Below are the Top 40 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in alphabetical order using the year end Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop chart for each year from 1960 to 1969. These charts were created using the most popular R&B songs reported to Billboard by various services like national and local radio stations, US streaming digital services, digital downloads, etc. Over the years, the charts have gone through a series of name changes. Currently, the chart is called “HOT R&B/HIP-HOP SONGS. Previous chart names included “Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles”, “Best Selling Soul Singles”, “Hot Black Singles”, “Hot R&B Singles”, “Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks”, and “Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs.
Table of Contents
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1960
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1960 were: He Will Break Your Heart by Jerry Butler, Shop Around by The Miracles (featuring Bill “Smokey” Robinson), Last Date by Floyd Cramer.
- A THOUSAND STARS by Kathy Young With The Innocents
- ALONE AT LAST by Jackie Wilson
- AM I THE MAN by Jackie Wilson
- ARE YOU LONESOME TO-NIGHT? by Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires
- BYE BYE BABY by Mary Wells
- CRY CRY CRY by Bobby Bland
- DON’T BE CRUEL by Bill Black’s Combo
- DON’T GO TO STRANGERS by Etta Jones
- EXODUS by Ferrante & Teicher
- FOOLS RUSH IN (WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD) by Brook Benton
- GEORGIA ON MY MIND by Ray Charles
- GONZO by James Booker
- HAPPY DAYS by Marv Johnson
- HE WILL BREAK YOUR HEART by Jerry Butler
- I IDOLIZE YOU by Ike & Tina Turner
- LAST DATE by Floyd Cramer
- LET’S GO, LET’S GO, LET’S GO by Hank Ballard And The Midnighters
- MY GIRL JOSEPHINE by Fats Domino
- MY HERO by The Blue Notes
- NEW ORLEANS by U.S. Bonds
- NORTH TO ALASKA by Johnny Horton
- PLEASE COME HOME FOR CHRISTMAS by Charles Brown
- RUBY by Ray Charles
- SAVE THE LAST DANCE FOR ME by The Drifters
- SHOP AROUND by The Miracles (featuring Bill “Smokey” Robinson)
- STAY by Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
- THE SLIDE PART I by Googie Rene Combo
- TODAY I SING THE BLUES by Aretha Franklin
- WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW by The Shirelles
- WONDERLAND BY NIGHT by Bert Kaempfert And His Orchestra
1961
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1961 were:Unchain My Heart by Ray Charles and his Orchestra, I Know (You Don’t Love Me No More) by Barbara George, Please Mr. Postman by The Marvelettes.
- BABY IT’S YOU by The Shirelles
- BUT ON THE OTHER HAND BABY by Ray Charles and his Orchestra
- DON’T THROW YOUR LOVE ON ME SO STRONG by Albert King
- EVERYBODY’S GOTTA PAY SOME DUES by The Miracles
- GYPSY WOMAN by The Impressions
- I KNOW (YOU DON’T LOVE ME NO MORE) by Barbara George
- IN THE DARK by Little Junior Parker
- JUST GOT TO KNOW by Jimmy McCracklin
- JUST OUT OF REACH (OF MY TWO OPEN ARMS) by Solomon Burke
- LETTER FULL OF TEARS by Gladys Knight And The Pips
- LOST SOMEONE by James Brown And The Famous Flames
- MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS by Eugene Church
- MOMENTS by Jennell Hawkins
- MOON RIVER by Jerry Butler
- PEPPERMINT TWIST – PART I by Joey Dee & the Starliters
- PLEASE MR. POSTMAN by The Marvelettes
- POOR FOOL by Ike & Tina Turner
- PUSHIN’ YOUR LUCK by Sleepy King
- REVENGE by Brook Benton
- SEPTEMBER IN THE RAIN by Dinah Washington
- SOOTHE ME by Sims Twins
- THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT by The Tokens
- THE ROACH by Gene & Wendell
- THE TWIST by Chubby Checker
- THERE’S NO OTHER (LIKE MY BABY) by The Crystals
- TOWER OF STRENGTH by Gene McDaniels
- TUFF by Ace Cannon
- TURN ON YOUR LOVE LIGHT by Bobby Bland
- UNCHAIN MY HEART by Ray Charles and his Orchestra
- YA YA by Lee Dorsey
1962
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1962 were: You Are My Sunshine by Ray Charles, Two Lovers by Mary Wells, and Hotel Happiness by Brook Benton.
- BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY by The 4 Seasons
- BOBBY’S GIRL by Marcie Blane
- CHAINS by The Cookies
- DEAR LONELY HEARTS by Nat King Cole
- DON’T HANG UP by The Orlons
- EVERYBODY LOVES A LOVER by The Shirelles
- HOTEL HAPPINESS by Brook Benton
- I’VE GOT A WOMAN (PART I) by Jimmy McGriff
- KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF MY BABY by Little Eva
- LET ME GO THE RIGHT WAY by The Supremes
- LIMBO ROCK by Chubby Checker
- LONELY BABY by Ty Hunter
- LOVE CAME TO ME by Dion
- MONSTERS’ HOLIDAY by Bobby “Boris” Pickett And The Crypt-Kickers
- MY MAN – HE’S A LOVIN’ MAN by Betty LaVett
- RELEASE ME by Little Esther Phillips
- RETURN TO SENDER by Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires
- RIDE! by Dee Dee Sharp
- SEE SEE RIDER by LaVern Baker
- SOMEBODY HAVE MERCY by Sam Cooke
- STRANGE I KNOW by The Marvelettes
- TELL HIM by The Exciters
- TELSTAR by The Tornadoes
- THREE HEARTS IN A TANGLE by James Brown And The Famous Flames
- TWO LOVERS by Mary Wells
- UP ON THE ROOF by The Drifters
- WIGGLE WOBBLE by Les Cooper and the Soul Rockers
- YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE by Ray Charles
- YOU’VE REALLY GOT A HOLD ON ME by The Miracles
- ZIP-A-DEE DOO-DAH by Bob B. Soxx And The Blue Jeans
1963
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1963 were:Louie Louie by The Kingsmen, It’s All Right by The Impressions, and As Long As I Know He’s Mine by The Marvelettes.
- ANYONE WHO HAD A HEART by Dionne Warwick
- AS LONG AS I KNOW HE’S MINE by The Marvelettes
- BABY DON’T YOU WEEP by Garnet Mimms & The Enchanters
- BABY, I LOVE YOU by The Ronettes
- BON-DOO-WAH by The Orlons
- BUSTED by Ray Charles and his Orchestra
- CAN I GET A WITNESS by Marvin Gaye
- CROSSFIRE TIME by Dee Clark
- DOWN THE AISLE (WEDDING SONG) by Patti LaBelle And The Blue Belles
- FOR YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE by Garnet Mimms & The Enchanters
- GIRLS GROW UP FASTER THAN BOYS by The Cookies
- HOOKA TOOKA by Chubby Checker
- I ADORE HIM by The Angels
- I AM A WITNESS by Tommy Hunt
- I GOTTA DANCE TO KEEP FROM CRYING by The Miracles
- I HAVE A BOYFRIEND by The Chiffons
- IF SOMEBODY TOLD YOU by Anna King
- IT’S ALL RIGHT by The Impressions
- LITTLE RED ROOSTER by Sam Cooke
- LODDY LO by Chubby Checker
- LOUIE LOUIE by The Kingsmen
- NEED TO BELONG by Jerry Butler
- NOW! by Lena Horne
- PAIN IN MY HEART by Otis Redding
- QUICKSAND by Martha & The Vandellas
- SOMEWHERE by The Tymes
- STOP FOOLIN’ by Brook Benton
- STOP MONKEYIN’ AROUN’ by The Dovells
- TALK TO ME by Sunny & The Sunglows
- THAT LUCKY OLD SUN by Ray Charles
- THE GREASY SPOON by Hank Marr
- THE NITTY GRITTY by Shirley Ellis
- THE SHELTER OF YOUR ARMS by Sammy Davis Jr.
- WALKING THE DOG by Rufus Thomas
- WATCH YOUR STEP by Brooks O’Dell
- WHAT’S EASY FOR TWO IS SO HARD FOR ONE by Mary Wells
- WHEN THE LOVELIGHT STARTS SHINING THROUGH HIS EYES by The Supremes
- YOU’RE GOOD FOR ME by Solomon Burke
- YOU’RE NO GOOD by Betty Everett
- YOUNG WINGS CAN FLY (HIGHER THAN YOU KNOW) by Ruby And The Romantics
1964
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1964 were: Amen by The Impressions, Come See About Me by The Supremes, and The Jerk by The Larks.
- AIN’T DOING TOO BAD (PART 1) by Bobby Bland
- AIN’T IT THE TRUTH by Mary Wells
- AMEN by The Impressions
- BABY LOVE by The Supremes
- BLIND MAN by Bobby Bland
- BLIND MAN by Little Milton
- CAN YOU JERK LIKE ME by The Contours
- CHAINED AND BOUND by Otis Redding
- CHITTLINS by Gus Jenkins
- COME ON DO THE JERK by The Miracles
- COME SEE ABOUT ME by The Supremes
- GETTING MIGHTY CROWDED by Betty Everett
- GOIN’ OUT OF MY HEAD by Little Anthony And The Imperials
- HOLD WHAT YOU’VE GOT by Joe Tex
- HOW SWEET IT IS TO BE LOVED BY YOU by Marvin Gaye
- IT’LL NEVER BE OVER FOR ME by Baby Washington
- IT’S ALL OVER by Walter Jackson
- LEADER OF THE PACK by The Shangri-Las
- LET IT BE ME by Betty Everett & Jerry Butler
- MAKIN’ WHOOPEE by Ray Charles
- MELLOW FELLOW by Etta James
- OH NO NOT MY BABY by Maxine Brown
- PROMISED LAND by Chuck Berry
- REACH OUT FOR ME by Dionne Warwick
- RIGHT OR WRONG by Ronnie Dove
- RUNNIN’ OUT OF FOOLS by Aretha Franklin
- SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES by The Drifters
- SEVEN LETTERS by Ben E. King
- SINCE I DON’T HAVE YOU by Chuck Jackson
- SMILE by Betty Everett & Jerry Butler
- SOMETIMES I WONDER by Major Lance
- THE 81 by Candy & The Kisses
- THE JERK by The Larks
- THE PRICE by Solomon Burke
- TOO MANY FISH IN THE SEA by The Marvelettes
- VOICE YOUR CHOICE by The Radiants
- WALKING IN THE RAIN by The Ronettes
- WILD ONE by Martha & The Vandellas
- WITHOUT THE ONE YOU LOVE (LIFE’S NOT WORTH WHILE) by Four Tops
- YOU’VE LOST THAT LOVIN’ FEELIN’ by The Righteous Brothers
1965
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1965 were: I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown And The Famous Flames, Ain’t That Peculiar by Marvin Gaye, Rescue Me by Fontella Bass.
- 1-2-2003 by Len Barry
- A LOVER’S CONCERTO by The Toys
- A SWEET WOMAN LIKE YOU by Joe Tex
- AIN’T THAT PECULIAR by Marvin Gaye
- BLACK NIGHTS by Lowell Fulsom
- C.C. RIDER by Bobby Powell
- CLEO’S BACK by Jr. Walker & The All Stars
- DON’T FIGHT IT by Wilson Pickett
- DON’T HAVE TO SHOP AROUND by The Mad Lads
- DON’T LOOK BACK by The Temptations
- EBB TIDE by The Righteous Brothers
- FOLLOW YOUR HEART by The Manhattans
- FOR YOU by The Spellbinders
- HANG ON SLOOPY by Ramsey Lewis Trio
- HOLE IN THE WALL by The Packers
- I CAN’T TURN YOU LOOSE by Otis Redding
- I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’VE GOT BUT IT’S GOT ME – PART I by Little Richard
- I GOT YOU (I FEEL GOOD) by James Brown And The Famous Flames
- I HEAR A SYMPHONY by The Supremes
- I WANT TO MEET HIM by The Royalettes
- IN THE MIDNIGHT HOUR by Little Mac & The Boss Sounds
- JUST ONE MORE DAY by Otis Redding
- MAKE ME YOUR BABY by Barbara Lewis
- MICHAEL by The C.O.D.’s
- MISTY by The Vibrations
- MOTHER NATURE, FATHER TIME by Brook Benton
- MY BABY by The Temptations
- MY GIRL HAS GONE by The Miracles
- RAINBOW ’65 (PART I) by Gene Chandler
- RESCUE ME by Fontella Bass
- SEESAW by Don Covay & The Goodtimers
- SHOTGUN WEDDING by Roy “C”
- SOMETHING ABOUT YOU by Four Tops
- STAY AWAY FROM MY BABY by Ted Taylor
- THE DUCK by Jackie Lee
- THINK by Jimmy McCracklin
- THIS CAN’T BE TRUE by Eddie Holman
- THIS HEART OF MINE by The Artistics
- TRY ME by James Brown And The Famous Flames
- YOU’VE BEEN CHEATIN’ by The Impressions
1966
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1966 were: (I Know) I’m Losing You by The Temptations, Tell It Like It Is by Aaron Neville, and You Keep Me Hangin’ On by The Supremes.
- (COME ‘ROUND HERE) I’M THE ONE YOU NEED by The Miracles
- (I KNOW) I’M LOSING YOU by The Temptations
- A PLACE IN THE SUN by Stevie Wonder
- AM I A LOSER (FROM THE START) by Eddie Holman
- ARE YOU LONELY FOR ME by Freddy Scott
- BACK IN THE SAME OLD BAG AGAIN by Bobby Bland
- BUT IT’S ALRIGHT by J.J. Jackson
- COME BACK by The Five Stairsteps
- CRY LIKE A BABY by Aretha Franklin
- DON’T ANSWER THE DOOR – PART 1 by B.B. King
- DON’T BE A DROP-OUT by James Brown And The Famous Flames
- FORGET ABOUT ME by Prince Harold
- HEY, LEROY, YOUR MAMA’S CALLIN’ YOU by Jimmy Castor
- HOLY COW by Lee Dorsey
- HYMN NO. 5 by The Mighty Ha
- I FOOLED YOU THIS TIME by Gene Chandler
- I’M GLAD I WAITED by The Players
- I’M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME by Dee Dee Warwick
- I’M GONNA MISS YOU by The Artistics
- I’M READY FOR LOVE by Martha & The Vandellas
- I’M YOUR PUPPET by James & Bobby Purify
- I’VE PASSED THIS WAY BEFORE by Jimmy Ruffin
- IT TEARS ME UP by Percy Sledge
- KNOCK ON WOOD by Eddie Floyd
- LET’S FALL IN LOVE by Peaches & Herb
- MUSTANG SALLY by Wilson Pickett
- MY BABY’S GONE by Donald Height
- PAPA WAS TOO by Joe Tex
- PEAK OF LOVE by Bobby McClure
- STAND BY ME by Spyder Turner
- STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF LOVE by Four Tops
- TELL IT LIKE IT IS by Aaron Neville
- THAT’S LIFE by Frank Sinatra
- TRY A LITTLE TENDERNESS by Otis Redding
- WACK WACK by The Young Holt Trio
- WE GOT A THING THAT’S IN THE GROOVE by The Capitols
- WHISPERS (GETTIN’ LOUDER) by Jackie Wilson
- YOU CAN BRING ME ALL YOUR HEARTACHES by Lou Rawls
- YOU GOT ME HUMMIN’ by Sam & Dave
- YOU KEEP ME HANGIN’ ON by The Supremes
1967
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1967 were: I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Gladys Knight And The Pips, I Second That Emotion by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles, and
Chain Of Fools by Aretha Franklin.
- (1-2-3-4-5-6-7) COUNT THE DAYS by Inez & Charlie Foxx
- (LONELINESS MADE ME REALIZE) IT’S YOU THAT I NEED by The Temptations
- (YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE) A NATURAL WOMAN by Aretha Franklin
- A LOVE THAT’S REAL by The Intruders
- A TOUCH OF THE BLUES by Bobby Bland
- AND GET AWAY by The Esquires
- BACK UP TRAIN by Al Greene & The Soul Mate’s
- BOOGALOO DOWN BROADWAY by The Fantastic Johnny C
- CHAIN OF FOOLS by Aretha Franklin
- COME SEE ABOUT ME by Jr. Walker & The All Stars
- HAVE A LITTLE MERCY by Jean Wells
- HE AIN’T GIVE YOU NONE by Freddie Scott
- HONEY CHILE by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
- I CALL IT LOVE by The Manhattans
- I CAN’T STAND MYSELF (WHEN YOU TOUCH ME) by James Brown And The Famous Flames
- I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE by Gladys Knight And The Pips
- I SAY A LITTLE PRAYER by Dionne Warwick
- I SECOND THAT EMOTION by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
- I’LL BE SWEETER TOMORROW (THAN I WAS TODAY) by The O’Jays
- I’M IN LOVE by Wilson Pickett
- I’M WONDERING by Stevie Wonder
- IF I COULD BUILD MY WHOLE WORLD AROUND YOU by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
- IN AND OUT OF LOVE by Diana Ross & The Supremes
- LOVE POWER by The Sandpebbles
- O-O, I LOVE YOU by The Dells
- OOH BABY by Deon Jackson
- PATA PATA by Miriam Makeba
- PIECE OF MY HEART by Erma Franklin
- SINCE YOU SHOWED ME HOW TO BE HAPPY by Jackie Wilson
- SKINNY LEGS AND ALL by Joe Tex
- SOCKIN’ 1-2-3-4 by John Roberts
- SOMEBODY’S SLEEPING IN MY BED by Johnnie Taylor
- SOMETHING’S MISSING by 5 Stairsteps and Cubie
- SOUL MAN by Sam & Dave
- STORYBOOK CHILDREN by Billy Vera & Judy Clay
- TELL MAMA by Etta James
- THIS THING CALLED LOVE by The Webs
- UP TIGHT, GOOD MAN by Laura Lee
- WHEN YOU’RE GONE by Brenda & The Tabulations
- YESTERDAY by Ray Charles
1968
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1968 were: I Heard It Through The Grapevine by Marvin Gaye, Cloud Nine by The Temptations, and For Once In My Life by Stevie Wonder.
- A MAN AND A HALF by Wilson Pickett
- ALWAYS TOGETHER by The Dells
- ARE YOU HAPPY by Jerry Butler
- BRING IT ON HOME TO ME by Eddie Floyd
- CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ by Bobby Womack
- CAN I CHANGE MY MIND by Tyrone Davis
- CLOUD NINE by The Temptations
- DON’T BE AFRAID (DO AS I SAY) by Frankie Karl & The Dreams
- DON’T MAKE THE GOOD GIRLS GO BAD by Della Humphrey
- FOR ONCE IN MY LIFE by Stevie Wonder
- FROM THE TEACHER TO THE PREACHER by Gene Chandler & Barbara Acklin
- GOODBYE MY LOVE by James Brown
- HANG ‘EM HIGH by Booker T. & The MG’s
- HOW YOU GONNA GET RESPECT (WHEN YOU HAVEN’T CUT YOUR PROCESS YET) by Hank Ballard
- I FORGOT TO BE YOUR LOVER by William Bell
- I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE by Marvin Gaye
- I’M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME by Diana Ross And The Supremes & The Temptations
- I’VE GOT LOVE FOR MY BABY by Young Hearts
- JUST AIN’T NO LOVE by Barbara Acklin
- KEEP ON DANCING by Alvin Cash
- LOVE CHILD by Diana Ross & The Supremes
- MALINDA by Bobby Taylor & The Vancouvers
- MY SONG by Aretha Franklin
- NOT ON THE OUTSIDE by The Moments
- PAPA’S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG by Otis Redding
- PEOPLE by The Tymes
- PICKIN’ WILD MOUNTAIN BERRIES by Peggy Scott & Jo Jo Benson
- READY OR NOT HERE I COME (CAN’T HIDE FROM LOVE) by The Delfonics
- RELEASE ME by Johnny Adams
- ROCKIN’ IN THE SAME OLD BOAT by Bobby Bland
- SEE SAW by Aretha Franklin
- SLOW DRAG by The Intruders
- SOCK IT TO ME PART I by The Deacons
- SOULFUL STRUT by Young-Holt Unlimited
- TALKING ABOUT MY BABY by Gloria Walker
- THE BEGINNING OF MY END by The Unifics
- THIS IS MY COUNTRY by The Impressions
- TOO WEAK TO FIGHT by Clarence Carter
- WHO’S MAKING LOVE by Johnnie Taylor
- YOU’VE GOT THE POWER by The Esquires
1969
According to Billboard, the top 3 Songs for 1968 were: Someday We’ll Be Together by Diana Ross & The Supremes, I Want You Back by Jackson 5, and Ain’t It Funky Now (Part 1) by James Brown.
- (GOTTA FIND) A BRAND NEW LOVER-PART 1 by The Sweet Inspirations
- AIN’T IT FUNKY NOW (PART 1) by James Brown
- ANYWAY THAT YOU WANT ME by Walter Jackson
- BABY BOY by Fred Hughes
- BABY I’M FOR REAL by The Originals
- BACKFIELD IN MOTION by Mel And Tim
- DON’T LET HIM TAKE YOUR LOVE FROM ME by Four Tops
- DON’T LET LOVE HANG YOU UP by Jerry Butler
- ELEANOR RIGBY by Aretha Franklin
- FRIENDSHIP TRAIN by Gladys Knight And The Pips
- GOING IN CIRCLES by The Friends Of Distinction
- GUESS WHO by Ruby Winters
- HE MADE A WOMAN OUT OF ME by Betty LaVette
- HELLO SUNSHINE by Rev. Maceo Woods
- HEY THERE LONELY GIRL by Eddie Holman
- HOW CAN I TELL MY MOM & DAD by The Lovelites
- HOW I MISS YOU BABY by Bobby Womack
- I CAN’T MAKE IT ALONE by Lou Rawls
- I LOVE YOU by Otis Leavill
- I WANT YOU BACK by Jackson 5
- I’M SO GLAD I FELL FOR YOU by David Ruffin
- IS IT BECAUSE I’M BLACK by Syl Johnson
- IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME by Betty Everett
- LOOK-KA PY PY by The Meters
- LOVE BONES by Johnnie Taylor
- LOVELY WAY SHE LOVES by The Moments
- ME AND YOU by O.C. Smith
- MY HONEY AND ME by Luther Ingram
- NA NA HEY HEY KISS HIM GOODBYE by Steam
- POINT IT OUT by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
- SOMEDAY WE’LL BE TOGETHER by Diana Ross & The Supremes
- TAKE A LETTER MARIA by R.B. Greaves
- THE TOUCH OF YOU by Brenda & The Tabulations
- THESE EYES by Jr. Walker & The All Stars
- TO BE YOUNG, GIFTED AND BLACK by Nina Simone
- TOO MANY COOKS (SPOIL THE SOUP) by 100 Proof Aged in Soul
- WHAT YOU GAVE ME by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
- YESTER-ME, YESTER-YOU, YESTERDAY by Stevie Wonder
- YOU GOT TO PAY THE PRICE by Gloria Taylor
- YOU KEEP ME HANGING ON by Wilson Pickett