6 of the 60s: 10/21/14 (1961)

Today's 60s trip goes back to 1961, the year the movie adaptation of West Side Story was released.

The Shirelles - "Will You Love Me Tomorrow"
from the album Tonight's The Night (1961)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #1
Songwriters: Gerry Goffin, Carole King

The first girl-group #1 was the classiest and sweet odes to a booty call that I can recall.

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Ral Donner - "You Don't Know What You Got (Until You Lose It)"
from the album Takin' Care Of Business (1961)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #4
Songwriters: George Burton, Paul Hampton

An Elvis sound-a-like had his biggest hit with this crooning gem.

The Marcels - "Heartaches"
from the EP Heartaches (1961)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #7
Songwriters: Art Hoffman, John Klenner

The Pittsburgh-based vocal quintet doo-wopped themselves back into the top-10 with this emotion-packed sock hop fave.

Roy Hamilton - "You Can Have Her"
from the album You Can Have Her (1961)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #12
Songwriter: Bill Cook

The early rock-era soul singer had his last top-40 pop hit with this song; he sadly died from a stroke in 1969.

Shelby Flint - "Angel On My Shoulder"
from the album Shelby Flint (1961)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #22
Songwriter: Shelby Flint

This singer/songwriter was one of Joni Mitchell's inspirations. She went on to sing a song in the Peanuts Come Home movie a decade later.

The Fleetwoods - "(He's) The Great Impostor"
from the album Deep In A Dream (1962)
Billboard Hot 100 peak: #30
Songwriters: Jackie DeShannon, Sharon Sheeley

This vocal trio's homage to a "player" ended up being featured in American Graffiti.

Tomorrow I'll be back with seven more from 1971..