1964 Billboard Number One Hits: Every Hot 100 Chart-Topper

The 1964 Billboard Number One Hits list was the year the British Invasion fully arrived, and the Hot 100 never looked quite the same again. The Beatles opened America’s floodgates with I Want to Hold Your Hand, then kept replacing themselves at No. 1 through the spring. Motown also had a huge year, with Mary Wells and The Supremes bringing Detroit soul to the very top of the pop chart.

This page follows the Billboard Hot 100 issue dates for 1964, shown here as reader-friendly weekly date ranges. Because Billboard chart weeks can cross calendar years, this list begins with The Singing Nun’s late-1963 carryover and continues into early 1965 with the Beatles’ I Feel Fine.

The Billboard Hot 100 ranks the most popular songs in the United States using radio airplay and sales. These are official Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 songs, not pop-only, R&B-only, rock-only, adult-contemporary-only, or “this was definitely playing while someone screamed at a Beatles TV appearance” rankings.

1964 Billboard Number One Hits by Week

December 8, 1963 – January 4, 1964: Dominique – The Singing Nun
January 5 – January 31, 1964: There! I’ve Said It Again – Bobby Vinton
February 1 – March 20, 1964: I Want to Hold Your Hand – The Beatles
March 21 – April 3, 1964: She Loves You – The Beatles
April 4 – May 8, 1964: Can’t Buy Me Love – The Beatles
May 9 – May 15, 1964: Hello, Dolly! – Louis Armstrong
May 16 – May 29, 1964: My Guy – Mary Wells
May 30 – June 5, 1964: Love Me Do – The Beatles
June 6 – June 26, 1964: Chapel of Love – The Dixie Cups
June 27 – July 3, 1964: A World Without Love – Peter and Gordon
July 4 – July 17, 1964: I Get Around – The Beach Boys
July 18 – July 31, 1964: Rag Doll – The Four Seasons
August 1 – August 14, 1964: A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles
August 15 – August 21, 1964: Everybody Loves Somebody – Dean Martin
August 22 – September 4, 1964: Where Did Our Love Go – The Supremes
September 5 – September 25, 1964: The House of the Rising Sun – The Animals
September 26 – October 16, 1964: Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison
October 17 – October 30, 1964: Do Wah Diddy Diddy – Manfred Mann
October 31 – November 27, 1964: Baby Love – The Supremes
November 28 – December 4, 1964: Leader of the Pack – The Shangri-Las
December 5 – December 11, 1964: Ringo – Lorne Greene
December 12 – December 18, 1964: Mr. Lonely – Bobby Vinton
December 19 – December 25, 1964: Come See About Me – The Supremes
December 26, 1964 – January 22, 1965: I Feel Fine – The Beatles

Song-by-Song Notes on the 1964 Billboard No. 1 Hits

Dominique – The Singing Nun

The Singing Nun opened the 1964 Billboard Hot 100 calendar with Dominique, a late-1963 carryover. Performed in French by Belgian nun Jeannine Deckers, the song was one of the most unlikely No. 1 hits of the decade.

Its gentle melody and religious subject matter made it stand apart from nearly everything else on the radio. Then the Beatles arrived, and the Hot 100’s quiet little convent moment was over rather quickly.

There! I’ve Said It Again – Bobby Vinton

Bobby Vinton spent four weeks at No. 1 with There! I’ve Said It Again. The romantic ballad represented the pre-Beatles side of early-1960s pop, with smooth vocals and traditional orchestration.

It became the last No. 1 before the Beatles’ American takeover began. In chart-history terms, this song was standing at the train station right before the British Invasion pulled in.

I Want to Hold Your Hand – The Beatles

The Beatles spent seven weeks at No. 1 with I Want to Hold Your Hand, their first American Hot 100 chart-topper. The song’s energy, harmonies, handclaps, and youth-driven excitement helped trigger Beatlemania in the United States.

It was Billboard’s year-end Hot 100 song of 1964 and one of the most important singles in American pop history. It did not just top the chart; it changed the traffic pattern.

She Loves You – The Beatles

The Beatles replaced themselves at No. 1 with She Loves You. The song had already been a massive hit in Britain, and its “yeah, yeah, yeah” hook became one of the most famous phrases of early Beatlemania.

Its two-week run kept the Beatles’ spring takeover rolling. By this point, American radio was not so much playing Beatles songs as trying to survive them.

Can’t Buy Me Love – The Beatles

The Beatles replaced themselves again with Can’t Buy Me Love, extending their uninterrupted No. 1 streak to 14 weeks across three songs. The single’s driving tempo and direct pop-rock energy made it another instant hit.

During this period, the Beatles also famously occupied the entire Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100. That is not chart success; that is chart real estate management.

Hello, Dolly! – Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong interrupted the Beatles’ streak with Hello, Dolly!, the title song from the Broadway musical. Armstrong’s warm vocal and personality carried the record to No. 1 at a time when youth pop was dominating the chart.

Its one-week run made Armstrong the oldest artist to top the Hot 100 at that time. Satchmo did not stop Beatlemania, but he did politely step in front of it for a week.

My Guy – Mary Wells

Mary Wells spent two weeks at No. 1 with My Guy, written and produced by Smokey Robinson. The song became Wells’ signature hit and one of Motown’s early pop breakthroughs.

Its success helped prove that Motown could compete directly with the British Invasion on the national pop chart. Detroit had plenty to say in 1964, and it said it with a groove.

Love Me Do – The Beatles

The Beatles returned to No. 1 with Love Me Do, one of their earliest recordings. The song had been released in the U.K. in 1962, but Beatlemania pushed it to the top of the U.S. chart in 1964.

Its one-week run showed how American demand for Beatles material was so strong that earlier singles could become major hits after the group had already broken through.

Chapel of Love – The Dixie Cups

The Dixie Cups spent three weeks at No. 1 with Chapel of Love, a girl-group classic written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, and Phil Spector. The song became the group’s signature recording.

Its bright wedding-day lyric made it one of the year’s happiest No. 1 hits. It also gave girl-group pop a major victory in the middle of the British Invasion.

A World Without Love – Peter and Gordon

Peter and Gordon reached No. 1 with A World Without Love, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon-McCartney. The song became one of the most successful Beatles-adjacent hits of the year.

Its one-week run showed that even songs the Beatles did not record themselves could become part of the broader 1964 British Invasion wave.

I Get Around – The Beach Boys

The Beach Boys earned their first Hot 100 No. 1 with I Get Around. The song’s harmonies, car-culture energy, and sharp production helped define the group’s early California sound.

Its two-week run showed that American bands could still fight back during Beatlemania. The British Invasion was loud, but California had wheels.

Rag Doll – The Four Seasons

The Four Seasons spent two weeks at No. 1 with Rag Doll. Frankie Valli’s falsetto and the group’s polished pop sound helped them remain one of America’s strongest pre- and post-Beatles hitmaking acts.

Its success proved the Four Seasons could still reach the top during one of the most competitive pop years of the decade.

A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles

The Beatles reached No. 1 with A Hard Day’s Night, the title song from their first feature film. Its opening chord became one of the most famous sounds in rock history.

The song’s two-week run extended the group’s 1964 dominance and tied the Beatles’ chart success directly to movie-star visibility. The band was now winning on records, radio, film, and approximately every teenage bedroom wall.

Everybody Loves Somebody – Dean Martin

Dean Martin reached No. 1 with Everybody Loves Somebody, a traditional pop ballad that briefly knocked the Beatles from the top. Martin’s relaxed vocal style gave the song its charm.

Its one-week run showed that older-school pop could still score a major hit in 1964. Dino walked into the British Invasion and casually took the top spot for a week. Very on-brand.

Where Did Our Love Go – The Supremes

The Supremes earned their first Hot 100 No. 1 with Where Did Our Love Go. Written and produced by Holland-Dozier-Holland, the song launched one of the greatest chart runs in Motown history.

Its two-week run began a streak of Supremes No. 1 hits that helped make Diana Ross, Florence Ballard, and Mary Wilson international stars.

The House of the Rising Sun – The Animals

The Animals spent three weeks at No. 1 with The House of the Rising Sun, a dramatic electric version of a traditional folk song. Eric Burdon’s vocal and Alan Price’s organ arrangement gave the record a dark, powerful sound.

Its success showed that the British Invasion was not only cheerful pop. Some of it arrived moody, bluesy, and looking like it knew secrets.

Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison

Roy Orbison spent three weeks at No. 1 with Oh, Pretty Woman. The song’s guitar riff, Orbison’s vocal, and confident strut made it one of his signature hits.

Its No. 1 run gave Orbison a major late peak during the British Invasion year. The song later gained new pop-culture life through the 1990 film *Pretty Woman*.

Do Wah Diddy Diddy – Manfred Mann

Manfred Mann reached No. 1 with Do Wah Diddy Diddy, a British Invasion cover of a song originally recorded by The Exciters. The group’s version turned the chant-like hook into a major radio hit.

Its two-week run added another British act to the year’s long list of U.S. chart winners. The title did not need to mean much; it only needed to stick.

Baby Love – The Supremes

The Supremes returned to No. 1 with Baby Love, their second Hot 100 chart-topper. The song’s polished Motown production and Diana Ross lead vocal continued the formula introduced by Where Did Our Love Go.

Its four-week run helped confirm The Supremes as Motown’s leading pop crossover group.

Leader of the Pack – The Shangri-Las

The Shangri-Las reached No. 1 with Leader of the Pack, one of the most famous teen tragedy records of the 1960s. The song’s spoken drama, motorcycle sound effects, and doomed romance made it unforgettable.

Its one-week run gave girl-group pop one of its most theatrical chart-toppers. Helmet safety may not have been the point, but the record definitely made an impression.

Ringo – Lorne Greene

Lorne Greene reached No. 1 with Ringo, a spoken-word Western story song. Greene was best known for playing Ben Cartwright on *Bonanza*, and his television fame helped make the record a novelty crossover hit.

The song had nothing to do with Ringo Starr, despite the timing. In 1964, that distinction was probably worth clarifying every five minutes.

Mr. Lonely – Bobby Vinton

Bobby Vinton returned to No. 1 with Mr. Lonely, a melancholy ballad that became one of his signature songs. The single’s lonely-soldier theme gave it emotional weight during the early Vietnam era.

Its one-week run gave Vinton two No. 1 songs during the 1964 issue-date year.

Come See About Me – The Supremes

The Supremes reached No. 1 again with Come See About Me, their third chart-topper of the 1964 issue-date year. The song’s brisk Motown rhythm and romantic urgency kept their winning streak alive.

Its brief late-year run showed how quickly The Supremes had gone from breakthrough act to reliable No. 1 hitmakers.

I Feel Fine – The Beatles

The Beatles closed the 1964 Billboard Hot 100 year with I Feel Fine, which carried into January 1965. The song’s famous feedback opening and sharp guitar riff showed the band already experimenting with studio sound inside a tight pop single.

Its cross-year run gave the Beatles their sixth No. 1 song of the 1964 issue-date year. That is a ridiculous number, even before adding all the songs they had elsewhere in the Top 10.

Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Stories of 1964

I Want to Hold Your Hand Was Billboard’s Year-End No. 1

The Beatles’ I Want to Hold Your Hand spent seven weeks at No. 1 and finished as Billboard’s top Hot 100 song of 1964. It was the group’s first American No. 1 and one of the key records that launched Beatlemania in the United States.

The Beatles Took Over the Hot 100

The Beatles scored six Hot 100 No. 1 songs during the 1964 issue-date year: I Want to Hold Your Hand, She Loves You, Can’t Buy Me Love, Love Me Do, A Hard Day’s Night, and I Feel Fine. No other act has matched six No. 1 songs in a single Hot 100 calendar year.

The Beatles Replaced Themselves Twice

The Beatles held No. 1 for 14 straight weeks with I Want to Hold Your Hand, She Loves You, and Can’t Buy Me Love. That three-song run helped define the British Invasion’s arrival on American radio.

Motown Had a Breakthrough Year

Mary Wells reached No. 1 with My Guy, while The Supremes began their No. 1 streak with Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love, and Come See About Me. Motown’s pop crossover power was becoming impossible to miss.

American Pop Still Pushed Back

Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin, Bobby Vinton, The Beach Boys, The Four Seasons, Roy Orbison, The Dixie Cups, and The Shangri-Las all reached No. 1 in the same year that the Beatles dominated. 1964 was not only a British Invasion story, but the British Invasion was definitely standing in the front row.

1964 Billboard Number One Hits Trivia

I Want to Hold Your Hand by the Beatles was Billboard’s year-end Hot 100 song of 1964.
The Beatles had six Hot 100 No. 1 songs during the 1964 issue-date year.
The Beatles held No. 1 for 14 straight weeks with I Want to Hold Your Hand, She Loves You, and Can’t Buy Me Love.
During April 1964, the Beatles famously occupied the entire Top 5 of the Billboard Hot 100.
Hello, Dolly! made Louis Armstrong the oldest Hot 100 No. 1 artist at that time.
My Guy became Mary Wells’ signature Motown hit.
Where Did Our Love Go gave The Supremes their first Hot 100 No. 1.
Ringo by Lorne Greene was a spoken-word Western hit, not a Beatles tribute.
I Feel Fine closed 1964 and carried into the 1965 Billboard chart year.

Why the 1964 Billboard Number One Hits Matter

The 1964 Billboard Number One Hits list shows one of the clearest turning points in American pop history. The Beatles did not merely join the U.S. chart; they overwhelmed it, setting records and reshaping radio almost immediately.

The year also proved that the British Invasion was not the only story. Motown surged, The Supremes became stars, The Beach Boys scored their first No. 1, Roy Orbison delivered one of his greatest singles, and older pop voices like Louis Armstrong and Dean Martin still found room at the top.

For chart fans, 1964 was the year the Hot 100 changed clothes in public: Beatles mania, Motown polish, girl-group drama, California harmonies, British blues-rock, and a spoken-word cowboy named Ringo sharing space on the same chart. It was chaos, but it had a very good beat.