Number Ones
The 1950s
(Record Sales)

 

Other Decades
1950s 1950s 1960s 1960s 1970s 1970s 1980s 1980s 1990s 1990s 2000s 2000s 2010s
Sheet
Music
Record
Sales
1960
-1964
1965
-1969
1970
-1974
1975
-1979
1980
-1984
1985
-1989
1990
-1994
1995
-1999
2000
-2004
2005
-2009
2010
-now

Note:  There were no UK record charts before 14 November 1952.


Week Ending ACT + Links TITLE Weeks TALLY COMMENT
14 Nov 1952
Xmas No 1
Al Martino Here In My Heart 9 Only No 1 First UK No 1 based on record sales.   Al was a US crooner, who had a come-back Top 10 entry in 1973 ("Spanish Eyes").
16 Jan 1953 Jo Stafford You Belong To Me 1 Only No 1 Took 10 weeks to climb
to No 1.  She was a singer with Tommy Dorsey until 1942, when she went on to solo stardom.
23 Jan 1953 Kay Starr Comes A-Long A-Love 1 1st No 1 Born in Oklahoma, her father was an American Indian, her mother Irish.  Her well-known song, "Wheel of Fortune", pre-dates the UK chart.
30 Jan 1953 Eddie Fisher Outside Of Heaven 1 1st No 1 US tenor who was married to Elizabeth Taylor and Debbie Reynolds, and is father of actress Carrie Fisher.
6 Feb 1953 Perry Como Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes 5 1st No 1 Top international tv crooner of the decade, whose shows were watched world-wide.
13 Mar 1953 Guy Mitchell She Wears Red Feathers 4 1st No 1 He was a US rising star, whose early best-sellers pre-dated the charts.  First of a series of hits with producer Mitch Miller. 
10 Apr 1953 Stargazers Broken Wings 1 1st No 1 First No 1 by a British act. They were radio stars of the 50s who mostly scored with novelty items.
17 Apr 1953 Lita Roza (How Much Is) That Doggie In The Window 1 Only No 1 UK star and NME readers' Top Female artist of 1953.
24 Apr 1953 Frankie Laine I Believe 18 1st No 1 Major US singing star of the 50s.   Holds the record for most (non-consecutive) weeks at No 1, ever.
26 Jun 1953 Eddie Fisher I'm Walking Behind You 1 2nd & last No 1 His fifth million-seller.  He remained a star for many years, and continued with cabaret performances until the end of the century.
14 Aug 1953 Mantovani Moulin Rouge 1 Only No 1 Highly popular Italian-born orchestra leader.  First instrumental No 1, from the film of the same name.
11 Sep 1953 Guy Mitchell Look At That Girl 6 2nd No 1 Most of his early hits were novelty items, but this was a bouncy love song.  It failed to chart in US!
23 Oct 1953 Frankie Laine Hey Joe 2 2nd No 1 During the last week of October 1953 he had four singles in the Top 12.
06 Nov 1953 David Whitfield Answer Me 2 1st No 1 Powerful tenor who was the top-selling British artist of the mid-50s.
13 Nov 1953
Xmas No 1
Frankie Laine Answer Me 8 3rd No 1 Banned by BBC for religious content (use of the phrase "O Lord"), but it outsold Whitfield's version.
8 Jan 1954 Eddie Calvert Oh Mein Papa 9 1st No 1 Popular British solo trumpeter.  Was first No 1 recorded at Abbey Road studios.
12 Mar 1954 Stargazers I See The Moon 6 2nd & last No 1 They were still radio stars, but all their releases since "Broken Wings" had failed to chart.
16 Apr 1954 Doris Day Secret Love 9 1st No 1 Major US recording and film star.   Oscar-winning song from her film "Calamity Jane".
30 Apr 1954 Johnnie Ray Such A Night 1 1st No 1 US super star and early teenage heart-throb famous for his emotional stage act.
2 Jul 1954 David Whitfield Cara Mia 10 2nd & last No 1. Million-seller backed by Mantovani Orchestra.  He remained popular for the rest of the decade.
10 Sep 1954 Kitty Kallen Little Things Mean A Lot 1 Only No 1 US band vocalist from the 1940s who became the first One-hit Wonder in the UK.
17 Sep 1954 Frank Sinatra Three Coins In The Fountain 3 1st No 1 First No 1 in UK for the singing legend, who had been a star since the 1930s.
8 Oct 1954 Don Cornell Hold My Hand 4 Only No 1 US band vocalist from the 1940s. Never a major star in the UK, but still performing in 1999!
5 Nov 1954 Vera Lynn My Son My Son 2 Only No 1 Major British singing star since the 1930s, and known as the "Forces Sweetheart" during World War 2.
26 Nov 1954 Rosemary Clooney This Ole House 1 1st No 1 Popular US music and tv star.  The song was No 1 for Shakin' Stevens in 1981.
3 Dec 1954
Xmas No 1
Winifred Atwell Let's Have Another Party 5 1st No 1 Popular honky-tonk piano-playing star from Trinidad.
7 Jan 1955 Dickie Valentine Finger Of Suspicion 3 1st No 1 Top British crooner, popular throughout the 50s.
14 Jan 1955 Rosemary Clooney Mambo Italiano 3 2nd & last No 1 She remained very popular in the UK and US until the end of the decade.
18 Feb 1955 Ruby Murray Softly, Softly 3 Only No 1 Belfast-born recording and tv star of the mid 50s, but this was her only No 1.
11 Mar 1955 Tennessee Ernie Ford Give Me Your Word 7 1st No 1 Former radio DJ from Tennessee who became a country music singer.
29 Apr 1955 Perez "Prez" Prado & His Orchestra Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White 2 Only No 1 Cuban band with the theme from the Jane Russell film "Underwater".
13 May 1955 Tony Bennett Stranger In Paradise 2 Only No 1 Song from the musical "Kismet".   Only UK No 1 for the legendary US crooner, who was still popular at the end of the century.
27 May 1955 Eddie Calvert Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White 4 2nd & last No 1 British cover version of the original Perez Prado hit. His fame continued for the rest of the 50s.
24 Jun 1955 Jimmy Young Unchained Melody 3 1st No 1 British crooner whose early recordings pre-dated the charts.  Theme from the film "Unchained", and the first of four No 1 versions of the song by 2002.
15 Jul 1955 Alma Cogan Dreamboat 2 Only No 1 Top British radio and tv singing star, famous for her huge ball gowns.  She had 21 hits, 1954-1961.
29 Jul 1955 Slim Whitman Rose Marie 11 Only No 1 US Country singer and yodeller.  Held record for most consecutive weeks at No 1 until 1991 - 36 years!
14 Oct 1955 Jimmy Young The Man From Laramie 4 2nd & last No 1 After the 50s, he moved on to become a star DJ on BBC Radio, still broadcasting at the millennium.
11 Nov 1955 Johnston Brothers Hernando's Hideaway 2 Only No 1 British vocal group with a song from the musical "The Pyjama Game".
25 Nov 1955 Bill Haley & His Comets Rock Around The Clock 5 Only No 1 First Rock 'n' Roll No 1. They were RnR pioneers, but did not achieve lasting fame. Record entered the charts a further 6 times until 1974.
16 Dec 1955
Xmas No 1
Dickie Valentine Christmas Alphabet 3 2nd & last No 1 1st Christmas Song to make No 1. He continued charting until the end of the decade.
20 Jan 1956 Tennessee Ernie Ford Sixteen Tons 4 2nd & last No 1 US coal-mining song written in 1947.
17 Feb 1956 Dean Martin Memories Are Made Of This 4 Only No 1 He was a US record, tv and film star for three decades, with 11 Top 10 hits.
16 Mar 1956 Dream Weavers It's Almost Tomorrow 3 Only No 1 Studio-only act from Miami. The song was covered by Mark Wynter in 1963 (No 12)
30 Mar 1956 Kay Starr Rock And Roll Waltz 1 2nd & last No 1 Nothing to do with rock 'n' roll - strictly MOR!  This was her final hit.
13 Apr 1956 Winifred Atwell Poor People Of Paris 3 2nd & last No 1 Instrumental version of genuine French song. She remained popular, but eventually lost out to Russ Conway.
4 May 1956 Ronnie Hilton No Other Love 6 Only No 1 British tenor with a Rodgers & Hammerstein song.
15 Jun 1956 Pat Boone I'll Be Home 5 Only No 1 American international heart-throb who had 26 UK hits by 1962.
20 Jul 1956 Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers Why Do Fools Fall in Love 3 Only No 1 At 13, Lymon was youngest performer to make No 1 - record held until 23/12/72. Their popularity never developed in the UK.
10 Aug 1956 Doris Day Whatever Will Be Will Be 6 2nd & last No1 Oscar-winning song from the Doris Day film "The Man Who Knew Too Much". Her recording and film career lasted well into the 60s.
21 Sep 1956 Anne Shelton Lay Down Your Arms 4 Only No 1 British vocal star of the 40s & 50s.   The song was based on a traditional Swedish melody.
19 Oct 1956 Frankie Laine A Woman In Love 4 4th & last No 1 His success continued, through the 50s, with a total of 19 Top 10 hits.
16 Nov 1956
Xmas No 1
Johnny Ray Just Walking In The Rain 7 2nd No 1 Another tear-jerker from the "Prince of Wails".
4 Jan 1957 Guy Mitchell Singing The Blues 3 3rd No 1 Third No 1 in a row from producer Mitch Miller, and 5th in a row on Philips label.
11 Jan 1957 Tommy Steele Singing The Blues 1 Only No 1 He is regarded as Britain's first Rock 'n' Roll performer. He moved into film and stage musicals for the rest of his career.
25 Jan 1957 Frankie Vaughan The Garden Of Eden 4 1st No 1 British singing entertainer, popular for several decades.
22 Feb 1957 Tab Hunter Young Love 7 Only No 1 US movie idol who was asked to record the song.  It had no connection with any film.
12 Apr 1957 Lonnie Donegan Cumberland Gap 5 1st No 1 The "King of Skiffle" was a former member of Chris Barber's Jazz Band.  1st Skiffle no 1.
17 May 1957 Guy Mitchell Rock-A-Billy 1 4th & last No 1 Song gave its name to a music style - a mix of rock and country.
24 May 1957 Andy Williams Butterfly 2 Only No 1 Early hit for the international tv crooner of the 60s and 70s. He accrued 21 hits by 1976, and toured the UK in 2001.
7 Jun 1957 Johnnie Ray Yes Tonight Josephine 3 3rd & last No 1 Another Mitch Miller production.  Ray remained popular until the end of the decade.
28 Jun 1957 Lonnie Donegan Puttin' On The Style / Gamblin' Man 2 2nd No 1 1st double-sided No 1 and first live recording to reach the top.
12 Jul 1957 Elvis Presley All Shook Up 7 1st No 1 of record 18 by 2002. The King of Rock 'n' Roll had 9 previous UK hits before finally making No 1.
30 Aug 1957 Paul Anka Diana 9 Only No 1 Canadian who wrote the song himself about his kid brother's baby-sitter.  His success continued into the 70s.
1 Nov 1957 The Crickets That'll Be The Day 3 1st No 1 First No 1 for the band's lead singer, Buddy Holly.
22 Nov 1957
Xmas No 1
Harry Belafonte Mary's Boy Child 7 Only No 1 Famous for his West Indian calypso music, but he was an American, born in New York.
10 Jan 1958 Jerry Lee Lewis Great Balls Of Fire 2 Only No 1 Only major white rock 'n' roll star to play piano rather than guitar. Controversial private life restricted his popularity.
24 Jan 1958 Elvis Presley Jailhouse Rock 3 2nd No 1 1st record to enter charts at No 1.   From the Presley film of the same name.
14 Feb 1958 Michael Holliday The Story Of My Life 2 1st No 1 UK laid-back, deep-voiced crooner with a Burt Bacharach and Hal David song.
28 Feb 1958 Perry Como Magic Moments 8 2nd & last No 1 2nd No 1 in a row for writers Burt Bacharach and Hal David.  Como's hits continued into the early 60s, with a sepatate chart career in the early 70s.
25 Apr 1958 Marvin Rainwater Whole Lotta Woman 3 Only No 1 US Country Music and Rockabilly singer who was 25% Cherokee Indian.
16 May 1958 Connie Francis Who's Sorry Now 6 1st No 1 First female rock 'n' roll star to make No 1, but this song was a 1920s ballad.
27 Jun 1958 Vic Damone On The Street Where You Live 2 Only No 1 US balladeer with a song from the hit musical "My Fair Lady".  Producer Mitch Miller's last No 1.
4 Jul 1958 Everly Brothers All I Have To Do Is Dream 7 1st No 1 First of 4 chart toppers for famous brothers Don & Phil.
22 Aug 1958 Kalin Twins When 5 Only No 1 They had several hits in US, but this rock 'n' roll classic was their only hit in the UK.
26 Sep 1958 Connie Francis Stupid Cupid 6 2nd & last No 1 Written by Neil Sedaka.  Connie had hits into the 60s, with a final tally of 24.
7 Nov 1958 Tommy Edwards All In The Game 3 Only No 1 A re-recording of his own 1951 hit.   Sold 3m copies.
28 Nov 1958 Lord Rockingham's XI Hoots Mon 3 Only No 1 House band from tv's "Oh Boy!"   Based on traditional Scottish folk song.
19 Dec 1958
Xmas No 1
Conway Twitty It's Only Make Believe 5 Only No 1 US Country singer who had amassed over 30 No 1s in the US Country Chart by the 1980s.
23 Jan 1959 Jane Morgan The Days The Rains Came 1 Only No 1 American who sang in Paris for some time.   The B-side was the same song in French!
30 Jan 1959 Elvis Presley I Got Stung / One Night 3 3rd No 1 Presley was in the army by the time this was a hit.
20 Feb 1959 Shirley Bassey As I Love You 4 1st No 1 First chart topper for the legendary Welsh diva, who was in the charts in 1999 - 40 years later!
20 Mar 1959 The Platters Smoke Gets In Your Eyes 1 Only No 1 Established doo-wop group with a Jerome Kern classic from 1933.
27 Mar 1959 Russ Conway Side Saddle 4 1st No 1 Popular pianist who found fame on tv's "Billy Cotton Band Show".
24 Apr 1959 Buddy Holly It Doesn't Matter Anymore 3 2nd & last (1st with Crickets) Reached No 1 six weeks after Holly's death.  Written by Paul Anka.
15 May 1959 Elvis Presley A Fool Such As I 5 4th No 1 This was his first ballad to make it to the top.
19 Jun 1959 Russ Conway Roulette 2 2nd & last No 1 He wrote both his No 1s.
He remained popular and performed into the 90s.
3 Jul 1959 Bobby Darin Dream Lover 4 1st No 1 Classic Rock 'n' Roll love song written by Darin.  He started with RnR, but soon moved into MOR.
31 Jul 1959 Cliff Richard Living Doll 6 1st No 1
of 14 by the end
of 1999.
Written by Lionel Bart ("Oliver!"), it was Cliff's first of 14 No 1s spanning 40 years.
11 Sep 1959 Craig Douglas Only Sixteen 4 Only No 1 Written by Sam Cooke and  covered by this milkman from the Isle of Wight.
9 Oct 1959 Jerry Keller Here Comes Summer 1 Only No 1 Despite taking care over follow-up, he became a One-hit Wonder in UK and US.
16 Oct 1959 Bobby Darin Mack The Knife 2 2nd & last No 1 Darin moved into big-band MOR with this, but his hoped-for Sinatra-style career failed.  Returned to pop for the mid 60s.
30 Oct 1959 Cliff Richard Travellin' Light 5 2nd No 1 Living Doll sound-alike repeated the trick.
4 Dec 1959 Adam Faith What Do You Want 3 1st No 1 After several failed singles, he finally shot to the top. The backing featured John Barry's pizzicato strings.
18 Dec 1959
Xmas No 1
Emile Ford & The Checkmates What Do You Want To Make Those Eyes At Me For 6 Only No 1 From the Bahamas, he was "discovered" at the Pye Records-sponsored Soho music contest.

NOTES:

  • "One-hit Wonders" are acts that achieved just one number one, and had no other hits at all.
  • The dates and total weeks at No 1 shown may not always appear to line up.  This is because some number ones fell from the top and returned a week or so later.  The "weeks" shows the total of all periods at number one.  Another reason for discrepancies is that on occasions, two records shared the top spot.
  • No link to your favourite artist's web site?  Please e-mail me with details of your recommended sites.

Other Decades
1950s 1950s 1960s 1960s 1970s 1970s 1980s 1980s 1990s 1990s 2000s 2000s 2010s
Sheet
Music
Record
Sales
1960
-1964
1965
-1969
1970
-1974
1975
-1979
1980
-1984
1985
-1989
1990
-1994
1995
-1999
2000
-2004
2005
-2009
2010
-now

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