25 Instrumental Songs that Topped the Hot 100
Instrumental music has a unique way of telling stories without words. And if you’ve ever wondered how many such songs have topped Billboard Hot 100 chart also known as the pop chart, the answer is 25.
These chart-toppers span decades, from dreamy guitar melodies to funky disco beats and even viral internet hits – here are the 25 instrumental songs that topped the charts.
Note: songs (marked with a cross †) on the list contain a vocal part but are considered an instrumental.
1. “The Happy Organ” – Dave “Baby” Cortez
No.1 on May 11, 1959 – 1 week
Not only it’s the first on our list, but Dave Cortez‘s catchy organ-led tune was also the first instrumental to hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
With its playful, upbeat vibe, “Baby” Cortez brought the electric organ into the pop spotlight and kicked off a wave of instrumental chart-toppers.
2. “Sleep Walk” – Santo & Johnny
No.1 on September 21, 1959 – 2 weeks
“Sleep Walk” is a dreamy steel guitar ballad that became an instant classic. Santo and Johnny struck a chord with listeners by creating a melancholic tune with a hypnotic melody.
The instrumental remained relevant in the following decades as it became a staple in films and TV shows due to its emotional and slow-dance sound.
3. “Theme from A Summer Place” – Percy Faith
No.1 on February 22, 1960 – 9 weeks
Percy Faith’s lush orchestral arrangement which defined romance for a generation, holds the record for the longest-running instrumental No.1 single.
After it featured in the romantic drama ‘A Summer Place’, it became one of the most recognizable film themes of all time.
4. “Wonderland by Night” – Bert Kaempfert
No.1 on January 9, 1961 – 3 weeks
German bandleader Bert Kaempfert brought a touch of European flair elegance to the American charts with “Wonderland by Night.”
This soothing trumpet-driven arrangement was perfect for the easy listening and slow dancing that was popular with early 1960s audiences.
5. “Calcutta” – Lawrence Welk
No.1 on February 13, 1961 – 2 weeks
Lawrence Welk brought his signature big band sound to the charts with “Calcutta.”
This lively instrumental with a bouncy rhythm and catchy harpsichord hooks became Welk‘s only number one hit on the pop charts in his long career.
6. “Stranger on the Shore” – Mr. Acker Bilk
No.1 on May 26, 1962 – 1 week
This clarinet-led ballad by British jazzman Acker Bilk became a surprise US chart-topper in the early ’60s.
“Stranger on the Shore” was the first UK recording to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its tender and emotional tone made it a worldwide favorite and helped open the door for the British Invasion.
7. “The Stripper” – David Rose
No.1 on July 7, 1962 – 1 week
Few songs are as instantly recognizable as David Rose’s “The Stripper.” With its cheeky, sultry brass and playful vibe, it became a burlesque anthem and a pop culture staple.
Interestingly, the instrumental was originally the B-side to “Ebb Tide,” which the artist thought had more potential to become a hit, but to his pleasant surprise, the “throwaway” song topped the charts.
8. “Telstar” – The Tornados
No.1 on December 22, 1962 – 3 weeks
This futuristic instrumental, inspired by Telstar – the first communications satellite, brought space-age sounds to the pop charts.
While Acker Bill was the first UK artist to reach No.1 in the US, The Tornados were the first British band to top the Billboard Hot 100. There’s something beautiful and unique about first chart toppers for both bands and solo artists being instrumental songs.
9. “Love Is Blue” – Paul Mauriat
No.1 on February 10, 1968 – 5 weeks
French composer Paul Mauriat turned “Love Is Blue” into a sweeping orchestral sensation with a light pop touch to it.
Initially it was just a local French and regional European hit, but it didn’t take long before the melancholic tune became a global hit and won the hearts of audiences across the ocean.
10. “Grazing in the Grass” – Hugh Masekela
No.1 on July 20, 1968 – 2 weeks
South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela brought an irresistible groove with “Grazing in the Grass.”
This funky jazz instrumental with its trumpet-led melody added upbeat African flair to the charts and which was a refreshing in the rock dominant era.
11. “Love Theme from Romeo and Juliet” – Henry Mancini
No.1 on June 28, 1969 – 2 weeks
Henry Mancini‘s heart-wrenching adaptation of the Romeo and Juliet theme was lush, romantic, and instantly recognizable.
The emotional depth of the song helped it connect with audiences far beyond the film, becoming a wedding classic.
12. “Frankenstein” – The Edgar Winter Group
No.1 on May 26, 1973 – 1 week
With its heavy guitar riffs and synth experimentation, “Frankenstein” brought hard rock to the instrumental scene.
This “monster” hit was groundbreaking for its time because of its heavy guitar solos. But most importantly it showcased Edgar Winter’s multi-instrumental talents in a big way.
13. “Love’s Theme” – Love Unlimited Orchestra
No.1 on February 9, 1974 – 1 week
This smooth instrumental song that topped the Billboard Hot 100 in the mid 1970s was produced by Barry White and it helped shape the early disco sound.
Love Unlimited Orchestra‘s romantic yet funky “Love’s Theme” with soaring strings was tailored for the dancefloor.
14. “TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia)”† – MFSB and The Three Degrees
No.1 on April 20, 1974 – 2 weeks
This instrumental piece by MFSB and the Three Degrees is best known as the ‘Soul Train’ theme. Despite containing vocal parts, the funky instrumental fused strings, horns, and basslines is the main reason why it became a Philadelphia soul masterpiece.
“TSOP” is without a doubt one of the defining funk tracks of the 1970s.
15. “Pick Up the Pieces”† – Average White Band
No.1 on February 22, 1975 – 1 week
Although it may sound like it, Scottish funk isn’t the strangest thing to come out of the 70s.
This instrumental (with some ad-libs) by the Average White Band was a groove machine and a staple on dance floors around the world thanks to its killer saxophone solo and horn-led melody. “Pick Up the Pieces” is a true funk classic.
16. “The Hustle”† – Van McCoy and the Soul City Symphony
No.1 on July 26, 1975 – 1 week
Van McCoy’s string-laden hit with just a whisper of vocals “do the hustle” got everyone from 7 to 77 hitting the dancefloor.
“The Hustle” sparked a nationwide dance craze and became a disco anthem through and through.
17. “Fly, Robin, Fly”† – Silver Convention
No.1 on November 29, 1975 – 3 weeks
This minimalistic disco jam only had six words repeated “Fly, Robin, Fly” x2 but still managed to groove its way to the top of the Hot 100 chart.
The repetitive and hypnotic beat combined with the shimmering strings made it a big club hit and a unique chart-topper.
18. “Theme from S.W.A.T.” – Rhythm Heritage
No.1 on February 28, 1976 – 1 week
Rhythm Heritage‘s high-energy theme from the police drama television series S.W.A.T. was a perfect mix of funk, action, and attitude.
Its driving bassline and brass section made it a surprise chart-topper as it’s one of the few TV themes to hit No. 1.
19. “A Fifth of Beethoven” – Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band
No.1 on October 9, 1976 – 1 week
As the name already suggests, Walter Murphy and the Big Apple Band created a mashup of disco and classical in this clever reimagining of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.
The instrumental chart-topper was surprisingly fresh, and its success can be attributed to an ingenious blend of styles.
20. “Gonna Fly Now”† – Bill Conti
No.1 on July 2, 1977 – 1 week
The iconic Rocky theme became a cultural standard for determination and victory and inspired millions.
With its powerful brass and cinematic energy, Bill Conti has created an instrumental that is impossible not to feel pumped up when it plays. And although in this article we praise the brilliant instrumental work, it must be noted that the vocal parts add a lot to the charm of the song.
21. “Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band” – Meco
No.1 on October 1, 1977 – 2 weeks
Meco’s track is what happens when disco meets a galaxy far, far away…
This funky spin on John Williams’ original Star Wars score was a quirky and groovy hit. It seems the magic formula for galactic success is – riding the wave of Star Wars mania and a disco beat that gets people moving their hips.
22. “Rise” – Herb Alpert
No.1 on October 20, 1979 – 2 weeks
Trumpet legend Herb Alpert reached the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the late 1970s with the hit ‘Rise’.
In this smoot instrumental where jazz meets R&B, Alpert delivered a such a groovy masterpiece that it became a sampling favorite.
23. “Chariots of Fire” – Vangelis
No.1 on May 8, 1982 – 1 week
Greek composer Vangelis managed to capture the spirit of slow-motion heroism like no one before or after him.
The synth-driven Olympic theme to the historical sports drama “Chariots of Fire” became an instant classic. His haunting composition gave the film even more emotional weight, and its inspirational melody still gives chills today.
24. “Miami Vice Theme” – Jan Hammer
No.1 on November 9, 1985 – 1 week
Another TV series instrumental song that topped the Hot 100 chart was Jan Hammer’s moody and synth-heavy score which captured the coolness of the 1980s like no one else.
The “Miami Vice” theme was more than just an instrumental chart-topper, it was a cultural phenomenon that defined an era.
25. “Harlem Shake”† – Baauer
No.1 on March 2, 2013 – 5 weeks
The last instrumental No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 (so far) was a meme sensation “Harlem Shake”. Baauer‘s trap hit dominated the charts worldwide thanks to a viral video madness fueled by the internet’s love for memes.
This chart-topper came after a nearly three-decade-long drought of instrumental hits. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another thirty years to witness the next instrumental number one single.
Final Thoughts
The 1960s and 1970s were clearly the golden age for instrumental chart-toppers, with everything from orchestral pieces, funky bands, and experimental sounds to dreamy ballads topping the Hot 100.
Sadly, in the past four decades, instrumentals have nearly disappeared from the No. 1 spot with the exception for “Harlem Shake” in 2013, which owed its success more to a viral craze and meme culture than radio play.
To end on a positive note, these 25 songs proved that music doesn’t need lyrics to have a big impact. And it would be nice to see a new wave of instrumental hits topping the charts once again.