A year ago, we said “the poll for 2020 was almost a carbon copy of the 2019 poll”, with four out of the five songs repeating in the Top Five. The same can be said in the tenth annual survey, with even more similarities. The Ronettes appeared for the sixth straight year, reaching the top position each year except for 2015. Both the Chiffons and Drifters were on the survey for a fourth consecutive year, with the Exciters making the Top Five a second consecutive year. And just like the Exciters in 2020, Jimmy Gilmer reached the highest ranks for the first time ever, replacing the Kingsmen in the Top Five.
Here’s the top five songs from 1963 alphabetically by artist:
“He’s So Fine” by The Chiffons
“Up on the Roof” by The Drifters
“Tell Him” by The Exciters
“Sugar Shack” by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs
“Be My Baby” by The Ronettes
Check out the rest of the first round schedule, plus links to open surveys and results from other years here, and details on this year’s Grooveyard Great 88 here. And don’t forget to listen for updates and your favorite songs on…
The Grooveyard 
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