This 1963 No. 1 Hit Was the Strangest Chart-Topper Ever — And It Outsold Elvis Presley

In 1963, the Billboard Hot 100 had one of its strangest moments ever when an extremely unlikely song reached No. 1 and even outsold Elvis Presley at the time.

The Singing Nun’s ‘Dominique’ Dominated the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1963

In March 2026, Stereogum revisited the unlikely music career of Jeanine Deckers, a Belgian nun who recorded music as Sœur Sourire and most famously became known as The Singing Nun. She shot to worldwide fame in 1963 with a song many still consider to be one of the strangest hits in the chart's history. As the outlet detailed, 'Dominique' hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 on December 7, 1963, and held the top spot for four weeks.

According to Billboard, The Singing Nun's shocking success went beyond the singles chart. She simultaneously topped the Billboard album chart, which was then called the Top LPs. She had the top album for 10 weeks until The Beatles uncrowned her when 'Meet the Beatles' ended her run. One of the most remarkable parts of her chart success is the fact that The Singing Nun is the first artist in history to have a No. 1 single and album simultaneously.

How The Singing Nun Became the Most Unlikely Chart Topper Ever

There are several reasons why The Singing Nun having a No. 1 hit was very strange. One of the most surprising aspects of her mammoth success at the time was the list of artists she beat. For example, when 'Dominique' was in the top spot on December 14, it was outselling singles from legendary artists like Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys, Sam Cooke, Chubby Checker, and Marvin Gaye.

The journey that the song took to the top of the music industry was also truly remarkable. She was a member of the Missionary Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Fichermont who loved to sing. After her religious superiors encouraged her to make an album, she recorded 'Dominique,' a cheerful French song about Saint Dominic, the Spanish priest who founded the Dominican Order. The happy nature of the recording is what led to enjoy its unlikely worldwide success.

Unfortunately, her story has a tragic end. After her music career faded, Jeanine Deckers had a crisis of faith and left the church. She founded a school for autistic children with her partner, Annie Pécher, but had to close it, leaving her owing $60,000 in back taxes. The couple died by suicide on March 29, 1985, leaving behind a note which cited their money troubles as a major factor in their decision.

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