This week 53 years ago, Bob Dylan's self-titled debut album was released (he'd release the song "Blowin' in the Wind" the following year), the first Taco Bell was opened in Downey, Calif., the musical "State Fair" was the No. 1 film at the box office, and the following songs were the most popular in the United States, according to Billboard's Hot 100 chart archive.
10. "Her Royal Majesty," James Darren
Moondoggie from "Gidget"! Darren had a bigger hit with "Goodbye Cruel World" -- and was the singing voice of Yogi Bear in the 1964 animated film, "Hey There, It's Yogi Bear." Career goals!
9. "Twistin' the Night Away," Sam Cooke
Chubby Checker didn't have a monopoly on twist-related things in the 1960s. Sadly, he was nearing the end of his late 1950s-early 1960s chart reign — he was shot to death in 1964. Baltimore connection: Drag queen/John Waters BFF Divine covered this song for the 1985 album "Maid in England." Bonus video of Divine's version is below!
8. "What's Your Name," Don and Juan
This was Don and Juan's only top 10 hit. I guess that's what they get for being so polite with their lyrics.
7. "Slow Twistin'," Chubby Checker with Dee Dee Sharp
Wow, this is awfully suggestive. Especially since Dee Dee Sharp was 16 at the time (Checker was 20). "Slow Twistin'" was Checker's third "Twist"-related hit.
6. "Dream Baby (How Long Must I Dream)," Roy Orbison
1962 was a great year for Orbison. His second song was born and this track hit No. 4 in America. "Dream Baby" was written by Cindy Walker, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame who also wrote the songs "You Don't Know Me," "In the Misty Moonlight" and hundreds of others.
5. "Duke of Earl," Gene Chandler
It's best not to think too hard about the meaning of this great early rock song (reportedly, it came from singing warm-up sessions of "Do do do do," to which Chandler added "Earl," after co-writer Earl Edwards). So now you know! You may also recognize Chandler's other big hit, 1969's "Groovy Situation" from the film "Anchorman." P.S.: How great is this video? I wonder if it was Chandler's idea to dress all fancy with a monocle?
4. "Let Me In," the Sensations
The perfect word to describe 1962 is "weeoo."
3. "Midnight in Moscow," Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen
What the hell, 1962? You are better than this.
2. "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You," Connie Francis
Eventually hitting No. 1 (for one week), "Don't Break the Heart That Loves You" was also recorded by Margo Smith in 1977 as a country song — and that hit No. 1 on the country charts.
1. "Hey! Baby," Bruce Channel
Despite having one of the worst pop singer names ever, Bruce Channel's biggest hit was one of the best pop songs of the 1960s. It also boasts killer harmonica skills from Delbert McClinton, who gave John Lennon tips on how to play the instrument.