List of number-one R&B singles of 1961 (U.S.)
These are the Billboard magazine R&B singles chart number one hits of 1961:
See also: 1961 in music, List of number-one R&B hits (United States)
| Issue Date |
Song |
Artist |
| January 1 |
He Will Break Your Heart (He Don't Love You, Like I Love You) |
Jerry Butler |
| January 8 |
He Will Break Your Heart (He Don't Love You, Like I Love You) |
Jerry Butler |
| January 16 |
Shop Around |
The Miracles |
| January 23 |
Shop Around |
The Miracles |
| January 30 |
Shop Around |
The Miracles |
| February 6 |
Shop Around |
The Miracles |
| February 13 |
Shop Around |
The Miracles |
| February 20 |
Shop Around |
The Miracles |
| February 27 |
Shop Around |
The Miracles |
| March 6 |
Shop Around |
The Miracles |
| March 13 |
Pony Time |
Chubby Checker |
| March 20 |
Pony Time |
Chubby Checker |
| March 27 |
I Pity the Fool |
Bobby "Blue" Bland |
| April 3 |
Blue Moon |
The Marcels |
| April 10 |
Blue Moon |
The Marcels |
| April 17 |
One Mint Julep |
Ray Charles |
| April 24 |
Mother-in-Law |
Ernie K-Doe |
| May 1 |
Mother-in-Law |
Ernie K-Doe |
| May 8 |
Mother-in-Law |
Ernie K-Doe |
| May 15 |
Mother-in-Law |
Ernie K-Doe |
| May 22 |
Mother-in-Law |
Ernie K-Doe |
| May 29 |
Stand By Me |
Ben E. King |
| June 5 |
Stand By Me |
Ben E. King |
| June 12 |
Stand By Me |
Ben E. King |
| June 19 |
Stand By Me |
Ben E. King |
| June 26 |
Every Beat of My Heart |
The Pips |
| July 3 |
Tossin' and Turnin' |
Bobby Lewis |
| July 10 |
Tossin' and Turnin' |
Bobby Lewis |
| July 17 |
Tossin' and Turnin' |
Bobby Lewis |
| July 24 |
Tossin' and Turnin' |
Bobby Lewis |
| July 31 |
Tossin' and Turnin' |
Bobby Lewis |
| August 7 |
Tossin' and Turnin' |
Bobby Lewis |
| August 14 |
Tossin' and Turnin' |
Bobby Lewis |
| August 21 |
Tossin' and Turnin' |
Bobby Lewis |
| August 28 |
Tossin' and Turnin' |
Bobby Lewis |
| September 4 |
Tossin' and Turnin' |
Bobby Lewis |
| September 11 |
My True Story |
The Jive Five |
| September 18 |
My True Story |
The Jive Five |
| September 25 |
My True Story |
The Jive Five |
| October 2 |
Hit the Road Jack |
Ray Charles |
| October 9 |
Hit the Road Jack |
Ray Charles |
| October 16 |
Hit the Road Jack |
Ray Charles |
| October 23 |
Hit the Road Jack |
Ray Charles |
| October 30 |
Hit the Road Jack |
Ray Charles |
| November 6 |
Ya Ya |
Lee Dorsey |
| November 13 |
Please Mr. Postman |
The Marvelettes |
| November 20 |
Please Mr. Postman |
The Marvelettes |
| November 27 |
Please Mr. Postman |
The Marvelettes |
| December 4 |
Please Mr. Postman |
The Marvelettes |
| December 11 |
Please Mr. Postman |
The Marvelettes |
| December 18 |
Please Mr. Postman |
The Marvelettes |
| December 25 |
Please Mr. Postman |
The Marvelettes |
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| 1942–1959 |
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| 1960–1979 |
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| 1980–1999 |
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| 2000–present |
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