The Best Pop Music of 1962

A look at the best pop music of 1962. From The Beatles to The Beach Boys, 1962 was a great year for pop music!

Introduction

It would be hard to overstate the importance of 1962 in popular music history. It was the year that the Beatles released their first single, “Love Me Do,” and changed the course of pop music forever. It was also the year that Bob Dylan released his debut album, which would go on to become one of the most influential records of all time. And those are just two of the many highlights from a truly groundbreaking year in music.

In addition to the Beatles and Dylan, 1962 saw the release of seminal albums from artists like Ray Charles, The Beach Boys, and The Kinks. It was a year that saw huge hits from artists like Elvis Presley, Dion, and Chubby Checker. In short, it was a year that truly had something for everyone.

If you’re looking for a way to travel back in time and relive some of the best pop music from 1962, this is the guide for you. We’ve compiled a list of some of the biggest hits from that legendary year, as well as some lesser-known gems that are definitely worth seeking out. So whether you’re a longtime fan or just curious about what made 1962 such a special time for pop music, we hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane.

The Beatles – “Please Please Me”

“Please Please Me” is a song by the English rock band the Beatles that was released in March 1963 as their debut single on the Vee-Jay label. The song reached number one in the United Kingdom, where it became their first single to sell more than one million copies, and number two in the United States, where it was released on the Swan Records label.

The Beach Boys – “Surfin’ Safari”

The Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ Safari” is one of the best pop songs of 1962. The song was released as a single in October of that year, and it peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is about, as the title implies, surfing. The Beach Boys were not yet the giants of pop music they would become, but “Surfin’ Safari” is a perfect encapsulation of their sound and style. The song is catchy and upbeat, with a sing-along chorus and surf guitar licks. It’s the perfect summertime beach tune, and it remains one of the band’s most beloved songs.

Chubby Checker – “The Twist”

“The Twist” is a song written and originally released in early 1959 by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters as a B-side to “Teardrops on Your Letter”. Ballard’s version was a moderate 1960 hit, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. Checker’s cover version of “The Twist” went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for two weeks in September 1960, giving the song its only stay at number one, and became the biggest hit of 1960 in terms of combined chart success. It was number one on the Soul chart for three weeks. The song popularized dancing “the twist” and has been covered by numerous artists including Elvis Presley and Stevie Wonder.

Elvis Presley – “Good Luck Charm”

“Good Luck Charm” is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and released as a single in 1962. It was written by Aaron Schroeder and Wally Gold, and published by Gladys Music, Inc.

The single peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Presley’s eighteenth (and final) number-one hit in his career. It was also his second hit single in a row after the success of “Stuck on You”. In the UK, it reached number two on the Record Retailer chart, behind Del Shannon’s “Little Town Flirt”, giving Presley his twenty-second UK hit overall.

Conclusion

1962 was an amazing year for pop music, with a wide variety of great artists and genres represented. From the early days of the Beatles to the rise of Motown, there was something for everyone. And, of course, we can’t forget about the Beach Boys and their iconic album “Surfin’ Safari.”

There are too many great songs from 1962 to list them all here, but some of our favorites include “I Want To Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles, “Surfin’ Safari” by the Beach Boys, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” by the Four Tops, and “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” by the Miracles.

What are your favorite pop songs from 1962? Let us know in the comments!