Can be a single, album, a later compilation focusing on the year . . . whatever. Doesn't have to be a list, though of course you can post a list if you want. You can also just post one title at a time as you think of it/run across it (which is what I do in these threads).
The year that I was born! One of the most beautiful instrumentals ever came from 1961 ... Mr. Acker Bilk's "Stranger On The Shore"
Oliver Nelson "The Blues & The Abstract Truth" This entire album was recorded on the day that I was born, February 23rd, 1961, so it holds a special place in my collection!
1961 was a really excellent year for chart smashes. These songs all hit #1 on Billboard Hot 100 and I think they are all 5 star classics: "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" by the Shirelles (Goffin/King) "Surrender" by Elvis Presley "Runaway" by Del Shannon "Running Scared" by Roy Orbison "Quarter to Three" by Gary U.S. Bonds "Take Good Care of My Baby" by Bobby Vee (Goffin/King) "Hit the Road Jack" by Ray Charles "Runaround Sue" by Dion "Please Mr. Postman" by the Marvelettes Plus this wonderful gem that deserved to be Motown's first #1, but was kept out of the top spot by 'Calcutta' from Lawrence Welk (of all things): 'Shop Around' by the Miracles
so many but here's a few: Rosie & The Originals "Angel Baby" Elvis Presley "Wild In The Country" The Shirelles "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" Everly Brothers "Crying In The Rain" Gene Pitney "True Love Never Runs Smooth" Roy Orbison "Crying" Neil Sedaka "Calender Girl" John Coltrane Olé Coltrane Jimmy McCracklin "I Know" Henry Mancini & his Orchestra "Moon River" Buddy Guy "Let Me Love You Baby" Hank Garland Jazz Winds From A New Direction Jimmy Dean "Big Bad John" Xavier Cugat & his Orchestra "Jungle Drums (Canto Carabali) Floyd Cramer "On The Rebound" Ben E. King "Spanish Harlem"
Haitian Fightsong The European All Stars 1961 (1961, Telefunken label – BLE 14206-P, Germany) Gone With the Wind Hittin' the Blues Blue Monk Avertissez-Moi Am I Blue That Old Devil Love 3 + 3 High Notes
Johnny Kidd and The Pirates (and the Mrs Mills / Russ Conway / Ob La Di piano at Abbey Road). Another cracking B-side from the Kidd.
A quick internet search seems to indicate my favorite music from 1961 is probably Roy Orbison's Crying and / or Dave Brubek's Time Out. I'm sure there's other stuff sprinkled throughout that I also enjoy.
Johnny Remember Me, John Leyton. One of Joe Meek's greatest productions. Number one in the UK in August 1961.
Well, there you go. I saw that Take Five was a single in 1961* from this list: Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1961 - Wikipedia and extrapolated incorrectly. Turns out a single from Crying came out in 1961, but it was released in 1962. Well, I'm pretty sure I liked some music in 1961, dammit. *and it was a re-issue
Yes, that is very true. The album saw a steady pressing production campaign globally thru about '64, which resumed again in '66. It really is an "album belonging to the 60s" if there ever was one ! Interesting history behind its conception as well.