These are the songs that reached number one on the Top 100 Best Sellers chart in 1961 as published by Cash Box magazine.
| Issue Date | Song | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| January 7 | Wonderland by Night | Bert Kaempfert & Orchestra |
| January 14 | Exodus | Ferrante and Teicher |
| January 21 | ||
| January 28 | Will You Love Me Tomorrow | The Shirelles |
| February 4 | ||
| February 11 | Calcutta | Lawrence Welk & Orchestra |
| February 18 | ||
| February 25 | ||
| March 4 | ||
| March 11 | Pony Time | Chubby Checker |
| March 18 | Surrender | Elvis Presley |
| March 25 | ||
| April 1 | Blue Moon | The Marcels |
| April 8 | ||
| April 15 | ||
| April 22 | Runaway | Del Shannon |
| April 29 | ||
| May 6 | Mother-in-Law | Ernie K-Doe |
| May 13 | ||
| May 20 | Runaway | Del Shannon |
| May 27 | Mother-in-Law | Ernie K-Doe |
| June 3 | Running Scared | Roy Orbison |
| June 10 | Travelin' Man | Ricky Nelson |
| June 17 | ||
| June 24 | ||
| July 1 | Quarter To Three | Gary U.S. Bonds |
| July 8 | ||
| July 15 | ||
| July 22 | Tossin' and Turnin' | Bobby Lewis |
| July 29 | ||
| August 5 | ||
| August 12 | ||
| August 19 | Michael | The Highwaymen |
| August 26 | ||
| September 2 | ||
| September 9 | ||
| September 16 | Take Good Care Of My Baby | Bobby Vee |
| September 23 | ||
| September 30 | ||
| October 7 | Crying | Roy Orbison |
| October 14 | Hit the Road Jack | Ray Charles |
| October 21 | Runaround Sue | Dion |
| October 28 | ||
| November 4 | Big Bad John | Jimmy Dean |
| November 11 | ||
| November 18 | ||
| November 25 | ||
| December 2 | ||
| December 9 | The Lion Sleeps Tonight | The Tokens |
| December 16 | ||
| December 23 | ||
| December 30 |