Billboard: Biggest #1 Pop Songs, 1958-2023

Billboard’s Biggest #1 Pop Songs: 1958-2023

The Billboard Hot 100 chart was launched on August 4, 1958. It has become the industry standard for tracking the biggest pop hits in the United States. These are the biggest #1 songs in the history of the chart. All songs which spent seven weeks or more at #1 are listed here. Ties are broken by songs’ overall Dave’s Music Database points. See other chart-based lists here and specific Billboard lists here. 19 weeks: Lil Nas X with Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road” (2018) 16 weeks: Luis Fonsi with Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber “Despacito” (2017) Mariah Carey with Boyz II Men “One Sweet Day” (1995) Morgan Wallen “Last Night” (2023) 15 weeks: Harry Styles “As It Was” (2022) 14 weeks: Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992) Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014) Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” (2009) Elton John “Candle in the Wind 1997 (Goodbye England’s Rose)” (1997) Los Del Rio “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” (1995) Mariah Carey “We Belong Together” (2005) Boyz II Men “I’ll Make Love to You” (1994) Mariah Carey “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (1994) 13 weeks: Boyz II Men “End of the Road” (1992) Brandy with Monica “The Boy Is Mine” (1998) 12 weeks: Ed Sheeran “Shape of You” (2017) Eminem “Lose Yourself” (2002) Usher with Lil’ Jon & Ludacris “Yeah!” (2004) Robin Thicke with T.I. & Pharrell Williams “Blurred Lines” (2013) Santana with Rob Thomas “Smooth” (1999) The Chainsmokers with Halsey “Closer” (2016) Wiz Khalifa with Charlie Puth “See You Again” (2015) Black Eyed Peas “Boom Boom Pow” (2009) 11 weeks: Drake “God’s Plan” (2018) Puff Daddy with Faith Evans & 112 “I’ll Be Missing You” (1997) Toni Braxton “Un-Break My Heart” (1996) All-4-One “I Swear” (1994) Destiny’s Child “Independent Women” (2000) Roddy Rich “The Box” (2019) 10 weeks: Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013) Flo Rida with T-Pain “Low” (2007) Adele “Hello” (2015) Rihanna with Calvin Harris “We Found Love” (2011) Debby Boone “You Light Up My Life” (1977) Kanye West with Jamie Foxx “Gold Digger” (2005) Olivia Newton-John “Physical” (1981) Drake “One Dance” (2016) Beyoncé “Irreplaceable” (2006) Nelly with Kelly Rowland “Dilemma” (2002) Drake “In My Feelings” (2018) Ashanti with Ja Rule “Foolish” (2002) Santana with the Product G&B “Maria Maria” (2000) Adele “Easy on Me” (2021) BTS “Butter” (2021) 9 weeks: The Beatles “Hey Jude” (1968) Bobby Darin “Mack the Knife” (1959) OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003) Lionel Richie & Diana Ross “Endless Love” (1981) Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe” (2011) Kim Carnes “Bette Davis Eyes” (1981) 50 Cent “In Da Club” (2002) Lorde “Royals” (2013) Ke$ha “Tik Tok” (2009) Rihanna with Drake “Work” (2016) Percy Faith “Theme from ‘A Summer Place’” (1960) Maroon 5 “One More Night” (2012) 50 Cent with Olivia “Candy Shop” (2005) Mario “Let Me Love You” (2004) Beyoncé with Sean Paul “Baby Boy” (2003) BTS “Butter” (2021) 8 weeks: The Police “Every Breath You Take” (1983) Gotye with Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011) Beyoncé with Jay-Z “Crazy in Love” (2003) Bee Gees “Night Fever” (1978) Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass” (2014) Rod Stewart “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” (1976) Post Malone with 21 Savage “Rockstar” (2017) Janet Jackson “That’s the Way Love Goes” (1993) Ariana Grande “7 Rings” (2019) Mariah Carey “Fantasy” (1995) Mariah Carey “Dreamlover” (1993) Kris Kross “Jump” (1992) Drake “Nice for What” (2018) Paula Abdul “Rush Rush” (1991) Bone Thugs-N-Harmony “Tha Crossroads” (1996) Usher “Burn” (2004) 24K Goldn with Iann Dior “Mood” (2020) Olivia Rodrigo “Drivers License” (2021) Taylor Swift “Anti-Hero” (2022) Miley Cyrus “Flowers” (2023) 7 weeks: Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” (1983) Marvin Gaye “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1968) The Beatles “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (1963) Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991) Joan Jett & the Blackhearts “I Love Rock and Roll” (1981) Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010) Rihanna with Jay-Z “Umbrella” (2007) The Monkees “I’m a Believer” (1966) Nelly “Hot in Herre” (2002) Eminem with Rihanna “Love the Way You Lie” (2010) Justin Timberlake “Sexyback” (2006) Maroon 5 with Cardi B “Girls Like You” (2017) Taylor Swift “Blank Space” (2014) TLC “Waterfalls” (1994) Katy Perry “I Kissed a Girl” (2008) Madonna “Take a Bow” (1994) Iggy Azalea with Charli XCX “Fancy” (2014) Andy Gibb “Shadow Dancing” (1978) Paul McCartney & Stevie Wonder “Ebony and Ivory” (1982) Ariana Grande “Thank U, Next” (2018) Soulja Boy Tell’em “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” (2007) Montell Jordan “This Is How We Do It” (1995) Michael Jackson “Black or White” (1991) Bobby Lewis “Tossin’ and Turnin’” (1961) T.I. “Whatever You Like” (2008) UB40 “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1993) Snow “Informer” (1993) Rae Sremmurd with Gucci Mane “Black Beatles” (2016) Lizzo “Truth Hurts” (2017) Janet Jackson “All for You” (2001) Ciara with Petey Pablo “Goodies” (2004) DaBaby with Roddy Ricch “Rockstar” (2020) The Kid Laroi with Justin Bieber “Stay” (2021) Resources/Related Links: Dave’s Music Database “Other Best-of Billboard lists” Dave’s Music Database: “Other Chart-Based Lists” Dave’s Music Database: “USA: #1 Pop Songs, 1890-present” First posted 9/6/2021; last updated 1/2/2024.

 

Billboard: Digital Sales, 2005-present

Billboard’s Biggest Digital Hits: 2005-present

Billboard magazine started its airplay chart on January 22, 2005 to track the biggest hits based on digital sales. This list focuses on the biggest hits on that chart based on weeks at #1. All songs which spent five or more weeks on top are included in this list. Ties are broken by songs’ overall Dave’s Music Database points. See other chart-based lists here and specific Billboard lists here. 18 weeks: BTS “Dynamite” (2020) 17 weeks: Luis Fonsi with Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber “Despacito” (2017) 16 weeks: Lil Nas X with Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road” (2018) 13 weeks: Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014) The Chainsmokers with Halsey “Closer” (2016) BTS “Butter” (2021) 11 weeks: Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013) 10 weeks: Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” (2009) Ed Sheeran “Shape of You” (2017) Flo Rida & T-Pain “Low” (2007) Robin Thicke with T.I. & Pharrell Williams “Blurred Lines” (2013) Black Eyed Peas “Boom Boom Pow” (2009) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis with Wanz “Thrift Shop” (2012) Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” (5/28/2016) Lady Gaga with Bradley Cooper “Shallow” 9 weeks: Kanye West with Jamie Foxx “Gold Digger” (2005) Gwen Stefani “Hollaback Girl” (2004) 8 weeks: Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe” (2011) Ed Sheeran with Beyoncé “Perfect” (2017) Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass” (2014) 50 Cent with Olivia “Candy Shop” (2005) 7 weeks: Adele “Hello” (2015) Wiz Khalifa with Charlie Puth “See You Again” (2015) Eminem with Rihanna “Love the Way You Lie” (2010) Taylor Swift “Blank Space” (2014) Daniel Powter “Bad Day” (#1, 2005) fun. with Janelle Monae “We Are Young” (2012) Katy Perry with Kanye West “E.T.” (2010) 6 weeks: Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010) LMFAO with Lauren Bennett & GoonRock “Party Rock Anthem” (2011) Ke$ha “Tik Tok” (2009) Psy “Gangnam Style” (2012) Drake “God’s Plan” (2018) Maroon 5 with Cardi B “Girls Like You” (2017) Katy Perry “I Kissed a Girl” (2008) Drake “In My Feelings” (2018) Flo Rida with Ke$ha “Right Round” (2009) Miley Cyrus “Party in the U.S.A.” (2009) Halsey “Without Me” (2018) Rae Sremmurd with Gucci Mane “Black Beatles” (2016) 5 weeks: Rihanna with Jay-Z “Umbrella” (2007) Rihanna & Calvin Harris “We Found Love” (2011) Lorde “Royals” (2013) Maroon 5 with Christina Aguilera “Moves Like Jagger” (2011) Justin Timberlake “Sexyback” (2006) Katy Perry with Snoop Dogg “California Gurls” (2010) LMFAO “Sexy and I Know It” (2011) Katy Perry with Juicy J “Dark Horse” (2013) Macklemore & Ryan Lewis with Ray Dalton “Can’t Hold Us” (2011) Bruno Mars “Grenade” (2010) Soulja Boy Tell’em “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” (2007) Taylor Swift “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” (2012) Taylor Swift with Kendrick Lamar “Bad Blood” (2014) Lizzo “Truth Hurts” (2017) Rihanna “Pon De Replay” (2005) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database “Other Best-of Billboard lists” Dave’s Music Database: “Other Chart-Based Lists” Dave’s Music Database: “USA: #1 Pop Songs, 1890-present” First posted 9/8/2021.

Billboard: Airplay, 1984-present

Billboard’s Biggest Airplay Hits: 1984-present

Billboard magazine started its airplay chart on October 20, 1984 to track the biggest hits as played on radio. This list focuses on the biggest hits on that chart based on weeks at #1. All songs which spent seven weeks or more at #1 are included in this list. Ties are broken by songs’ overall Dave’s Music Database points. See other chart-based lists here and specific Billboard lists here. 26 weeks: The Weeknd “Blinding Lights” (2019) 18 weeks: Goo Goo Dolls “Iris (1998) 16 weeks: Mariah Carey “We Belong Together” (2005) No Doubt “Don’t Speak” (1995) Maroon 5 with Cardi B “Girls Like You” (2017) 14 weeks: Céline Dion “Because You Loved Me (1996) Alicia Keys “No One” (2007) Panic! At the Disco “High Hopes” (2018) 13 weeks: Mariah Carey with Boyz II Men “One Sweet Day” (1995) Boyz II Men “End of the Road” (1992) Ace of Base “The Sign” (1993) TLC “No Scrubs’ (1999) Donna Lewis “I Love You Always Forever” (1996) 12 weeks: Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014) Ed Sheeran “Shape of You” (2017) Usher with Lil’ Jon & Ludacris “Yeah!” (2004) Rihanna with Calvin Harris “We Found Love” (2011) Boyz II Men “I’ll Make Love to You” (1994) Nelly with Kelly Rowland “Dilemma” (2002) 11 weeks: Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992) Eminem “Lose Yourself” (2002) Robin Thicke with T.I. & Pharrell Williams “Blurred Lines” (2013) Adele “Hello” (2015) The Chainsmokers with Halsey “Closer” (2016) Beyoncé “Irreplaceable” (2006) Justin Bieber “Love Yourself” (2015) Natalie Imbruglia “Torn” (1997) Mariah Carey “Dreamlover” (1993) Post Malone “Circles” (2019) Mario “Let Me Love You” (2004) Boyz II Men “On Bended Knee” (1994) 24K Goldn with Iann Dior “Mood” (2020) Khalid “Talk” (2019) 10 weeks: Céline Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997) Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (1995) Janet Jackson “That’s the Way Love Goes” (1993) Lil Wayne with Static Major “Lollipop” (2008) Mariah Carey “Hero” (1993) Ashanti with Ja Rule “Foolish” (2002) Mariah Carey “Someday” (1990) Usher “U Got It Bad” (2001) Bruno Mars & Anderson.Paak as Silk Sonic “Leave the Door Open” (2021) 9 weeks: OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003) 50 Cent “In Da Club” (2002) Ed Sheeran with Beyoncé “Perfect” (2017) Jay-Z with Alicia Keys “Empire State of Mind” (2009) All-4-One “I Swear” (1994) Destiny’s Child “Independent Women” (2000) Madonna “Take a Bow” (1994) Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like” (2016) Chumbawamba “Tubthumping” (1997) Jewel “You Were Meant for Me” (1995) Paula Abdul “Rush Rush” (1991) Mary J. Blige “Be Without You” (2005) Zedd with Maren Morris & Grey “The Middle” (2018) Beyoncé with Sean Paul “Baby Boy” (2003) Aaliyah “Try Again” (2000) Brandy “Have You Ever?” (1998) 8 weeks: Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991) Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013) Beyoncé with Jay-Z “Crazy in Love” (2003) Eminem with Rihanna “Love the Way You Lie” (2010) Sia with Sean Paul “Cheap Thrills” (2016) Vanessa Williams “Save the Best for Last” (1992) T.I. with Rihanna “Live Your Life” (2008) Maroon 5 “One More Night” (2012) T.I. “Whatever You Like” (2008) The Rembrandts “I’ll Be There for You” (1995) Usher “Burn” (2004) Mariah Carey “I’ll Be There” (live, 1992) Maroon 5 “Don’t Wanna Know” (2016) T-Pain with Yung Joc “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)” (2007) Chris Brown with Young Thug “Go Crazy” (2020) 7 weeks: Nelly “Hot in Herre” (2002) Maroon 5 with Christina Aguilera “Moves Like Jagger” (2011) Ke$ha “Tik Tok” (2009) Bruno Mars “Just the Way You Are (Amazing)” (2010) John Legend “All of Me” (2013) The Weeknd “Can’t Feel My Face” (2015) Fergie “Big Girls Don’t Cry (Personal)” (2007) Mariah Carey “Fantasy” (1995) Bruno Mars “Locked Out of Heaven” (2012) 50 Cent with Olivia “Candy Shop” (2005) Usher with will.i.am “OMG” (2010) Justin Timberlake “Mirrors” (2013) Ciara with Petey Pablo “Goodies” (2004) Rihanna with Drake “What’s My Name?” (2010) Chris Brown with Juelz Santana “Run It!” (2005) Janet Jackson “Love Will Never Do without You” (1989) Sisqó “Thong Song” (2000) Dionne Farris “I Know” (1995) T.I. with Justin Timberlake “Dead and Gone” (2008) Destiny’s Child “Jumpin’ Jumpin’” (1999) Cassie “Me & U” (2006) Dua Lipa “Levitating” (2020) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database “Other Best-of Billboard lists” Dave’s Music Database: “Other Chart-Based Lists” Dave’s Music Database: “USA: #1 Pop Songs, 1890-present” First posted 9/7/2021.

Billboard: Jukebox Hits, 1940-1957

Billboard’s Jukebox Hits: 1940-1957

Billboard magazine launched its jukebox hits chart on January 6, 1940. It only ran until July 20, 1940, but then resumed on November 6, 1943 and ran until June 17, 1957. It tracked which songs were played most in jukeboxes across the country. The chart ran until 1957. These were the biggest #1 songs on that chart. All songs which spent three weeks or more at #1 are listed here. Ties are broken by songs’ overall Dave’s Music Database points. See other chart-based lists here and specific Billboard lists here. 13 weeks: Glenn Miller “In the Mood” (1939) Patti Page “Tennessee Waltz” (1950) Francis Craig with Bob Lamm “Near You” (1947) The Ink Spots “The Gypsy” (1946) Ted Weems with Elmo Tanner “Heartaches” (1947) 12 weeks: The Weavers with Gordon Jenkins’ Orchestra “Goodnight Irene” (1950) 11 weeks: Frankie Carle & Marjorie Hughes “Oh What It Seemed to Be” (1946) Guy Lombardo “The Third Man Theme” (1950) 10 weeks: Vaughn Monroe “Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend)” (1949) The Andrews Sisters with Vic Schoen’s Orchestra “Rum and Coca-Cola” (1945) Guy Mitchell “Singing the Blues” (1956) Tony Bennett with Percy Faith’s Orchestra “Because of You” (1951) Kay Starr “Wheel of Fortune” (1952) Patti Page “I Went to Your Wedding” (1952) 9 weeks: Elvis Presley “Don’t Be Cruel” (1956) / Elvis Presley “Hound Dog” (1956) Elvis Presley “All Shook Up” (1957) Dinah Shore & Her Harper Valley Boys “Buttons and Bows” (1948) Les Paul & Mary Ford “How High the Moon” (1951) Glenn Miller “Tuxedo Junction” (1940) Perry Como “Till the End of Time” (1945) Johnnie Ray & the Four Lads “Cry” (1951) Les Paul with Mary Ford “Vaya Con Dios (May God Be with You)” (1953) Andrews Sisters with Vic Shoen’s Orchestra “Shoo-Shoo Baby” (1943) 8 weeks: Elvis Presley “Heartbreak Hotel” (1956) Bing Crosby with John Scottt Trotter’s Orchestra “Swinging on a Star” (1944) The Harmonicats “Peg O’ My Heart” (1947) Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters “Don’t Fence Me In” (1944) Johnny Mercer with the Pied Pipers “On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe” (1945) Perez “Prez” Prado “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” (1955) Perry Como with Hugo Winterhalter’s Orchestra “Wanted” (1954) Red Foley “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy” (1950) The Crew-Cuts “Sh-Boom” (1954) Frankie Carle with Marjorie Hughes “Rumors Are Flying” (1946) Tony Bennett with Percy Faith’s Orchestra “Rags to Riches” (1953) Rosemary Clooney “Come on-a My House” (1951) 7 weeks: Bill Haley & the Comets “We’re Gonna Rock Around the Clock” (1954) Les Brown with Doris Day “Sentimental Journey” (1945) Tennessee Ernie Ford “Sixteen Tons” (1955) Vaughn Monroe’s Orchestra “Ballerina” (1947) The McGuire Sisters “Sincerely” (1954) Patti Page “The Doggie in the Window” (1953) Kitty Kallen with Jack Pleis’ Orchestra “Little Things Mean a Lot” (1954) Evelyn Knight & the Stardusters “A Little Bird Told Me” (1948) Teresa Brewer with Jack Pleis’ Orchestra “Till I Waltz Again with You” (1952) Les Brown with Doris Day “My Dreams Are Getting Bigger All the Time” (1945) Sammy Kaye with Billy Williams “The Old Lamplighter” (1946) Eddie Fisher with Sally Sweetland & Hugo Winterhalter’s Orchestra “I'm Walking Behind You” (1953) Jo Stafford “Make Love to Me!” (1954) Ken Griffin “You Can’t Be True, Dear” (1948) 6 weeks: Pee Wee Hunt “Twelfth Street Rag” (1948) Mitch Miller “The Yellow Rose of Texas” (1955) Percy Faith with Felicia Sanders “Where Is Your Heart (Song from “Moulin Rouge”)” (1953) Harry James with Dick Haymes “I’ll Get by As Long As I Have You” (1941) Eddy Howard “To Each His Own” (1946) Frankie Laine & the Muleskinners “Mule Train” (1949) Frankie Masters “Scatter-Brain” (1939) Eddie Fisher with Hugo Winterhalter’s Orchestra “O Mein Papa (Oh My Papa)” (1953) Kay Kyser with Gloria Wood “Woody Woodpecker” (1948) Al Trace with Bob Vincent “You Call Everybody Darlin’” (1948) Kay Starr with Hugo Winterhalter’s Orchestra “Rock and Roll Waltz” (1955) Georgia Gibbs “Kiss of Fire” (1952) The Ames Brothers with Hugo Winterhalter’s Orchestra “You You You” (1953) Russ Morgan & the Skylarks “Cruising Down the River on a Sunday Afternoon” (1949) Bing Crosby with the Andrews Sisters & Vic Shoen’s Orchestra “There'll Be a Hot Time in the Town of Berlin When the Yanks Go Marching In” (1944) 5 weeks: Nat “King” Cole “Mona Lisa” (1950) Vaughn Monroe “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (1945) Perry Como “Some Enchanted Evening” (1949) Art Mooney “I’m Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover” (1948) Frankie Laine with Jud Conlon’s Rhythmaires “That Lucky Old Sun” (1949) Peggy Lee with Dave Barbour’s Orchestra “Manana Is Soon Enough for Me” (1948) Glenn Miller with Marion Hutton “The Woodpecker Song” (1940) Rosemary Clooney with Buddy Cole “Hey There” (1954) THe Merry Macs “Mairzy Doats” (1944) Perry Como with Mitchell Ayres Orchestra “If (They Made Me a King)” (1951) Tab Hunter “Young Love” (1956) Bing Crosby with Jon Scott Trotter’s Orchestra “San Fernando Valley” (1944) 4 weeks: The Chordettes “Mr. Sandman” (1954) Nat “King” Cole “Too Young” (1951) Tex Williams “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)” (1947) Vera Lynn with Ronald Shaw’s Orchestra “Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart” (1952) Gogi Grant “The Wayward Wind” (1956) Dean Martin “Memories Are Made of This” (1955) Perry Como & the Ramblers with Mitchell Ayres’ Orchestra “Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes” (1952) Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter’s Orchestra “Sierra Sue” (1940) Joan Weber “Let Me Go, Lover!” (1954) Pat Boone “I Almost Lost My Mind” (1956) Sammy Kaye with Troy Alamo “Harbor Lights” (1950) 3 weeks: Blue Barron & His Orchestra “Crusing Down the River on a Sunday Afternoon” (1949) The Four Aces “Love is a Many Splendored Thing” (1955) Vic Damone “You’re Breaking My Heart” (1949) Bill Hayes “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” (1955) Bing Crosby “Now Is the Hour (Māori Farewell Song)” (1948) The Andrews Sisters with Gordon Jenkins’ Orchestra “I Can Dream, Can’t I?” (1949) Frank Sinatra “Five Minutes More” (1946) Margaret Whiting with Jimmy Wakely “Slipping Around” (1949) Russ Morgan & the Skylarks “Forever and Ever” (1949) Eileen Barton “If I Knew You Were Comin’ I’d’ve Baked a Cake” (1950) Pee Wee King & His Golden West Cowboys “Slow Poke” (1951) Joni James with Lew Douglas’ Orchestra “Why Don’t You Believe Me” (1952) Rosemary Clooney with Percy Faith’s Orchestra “Half As Much” (1952) The Mills Brothers with Hal McIntyre “The Glow-Worm” (1952) The Three Suns “Peg O’ My Heart” (1947) Freddy Martin with Stuart Wade “Managua, Nicaragua” (1947) Jim Lowe “The Green Door” (1956) Rosemary Clooney “This Ole House” (1954) Tony Bennett with Percy Faith’s Orchestra “Cold Cold Heart” (1951) The Fontane Sisters with Billy Vaughn’s Orchestra “Hearts of Stone” (1954) Georgia Gibbs “Dance with Me Henry (Wallflower)” (1955) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database “Other Best-of Billboard lists” Dave’s Music Database: “Other Chart-Based Lists” Dave’s Music Database: “USA: #1 Pop Songs, 1890-present” First posted 9/7/2021.

Billboard: Best Sellers, 1940-1958

Billboard’s Best Sellers: 1940-1958

Billboard magazine started its best seller chart in 1940. It tracked the songs which sold the most according to surveys of stores which sold music. The chart ran until 1958 when it was merged, along with charts of the biggest DJ hits and jukebox hits, into the Billboard Hot 100. These, however, were the biggest #1 songs on the Billboard Best Sellers chart from 1940 to 1958. All songs which spent four weeks or more at #1 are listed here. Ties are broken by songs’ overall Dave’s Music Database points. See other chart-based lists here and specific Billboard lists here. 13 weeks: Artie Shaw “Frenesi” (1940) The Weavers with Gordon Jenkins’ Orchestra “Goodnight Irene” (1950) 12 weeks: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra with Frank Sinatra & the Pied Pipers “I’ll Never Smile Again” (1940) Francis Craig with Bob Lamm “Near You” (1947) Ted Weems with Elmo Tanner “Heartaches” (1947) 11 weeks: Elvis Presley “Don’t Be Cruel” (1956) / Elvis Presley “Hound Dog” (1956) Vaughn Monroe “Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend)” (1949) Johnnie Ray & the Four Lads “Cry” (1951) Les Paul with Mary Ford “Vaya Con Dios (May God Be with You)” (1953) Anton Karas “The Third Man Theme” (1950) 10 weeks: Dinah Shore & Her Harper Valley Boys “Buttons and Bows” (1948) The Ink Spots “The Gypsy” (1946) Perry Como “Till the End of Time” (1945) Vaughn Monroe’s Orchestra “Ballerina” (1947) Percy Faith with Felicia Sanders “Where Is Your Heart (Song from “Moulin Rouge”)” (1953) Perez “Prez” Prado “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” (1955) 9 weeks: Les Brown with Doris Day “Sentimental Journey” (1945) Patti Page “Tennessee Waltz” (1950) Bing Crosby with John Scottt Trotter’s Orchestra “Swinging on a Star” (1944) Les Paul & Mary Ford “How High the Moon” (1951) Guy Mitchell “Singing the Blues” (1956) Kitty Kallen with Jack Pleis’ Orchestra “Little Things Mean a Lot” (1954) Peggy Lee with Dave Barbour’s Orchestra “Manana Is Soon Enough for Me” (1948) Kay Starr “Wheel of Fortune” (1952) Vera Lynn with Ronald Shaw’s Orchestra “Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart” (1952) Bing Corsby “Only Forever” (1940) 8 weeks: Bill Haley & the Comets “We’re Gonna Rock Around the Clock” (1954) Elvis Presley “Heartbreak Hotel” / “I Was the One” (1956) Elvis Presley “All Shook Up” (1957) Pee Wee Hunt “Twelfth Street Rag” (1948) The Andrews Sisters with Vic Schoen’s Orchestra “Rum and Coca-Cola” (1945) Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters “Don’t Fence Me In” (1944) Tonny Bennett with Percy Faith’s Orchestra “Because of You” (1951) Frankie Laine with Jud Conlon’s Rhythmaires “That Lucky Old Sun” (1949) Patti Page “The Doggie in the Window” (1953) Perry Como with Hugo Winterhalter’s Orchestar “Wanted” (1954) Eddie Fisher with Hugo Winterhalter’s Orchestra “O Mein Papa (Oh My Papa)” (1953) Frankie Carle with Marjorie Hughes “Rumors Are Flying” (1946) 7 weeks: Elvis Presley “Jailhouse Rock” (1957) Tennessee Ernie Ford “Sixteen Tons” (1955) Nat “King” Cole with Frank DeVol’s Orchestra “Nature Boy” (1948) Jo Mercer with the Pied Pipers “On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe” (1945) The Chordettes “Mr. Sandman” (1954) Jimmy Dorsey with Bob Eberly & Kitty Kallen “Besame Mucho (Kiss Me Much)” (1944) Elvis Presley “Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear” (1957) Evelyn Knight & the Stardusters “A Little Bird Told Me” (1948) The Crew-Cuts “Sh-Boom” (1954) Les Brown with Doris Day “My Dreams Are Getting Bigger All the Time” (1945) Sammy Kaye with Billy Williams “The Old Lamplighter” (1946) Russ Morgan & the Skylarks “Cruising Down the River on a Sunday Afternoon” (1949) 6 weeks: Mitch Miller “The Yellow Rose of Texas” (1955) The McGuire Sisters “Sincerely” (1954) Frankie Carle & Marjorie Hughes “Oh What It Seemed to Be” (1946) Tex Williams “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)” (1947) Frankie Laine & the Muleskinners “Mule Train” (1949) Rosemary Clooney with Buddy Cole “Hey There” (1954) Gogi Grant “Thw Wayward Wind” (1956) Sheb Wooley “The Purple People Eater” (1958) Kay Kyser with Gloria Wood “Woody Woodpecker” (1948) Perry Como with Mitchell Ayres Orchestra “If (They Made Me a King)” (1951) Tony Bennett with Percy Faith’s Orchestra “Rags to Riches” (1953) Rosemary Clooney “Come on-a My House” (1951) Tony Bennett with Percy Faith’s Orchestra “Cold Cold Heart” (1951) 5 weeks: Elvis Presley “Love Me Tender” / “Any Way You Want Me” (1956) Danny & The Juniors “At the Hop” (1957) Nat “King” Cole “Mona Lisa” (1950) Jo Stafford “You Belong to Me” (1952) Vaughn Monroe “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (1945) Perry Como “Some Enchanted Evening” (1949) Domenico Modugno “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blue)” (1958) The Champs “Tequila” (1958) Pat Boone “Love Letters in the Sand” (1957) Nat “King” Cole “Too Young” (1951) Shep Fields with Hal Derwin “South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)” (1939) Eddy Howard “To Each His Own” (1946) Bill Hayes “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” (1955) The Mills Brothers “You Always Hurt the One You Love” (1944) Dean Martin “Memories Are Made of This” (1955) Perry Como & the Ramblers with Mitchell Ayres’ Orchestra “Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes” (1952) Glen Gray with Eugenie Baird “My Heart Tells Me (Should I Believe My Heart?)” (1943) Teresa Brewer with Jack Pleis’ Orchestra “Till I Waltz Again with You” (1952) Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter’s Orchestra “I Love You” (1944) Patti Page “I Went to Your Wedding” (1954) Elvis Presley “Don’t” (1958) Tab Hunter “Young Love” (1956) Leroy Anderson & His “Pops” Concert Orchestra “Blue Tango” (1951) 4 weeks: The Everly Brothers “All I Have to Do Is Dream” (1958) Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter’s Orchestra “I’ll Be Seeing You” (1944) The Harmonicats “Peg O’ My Heart” (1947) Roger Williams “Autumn Leaves” (1955) Harry James with Dick Haymes “I’ll Get by As Long As I Have You” (1941) Vic Damone “You’re Breaking My Heart” (1949) The Andrews Sisters with Gordon Jenkin’s Orchestra “I Can Dream, Can’t I?” (1949) Dinah Shore “I’ll Walk Alone” (1944) Red Foley “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy” (1950) Teresa Brewer with the Dixieland All Stars “Music! Music! Music!” (1950) Les Baxter “The Poor People of Paris” (1956) Joni James with Lew Douglas’ Orchestra “Why Don’t You Believe Me” (1952) Phil Harris with Walter Scharf’s Orchestra “The Thing” (1950) Nelson Riddle & His Orchestra “Lisbon Antigua” (1955) Stan Freberg with Daws Butler & June Foray “St. George and the Dragonet” (1953) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database “Other Best-of Billboard lists” Dave’s Music Database: “Other Chart-Based Lists” Dave’s Music Database: “USA: #1 Pop Songs, 1890-present” First posted 9/6/2021.

 

Billboard: Biggest #1 Pop Songs, 1890-1958

Billboard’s Biggest #1 Pop Songs: 1890-1958

The Billboard Hot 100 chart was launched on August 4, 1958. It has become the industry standard for tracking the biggest pop hits in the United States. However, prior to 1958, Billboard had been doing charts as far back as 1890 which tracked pop hits in terms of sheet music sales, radio airplay, in-store sales, and jukebox plays. These are the biggest #1 songs according to Billboard from 1890 until the inception of the Hot 100 chart. All songs which spent eight weeks or more are listed here. Ties are broken by songs’ overall Dave’s Music Database points. See other chart-based lists here. 17 weeks: Francis Craig with Bob Lamm “Near You” (1947) 14 weeks: Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers “White Christmas” (1942) 13 weeks: Glenn Miller “In the Mood” Gene Austin “My Blue Heaven” Patti Page “Tennessee Waltz” (1950) Ben Selvin “Dardanella” (1920) Artie Shaw “Frenesi” (1940) The Weavers with Gordon Jenkins’ Orchestra “Goodnight Irene” (1950) Harry James with Helen Forrest “I’ve Heard That Song Before” (1943) The Ink Spots “The Gypsy” (1946) Ted Weems with Elmo Tanner “Heartaches” (1947) 12 weeks: Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra with Frank Sinatra & the Pied Pipers “I’ll Never Smile Again” (1940) The Mills Brothers “Paper Doll” (1943) Vernon Dalhart “The Prisoner’s Song” (1925) Vaughn Monroe “Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend)” (1949) Jo Stafford “You Belong to Me” (1952) Al Jolson “Sonny Boy” (1928) 11 weeks: Elvis Presley “Don’t Be Cruel” (1956) / Elvis Presley “Hound Dog” (1956) Leo Reisman & His Orchestra with Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers “Cheek to Cheek” (1935) Paul Whiteman’s Orchestra “Whispering” (1920) Al Jolson “April Showers” (1922) Byron Harlan “School Days (When We Were a Couple of Kids)” (1907) American Quartet with Billy Murray “Casey Jones” (1910) Haydn Quartet “Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet” (1909) Johnnie Ray & the Four Lads “Cry” (1951) Arthur Collins “The Preacher and the Bear” (1905) Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra with Franklyn Baur “Valencia (A Song of Spain)” (1926) Les Paul with Mary Ford “Vaya Con Dios (May God Be with You)” (1953) Henry Burr “Just a Baby’s Prayer at Twilight (For Her Daddy Over There)” (1918) Anton Karas “The Third Man Theme” (1950) Frankie Carle & Marjorie Hughes “Oh What It Seemed to Be” (1946) Len Spencer “Arkansaw Traveler” (1902) Guy Lombardo “The Third Man Theme” (1950) 10 weeks: Arthur Collins & Byron Harlan “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” (1911) Leo Reisman’s Orchestra with Fred Astaire “Night and Day” (1932) Billy Murray “You’re a Grand Old Flag (aka “The Grand Old Rag”)” (1906) Ella Fitzgerald with Chick Webb & His Orchestra “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” (1938) Haydn Quartet “Sweet Adeline (You’re the Flower of My Heart)” (1904) Bing Crosby with George Stoll’s Orchestra “Pennies from Heaven” (1936) George J. Gaskin “After the Ball” (1893) Dinah Shore & Her Harper Valley Boys “Buttons and Bows” (1948) Byron Harlan “My Gal Sal” (1907) Nick Lucas “Tip-Toe Thru the Tulips with Me” (1929) The Andrews Sisters with Vic Schoen’s Orchestra “Rum and Coca-Cola” (1945) Bing Crosby with Lani McIntire & His Hawaiians “Sweet Leilani” (1937) Perry Como “Till the End of Time” (1945) Rudy Vallee & His Connecticut Yankees “Stein Song (University of Maine)” (1930) Ted Lewis & His Band “In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town” (1932) Guy Mitchell “Singing the Blues” (1956) Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra with Bob Eberly & Helen O’Connell “Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)” (1941) George J. Gaskin “On the Banks of the Wabash” (1897) Dan Quinn “The Band Played On” (1895) Vaughn Monroe’s Orchestra “Ballerina” (1947) Percy Faith with Felicia Sanders “Where Is Your Heart (Song from “Moulin Rouge”)” (1953) The McGuire Sisters “Sincerely” (1955) Tonny Bennett with Percy Faith’s Orchestra “Because of You” (1951) Perez “Prez” Prado “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” (1955) Glenn Miller Orchestra with Ray Eberle & The Modernaires “Moonlight Cocktail” (1942) Kay Starr “Wheel of Fortune” (1952) George W. Johnson “The Laughing Song” (1891) George J. Gaskin “My Old New Hampshire Home” (1898) Eileen Barton “If I Knew You Were Comin’ I’d’ve Baked a Cake” (1950) Patti Page “I Went to Your Wedding” (1952) 9 weeks: American Quartet “Over There” (1917) Al Jolson “Swanee” (1920) Glenn Miller with Tex Beneke & the Four Modernaires “Chattanooga Choo Choo” (1941) Les Brown with Doris Day “Sentimental Journey” (1945) Billy Murray with the Haydn Quartet “By the Light of the Silvery Moon” (1910) Ada Jones & Billy Murray “Shine on, Harvest Moon” (1909) Billy Murray “Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis” (1904) Larry Clinton with Bea Wain “Deep Purple” (1939) Henry Burr with Albert Campbell “Till We Meet Again” (1919) Bing Crosby with John Scottt Trotter’s Orchestra “Swinging on a Star” (1944) Byron Harlan “Wait Till the Sun Shines, Nellie” (1906) Les Paul & Mary Ford “How High the Moon” (1951) Glenn Miller “Tuxedo Junction” (1940) George Olsen with Joe Morrison “The Last Round-Up” (1933) Billy Murray “Harrigan” (1907) Dan Quinn “Daisy Bell (A Bicycle Built for Two)” (1893) Bert Williams “Nobody” (1906) Henry Burr “Beautiful Ohio” (1919) Dan Quinn “The Sidewalks of New York” (1895) Kitty Kallen with Jack Pleis’ Orchestra “Little Things Mean a Lot” (1954) Peggy Lee with Dave Barbour’s Orchestra “Manana Is Soon Enough for Me” (1948) Vera Lynn with Ronald Shaw’s Orchestra “Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart” (1952) Andrews Sisters with Vic Shoen’s Orchestra “Shoo-Shoo Baby” (1943) Bing Corsby “Only Forever” (1940) The Crew-Cuts “Sh-Boom” (1954) Frankie Carle with Marjorie Hughes “Rumors Are Flying” (1946) 8 weeks: Bill Haley & the Comets “We’re Gonna Rock Around the Clock” (1954) Elvis Presley “Heartbreak Hotel” (1956) Elvis Presley “All Shook Up” (1957) Billy Murray “Yankee Doodle Boy” (1905) Arthur Collins “Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home” (1902) American Quartet “Moonlight Bay” (1912) Pee Wee Hunt “Twelfth Street Rag” (1948) Al Jolson “Rock-a-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody” (1918) The Harmonicats “Peg O’ My Heart” (1947) Nat “King” Cole “Mona Lisa” (1950) John McCormack “It’s a Long, Long Way to Tipperary” (1915) Tennessee Ernie Ford “Sixteen Tons” (1955) Henry Burr “I Wonder Who’s Kissing Her Now” (1909) Nat “King” Cole with Frank DeVol’s Orchestra “Nature Boy” (1948) Paul Whiteman “Three O’Clock in the Morning” (1922) John Philip Sousa “The Stars and Stripes Forever” (1897) Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters “Don’t Fence Me In” (1944) Len Spencer “Ta-Ra-Ra Boom-De-Ay” (1892) Jo Mercer with the Pied Pipers “On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe” (1945) Gene Austin with Nat Shilkret’s Orchestra “Ramona” (1928) Al Dexter & His Troops “Pistol Packin’ Mama” (1943) George J. Gaskin “When You Were Sweet Sixteen” (1900) Kay Kyser with Harry Babbitt & Julie Conway “Jingle Jangle Jingle” (1942) Frankie Laine with Jud Conlon’s Rhythmaires “That Lucky Old Sun” (1949) Patti Page “The Doggie in the Window” (1953) Larry Clinton with Bea Wain “My Reverie” (1938) Sammy Kaye “Daddy” (1941) Eddy Howard “To Each His Own” (1946) Rudy Vallee “Honey” (1929) Paul Whiteman with Jack Fulton “In a Little Spanish Town ('Twas on a Night Like This)” (1927) George J. Gaskin “Oh Promise Me” (1893) Perry Como with Hugo Winterhalter’s Orchestar “Wanted” (1954) Red Foley “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy” (1950) Frankie Masters “Scatter-Brain” (1939) Gogi Grant “The Wayward Wind” (1956) George J. Gaskin “Sweet Rosie O’Grady” (1897) Eddie Fisher with Hugo Winterhalter’s Orchestra “O Mein Papa (Oh My Papa)” (1953) George J. Gaskin “The Fatal Wedding” (1893) Perry Como with Mitchell Ayres Orchestra “If (They Made Me a King)” (1951) Leo Reisman & Harold Arlen “Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All the Time)” (1933) Eddy Howard “Sin (It’s No Sin)” (1951) Tony Bennett with Percy Faith’s Orchestra “Rags to Riches” (1953) Freddy Martin with Jack Fina “Piano Concerto in B Flat” (1941) The Ames Brothers with Hugo Winterhalter’s Orchestra “You You You” (1953) Rosemary Clooney “Come on-a My House” (1951) Frank Sinatra “Oh What It Seemed to Be” (1946) Dinah Shore “The Gypsy” (1946) Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database “Other Best-of Billboard lists” Dave’s Music Database: “Other Chart-Based Lists” Dave’s Music Database: “USA: #1 Pop Songs, 1890-present” First posted 9/6/2021.