Acclaimed Music Top 40 Songs from 1961 poll

this list is a bit harder, hmm.

going to be hard to get past the first song...

tough, but voted Shirelles

Feels right to vote Patsy, and "I Fall to Pieces" is my favorite of those two.

First four are all intense, and "Can't Help" is one of Elvis' best. Props for Shirelles and Dick Dale as well. Tough choice.

impossible to choose one

There's a surprisingly sizable number of really great songs in that list, especially given that they're half a century old and still hold up, but I seriously love that Jive Five song.

Feels weird not voting for a hit, but "My Favorite Things." Close: "Moon River," "Blue Moon," "It Will Stand," "Bristol Stomp," "Peppermint Twist." Second-favourite song from '61: Dick & Dee Dee's "The Mountain's High."

Oh man, I didn't realize "The Mountain's High" was from '61. Great song, definitely should be on the list. Really fantastic year.

Voted Blakey, partly because I doubt he'll show up on another one of these lists, and partly because he never gets enough love, but mainly because that version of "Tunisia" is like a runaway train.

This seems as appropriate a place to post my theory as any: assuming that Rosie Palm/Rosie Five-Fingers existed as a euphemism in '61, I like to believe that the in-song version of Dion the Irrepressible Fuck Machine dedicated a sprawling chest tattoo to his right hand.

No (Marie's the Name)His Latest Flame, no credibility. Seriously, that's a ridiculous omission.

JB. aaaaallllways JB.

honestly tho almost all of these songs are pretty excellent could've easily gone howlin wolf or shirelles or patsy or roy

(xpost) Swear to god, my favourite Elvis song--just love it.

It's mine too. It should be everybody's.

What's up with Dion in 1961? How come he slut-shames poor Runaround Sue, yet celebrates the same male behavior as The Wanderer. I smell a Daily Beast think piece coming up!!

By the way, General Johnson of the Chairmen of the Board ("Give Me Just a Little More Time") was in the Showmen. Not sure, but I think he's singing both songs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DBoWMPQzkA

just for fun, i wanted to see if those two songs actually did place. turns out they did:

48 3892 Dick & DeeDee - The Mountain's High
67 5555 Elvis Presley - (Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame

i could not help myself and ended up voting for the classic "Stand by Me" his voice is just so incredible in this song.

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

Del Shannon - Runaway
Patsy Cline - I Fall to Pieces
Sam Cooke - Cupid
Ernie K-Doe - Mother-in-Law
Elvis Presley - Little Sister
The Impressions - Gypsy Woman
The Shirelles - Baby It's You

these are all elite

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

31 2971 Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers - A Night in Tunisia 2

Wow, thought I'd be the only voter for this; thanks, mysterious stranger!

Thought the pop songs would split so many ways that Coltrane would win easily. But I guess "Stand by Me" is pretty revered.

Couldn't make a choice in this one.

biggest surprise for me: 7 Ray Charles - Hit the Road Jack 0

22 2401 Ricky Nelson - Hello Mary Lou 0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IQNPlnc9c0