15 Hit Songs From 1963 That Somehow Slipped Out Of Most Memories
Music from 1963 had some seriously groovy tunes that topped the charts and made everyone dance.
Fast forward to today, and many of these smash hits have mysteriously vanished from our collective memory banks.
While we all remember The Beatles arriving in America, tons of other songs from that year deserve another listen.
Ready to rediscover the soundtrack of a year that shaped pop culture forever?
1. Sugar Shack – Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs
Jimmy Gilmer and his bandmates created pure magic with this instrumental-heavy track that ruled the airwaves for five straight weeks.
The song’s organ melody became instantly recognizable, capturing teenage innocence before the British Invasion changed everything.
Though it dominated 1963, oldies stations rarely spin it anymore.
If you close your eyes while listening, you can practically smell the cherry cola and see the poodle skirts twirling around.
2. Dominique – The Singing Nun
A Belgian nun named Soeur Sourire shocked the world by topping American charts with a French-language folk tune about Saint Dominic.
Her gentle guitar strumming and serene vocals offered something completely different from typical pop fare.
The song spent multiple weeks at number one, proving music transcends language barriers.
Nowadays, most folks have no clue a nun once conquered Billboard like a boss!
3. Blue on Blue – Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton earned his nickname as the Polish Prince with this heartbreaking ballad about romantic melancholy.
His smooth voice painted pictures of sadness with every note, making teenagers everywhere clutch their hearts dramatically.
The orchestral arrangement feels timeless, yet radio programmers somehow forgot this gem existed.
Honestly, if sadness had a soundtrack in 1963, this would be playing on repeat in every teenager’s bedroom.
4. Hello Stranger – Barbara Lewis
Barbara Lewis possessed one of the most distinctive voices in R&B history, dripping with emotion and vulnerability.
Her gentle plea to a long-lost love resonated with anyone who ever wondered about someone from their past.
The song’s dreamy quality and heartfelt lyrics made it a slow-dance favorite at sock hops nationwide.
Despite reaching the top ten, modern listeners rarely encounter this absolute treasure of early soul music anymore.
5. Our Day Will Come – Ruby & The Romantics
Ruby Nash’s soaring vocals promised hope and future happiness with every powerful note she belted out. This optimistic love song topped the charts and became a wedding favorite practically overnight.
The group’s sophisticated harmonies elevated the track beyond typical doo-wop into something genuinely special.
Though it spent weeks at number one, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone under fifty who remembers it today.
6. Sukiyaki – Kyu Sakamoto
A Japanese song conquering American charts seemed impossible, yet Kyu Sakamoto made history with this bittersweet melody.
The actual title translates to looking up while walking so tears won’t fall, which hits differently than the food-related American title.
His emotional delivery transcended language, proving great music needs no translation.
Sakamoto became the first Asian artist to top the Billboard Hot 100, breaking barriers that still inspire artists today.
7. Blame It on the Bossa Nova – Eydie Gormé
Eydie Gormé captured the bossa nova craze sweeping America with this playful tale of romance sparked by Brazilian rhythms.
Her theatrical delivery and the song’s infectious Latin beat made it impossible not to sway along.
The track cleverly blamed the dance style for making people fall head over heels in love.
Though bossa nova remains popular, this cheeky tribute somehow danced right out of mainstream memory banks completely.
8. Losing You – Brenda Lee
Little Miss Dynamite packed enormous emotional punch into her tiny frame with this devastating breakup ballad.
Brenda Lee’s voice cracked with genuine heartbreak, making listeners feel every ounce of her pain.
The orchestral arrangement swelled perfectly, matching the drama of young love gone wrong.
Despite her legendary status, this particular heartbreaker rarely surfaces on oldies playlists anymore, which honestly feels like a crime against music.
9. Hey Paula – Paul & Paula
This sickeningly sweet duet between teenage lovebirds Paul and Paula made everyone believe in fairy tale romance.
Their back-and-forth vocals created an intimate conversation that felt like eavesdropping on young love.
The song topped charts for three weeks, becoming the ultimate soundtrack for couples holding hands at the malt shop.
Ironically, the duo eventually split up, but their sugary-sweet moment in musical history deserves remembering regardless!
10. Deep Purple – Nino Tempo & April Stevens
Siblings Nino and April transformed a 1930s standard into something sultry and modern with their jazzy arrangement.
April’s breathy spoken-word section added unexpected spice to the romantic ballad, making it feel dangerously intimate.
Their Grammy-winning version proved old songs could feel fresh with creative reimagining.
Though it dominated 1963, most people today have completely forgotten this purple-hued masterpiece even existed in the first place.
11. You’re the Reason I’m Living – Bobby Darin
Bobby Darin’s versatility shined through with this upbeat declaration of love that contrasted his usual sophisticated style.
His energetic delivery and rock-influenced arrangement showed he could adapt to changing musical landscapes effortlessly.
The song climbed to number three, proving Darin remained relevant as musical tastes shifted.
However, his more famous hits like Mack the Knife completely overshadowed this gem, leaving it buried in his extensive catalog unfortunately.
12. I Will Follow Him – Peggy March
At just fifteen years old, Peggy March became the youngest female artist to score a number one hit.
Her passionate promise to follow her love anywhere showcased impressive vocal power for someone barely old enough to drive.
The dramatic arrangement and soaring chorus made it perfect for belting out during emotional teenage moments.
Sister Act later introduced the song to new generations, though few realize it originally dominated charts way back in 1963.
13. Surfin’ U.S.A. – The Beach Boys
Brian Wilson basically rewrote Chuck Berry’s Sweet Little Sixteen with California beach locations, creating an instant surf anthem.
The harmonies showcased the Wilson brothers’ vocal talents that would eventually revolutionize pop music production completely.
Though massively successful, their later sophisticated material like Good Vibrations overshadowed this early surf rocker.
Most casual fans forget this particular track peaked in 1963, lumping it with their entire surf catalog instead of recognizing its specific historical moment.
14. Two Faces Have I – Lou Christie
Lou Christie’s falsetto vocals took center stage in this confession about having split personalities when it comes to romance.
The dramatic arrangement and his soaring high notes made the internal conflict feel genuinely theatrical and emotionally intense.
His unique vocal style set him apart from typical male singers dominating charts that year.
Though it climbed to number six, Christie’s later hit Lightnin’ Strikes completely eclipsed this earlier gem in public memory banks.
15. Be My Baby – The Ronettes
Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound production reached perfection with this thunderous opening drum beat that changed pop music forever.
Ronnie Spector’s yearning vocals combined with layered instrumentation created something simultaneously massive and intimate.
Musicians worship this track as production genius, studying its construction like architecture students examining the Parthenon.
Casual listeners somehow forget it dominated 1963, instead vaguely remembering it as just another oldies classic without appreciating its specific historical significance.
