 | 3 |
| 234 | Procol Harum | "Whiter Shade of Pale, AA Whiter Shade of Pale" | 8 June 1967 | 6 |
| 235 | The Beatles | "All You Need Is Love" | 19 July 1967 | 3 |
| 236 | McKenzie, ScottScott McKenzie | "San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)" | 9 August 1967 | 4 |
| 237 | Humperdinck, EngelbertEngelbert Humperdinck | "Last Waltz, TheThe Last Waltz" | 6 September 1967 | 5 |
| 238 | Bee Gees | "Massachusetts" | 11 October 1967 | 4 |
| 239 | The Foundations | "Baby Now That I've Found You" | 8 November 1967 | 2 |
| 240 | Baldry, Long JohnLong John Baldry | "Let the Heartaches Begin" | 22 November 1967 | 2 |
| 241 | The Beatles | "Hello, Goodbye" | 6 December 1967 | 7 |
| 1968 | ||||
| 242 | Fame, GeorgieGeorgie Fame | "Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde, TheThe Ballad of Bonnie and Clyde" | 24 January 1968 | 1 |
| 243 | Love Affair | "Everlasting Love" | 31 January 1968 | 2 |
| 244 | Mann, ManfredManfred Mann | "Mighty Quinn" | 14 February 1968 | 2 |
| 245 | Ofarim, Esther and AbiEsther and Abi Ofarim | "Cinderella Rockefella" | 28 February 1968 | 3 |
| 246 | Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich | "Legend of Xanadu, TheThe Legend of Xanadu" | 20 March 1968 | 1 |
| 247 | The Beatles | "Lady Madonna" | 27 March 1968 | 2 |
| 248 | Richard, CliffCliff Richard | "Congratulations" | 10 April 1968 | 2 |
| 249 | Armstrong, LouisLouis Armstrong | "What a Wonderful World" / "Cabaret" † | 24 April 1968 | 4 |
| 250 | Gary Puckett & The Union Gap | "Young Girl" | 22 May 1968 | 4 |
| 251 | The Rolling Stones | "Jumpin' Jack Flash" | 19 June 1968 | 2 |
| 252 | The Equals | "Baby, Come Back" | 3 July 1968 | 3 |
| 253 | O'Connor, DesDes O'Connor | "I Pretend" | 24 July 1968 | 1 |
| 254 | Tommy James and the Shondells | "Mony Mony" | 31 July 1968 | 2 |
| 255 | Crazy World of Arthur Brown | "Fire" | 14 August 1968 | 1 |
| re | Tommy James and the Shondells | "Mony Mony" | 21 August 1968 | 1 |
| 256 | The Beach Boys | "Do It Again" | 28 August 1968 | 1 |
| 257 | Bee Gees | "I've Gotta Get a Message to You" | 4 September 1968 | 1 |
| 258 | The Beatles | "Hey Jude" | 11 September 1968 | 2 |
| 259 | Hopkin, MaryMary Hopkin | "Those Were the Days" | 25 September 1968 | 6 |
| 260 | Cocker, JoeJoe Cocker | "With a Little Help from My Friends" | 6 November 1968 | 1 |
| 261 | Montenegro, HugoHugo Montenegro | "Good, the Bad and the Ugly, TheThe Good, the Bad and the Ugly" | 13 November 1968 | 4 |
| 262 | The Scaffold | "Lily the Pink" | 11 December 1968 | 3 |
| 1969 | ||||
| 263 | Marmalade | "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" | 1 January 1969 | 1 |
| re | The Scaffold | "Lily the Pink" | 8 January 1969 | 1 |
| re | Marmalade | "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" | 15 January 1969 | 2 |
| 264 | Fleetwood Mac | "Albatross" | 29 January 1969 | 1 |
| 265 | The Move | "Blackberry Way" | 5 February 1969 | 1 |
| 266 | Amen Corner | "(If Paradise Is) Half as Nice" | 12 February 1969 | 2 |
| 267 | Sarstedt, PeterPeter Sarstedt | "Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)?" | 26 February 1969 | 4 |
| 268 | Gaye, MarvinMarvin Gaye | "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" | 26 March 1969 | 3 |
| 269 | Dekker, DesmondDesmond Dekker & The Aces | "Israelites" | 16 April 1969 | 1 |
| 270 | The Beatles with Billy Preston | "Get Back" | 23 April 1969 | 6 |
| 271 | Roe, TommyTommy Roe | "Dizzy" | 4 June 1969 | 1 |
| 272 | The Beatles | "Ballad of John and Yoko, TheThe Ballad of John and Yoko" | 11 June 1969 | 3 |
| 273 | Thunderclap Newman | "Something in the Air" | 2 July 1969 | 3 |
| 274 | The Rolling Stones | "Honky Tonk Women" | 23 July 1969 | 5 |
| 275 | Zager and Evans | "In The Year 2525 (Exordium and Terminus)" | 30 August 1969 | 3 |
| 276 | Creedence Clearwater Revival | "Bad Moon Rising" | 20 September 1969 | 3 |
| 277 | Birkin, JaneJane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg | "Je t'aime... moi non plus" | 11 October 1969 | 1 |
| 278 | Gentry, BobbieBobbie Gentry | "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" | 18 October 1969 | 1 |
| 279 | The Archies | "Sugar, Sugar" † | 25 October 1969 | 8 |
| 280 | Harris, RolfRolf Harris | "Two Little Boys" | 20 December 1969 | 6 |
By artist
The following artists achieved three or more number-one hits during the 1960s. Cliff Richard achieved seven number ones; two solo and five with the Shadows. The Shadows had a total of ten number ones; five solo and five with Cliff Richard.
| Artist | Number ones | Weeks at number one |
|---|---|---|
| Beatles, TheThe Beatles | 17 | 69 |
| Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | 11 | 44 |
| Shadows, TheThe Shadows | 10 | 33 |
| Rolling Stones, TheThe Rolling Stones | 8 | 18 |
| Richard, CliffCliff Richard | 7 | 20 |
| Ifield, FrankFrank Ifield | 4 | 17 |
| Everly Brothers, TheThe Everly Brothers | 3 | 12 |
| Gerry and the Pacemakers | 3 | 11 |
| Shaw, SandieSandie Shaw | 3 | 9 |
| Orbison, RoyRoy Orbison | 3 | 7 |
| Searchers, TheThe Searchers | 3 | 7 |
| Kinks, TheThe Kinks | 3 | 5 |
| Fame, GeorgieGeorgie Fame | 3 | 4 |
Million-selling and gold records
Although official music recording sales certifications were not introduced until the British Phonographic Industry was formed in 1973, Disc introduced an initiative in 1959 to present a gold record to singles that sold over one million units.[17] Information about when a record was classified gold by Disc is "not well documented".[17] The awards relied on record companies correctly compiling and supplying sales information. This could lead to errors, such as The Archies' "Sugar, Sugar" incorrectly being awarded a gold disc in January 1970.[nb 4] Such inaccuracies led to the instigation of official classifications by the BPI.[17] Nevertheless, following the introduction of music downloads in 2004, "Sugar, Sugar" passed the one-million sales mark.[18]
The Shadows instrumental, "Apache", is the first known song to being awarded Disc's gold record but it is disputed whether one million copies were sold.[nb 5] The awarding of fifteen gold records (one erroneously) is documented and, notably, five were awarded to releases by The Beatles. No song is believed to have sold one million copies after 1967 – "The Last Waltz" by Engelbert Humperdinck – and before BPI instigated its platinum record (still one million units) in 1973.[7][8][19][nb 6] Although The Righteous Brothers first released "Unchained Melody" in August 1965 it had more success after being re-released in the 1990s reaching number one and selling over million copies.[22]
| Artist | Song | Year of millionth sale[7][8][17] |
|---|---|---|
| The Shadows | "Apache" | N/A[nb 5] |
| Presley, ElvisElvis Presley | "It's Now or Never" | 1960 |
| Bilk, AckerAcker Bilk | "Stranger on the Shore" | 1961–62 |
| Richard, CliffCliff Richard and The Shadows | "The Young Ones" | 1962 |
| Ifield, FrankFrank Ifield | "I Remember You" | 1962 |
| The Beatles | "She Loves You" | 1963 |
| The Beatles | "I Want to Hold Your Hand" | 1963 |
| The Beatles | "Can't Buy Me Love" | 1964 |
| The Beatles | "I Feel Fine" | 1964 |
| Dodd, KenKen Dodd | "Tears" | 1965 |
| The Seekers | "The Carnival Is Over" | 1965 |
| The Beatles | "Day Tripper" / "We Can Work It Out" | 1965–66 |
| Jones, TomTom Jones | "Green, Green Grass of Home" | 1966 |
| Humperdinck, EngelbertEngelbert Humperdinck | "Release Me" | 1967 |
| Humperdinck, EngelbertEngelbert Humperdinck | "The Last Waltz" | 1967 |
| The Archies | "Sugar, Sugar" | 2004–10[nb 4] |
Notes
- ↑ In the 1960s three songs were the best-selling of the year but did not reach number one:
- In 1962, the best-selling song of the year was "Stranger on the Shore" by Acker Bilk which had reached number one on the Record Mirror chart.[12] On the Record Retailer chart (UK Singles Chart) the single peaked at number two in January 1962 and remained in the top 15 until July.[13]
- In 1964, the best-selling song of the year was "I Love You Because" by Jim Reeves which peaked at number five and remained in the top 40 from February to November 1964.[14]
- In 1969, the best-selling song of the year was "My Way" by Frank Sinatra which peaked at number five in May but- remained in the chart all year.[15]
- 1 2 3 4 The artist, song name, dates and duration are those given by The Official Charts Company.[16]
- ↑ Due to different charts being used, the weekday varies prior to August 1969: Chart week starting Friday before 10 March 1960 (NME), Thursday before July 1967 (Record Retailer), Wednesday before August 1969, and chart week ending Saturday after that (BMRB). These are the dates by which the charts are usually referred to and so are the dates used in this table.
- 1 2 "Sugar, Sugar" was erroneously awarded a gold record by Disc having sold approximately 945,000 copies. The RCA informed Disc that one million copies had been shipped, however not all were sold.[7][8][17] The single went on to sell over a million copies with the introduction of music downloads in 2004.[18]
- 1 2 Despite being awarded a gold record (for selling one million units) by Disc,[17] other sources suggest the record did not sell one million copies.[7][8]
- ↑ The number of sales required to qualify for a platinum record was later dropped in 1989 to the current thresholds of 600,000 units.[19][20][21]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 Smith, Alan. "50s & 60s UK Charts – The Truth!". Dave McAleer's website. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
- 1 2 Leigh, Spencer (20 February 1998). "Music: Charting the number ones that somehow got away". The Independent. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
- 1 2 Warwick, Neil; Kutner, Jon; Brown, Tony (2004). The Complete Book Of The British Charts: Singles and Albums (3rd ed.). London: Omnibus Press. p. v. ISBN 1-84449-058-0.
Until 15th February 1969, there was no officially compiled chart.
- 1 2 "Key Dates in the History of the Official UK Charts". The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 10 January 2008. Retrieved 16 May 2010.
- ↑ "Featured Artists: The Beatles". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
- ↑ Leadbetter, Russell (17 May 2010). "Macca proves he's no sellout". The Herald. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Stats and Facts: Million Sellers". The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 16 April 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2010.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Million-Selling Singles". everyHit. Retrieved 12 June 2010.
- ↑ "BPI – Charts – 3. Top Twenty Chart Facts". British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original on 4 June 2004. Retrieved 12 September 2010.
- ↑ "Artist Chart History: Tom Jones". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 October 2010.
- 1 2 "Chart Archive – 1960s Singles". everyHit.com. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ↑ Smith, Alan. "Every No.1 in the 1960s is listed from all the nine different magazine charts!". Dave McAleer's website. Archived from the original on 12 October 2010. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
- ↑ "Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive: 13th January 1962". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ↑ "Artists: Jim Reeves". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ↑ "Artists: Frank Sinatra". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 July 2010.
- ↑ "All The Number 1 Singles". Official Charts Company. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Smith, Alan. "UK First Charts & Silver Discs". Dave McAleer's website. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
- 1 2 "Digital generation pushes the oldies into the million-sellers club". Music Week. 6 September 2010.
- 1 2 Gallup (4 February 1989). "The Top of the Pops Chart" (PDF). Record Mirror: 4. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
- ↑ "Certified Awards". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
- ↑ "International Certification Award levels" (PDF). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. March 2010. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
- ↑ "Artist Chart History: Righteous Brothers". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 October 2010.
Further reading
- Davis, Sharon. Every Chart-Topper Tells a Story: The Sixties. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing, 1997 ISBN 1-85158-836-1, 288p.
External links
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