List of number-one singles from the 1950s (UK)
Encyclopedia
The UK Singles Chart
is the official record chart
in the United Kingdom. Record charts in the UK began life in 1952 when Percy Dickins from New Musical Express (NME)
imitated an idea started in American Billboard
magazine and began compiling a hit parade
. Prior to this, a song's popularity was measured by the sales of sheet music
. Initially, Dickins telephoned a sample of around 20 shops asking for a list of the 10 best-selling songs. These results were then aggregated to give a Top 12 chart published in NME on 14 November 1952. The number-one single was "Here in My Heart
" by Al Martino
.
According to The Official Charts Company and Guinness' British Hit Singles & Albums, the NME is considered the official British singles chart
before 10 March 1960. However, until 15 February 1969, when the British Market Research Bureau chart was established, there was no universally accepted chart. Other charts existed and different artists may have placed at number one in charts by Record Mirror, Disc
or Melody Maker
. Alternatively, some considered BBC
's Pick of the Pops
, which averaged all these charts, to be a better indicator of the number-one single.
In terms of number-one singles, Frankie Laine
, Guy Mitchell
and Elvis Presley
were the most successful artists of the 1950s having four singles reach the top spot. The longest duration of a single at number one was eighteen weeks achieved by Frankie Laine's "I Believe
". , "I Believe" still holds the record for the most (non-consecutive) weeks at the top of the UK Singles Chart. Although official music recording sales certification
s were not introduced until the British Phonographic Industry
was formed in 1973, Disc introduced an initiative in 1959 to present a gold disc to records that sold over one million units. Prior to that it is believed that the three best-selling records of the decade—Bill Haley & His Comets
' "Rock Around the Clock
", Paul Anka
's "Diana
" and Harry Belafonte
's "Mary's Boy Child
"—all sold over one million copies.
Key
, Guy Mitchell
and Elvis Presley
were the most successful acts of the decade in terms of number-one singles, each having four singles reach the top of the chart. In total, Laine spent 32 weeks occupying the top of chart in the 1950s; the next highest was Presley who spent a total of 18 weeks at number one.
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
is the official record chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
in the United Kingdom. Record charts in the UK began life in 1952 when Percy Dickins from New Musical Express (NME)
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
imitated an idea started in American Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
magazine and began compiling a hit parade
Hit parade
A hit parade is a ranked list of the most popular recordings at a given point in time, usually determined by sales and/or airplay. The term originated in the 1930s; Billboard magazine published its first music hit parade on January 4, 1936...
. Prior to this, a song's popularity was measured by the sales of sheet music
Sheet music
Sheet music is a hand-written or printed form of music notation that uses modern musical symbols; like its analogs—books, pamphlets, etc.—the medium of sheet music typically is paper , although the access to musical notation in recent years includes also presentation on computer screens...
. Initially, Dickins telephoned a sample of around 20 shops asking for a list of the 10 best-selling songs. These results were then aggregated to give a Top 12 chart published in NME on 14 November 1952. The number-one single was "Here in My Heart
Here in My Heart
"Here in My Heart" is a popular song, written by Pat Genaro, Lou Levinson, and Bill Borrelli, and published in 1952.A recording of the song by Al Martino was a #1 hit single on the United States pop chart. The Martino version also made history as the first number one on the UK Singles Chart, on 14...
" by Al Martino
Al Martino
Al Martino was an American singer and actor. He had his greatest success as a singer between the early 1950s and mid 1970s, being described as "one of the great Italian American pop crooners", and also became well known as an actor, particularly for his role as singer Johnny Fontane in The...
.
According to The Official Charts Company and Guinness' British Hit Singles & Albums, the NME is considered the official British singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
before 10 March 1960. However, until 15 February 1969, when the British Market Research Bureau chart was established, there was no universally accepted chart. Other charts existed and different artists may have placed at number one in charts by Record Mirror, Disc
Disc (magazine)
Disc was a weekly British popular music magazine, published between 1958 and 1975, when it was incorporated into Record Mirror. It was also known for periods as Disc Weekly and Disc and Music Echo ....
or Melody Maker
Melody Maker
Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was, according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly music newspaper. It was founded in 1926 as a magazine targeted at musicians; in 2000 it was merged into "long-standing rival" New Musical Express.-1950s–1960s:Originally the Melody...
. Alternatively, some considered BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
's Pick of the Pops
Pick of the Pops
Pick of the Pops is a BBC Radio programme, originally based on the Top 20 UK singles chart and first broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1955. It transferred to BBC Radio 1 from 1967...
, which averaged all these charts, to be a better indicator of the number-one single.
In terms of number-one singles, Frankie Laine
Frankie Laine
Frankie Laine, born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio , was a successful American singer, songwriter, and actor whose career spanned 75 years, from his first concerts in 1930 with a marathon dance company to his final performance of "That's My Desire" in 2005...
, Guy Mitchell
Guy Mitchell
Guy Mitchell, born Albert George Cernik, was an American pop singer, successful in his homeland, the U.K. and Australia...
and Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
were the most successful artists of the 1950s having four singles reach the top spot. The longest duration of a single at number one was eighteen weeks achieved by Frankie Laine's "I Believe
I Believe (1953 song)
"I Believe" is the name of a popular song written by Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirl and Al Stillman in 1953.I Believe was commissioned and introduced by Jane Froman on her television show, and became the first hit song ever introduced on TV...
". , "I Believe" still holds the record for the most (non-consecutive) weeks at the top of the UK Singles Chart. Although official music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
s were not introduced until the British Phonographic Industry
British Phonographic Industry
The British Phonographic Industry is the British record industry's trade association.-Structure:Its membership comprises hundreds of music companies including all four "major" record companies , associate members such as manufacturers and distributors, and hundreds of independent music companies...
was formed in 1973, Disc introduced an initiative in 1959 to present a gold disc to records that sold over one million units. Prior to that it is believed that the three best-selling records of the decade—Bill Haley & His Comets
Bill Haley & His Comets
Bill Haley & His Comets was an American rock and roll band that was founded in 1952 and continued until Haley's death in 1981. The band, also known by the names Bill Haley and The Comets and Bill Haley's Comets , was the earliest group of white musicians to bring rock and roll to the attention of...
' "Rock Around the Clock
Rock Around the Clock
"Rock Around the Clock" is a 12-bar-blues-based song written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was recorded by Bill Haley and His Comets in 1954...
", Paul Anka
Paul Anka
Paul Albert Anka, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor.Anka first became famous as a teen idol in the late 1950s and 1960s with hit songs like "Diana'", "Lonely Boy", and "Put Your Head on My Shoulder"...
's "Diana
Diana (song)
"Diana" is a song written and made famous by Paul Anka in 1957. It was inspired by a high school friend named Diana Ayoub. The original Paul Anka 1957 recording reached number one on the Billboard "Best Sellers In Stores" chart and has reportedly sold over 9 million copies...
" and Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte
Harold George "Harry" Belafonte, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist. He was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s...
's "Mary's Boy Child
Mary's Boy Child
"Mary's Boy Child" is a 1956 Christmas song, written by Jester Hairston. With its religious content, it is also widely performed as a Christmas carol....
"—all sold over one million copies.
Number-one singles
- – Best-selling single of the year
- – Best-selling single of the decade
- – The song spent a week at number one where it shared the top spot with another song.
| 1950s: 195219531954195519561957195819591960s → |
| Single | number 1 | Weeks at number 1 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| "Here in My Heart Here in My Heart "Here in My Heart" is a popular song, written by Pat Genaro, Lou Levinson, and Bill Borrelli, and published in 1952.A recording of the song by Al Martino was a #1 hit single on the United States pop chart. The Martino version also made history as the first number one on the UK Singles Chart, on 14... " |
9 | ||
| Single | Reached number 1 |
Weeks at number 1 |
|
| "You Belong to Me You Belong to Me (1952 song) "You Belong to Me" is a pop music ballad from the 1950s. The singer reminds his/her lover that, whatever exotic locales and sights he/she experiences, "you belong to me." It is credited to three writers: Pee Wee King, Chilton Price, and Redd Stewart... " |
1 | ||
| "Comes A-Long A-Love Comes A-Long A-Love "Comes A-Long A-Love" is a hit single for American singer Kay Starr. The song was released in 1952 and was written by the former Tin Pan Alley songwriter Al Sherman. This was the last hit song Sherman would write, handing the reins over to his sons, Bob and Dick Sherman who were just beginning... " |
1 | ||
| "Outside Of Heaven Outside of Heaven "Outside of Heaven" is a popular music song written by Sammy Gallop and Chester Conn. A recording by Eddie Fisher with Hugo Winterhalter's orchestra and chorus was made at Manhattan Center, New York City, on July 19, 1952. It was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-4953 and by EMI... " |
1 | ||
| "Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" is an off meter ballad concerning a man away from home worried that his paramour may unwittingly stray from their relationship. The song was recorded in many different styles by many artists. It was written by Winston L. Moore and was published in 1952... " |
5 | ||
| "She Wears Red Feathers She Wears Red Feathers "She Wears Red Feathers" is a popular song written by Bob Merrill in 1952.... " |
4 | ||
| "Broken Wings Broken Wings (1953 song) "Broken Wings" is a popular song, written by John Jerome and Bernard Gunn.Probably the best known version of the song was produced by Dick Rowe and recorded in the UK by The Stargazers in 1953... " |
1 | ||
| "(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window? (How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window? " That Doggie in the Window?" is a popular novelty song written by Bob Merrill and Ingrid Reuterskiöld in 1952. The best-known version of the song was recorded by Patti Page on December 18, 1952 and released by Mercury Records as catalog number 70070, with the flip side being "My Jealous Eyes". It... " |
1 | ||
| "I Believe I Believe (1953 song) "I Believe" is the name of a popular song written by Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirl and Al Stillman in 1953.I Believe was commissioned and introduced by Jane Froman on her television show, and became the first hit song ever introduced on TV... "† |
9 | ||
| "I'm Walking Behind You I'm Walking Behind You "I'm Walking Behind You" is a popular song written by Billy Reid and published in 1953.Eddie Fisher's rendition of the song became a number-one hit single on both the Cash Box and Billboard record charts in 1953 in the United States, as well as reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart.The... " |
1 | ||
| "I Believe I Believe (1953 song) "I Believe" is the name of a popular song written by Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirl and Al Stillman in 1953.I Believe was commissioned and introduced by Jane Froman on her television show, and became the first hit song ever introduced on TV... "† |
6 | ||
| Mantovani Mantovani Annunzio Paolo Mantovani known as Mantovani, was an Anglo-Italian conductor and light orchestra-styled entertainer with a cascading strings musical signature. The book British Hit Singles & Albums states that he was "Britain's most successful album act before The Beatles ..... |
"Song from Moulin Rouge The Song from Moulin Rouge "The Song from Moulin Rouge" is a popular song that first appeared in the 1952 film Moulin Rouge.... " |
1 | |
| "I Believe I Believe (1953 song) "I Believe" is the name of a popular song written by Ervin Drake, Irvin Graham, Jimmy Shirl and Al Stillman in 1953.I Believe was commissioned and introduced by Jane Froman on her television show, and became the first hit song ever introduced on TV... "† |
3 | ||
| "Look At That Girl Look at That Girl "Look at That Girl" is a 1953 popular song. It was written by Bob Merrill and produced by Mitch Miller. The song was recorded by Guy Mitchell and it gave him his second #1 hit on the UK Singles Chart where it spent six weeks at the top.... " |
6 | ||
| "Hey Joe Hey Joe (1953 song) "Hey Joe" is a 1953 popular song written by Boudleaux Bryant. It was recorded by Carl Smith for Columbia Records on 19 May 1953 and spent eight weeks at #1 on the U.S. country music chart... " |
2 | ||
| "Answer Me Answer Me "Answer Me" is a popular song, originally written by Gerhard Winkler and Fred Rauch. The English lyrics were written by Carl Sigman in 1952.... " |
1 | ||
| "Answer Me Answer Me "Answer Me" is a popular song, originally written by Gerhard Winkler and Fred Rauch. The English lyrics were written by Carl Sigman in 1952.... " |
8 | ||
| "Answer Me Answer Me "Answer Me" is a popular song, originally written by Gerhard Winkler and Fred Rauch. The English lyrics were written by Carl Sigman in 1952.... " |
1 | ||
| Single | Reached number 1 |
Weeks at number 1 |
|
| "Oh Mein Papa Oh My Pa-Pa (O Mein Papa) "O mein Papa" is a German song, as related by a young woman remembering her beloved, once-famous clown father. It was written by Swiss composer Paul Burkhard in 1939 for the musical Der Schwarze Hecht , reproduced in 1950 as Feuerwerk to a libretto by Erik Charell, Jürg Amstein, and Robert Gilbert... " |
9 | ||
| "I See the Moon I See the Moon "I See the Moon" is a popular song written by Meredith Willson.The Mariners, in the United States, and The Stargazers, in the United Kingdom, had the best-known versions. The Stargazers' recording reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in 1954... " |
5 | ||
| "Secret Love"† | 1 | ||
| "I See the Moon I See the Moon "I See the Moon" is a popular song written by Meredith Willson.The Mariners, in the United States, and The Stargazers, in the United Kingdom, had the best-known versions. The Stargazers' recording reached number one in the UK Singles Chart in 1954... " |
1 | ||
| "Such a Night Such a Night "Such a Night" is a popular song from 1953, written by Lincoln Chase and first recorded by The Drifters.The Drifters' original version, featuring Clyde McPhatter, was recorded in November 1953 and released in January 1954... " |
1 | ||
| "Secret Love"† | 8 | ||
| "Cara Mia Cara Mia "Cara Mia" is a popular song published in 1954 and became a hit for English singer David Whitfield in 1954 and a #4 hit by the American pop group Jay and the Americans in 1965. The title means "my beloved" in Italian.... " |
10 | ||
| "Little Things Mean a Lot Little Things Mean a Lot "Little Things Mean a Lot" is a popular song written by Edith Lindeman and Carl Stutz , published in 1953. Lindeman was the leisure editor of the Richmond Times-Despatch and Stutz a disc jockey from Richmond, Virginia.... " |
1 | ||
| "Three Coins in the Fountain Three Coins in the Fountain (song) "Three Coins in the Fountain" is a popular song which received the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1954.The melody was written by Jule Styne, the lyrics by Sammy Cahn. It was written for the romance film, Three Coins in the Fountain and refers to the act of throwing a coin into the Trevi... " |
3 | ||
| "Hold My Hand Hold My Hand (1953 song) "Hold My Hand" is a popular song, written by Jack Lawrence and Richard Myers. It was written in 1950 but only published in 1953.The hit version in 1953 was a recording by Don Cornell. The song was featured in the film, Susan Slept Here, and was nominated for the 1954 Academy Award for Best Song... " |
4 | ||
| "My Son, My Son My Son, My Son "My Son, My Son" is a traditional popular music song written by Bob Howard, Melville Farley and Eddie Calvert in 1954.The best known recording of the song, by Vera Lynn, climbed to the number one spot in the UK Singles Chart in November that year.... " |
2 | ||
| "Hold My Hand Hold My Hand (1953 song) "Hold My Hand" is a popular song, written by Jack Lawrence and Richard Myers. It was written in 1950 but only published in 1953.The hit version in 1953 was a recording by Don Cornell. The song was featured in the film, Susan Slept Here, and was nominated for the 1954 Academy Award for Best Song... " |
1 | ||
| "This Ole House This Ole House "This Ole House" is a popular song written by Stuart Hamblen, and published in 1954.-Background:Hamblen was supposedly out on a hunting expedition when he and his fellow hunter, actor John Wayne, came across a tumbledown hut in the mountains, many miles from civilization... " |
1 | ||
| "Let's Have Another Party Let's Have Another Party "Let's Have Another Party" was a 1954 ragtime composition, which became a number one hit in the UK Singles Chart for the pianist Winifred Atwell. It is a composite of several pieces of music, and was a follow up to Atwell's successful hit "Let's Have a Party" of the previous year.The music was... " |
5 | ||
| Single | Reached number 1 |
Weeks at number 1 |
|
| "The Finger Of Suspicion The Finger of Suspicion (Points at You) "The Finger of Suspicion " is a popular song written by Paul Mann and Al Lewis, and published in 1954.It was recorded by Dickie Valentine in the United Kingdom and by Jane Froman in the United States... " |
1 | ||
| "Mambo Italiano Mambo Italiano (song) "Mambo Italiano" is a popular song written by Bob Merrill in 1954 and recorded by Rosemary Clooney. Merrill actually wrote it on deadline, scribbled hastily on a paper napkin in an Italian restaurant in New York, United States using the wall pay-phone to dictate the melody, rhythm and lyrics to the... " |
1 | ||
| "The Finger Of Suspicion The Finger of Suspicion (Points at You) "The Finger of Suspicion " is a popular song written by Paul Mann and Al Lewis, and published in 1954.It was recorded by Dickie Valentine in the United Kingdom and by Jane Froman in the United States... " |
2 | ||
| "Mambo Italiano Mambo Italiano (song) "Mambo Italiano" is a popular song written by Bob Merrill in 1954 and recorded by Rosemary Clooney. Merrill actually wrote it on deadline, scribbled hastily on a paper napkin in an Italian restaurant in New York, United States using the wall pay-phone to dictate the melody, rhythm and lyrics to the... " |
2 | ||
| "Softly, Softly Softly, Softly (song) "Softly, Softly" is a popular song written in 1955 by Mark Paul and Pierre Dudan, with English lyrics by Paddy Roberts.The most popular version of the song was recorded by Ruby Murray in 1955. Produced by Norrie Paramor, it reached number one in the UK Singles Chart.... " |
3 | ||
| "Give Me Your Word Give Me Your Word "Give Me Your Word" is a popular song written by George Wyle and Irving Taylor in 1954. The biggest selling version, recorded by Tennessee Ernie Ford, was released on 31 May 1954 by Capitol Records in the United States, and reached #1 in the UK Singles Chart in March 1955. The record was produced... "† |
7 | ||
| and his Orchestra | "Cherry Pink (and Apple Blossom White) Cherry Pink (and Apple Blossom White) "Cereza rosa", or "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" or "Gummy Mambo" is the English version of "Cerisier rose et pommier blanc", a popular song with music by Louiguy written in 1950. French lyrics to the song by Jacques Larue and English lyrics by Mack David both exist and recordings of both... " |
2 | |
| "Stranger in Paradise Stranger in Paradise (song) "Stranger in Paradise" is a popular song from the 1953 musical Kismet and is credited to Robert Wright and George Forrest. Like all the music in that show, the melody was based on music composed by Alexander Borodin, in this case, the "Gliding Dance of the Maidens," from the Polovtsian... " |
2 | ||
| "Cherry Pink (and Apple Blossom White) Cherry Pink (and Apple Blossom White) "Cereza rosa", or "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" or "Gummy Mambo" is the English version of "Cerisier rose et pommier blanc", a popular song with music by Louiguy written in 1950. French lyrics to the song by Jacques Larue and English lyrics by Mack David both exist and recordings of both... " |
4 | ||
| "Unchained Melody Unchained Melody "Unchained Melody" is a 1955 song with music by Alex North and lyrics by Hy Zaret. It has become one of the most recorded songs of the 20th century, by some counts having spawned over 500 versions in hundreds of different languages.... " |
3 | ||
| "Dreamboat Dreamboat "Dreamboat" is a popular music song, the words and music to which were written by Jack Hoffman, .... " |
2 | ||
| "Rose Marie Rose Marie (song) "Rose Marie" is a popular song from the musical or operetta of the same name. In the original Broadway production in 1924 it was performed by Dennis King and Arthur Deagon as the characters Jim Kenyon and Sergeant Malone.... " |
11 | ||
| "The Man from Laramie The Man from Laramie The Man from Laramie is an American Technicolor Western film directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart in the fifth and final of their Western collaborations, and their seventh collaboration overall. It was adapted from a story of the same title by Thomas T... " |
4 | ||
| Johnston Brothers | "Hernando's Hideaway Hernando's Hideaway "Hernando's Hideaway" is a tango show tune from the musical The Pajama Game, written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross and published in 1954. The lyrics describe a dark and secretive nightclub.... " |
2 | |
| "Rock Around the Clock Rock Around the Clock "Rock Around the Clock" is a 12-bar-blues-based song written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was recorded by Bill Haley and His Comets in 1954... "‡ |
3 | ||
| "Christmas Alphabet Christmas Alphabet "Christmas Alphabet" is a 1955 Christmas song, which became a #1 hit in the United Kingdom for the singer Dickie Valentine.It was written by Buddy Kaye and Jules Loman, and produced by Dick Rowe. It first entered the UK charts on 25 November 1955, where it spent seven weeks. Three of those were at... " |
3 | ||
| Single | Reached number 1 |
Weeks at number 1 |
|
| "Rock Around the Clock Rock Around the Clock "Rock Around the Clock" is a 12-bar-blues-based song written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was recorded by Bill Haley and His Comets in 1954... "‡ |
2 | ||
| "Sixteen Tons Sixteen Tons "Sixteen Tons" is a song about the life of a coal miner, first recorded in 1946 by American country singer Merle Travis and released on his box set album Folk Songs of the Hills the following year... " |
4 | ||
| "Memories Are Made of This Memories Are Made of This "Memories Are Made of This" is a popular song written by Terry Gilkyson, Richard Dehr, and Frank Miller in 1955.-History:The most popular version of the song was recorded by Dean Martin. It reached #1 on the Billboard chart for six weeks in 1956, and became his biggest hit... " |
4 | ||
| "It's Almost Tomorrow It's Almost Tomorrow "It's Almost Tomorrow" is a 1955 popular song with music by Gene Adkinson and lyrics by Wade Buff. The song was actually written in 1953, when Adkinson and Buff were in high school... " |
2 | ||
| Kay Starr Kay Starr Kay Starr is an American pop and jazz singer who enjoyed considerable success in the 1940s and 50s. She is best remembered for introducing two songs that became #1 hits in the 1950s, "Wheel of Fortune" and "The Rock And Roll Waltz".... with the Hugo Winterhalter Hugo Winterhalter Hugo Winterhalter was an American musician.An easy listening arranger and composer, Winterhalter was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Mount St. Mary's near Emmitsburg, Maryland in 1931, where he played saxophone for the orchestra and sang in two of the choirs... Orchestra Orchestra An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus... |
"Rock And Roll Waltz" | 1 | |
| "It's Almost Tomorrow It's Almost Tomorrow "It's Almost Tomorrow" is a 1955 popular song with music by Gene Adkinson and lyrics by Wade Buff. The song was actually written in 1953, when Adkinson and Buff were in high school... " |
1 | ||
| "The Poor People of Paris The Poor People of Paris "The Poor People of Paris" is a popular song, with "Paris" being pronounced as "pa-REE".It was adapted by Jack Lawrence in 1954 from the French language song "La goualante du pauvre Jean"... " |
3 | ||
| "No Other Love No Other Love (1953 song) "No Other Love" is a show tune from the 1953 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Me and Juliet.Richard Rodgers originally composed this tune for the NBC television series Victory at Sea... " |
6 | ||
| "I'll Be Home I'll Be Home "I'll Be Home" is a 1956 song that was a hit for singer Pat Boone. It was written by Ferdinand Washington and Stan Lewis and produced by Randy Wood. It was released as a single by Pat Boone with "Tutti Frutti" as the B-side. It was a number one hit in the United Kingdom, spending five weeks at #1,... "† |
5 | ||
| and The Teenagers The Teenagers The Teenagers are an American integrated doo wop group, most noted for being one of rock music's earliest successes, presented to international audiences by DJ Alan Freed... |
"Why Do Fools Fall in Love Why Do Fools Fall in Love (song) "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" is a song that was originally a hit for early New York City-based rock and roll group Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers in 1956. It reached No. 1 on the R&B chart, No. 6 on Billboards Pop Singles chart, and number one on the UK Singles Chart... " |
3 | |
| "Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)" | 6 | ||
| "Lay Down Your Arms Lay Down Your Arms "Lay Down Your Arms" is a 1956 popular song with music by Ake Gerhard and Leon Landgren and lyrics by Gerhard and Paddy Roberts .... " |
4 | ||
| "A Woman in Love A Woman in Love "A Woman in Love" is a popular song. It was written by Frank Loesser and was published in 1955, introduced in Samuel Goldwyn's cinematic adaptation of the Broadway musical Guys and Dolls.-Recorded versions:... " |
4 | ||
| "Just Walking in the Rain Just Walkin' in the Rain "Just Walkin' in the Rain" is a popular song. It was written in 1952 by Johnny Bragg and Robert Riley, two prisoners at Tennessee State Prison in Nashville, after a comment made by Bragg as the pair crossed the courtyard while it was raining... " |
7 | ||
| Single | Reached number 1 |
Weeks at number 1 |
|
| "Singing the Blues Singing the Blues "Singing the Blues" is a popular song written by Melvin Endsley and published in 1956. The best-known recording was released in October 1956 by Guy Mitchell and spent nine weeks at #1 on the U.S... " |
1 | ||
| "Singing the Blues Singing the Blues "Singing the Blues" is a popular song written by Melvin Endsley and published in 1956. The best-known recording was released in October 1956 by Guy Mitchell and spent nine weeks at #1 on the U.S... " |
1 | ||
| "Singing the Blues Singing the Blues "Singing the Blues" is a popular song written by Melvin Endsley and published in 1956. The best-known recording was released in October 1956 by Guy Mitchell and spent nine weeks at #1 on the U.S... " |
1 | ||
| "The Garden of Eden The Garden of Eden (1956 song) "The Garden of Eden" is a song written and composed by Dennise Haas Norwood and first recorded by Joe Valino, who reached Number 12 on the Billboard charts in October 1956.... " |
4 | ||
| "Singing the Blues Singing the Blues "Singing the Blues" is a popular song written by Melvin Endsley and published in 1956. The best-known recording was released in October 1956 by Guy Mitchell and spent nine weeks at #1 on the U.S... " |
1 | ||
| "Young Love" | 7 | ||
| "Cumberland Gap Cumberland Gap (folk song) "Cumberland Gap" is an Appalachian folk song that likely dates to the latter half of the 19th century and was first recorded in 1924. The song is typically played on banjo or fiddle, and well-known versions of the song include instrumental versions as well as versions with lyrics... " |
5 | ||
| "Rock-a-Billy Rock-a-Billy (song) "Rock-a-Billy" is a popular song by Woody Harris and Eddie V. Deane, published in 1957. The song was popularized by Guy Mitchell in 1957. Billie Anthony also did a version of this song.... " |
1 | ||
| "Butterfly Butterfly (1957 song) "Butterfly" is a popular song written by Bernie Lowe and Kal Mann and published in 1957. The song is credited to Anthony September as songwriter in some sources... " |
2 | ||
| "Yes Tonight Josephine Yes Tonight Josephine "Yes Tonight Josephine" was a popular music song from 1957. It was written by Winfield Scott and Dorothy Goodman, and was a hit single for Johnnie Ray.Ray's recording was produced by Mitch Miller, and gave him a #1 hit in the United Kingdom... " |
3 | ||
| "Puttin' On the Style Puttin' On the Style Puttin' On the Style was a 1957 hit for skiffle artist Lonnie Donegan. It was recorded live at the London Palladium and released as a double A side along with Gamblin' Man and reached #1 in the UK charts in June and July 1957, where it spent two weeks in this position.This was the last record to... " / "Gamblin' Man Gamblin' Man Gamblin' Man was a 1957 hit for skiffle artist Lonnie Donegan. It was recorded live at the London Palladium and released as a double A side along with Puttin' On the Style and reached #1 in the UK charts in June and July 1957, where it spent two weeks in this position... " |
2 | ||
| "All Shook Up All Shook Up "All Shook Up" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and published by Elvis Presley Music and composed by Otis Blackwell. Elvis Presley's single topped the U.S. Pop chart on April 13, 1957, staying there for eight weeks. It also topped the R&B chart for four weeks, becoming Presley's second single to... " |
7 | ||
| "Diana Diana (song) "Diana" is a song written and made famous by Paul Anka in 1957. It was inspired by a high school friend named Diana Ayoub. The original Paul Anka 1957 recording reached number one on the Billboard "Best Sellers In Stores" chart and has reportedly sold over 9 million copies... " |
9 | ||
| "That'll Be the Day That'll Be the Day "That'll Be the Day" is a song written by Buddy Holly and Jerry Allison and recorded by various artists including The Crickets and Linda Ronstadt. It was also the first song to be recorded by The Quarrymen, the skiffle group that subsequently became The Beatles... " |
3 | ||
| "Mary's Boy Child Mary's Boy Child "Mary's Boy Child" is a 1956 Christmas song, written by Jester Hairston. With its religious content, it is also widely performed as a Christmas carol.... " |
7 | ||
| Single | Reached number 1 |
Weeks at number 1 |
|
| "Great Balls of Fire Great Balls of Fire "Great Balls of Fire" is a 1957 song recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis on Sun Records and featured in the 1957 movie Jamboree. It was written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer... " |
2 | ||
| "Jailhouse Rock Jailhouse Rock (song) "Jailhouse Rock" is a song written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller that first became a hit for Elvis Presley. The song was released as a 45rpm single on September 24, 1957, to coincide with the release of Presley's motion picture, Jailhouse Rock... " |
3 | ||
| "The Story of My Life The Story of My Life (song) "The Story of My Life" is a popular song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and published in 1957.The song became a 1957 hit for US country singer Marty Robbins, staying at number one on the country chart for four weeks and reaching number fifteen on the Billboard Top 100 and number two on... " |
2 | ||
| "Magic Moments Magic Moments "Magic Moments" is a popular song with music by Burt Bacharach and lyrics by Hal David, one of the first compositions by that duo. The song was published in 1957.... " |
8 | ||
| "Whole Lotta Woman" | 3 | ||
| "Who's Sorry Now Who's Sorry Now? "Who's Sorry Now?" is a popular song with music written by Ted Snyder and lyrics by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. It was published in 1923."Who's Sorry Now?" was featured in the Marx Brothers film A Night in Casablanca , directed by Archie Mayo and released by United Artists.The song has been... " |
6 | ||
| "On the Street Where You Live On the Street Where You Live "On the Street Where You Live" is a song with music by Frederick Loewe and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner from the 1956 Broadway musical My Fair Lady. It is sung in the musical by the character Freddy Eynsford-Hill, who was portrayed by John Michael King in the original production... " |
2 | ||
| "All I Have to Do Is Dream All I Have to Do Is Dream "All I Have to Do Is Dream" is a popular song made famous by the Everly Brothers, written by the husband and wife songwriting team Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, and published in 1958. The song is ranked No... " / "Claudette"† |
7 | ||
| "When" | 5 | ||
| "Carolina Moon Carolina Moon "Carolina Moon" is a popular song written by Joe Burke and Benny Davis. The song was a 1928 hit for crooner Gene Austin, when it charted for 14 weeks, staying at number one for 7 weeks.... " / "Stupid Cupid Stupid Cupid "Stupid Cupid" is a song written by Howard Greenfield and Neil Sedaka which became a hit for Connie Francis in 1958.In the spring of 1958 Francis had hit #4 with her breakout hit, a rock ballad version of the standard "Who's Sorry Now?"... " |
6 | ||
| "It's All in the Game" | 3 | ||
| Lord Rockingham's XI Lord Rockingham's XI Lord Rockingham's XI was a group of British session musicians, led by Harry Robinson , who had a #1 hit on the UK Singles Chart in 1958 with "Hoots Mon".... |
"Hoots Mon Hoots mon "Hoots Mon" is a song written by Harry Robinson and performed by Lord Rockingham's XI. It was a number-one hit single for three weeks in 1958 on the UK Singles Chart... " |
3 | |
| "It's Only Make Believe It's Only Make Believe "It's Only Make Believe" is the title of a song written by Jack Nance and American country music artist Conway Twitty, released by Twitty as a single in July 1958. The single topped both U.S... " |
5 | ||
| Single | Reached number 1 |
Weeks at number 1 |
|
| Jane Morgan Jane Morgan Jane Morgan is an American popular singer, specializing in traditional pop music. Her first broad fame came in Europe.... |
"The Day the Rains Came" | 1 | |
| "I Got Stung I Got Stung "I Got Stung" is a fast-paced, memorable rock & roll song written by Aaron Schroeder and David Hill and performed by Elvis Presley, which was recorded & released in 1958. Featuring one of Elvis' most rapid-fire vocals, the one minute, fifty-second song was the B-side of the U.K. #1 hit "One Night"... " / "One Night One Night (song) "One Night" is a song popularized by Elvis Presley. It was issued as a double A-side with "I Got Stung". The single reached number one twice on the UK Singles Chart. In the U.S., "One Night", reached number four on the pop singles chart and number ten on the R&B chart... " |
3 | ||
| Shirley Bassey Shirley Bassey Dame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"... with Wally Stott & His Orchestra |
"As I Love You" | 4 | |
| The Platters | "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes Smoke Gets in Your Eyes "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" is a show tune written by American composer Jerome Kern and lyricist Otto Harbach for their 1933 operetta Roberta. It was originally recorded by Gertrude Niesen, on 13 October 1933 on the Victor label 24454. It was performed by Irene Dunne for the 1935 film adaptation,... " |
1 | |
| "Side Saddle" | 4 | ||
| "It Doesn't Matter Anymore It Doesn't Matter Anymore "It Doesn't Matter Anymore" is a pop ballad written by Paul Anka and recorded by Buddy Holly in 1958. The song reached #13 as a posthumous hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in early 1959 shortly after Holly was killed in a plane crash on February 3, 1959. The single was a two-sided hit, backed... " |
3 | ||
| "A Fool Such As I" / "I Need Your Love Tonight I Need Your Love Tonight "I Need Your Love Tonight" is a song written by Sid Wayne and Bix Reichner and recorded by Elvis Presley on June 10, 1958, in RCA Studio B, in Nashville, Tennessee.The song reached number four on the Billboard pop singles chart in 1959.... " |
5 | ||
| "Roulette" | 2 | ||
| "Dream Lover Dream Lover "Dream Lover" is a song written and recorded by Bobby Darin on March 5, 1959. It was produced by Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler and engineered by Tom Dowd. It is considered a soulful rock song. The song became a multi-million seller, reaching #2 in US charts and was #1 in UK for three weeks during... " |
4 | ||
| and the Drifters The Shadows The Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'... |
"Living Doll Living Doll (song) "Living Doll" is a song written by Lionel Bart made popular by Cliff Richard and the Shadows in 1959. It has topped the UK charts twice; in its original version and a new version recorded in 1986 in aid of Comic Relief.... "† |
6 | |
| "Only Sixteen" | 4 | ||
| "Here Comes Summer Here Comes Summer "Here Comes Summer" was a 1959 song, which was written and performed by Jerry Keller. The song was produced for Keller by Richard Wolf. It reached #14 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #1 in the UK Charts... " |
1 | ||
| "Mack the Knife Mack the Knife "Mack the Knife" or "The Ballad of Mack the Knife", originally "Die Moritat von Mackie Messer", is a song composed by Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht for their music drama Die Dreigroschenoper, or, as it is known in English, The Threepenny Opera. It premiered in Berlin in 1928 at the... " |
2 | ||
| and The Shadows The Shadows The Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'... |
"Travellin' Light Travellin' Light Travellin' Light is a UK number-one single by Cliff Richard and The Shadows. It sold 1,600,000 worldwide. It was his last single of the 50's, during the 50's he sold more than 5,000,000 singles worldwide within just 18 months.... " |
5 | |
| "What Do You Want? What Do You Want? "What Do You Want?" was a 1959 song which became a number one hit in the United Kingdom for Adam Faith. It was written by Les Vandyke and produced by John Burgess and arranged by John Barry. It first appeared on the charts on 20 November 1959 and spent 19 weeks there... " |
3 | ||
| and the Checkmates | "What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For? What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For? "What Do You Want to Make Those Eyes at Me For?" is a song written by Joseph McCarthy, Howard Johnson and James V. Monaco in 1916. It was released in 1917 by Ada Jones and Billy Murray on Victor 18224.... " |
6 |
By artist
The following artists achieved three or more number-one hits during the 1950s. Artists Frankie LaineFrankie Laine
Frankie Laine, born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio , was a successful American singer, songwriter, and actor whose career spanned 75 years, from his first concerts in 1930 with a marathon dance company to his final performance of "That's My Desire" in 2005...
, Guy Mitchell
Guy Mitchell
Guy Mitchell, born Albert George Cernik, was an American pop singer, successful in his homeland, the U.K. and Australia...
and Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
were the most successful acts of the decade in terms of number-one singles, each having four singles reach the top of the chart. In total, Laine spent 32 weeks occupying the top of chart in the 1950s; the next highest was Presley who spent a total of 18 weeks at number one.
| Artist | Number-one hits |
|---|---|
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 4 | |
| 3 | |
See also
- List of best-selling singles of the 1950s (UK)
- List of number-one albums from the 1950s (UK)List of Record Mirror number-one singles