Which 1964 Beatles song became their first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 in the United States?

The Beatles’ “I Want to Hold Your Hand” became their first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 in the United States.

Released in the United Kingdom in November 1963, the song was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and produced by George Martin. Capitol Records issued it in the United States in December, ahead of the group’s first American television appearances.

The single entered the Hot 100 in January 1964 and reached No. 1 on February 1, beginning the Beatles’ extraordinary run of American chart success. It remained at the summit for seven weeks before being replaced by “She Loves You,” another Beatles recording.

A common mix-up is assuming “She Loves You” was the group’s first U.S. chart-topper because it became one of their signature early hits. In fact, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” opened the group’s American No. 1 sequence and helped trigger Beatlemania in the United States.