TOP OF THE POPS: THE BEST OF THE TOP 40 SINGLES BY YEAR "BOOK OF ROCK LISTS, DAVE MARSH & KEVIN STEIN, 1981"
Singles 1955 to 1980

1955 to 1962

1955 | 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1960 | 1961 | 1962 |

1963 to 1971 | 1972 to 1980

Many thanks to Mike Eastburn for suppling these lists.

 

Other Dave Marsh Lists:-

 

See also: Rock and Roll: The 100 Best Singles

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1955

  1. Little Richard Tutti-Frutti
  2. "Berry, Chuck" Maybellene
  3. "Cadillacs, The" Speedo
  4. "Turbans, The" When You Dance
  5. "Cheers, The" Black Denim Trousers
  6. "Lewis, Smiley" I Hear You Knocking
  7. "Haley, Bill And His Comets" Rock around the Clock
  8. "Platters, The" The Great Pretender
  9. "El Dorados, The" At My Front Door
  10. "Platters, The" Only You (And You Alone)
  11. "Haley, Bill And His Comets" See You Later Alligator
  12. "Ford, Tennessee Ernie" Sixteen Tons
  13. "Bennett, Boyd And His Rockets" My Boy Flat-Top
  14. "Mann, Gloria" Teen Age Prayer
  15. "London, Julie" Cry Me a River
  16. Bonnie Lou Daddy-O
  17. "Haley, Bill And His Comets" Burn That Candle
  18. "Hibbler, Al" He
  19. "Ward, Joe" Nuttin for Christmas
  20. "Basie, Count" April in Paris

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1956

  1. "Presley, Elvis" Heartbreak Hotel
  2. "Berry, Chuck" Roll over Beethoven
  3. "John, Little Willie" Fever
  4. Little Richard Rip It Up
  5. "Perkins, Carl" Blue Suede Shoes
  6. "Domino, Fats" I'm in Love Again/My Blue Heaven
  7. Mickey And Sylvia Love Is Strange
  8. "Lymon, Frankie And The Teenagers" Why Do Fools Fall in Love
  9. "Vincent, Gene And His Blue Caps" Be-Bop-A-Lula
  10. Five Satins In the Still of the Nite
  11. "Presley, Elvis" Don't Be Cruel/Hound Dog
  12. "Domino, Fats" Blue Monday
  13. Little Richard Long Tall Sally/Slippin'and Slidin'
  14. "Cadets, The" Stranded in the Jungle
  15. Shirley And Lee Let the Good Times Roll
  16. "Hunter, Ivory Joe" Since I Met You Baby
  17. "Domino, Fats" Blueberry Hill
  18. "Baker, Lavern" Jim Dandy
  19. "Flamingos, The" I'll Be Home
  20. "Platters, The" My Prayer
  21. "Presley, Elvis" When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again
  22. "Doggett, Bill" Honky Tonk (Parts 1 & 2)
  23. "Domino, Fats" When My Dreamboat Comes Home
  24. "Mcphatter, Clyde" Treasure of Love
  25. "Presley, Elvis " "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You"
  26. "Platters, The" One in a Million
  27. "Clovers, The" "Love, Love, Love"
  28. "Lymon, Frankie And The Teenagers" I Want You to Be My Girl
  29. "Presley, Elvis" My Baby Left Me
  30. "Chordettes, The" Born to Be with You
  31. "Teen Queens, The" Eddie My love
  32. "Williams, Otis" Ivory Tower
  33. "Cash, Johnny" I Walk the Line
  34. Buchanan And Goodman The Flying Saucer (Parts 1 and 2)
  35. "Moonglows, The" See Saw
  36. "Mcphatter, Clyde" Seven Days
  37. "Mitchell, Guy" Singing the Blues
  38. "Five Keys, The" "Out of Sight, Out of Mind"
  39. Nervous Norvus Transfusion
  40. "James, Sonny" Young Love

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1957

  1. "Lewis, Jerry Lee" Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On
  2. "Crickets, The" That'll Be the Day
  3. Berry, Chuck" School Day
  4. "Presley, Elvis" Jailhouse Rock
  5. "Holly, Buddy" Peggy Sue
  6. "Diamonds, The" Little Darlin'
  7. "Lewis, Jerry Lee" Great Balls of Fire
  8. "Cooke, Sam" You Send Me
  9. Little Richard Keep a Knockin'
  10. "Coasters, The" Searchin/Young Blood
  11. "Dell-Vikings, The" Come Go with Me
  12. "Willis, Chuck" C.C. Rider
  13. "Crickets, The" Oh Boy!
  14. Little Richard Lucille
  15. "Diamonds, The" The Stroll
  16. "Mcphatter, Clyde" Without Love (There Is Nothing)
  17. "Domino, Fats" I'm Walkin'
  18. "Presley, Elvis" All Shook Up
  19. "Berry, Chuck" Rock and Roll Music
  20. Little Richard "Jenny, Jenny"
  21. "Everly Brothers, The" "Wake Up, Little Susie"
  22. "Harris, Thurston" Little Bitty Pretty One
  23. "Mello-Kings, The" "Tonite, Tonite"
  24. "Hawkins, Dale" Susie-Q
  25. "Everly Brothers, The" Bye Bye Love
  26. "Presley, Elvis" Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear
  27. "Knox, Buddy" Party Doll
  28. Danny And the Juniors At the Hop
  29. "Rays, The" Silhouettes
  30. "Helms, Bobby" Jingle Bell Rock
  31. "Nelson, Ricky" Stood Up
  32. "Cochran, Eddie" Sittin' in the Balcony
  33. "Williams, Larry" Bony Moronie
  34. "Presley, Elvis" Too Much
  35. "Andrews, Lee And The Hearts" Tear Drops
  36. "Bobbettes, The" Mr. Lee
  37. "Allison, Gene" You Can Make It if You Try
  38. "Justis, Bill" Raunchy
  39. "Williams, Larry" Short Fat Fannie
  40. "Vincent, Gene And His Blue Caps" Lotta Lovin'

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1958

  1. "Berry, Chuck" Johnny B. Goode
  2. "Elegants, The" Little Star
  3. "Butler, Jerry And The Impressions" For Your Precious Love
  4. "Holly, Buddy" Rave On
  5. "Chantels, The" Maybe
  6. Little Richard "Good Golly, Miss Molly"
  7. "Coasters, The" Yakety Yak
  8. "Wray, Link And His Ray Men" Rumble
  9. "Wilson, Jackie" Lonely Teardrops
  10. "Berry, Chuck" Carol
  11. "Cochran, Eddie" Summertime Blues
  12. "Monotones, The" The Book of Love
  13. "Willis, Chuck" Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes
  14. "Crickets, The" Maybe Baby
  15. Danny And the Juniors Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay
  16. "Reynolds, Jody" Endless Sleep
  17. "Berry, Chuck" Sweet Little Sixteen
  18. "Twitty, Conway" It's Only Make Believe
  19. "Valens, Ritchie" La Bamba
  20. "Price, Lloyd" Stagger Lee
  21. "Presley, Elvis" Wear My Ring around Your Neck
  22. "Cochran, Eddie" C'mon Everybody
  23. "Otis, Johnny" Willie and the Hand jive
  24. Dion And The Belmonts I Wonder Why
  25. "Lewis, Jerry Lee" High School Confidential
  26. "Eddy, Duane" Rebel-Rouser
  27. "Moonglows, The" Ten Commandments of Love
  28. "John, Little Willie" "Talk to Me, Talk to Me"
  29. "Day, Bobby" Rockin' Robin
  30. Little Anthony And The Imperials Tears on My Pillow
  31. "Domino, Fats" Whole Lotta Lovin'
  32. "Coasters, The" Charlie Brown
  33. "Smith, Huey Piano And The Clowns" Don't You Just Know It
  34. "Mcphatter, Clyde" A Lover's Question
  35. "Willis, Chuck" What Am I Living For
  36. "Silhouettes, The" Get a job
  37. Robert And Johnny We Belong Together
  38. "Baker, Lavern" I Cried a Tear
  39. "Freeman, Bobby" Do You Want to Daiice
  40. "Everly Brothers, The" Bird Dog/Devoted to You

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1959

  1. "Charles, Ray" What'd I Sav
  2. "Drifters, The" There Goes My Baby
  3. "Berry, Chuck" Back in the U.S.A
  4. "Ford, Frankie" Sea Cruise
  5. "Harrison, Wilbert" Kansas City
  6. "Berry, Chuck" Almost Grown
  7. Dion And The Belmonts A Teenager in Love
  8. "Diddley, Bo" Say Man
  9. "Wilson, Jackie" That's Why (I Love You So)
  10. "Clovers, The" Love Potion No. 9
  11. "Domino, Fats" I'm Ready
  12. "Drifters, The" Dance with Me
  13. "Mystics, The" Hushabye
  14. "Fleetwoods, The" Come Softly to Me
  15. Johnny And The Hurricanes Red River Rock
  16. "Darin, Bobby" Dream Lover
  17. "Hawkins, Ronnie" Mary Lou
  18. "Skyliners, The" Since I Don't Have You
  19. "Lee, Brenda" Sweet Nothin's
  20. "Wray, Link And His Ray Men" Raw-Hide
  21. "Flamingos, The" I Only Have Eyes for You
  22. "Holly, Buddy" It Doesn't Matter Anymore
  23. "Domino, Fats" I Want to Walk You Home/I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Some Day
  24. "Fiestas, The" So Fine
  25. "Cooke, Sam" Everybody Likes to Cha Cha Cha
  26. Dion And The Belmonts Where or When
  27. "Wailers, The" Tall Cool One
  28. "Everly Brothers, The" ('Til) I Kissed You
  29. "Fleetwoods, The" Mr. Blue
  30. "Wilson, Jackie" Talk That Talk
  31. Santo And Johnny Sleep Walk
  32. "Johnson, Marv" You Got What It Takes
  33. "Presley, Elvis" (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I
  34. "Price, Lloyd" Personality
  35. "Cooke, Sam" Only Sixteen
  36. Little Anthony And The Imperials "Shimmy, Shimmy, Ko-Ko-Bop"
  37. "Drifters, The" "(If You Cry) True Love, True Love"
  38. "Falcons, The" You're So Fine
  39. "Phillips, Phil With The Twilights" Sea of Love
  40. "Darin, Bobby" Mack the Knife

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1960

  1. "Williams, Maurice And The Zodiacs" Stay
  2. "Orbison, Roy" Only the Lonely (Know How I Feel)
  3. "Strong, Barrett" Money (That's What I Want)
  4. "Shirelles, The" Will You Love Me Tomorrow
  5. "Bonds, Gary U.S." New Orleans
  6. "Drifters, The" This Magic Moment
  7. "Butler, Jerry" He Will Break Your Heart
  8. "Domino, Fats" Walking to New Orleans/Don't Come Knockin'
  9. "Presley, Elvis" Are You Lonesome Tonight?
  10. "Young, Kathy With The Innocents" A Thousand Stars
  11. "Reed, Jimmy" Baby What You Want Me to Do
  12. "Drifters, The" Save the Last Dance for Me
  13. "Drifters, The" I Count the Tears
  14. "Wilson, Jackie" Doggin' Around
  15. "Miracles, The" Shop Around
  16. "Charles, Ray" Georgia on My Mind
  17. "Rich, Charlie" Lonely Weekends
  18. "Brown, Buster" Fannie Mae
  19. Ike And Tina Turner A Fool in Love
  20. "Brown, James" Think
  21. "Cooke, Sam" Wonderful World
  22. "Dorman, Harold" Mountain of Love
  23. Dion Lonely Teenager
  24. "John, Little Willie" Sleep
  25. "Marchan, Bobby" "There's Something on Your Mind, Part 2"
  26. "Hill, Jessie" Ooh Poo Pah Do-Part II
  27. "Checker, Chubby" The Twist
  28. "Lee, Brenda" I'm Sorry
  29. "Shirelles, The" Tonight's the Night
  30. "Everly Brothers, The" Cathy's Clown
  31. "Orbison, Roy" I'm Hurtin'
  32. "Domino, Fats" My Girl Josephine
  33. "Lee, Brenda" Rockin' around the Christmas Tree
  34. "Ballard, Hank And The Midnighters" Finger Poppin' Time
  35. "Scott, Jack" Burning Bridges
  36. "Hollywood Argyles, The" Alley-Oop
  37. "Cooke, Sam" Chain Gang
  38. "Jones, Joe" You Talk Too Much
  39. "Ventures, The" Walk-Don't Run
  40. Rosie And The Originals Angel Baby

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1961

  1. "King, Ben E." Stand by Me
  2. Dion The Wanderer
  3. "Bonds, Gary U.S." Quarter to Three
  4. "Orbison, Roy" Running Scared
  5. "Shannon, Del" Runaway
  6. "Charles, Ray" Hit the Road Jack
  7. "King, Ben E." Spanish Harlem
  8. "Impressions, The" Gypsy Woman
  9. Ike And Tina Turner It's Gonna Work Out Fine
  10. "Marvelettes, The" Please Mr. Postman
  11. "Henry, Clarence (Frog Man)" But I Do
  12. "Nelson, Ricky" Travelin' Man/Hello Mary Lou
  13. "K-Doe, Ernie" Mother-in-Law
  14. "Domino, Fats" Let the Four Winds Blow
  15. "Jarmels, The" A Little Bit of Soap
  16. "Bland, Bobby" Turn on Your Love Light
  17. "Shirelles, The" Mama Said
  18. "Cooke, Sam" Cupid
  19. "Coasters, The" Little Egypt (Ying-Yang)
  20. "Crystals, The" There's No Other (Like My Baby)
  21. "Bonds, Gary U.S." School Is Out
  22. "Dorsey, Lee" Ya Ya
  23. Shep And The Limelites Daddy's Home
  24. Dion Runaround Sue
  25. "Kenner, Chris" "I Like It like That, Part 1"
  26. Dick And Dee Dee The Mountain's High
  27. "Jackson, Chuck" I Don't Want to Cry
  28. "Mar-Keys, The" Last Night
  29. "Thomas, Carla" Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes)
  30. "King, Freddy" Hide Away
  31. "Presley, Elvis" Marie's the Name His Latest Flame/Little Sister
  32. "Knight, Gladys And The Pips" Every Beat of My Heart
  33. "Pitney, Gene" (I Wanna) Love My Life Away
  34. "Dovells, The" Bristol Stomp
  35. "Regents, The" Barbara-Ann
  36. "Jive Five, The" My True Story
  37. "Dee, Joey And The Starliters" Peppermint Twist-Part 1
  38. "George, Barbara" I Know (You Don't Love Me No More)
  39. "Shirelles, The" Dedicated to the One I Love
  40. "Checker, Chubby" Let's Twist Again

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1962

  1. Little Eva The Loco-Motion
  2. "Drifters, The" Up on the Roof
  3. "Isley Brothers, The" Twist and Shout
  4. "Chandler, Gene" Duke of Earl
  5. "Crystals, The" He's a Rebel
  6. "Cooke, Sam" Having a Party
  7. "Clark, Claudine" Party Lights
  8. "Miracles, The" I'll Try Something New
  9. "Contours., The" Do You Love Me
  10. "Miracles, The" You Really Got a Hold on Me
  11. "Four Seasons, The" Big Girls Don't Cry
  12. Booker T. And The MG's Green Onions
  13. "Crystals, The" He's Sure the Boy I Love
  14. "Cooke, Sam" Twistin' the Night Away
  15. Dion Lovers Who Wander
  16. "Cooke, Sam" Bring It on Home to Me
  17. "Wells, Mary" You Beat Me to the Punch
  18. King Curtis Soul Twist
  19. "Rebels, The" Wild Weekend
  20. "Brown, James" Night Train
  21. "Presley, Elvis" Return to Sender
  22. "Shirelles, The" Soldier Boy
  23. "Crystals, The" Uptown
  24. "Miracles, The" What's So Good about Good-by
  25. "Exciters, The" Tell Him
  26. "Holland, Eddie" Jamie
  27. "Lynn, Barbara" You'll Lose a Good Thing
  28. "King, Carole" It Might as Well Rain until September
  29. "Warwick, Dionne" Don't Make Me Over
  30. "Bonds, Gary U.S." Seven Day Weekend
  31. "Mayer, Nathaniel" Village of Love
  32. "Pitney, Gene" Half Heaven-Half Heartache
  33. "Gardner, Don And Dee Dee Ford" I Need Your Loving
  34. "Marvelettes, The" Beechwood 4-5789
  35. "Charles, Ray" I Can't Stop Loving You
  36. "King, Ben E." Don't Play That Song (You Lied)
  37. "Mcphatter, Clyde" Lover Please
  38. Don And Juan What's Your Name?
  39. "Jackson, Chuck" Any Day Now (My Wild Beautiful Bird)
  40. "James, Etta" Something's Got a Hold on Me

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