# What songs were in the top 5 when you turned 12? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 25, 2014, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529 "2014-09-25T15:10:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2014, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/101 "2014-09-28T13:34:45Z")
> [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](#): > > October 1965: > > 1. Yesterday - the Beatles > 2. The In Crowd - Ramsey Lewis Trio > 3. Hang On Sloopy - the McCoys > 4. Treat Her Right - Roy Head > 5. Eve Of Destruction - Barry McGuire October '65 for me as well. ---
**Author:** ![Ms\_Boods](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5e9695/32.png) [@Ms\_Boods](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ms_Boods)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2014, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/102 "2014-09-28T13:52:21Z")
US Top five in early September 1977: 1 3 I JUST WANT TO BE YOUR EVERYTHING –•– Andy Gibb (RSO)-22 (4 weeks at #1) (1) 2 5 FLOAT ON –•– The Floaters (ABC)-11 (2) 3 1 BEST OF MY LOVE –•– The Emotions (Columbia)-15 (1) 4 4 HANDY MAN / BARTENDER’S BLUES –•– James Taylor (Columbia)-14 (4) 5 6 DON’T STOP –•– Fleetwood Mac (Warner Brothers)-11 (5) Christ, no wonder I spent my youth studying Classical music. (URL for this chart: [https://weeklytop40.wordpress.com/1977/09/17/us-top-40-singles-week-ending-17th-september-1977/](https://weeklytop40.wordpress.com/1977/09/17/us-top-40-singles-week-ending-17th-september-1977/)) ---
**Author:** ![johnvp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ed655f/32.png) [@johnvp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnvp)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/103 "2014-09-29T23:34:39Z")
September 15, 1956 1. My Prayer - Platters 2. Don’t Be Cruel - Elvis Presley 3. Whatever Will Be Will Be - Doris Day 4. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley 5. Canadian Sunset - Hugo Winterhalter You can find all the Billboard charts by googling in Google Books. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/104 "2014-09-30T00:38:14Z")
November 1, 1969 Suspicious Minds Elvis Presley Wedding Bell Blues The 5th Dimension Sugar, Sugar The Archies I Can’t Get Next To You The Temptations Baby It’s You Smith ---
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/105 "2014-09-30T12:36:30Z")
I turned 12 in 1961. One song I remember liking very much: [I’ve told every little star](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QYtyyKgqp0). Thanks for reminding me; I’ve not heard it for decades, still like it … downloading. Checking [the chart](http://www.bobborst.com/popculture/top-100-songs-of-the-year/?year=1961) I see I got the year right, but that tune was only #74 on the year. The top 5 hits of 1961 were: 1 Bobby Lewis Tossin’ and Turnin’ 2 Patsy Cline I Fall to Pieces 3 Highwaymen Michael (row the boat ashore) 4 Roy Orbison Cryin’ 5 Del Shannon Runaway I do remember all these hits except the Orbison. ETA: I see I was ninja’ed by **pohjonen** for 1961, though he took one week; I took the year. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/106 "2014-09-30T13:35:02Z")
Week of October 9th 1981, New Zealand charts. **1 Joey Scarbury** - Theme From “The Greatest American Hero” (Believe It Or Not) **2 Commodores** - Lady (You Bring Me Up) **3 Bucks Fizz** - Making Your Mind Up **4 Billy Field** - Bad Habits **5 Marty Balin** - Hearts I am not familiar with Marty Balin at all. Seems to be [easy-listening garbage](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIF74lH4KPM). ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/107 "2014-09-30T13:39:43Z")
January 28, 1968. 1 Judy in Disguise-John Fred and the Playboy Band 2 Chain Of Fools-Aretha Franklin 3 Green Tambourine-Lemon Pipers 4 Woman,Woman-Gary Puckett & Union Gap 5 Bend Me,Shape Me-American Breed I remember all of these, but not necessarily fondly. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/108 "2014-09-30T13:50:16Z")
May 1983: 1 BEAT IT –•– Michael Jackson 2 LET’S DANCE –•– David Bowie 3 JEOPARDY –•– The Greg Kihn Band 4 OVERKILL –•– Men At Work 5 SHE BLINDED ME WITH SCIENCE –•– Thomas Dolby Mmm, I hate #1 **with the fire of 1000 suns** , like #2, have never even heard #3, like #4 a lot and fucking love #5. Not bad, overall. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/109 "2014-09-30T14:25:29Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > July 1982 > > “Eye of the Tiger” – Survivor > “Rosanna” – Toto > “Hurts So Good” – John Cougar > “Hold Me” – Fleetwood Mac > “Let It Whip” – Dazz Band > > I’m sure I liked all of these at the time, since I don’t hate them even now. Those were the top 5 when I was born. These were the top 5 when I was 12: US Top 40 Singles For The Week Ending July 23, 1994 1 I SWEAR –– All-4-One 2 STAY –– Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories 3 REGULATE –– Warren G & Nate Dogg 4 ANY TIME, ANY PLACE / AND ON AND ON –– Janet Jackson 5 DON’T TURN AROUND –– Ace Of Base Don’t remember the Janet Jackson song, but the rest I hated at the time. Now I particularly like Lisa Loeb and Warren G. Ace of Base and All-4-One still seem kinda cheesy, but not as terrible as I remember. I was a grunge kid around this time. My favorite band was Nirvana. ---
**Author:** ![Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8491ac/32.png) [@Fool\_in\_the\_Rain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fool_in_the_Rain)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/110 "2014-09-30T15:01:33Z")
July 1981 1. The One That You Love - Air Supply 2. Jessie’s Girl - Rick Springfield 3. Believe It Or Not (Theme From Greatest American Hero) - Joey Scarbury 4. Elvira - Oak Ridge Boys 5. I Don’t Need You - Kenny Rogers ---
**Author:** ![Death\_of\_Rats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a6a055/32.png) [@Death\_of\_Rats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Death_of_Rats)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/111 "2014-09-30T15:14:20Z")
Week of Aug. 13, 1983 1. Every Breath You Take - The Police 2. Sweet Dreams (are made of this) - Eurythmics 3. She Works Hard for the Money - Donna Summer 4. Maniac - Michael Sembello 5. Is There Something I Should Know - Duran Duran Meh. ---
**Author:** ![sideshowkar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5e9695/32.png) [@sideshowkar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sideshowkar)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/112 "2014-09-30T16:02:29Z")
Mid-March 1983 1 1 BILLIE JEAN –•– Michael Jackson (Epic)-9 (3 weeks at #1) (1) 2 2 SHAME ON THE MOON –•– Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band (Capitol)-14 (2) 3 4 DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME –•– Culture Club (Virgin)-16 (3) 4 5 HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF –•– Duran Duran (Harvest)-13 (4) 5 6 BACK ON THE CHAIN GANG –•– The Pretenders (Sire)-15 (5) I don’t look back at the pop culture of this time period fondly. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/113 "2014-09-30T16:16:18Z")
1960 for me. According to Billboard: Position Artist Song Title 1 Percy Faith Theme From “A Summer Place” 2 Jim Reeves He’ll Have to Go 3 Everly Brothers Cathy’s Clown 4 Johnny Preston Running Bear 5 Mark Dinning Teen Angel ---
**Author:** ![Ruby\_Slippers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/94ad74/32.png) [@Ruby\_Slippers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby_Slippers)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/114 "2014-09-30T16:20:04Z")
My 12th birthday, October 27, 1957 – Top #5 songs in the USA 1. Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock 2. Debbie Reynolds - Tammy 3. Jimmie Rodgers - Honeycomb 4. The Everly Brothers - Wake Up Little Susie 5. Johnny Mathis - Chances Are Looks like a transitional time from ballads to early rock. Oddly enough, even though I’m quite familiar with most of Elvis’s songs, I can’t really recall Jailhouse Rock. The other four, though, are instantly remembered. Go figure. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/115 "2014-09-30T16:39:10Z")
I turned twelve on December 27, 1972. 1 – “Me and Mrs. Jones” by Billy Paul 2 – “I Am Woman” by Helen Reddy 3 – “You Ought To Be With Me” by Al Green 4 – “Claire” by Gilbert O’Sullivan 5 – “It never Rains In Southern California” by Albert Hammond ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 30, 2014, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/116 "2014-09-30T16:41:45Z")
I was 12 on August 2, 1974 1. John Denver - Annie’s Song 2. Roberta Flack - Feel Like Makin’ Love 3. Paper Lace - The Night Chicago Died 4. Elton John - Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me 5. The Righteous Brothers - Rock And Roll Heaven I don’t recall the Righteous Brothers song, although the lyrics look like fun. > [@](#): > > Jimmy gave us rainbows > And Janis took a piece of our hearts > And Otis brought us all to the dock of a bay > Sing a song to light my fire > Remember Jim that way > They’ve all found another place > Another place to play ---
**Author:** ![Darwinian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Darwinian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwinian)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2014, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/117 "2014-10-01T02:38:14Z")
August 2 1974 - Aussie top 5 1. Billy don’t be a hero - Paper Lace 2. Evie (Part 1) - Stevie Wright 3. The streak - Ray Stevens 4. Would you lay with me in a field of stone - Judy Stone 5. Slipstream - Sherbet US top 5 1. Annie’s song - John Denver 2. Don’t let the sun go down on me - Elton John 3. Feel like makin’ love - Roberta Flack 4. Rikki, don’t lose that number - Steely Dan 5. The night Chicago died - Paper Lace Several favourites across those two lists! ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2014, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/118 "2014-10-01T02:51:36Z")
If you’re like me and and turned 12 in Dec 1977 in the UK, you were in for a painful time 1 Wings Mull Of Kintyre / Girl’s School 2 Brighouse & Rastrick Brass Band Floral Dance 3 Bee Gees How Deep Is Your Love 4 Ruby Winters I Will 5 Darts Daddy Cool ---
**Author:** ![shiveringsheep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@shiveringsheep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiveringsheep)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2014, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/119 "2014-10-01T05:05:31Z")
Hi, In my own thoughts since I was born during the 80’s, I remembered songs which are popular on my list are the following: Arthur’s theme by Christopher Cross Uptown girl by Billy Joel Still by Lionel Ritchie Don’t Let it End by Styx Everybody Rules the World by Tears for Fears True by Spandau Ballet They are the songs that really make a hit in the Music Industry during my time. ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2014, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529/120 "2014-10-01T06:53:04Z")
Simon and Garfunkel Bridge Over Troubled Water Carpenters (They Long to Be) Close to You Guess Who American Woman / No Sugar Tonight B.J. Thomas Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head Edwin Starr War 1. And _War_ was the first single I bought for myself, with my own money. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-songs-were-in-the-top-5-when-you-turned-12/699529.md?page=7)