Billboard Chart History - 10 Years: the 4s

[Dawn]

We had a great discussion on the first thread, so I think I'll make this a twice weekly-feature for the time being. That should be fast enough to keep the topics fresh, yet not so fast that we start to see a lot of repeat songs in the charts.

This time, let's look at the years ending in "4":


June 24, 1944

(TW = Position This Week; LW = Position Last Week; NW = Number Weeks on Chart; *Former #1)
TW LW NW
1 2 6 I'LL BE SEEING YOU - Bing Crosby w. John Scott Trotter & His Orch. (Note: Song is from the 1938 musical "Right This Way")
2 1 11 *I'LL GET BY (As Long As I Have You) -Harry James & His Music Makers w. vocal/Dick Haymes (Note: Columbia, still under the AFM recording ban, reissued this James recording previously recorded 4-7-1941; it was Billboard's #1 Juke Box hit for six weeks)
3 3 2 SWINGING ON A STAR - Bing Crosby & The Williams Brothers w. John Scott Trotter & His Orch. (Note: This Oscar winning song from "Going My Way" was the #1 hit of 1944 and is one of Bing's most renowned hits; the Williams Brothers was a quartet that included then 15-year-old Andy)
4 4 11 *I LOVE YOU - Bing Crosby w. Orch. Conducted by John Scott Trotter (Note: Song is from the musical movie "Mexican Hayride")
5 6 9 LONG AGO (And Far Away) - Dick Haymes & Helen Forrest w. Camarata & His Orch. (Note: Song is from the movie "Cover Girl")
6 7 7 LONG AGO (And Far Away) - Jo Stafford w. Paul Weston & His Orch.
7 5 4 AMOR - Andy Russell w. Orch. Conducted by Al Sack
8 9 4 G.I. JIVE - Louis Jordan & The Tympani Five (Note: This was 6 weeks as Billboard's #1 R-&-B chart hit and was Jordan's most succcessful crossover Pop hit)
9 -- NEW STRAIGHTEN UP AND FLY RIGHT - King Cole Trio (Note: Nat's breakthrough smash made Billboard's Pop top ten and spent 10 weeks at the top of Billboard's R&B chart)
10 -- 19 HOLIDAY FOR STRINGS - David Rose & His Orch. (Note: Recorded March 12, 1942 and released during this period, this was Rose's famous signature tune and was an eventual million-seller)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


June 19, 1954

(TW = Position This Week; LW = Position Last Week; NW = Number Weeks on Chart; *Former #1)
TW LW NW
1 1 11 LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT - Kitty Kallen w. Orch. Conducted by Jack Pleis (Note: This was Miss Kallen's first big hit as a solo artist; it was nine weeks as Billboard's #1 Best Selling Single and Billboard's most popular single of 1954)
2 2 5 THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN - The Four Aces featuring Al Alberts w. Orch. Conducted by Jack Pleis (Note: An Oscar-winnig song from the movie with the same title)
3 3 5 HERNANDO'S HIDEAWAY - Archie Bleyer, His Orch. & Chorus featuring Maria Alba on the Castanets (Note: Tune is from the musical "The Pajama Game")
4 4 9 THE HAPPY WANDERER - Frank Weir, His Saxaphone & His Orch. w. vocal/Chorus (Note: This German song was originally introduced by the Obernkirchen Children's Choir)
5 5 17 *WANTED - Perry Como w. Hugo Winterhalter & His Orch. (Note: Record was #1 on Billboard's Pop Best Seller charts for 8 weeks)
6 6 10 IF YOU LOVE ME (Really Love Me) - Kay Starr w. Orch. Conducted by Harold Mooney (Note: This tune is from the Edith Piaf song "Hymne a l'Amour")
7 9 3 THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN - Frank Sinatra w. Nelson Riddle & His Orch. (Note: Sinatra sang this Oscar-winning song for the soundtrack of the movie of the same name)
8 15 7 THE HAPPY WANDERER - Henri René's Müsette Orch. & Chorus
9 13 14 HERE - Tony Martin w. Orch. & Chorus Conducted by Henri René (Note: Song is based upon the familiar "Caro Nome" from the Verdi opera "Rigoletto")
10 17 6 CRAZY 'BOUT YOU BABY - The Crew-Cuts w. David Carroll & His Orch.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

US Top 100 Singles Week Ending 20th June, 1964

TW LW TITLE Artist (Label)-Weeks on Chart (Peak Position)

1 1 CHAPEL OF LOVE
The Dixie Cups (Red Bird)-8 (3 weeks at #1) (1)
2 2 A WORLD WITHOUT LOVE
Peter and Gordon (Capitol)-7 (2)
3 10 I GET AROUND
The Beach Boys (Capitol)-5 (3)
4 3 LOVE ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART (Cuando Calienta El Sol)
The Ray Charles Singers (Command)-11 (3)
5 16 MY BOY LOLLIPOP
Millie Small (Smash)-5 (5)
6 6 WALK ON BY
Dionne Warwick (Scepter)-9 (6)
7 4 LOVE ME DO
The Beatles (Tollie/Capitol Of Canada)-11 (1)
8 9 PEOPLE
Barbra Streisand (Columbia)-12 (8)
9 20 DON'T LET THE SUN CATCH YOU CRYING
Gerry and the Pacemakers (Laurie)-5 (9)
10 11 DIANE
The Bachelors (London)-10 (10)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

US Top 100 Singles Week Ending 22nd June, 1974

TW LW TITLE Artist (Label)-Weeks on Chart

1 1 BILLY, DON'T BE A HERO
Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods (ABC)-10 (2 weeks at #1)
2 2 YOU MAKE ME FEEL BRAND NEW
The Sylistics (Avco)-14
3 3 SUNDOWN
Gordon Lightfoot (Reprise)-11
4 4 THE STREAK
Ray Stevens (Barnaby)-11
5 7 BE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU GOT
William DeVaughn (Roxbury)-8
6 5 BAND ON THE RUN
Paul McCartney and Wings (Apple)-10
7 11 IF YOU LOVE ME (Let Me Know)
Olivia Newton-John (MCA)-11
8 6 DANCING MACHINE
Jackson 5 (Motown)-15
9 13 HOLLYWOOD SWINGING
Kool and the Gang (De-Lite)-10
10 8 THE ENTERTAINER
Marvin Hamlisch (MCA)-14

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

US Top 100 Singles Week Ending June 23, 1984

TW LW TITLE Artist - Weeks on Chart (Peak Position)

1 2 THE REFLEX Duran Duran - 10 (1)
2 1 TIME AFTER TIME Cyndi Lauper - 11 (1)
3 3 LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY Deniece Williams - 12 (1)
4 9 DANCING IN THE DARK Bruce Springsteen - 5 (4)
5 7 SELF CONTROL Laura Branigan - 11 (5)
6 6 THE HEART OF ROCK 'N ROLL Huey Lewis & The News - 10 (6)
7 8 JUMP (FOR MY LOVE) Pointer Sisters - 9 (7)
8 17 WHEN DOVES CRY Prince - 4 (8)
9 4 OH, SHERRIE Steve Perry - 12 (3)
10 11 EYES WITHOUT A FACE Billy Idol - 8 (10)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

US Top 100 Singles Week Ending June 25, 1994

TW LW TITLE Artist - Weeks on Chart (Peak Position)

1 1 I SWEAR All-4-One - 10 (1)
2 3 ANY TIME, ANY PLACE/AND ON AND ON Janet Jackson - 5 (2)
3 5 REGULATE Warren G & Nate Dogg - 10 (3)
4 4 DON'T TURN AROUND Ace Of Base - 8 (4)
5 2 I'LL REMEMBER Madonna - 13 (2)
6 6 BACK & FORTH Aaliyah - 9 (6)
7 7 YOU MEAN THE WORLD TO ME Toni Braxton - 13 (7)
8 8 THE SIGN Ace Of Base - 26 (1)
9 9 BABY I LOVE YOUR WAY Big Mountain - 18 (6)
10 14 STAY Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories - 8 (10)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

US Top 100 Singles Week Ending June 19, 2004

TW LW Weeks TITLE • Artist

1 1 15 BURN • Usher
2 5 14 THE REASON • Hoobastank
3 2 18 I DON'T WANNA KNOW • Mario Winans Featuring Enya & P. Diddy
4 3 13 NAUGHTY GIRL • Beyonce
5 8 8 CONFESSIONS PART II • Usher
6 4 24 YEAH! • Usher Featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris
7 6 13 OVERNIGHT CELEBRITY • Twista
8 9 16 IF I AIN'T GOT YOU • Alicia Keys
9 10 15 ROSES • OutKast
10 7 19 THIS LOVE • Maroon5

I didn't have a 2008 chart to post last time, but do have a 2004 one. I know only one song from it by title...the rest I may have heard at one point but I doubt I'd like them much.

Tons of variety here. That '80s chart brings back memories so vivid that it could almost have been yesterday.

Your thoughts on these?

[Ken]

Hey Dawn,

Love this feature!

Not too familiar with many tunes from the '40's list (at least by title) except for "I'll Be Seeing You."

I seem to remember my Aunt having a Harry James compilation album when I was little (she also liked a lot of rock and pop songs as well)


The 50's list - "Three Coins in The Fountain" - The Four Aces - I remember hearing this a couple of times on our local oldies station a few years back.

The 60's - Of course it isn't surprising to see this list dominated by the "British invasion." As I was looking at this list, I started to realize just how many of these artists are sadly no longer with us.

Almost every track here is a huge fave!

The 70's - Like the 60's list, there are a lot of big faves listed especially "Band On The Run !

I remember the older sister of a buddy of mine who lived just a few houses away from me had this Stylistics album. I still recall hearing "The Streak" for the first time while I was visiting at a cousin's house, we couldn't stop giggling lol - those were the days.

The 80's - Same here Dawn, many memories associated with these!

The 90's - "Baby I Love Your Way" " shudder"

The 04 - The only song I kind of remember is"The Reason" by Hoobastank - Gee, where are they now?

[Jughead]

I agree with Ken that the Big Mountain cover sucked. That being said though, the 1994 chart was a high point. I liked almost every song on that list.

The 1984 chart is another good one, but I was kinda young back then to appreciate it at the time.

Strangely enough, although current music is kinda blah to me, I kind of sort of like the '04 list (a.k.a. the Usherboard charts).

[Dawn]

Jun 18, 2010 21:48:43 GMT -5 Ken said:

Hey Dawn,

Love this feature!

Not too familiar with many tunes from the '40's list (at least by title) except for "I'll Be Seeing You."

I seem to remember my Aunt having a Harry James compilation album when I was little (she also liked a lot of rock and pop songs as well)


The 50's list - "Three Coins in The Fountain" - The Four Aces - I remember hearing this a couple of times on our local oldies station a few years back.

The 60's - Of course it isn't surprising to see this list dominated by the "British invasion." As I was looking at this list, I started to realize just how many of these artists are sadly no longer with us.

Almost every track here is a huge fave!

The 70's - Like the 60's list, there are a lot of big faves listed especially "Band On The Run !

I remember the older sister of a buddy of mine who lived just a few houses away from me had this Stylistics album. I still recall hearing "The Streak" for the first time while I was visiting at a cousin's house, we couldn't stop giggling lol - those were the days.

The 80's - Same here Dawn, many memories associated with these!

The 90's - "Baby I Love Your Way" " shudder"

The 04 - The only song I kind of remember is"The Reason" by Hoobastank - Gee, where are they now?

Thanks Ken! Glad you are enjoying them!

"I'll Be Seeing You" is one of my favorite pre-rock era songs. Every version I've ever heard of it has been enjoyable.

I've heard "Three Coins in the Fountain" on those easy-listening "Music of Your Life" stations, although it's been awhile.

I'd be curious about that Stylistics album. I have their follow-up, Thank You Baby, but haven't heard the '74 one. The group had a good, smooth sound.

I still hear that version of "Baby I Love Your Way" on PAs every now and then. Yikes! That song didn't need to be remade.

[Dawn]

Jun 19, 2010 11:15:26 GMT -5 Jughead said:

I agree with Ken that the Big Mountain cover sucked. That being said though, the 1994 chart was a high point. I liked almost every song on that list.

The 1984 chart is another good one, but I was kinda young back then to appreciate it at the time.

Strangely enough, although current music is kinda blah to me, I kind of sort of like the '04 list (a.k.a. the Usherboard charts).

Although I'm not a huge fan of '90s music, the years '94 - '96 were probably the strongest, and I had kinda gotten into keeping up with the top 40 again during that time.. Although I don't listen to them much anymore, I've always had a soft spot for Ace of Base, and the Toni Braxton song is pretty good...I thought it was Anita Baker at first.

[m c dornan]

Maybe these are patterns, maybe not. But

In the 40s and 50s, and not since, there's lots of cases of songs with two different versions on the chart the same week. And even with similar rankings.

Something in the 40s, and now back again since the mid-90s. Is that artists are compound- somebody with somebody else and featuring someone else again. The best one was in the 8s lists, with a listing for someone AND his saxophone! (wouldn't want to hurt the saxophone's feelings)

[Dawn]

Jun 21, 2010 23:37:00 GMT -5 m c dornan said:

Maybe these are patterns, maybe not. But

In the 40s and 50s, and not since, there's lots of cases of songs with two different versions on the chart the same week. And even with similar rankings.

Something in the 40s, and now back again since the mid-90s. Is that artists are compound- somebody with somebody else and featuring someone else again. The best one was in the 8s lists, with a listing for someone AND his saxophone! (wouldn't want to hurt the saxophone's feelings)

LOL about the saxophone!

You make a good point about the "featuring" trend. It's very popular now...looking at the top 10 listings in USA Today, it seems like at least 3 or 4 songs in any given week are by a "featured" artist. It will be interesting to see how long the trend holds up.

[H2IZCOOL]

Ok then ...

1944 - the year I was born. So, in June, I was three months old, and was an avid radio listener. So I remember when all these songs came out. ..............................


.... not really. But I have heard several of those songs, and I've always loved "Swinging on a Star." I also remember back when I was a teenager and had a summer job, one of the dirty old men used to sing "I'll Be Seeing You" -- but changed the lyrics to "I'll be feeling you in all the old familiar places." ;D

1954: I remember "3 Coins in a Fountain" from the movie. Probably one of the first non kid's movie I ever saw. I think I may have seen it in NYC. I know back in those days my family would go down to New York for a long weekend once a year, and would usually see a movie that hadn't gotten to Boston yet. Also familar with Hernando's Hideaway, Wanted, and The Happy Wanderer. The latter was really big that year at summer camp.

1964: Arguably the single most definitive year of the 20th century, musicwise. And smack dab in the middle of that year the #1 song is "Chapel of Love"?? Man! That sucks! Even the Beatles contibution is only a revival of their 1962 (British) hit, and one I'm about as neutral to as I get with any Beatles song. But from my top 500, there is "I Get Around;" always loved that song and also "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying;" just a beautiful piece of music. Another goody is "World Without Love." The rest of the chart is kinda mediocre to me.

1974: My easy fave is "You Make Me Feel Brand New" the only top 500 song on the chart, although I am also partial to "Sundown" and "Band on the Run"

1984: Dancing in the Dark is top 500, the rest are average at best.

1994: The only one I'm familiar with is the Big Mountain cover. Notice I said "famiar with", not "liked."

2004: Really? All those are song titles? Never hoid of 'em!

No one chart stands out though. I'd make it a three way tie between '54, '64, and '74. ("64 not winning by default is, IMO, a huge upset!)

[dave910]

Dawn,

I enjoy this new feature. Here are my thoughts:

I am not much familar with the 1944 or 1954 titles.

I like pretty much all the stuff from the '64 charts. But I haven't heard The Bachelors or the Ray Charles Singers. My buddy told me Bachelors were a British invasion band that only had a few hits.

1974 - I was only three and a half at the time. But I do remember my Mom buying a copy "You Make Me Feel Brand New", which has always been a personal favorite of mine.

1984 - My adolesence. I yearn for the diversity of this type of playlist. Springsteen has his biggest hit and became a superstar with the "Born In The USA" album. Every song a gem.

1994 - College years. Still following the charts, but more into alterative music. Lisa Loeb still records and "Stay" was one of the biggest songs of the year. Too bad she didn't become a bigger star. I always thought that "Regulate" was a cool tune for that era.

2004 - The year of Usher! He dominated the charts that year with four number ones! Alicia Keys, Outkast and Maroon 5. I own these CD's and at a time when I wasn't rushing to buy music unless the artist had great songs. This was a very substantial list.

[Dawn]

Jun 30, 2010 15:25:17 GMT -5 H2IZCOOL said:

Ok then ...

1944 - the year I was born. So, in June, I was three months old, and was an avid radio listener. So I remember when all these songs came out. ..............................


.... not really. But I have heard several of those songs, and I've always loved "Swinging on a Star." I also remember back when I was a teenager and had a summer job, one of the dirty old men used to sing "I'll Be Seeing You" -- but changed the lyrics to "I'll be feeling you in all the old familiar places." ;D

1954: I remember "3 Coins in a Fountain" from the movie. Probably one of the first non kid's movie I ever saw. I think I may have seen it in NYC. I know back in those days my family would go down to New York for a long weekend once a year, and would usually see a movie that hadn't gotten to Boston yet. Also familar with Hernando's Hideaway, Wanted, and The Happy Wanderer. The latter was really big that year at summer camp.

1964: Arguably the single most definitive year of the 20th century, musicwise. And smack dab in the middle of that year the #1 song is "Chapel of Love"?? Man! That sucks! Even the Beatles contibution is only a revival of their 1962 (British) hit, and one I'm about as neutral to as I get with any Beatles song. But from my top 500, there is "I Get Around;" always loved that song and also "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying;" just a beautiful piece of music. Another goody is "World Without Love." The rest of the chart is kinda mediocre to me.

1974: My easy fave is "You Make Me Feel Brand New" the only top 500 song on the chart, although I am also partial to "Sundown" and "Band on the Run"

1984: Dancing in the Dark is top 500, the rest are average at best.

1994: The only one I'm familiar with is the Big Mountain cover. Notice I said "famiar with", not "liked."

2004: Really? All those are song titles? Never hoid of 'em!

No one chart stands out though. I'd make it a three way tie between '54, '64, and '74. ("64 not winning by default is, IMO, a huge upset!)

LOL about the altered "I'll Be Seeing You" lyrics!

The '64 chart does seem a bit odd, almost as if music was drawing back a little after the Beatles and other British invasion artists burst onto the scene a few months earlier.

[Dawn]

Jul 1, 2010 0:01:36 GMT -5 dave910 said:

Dawn,

I enjoy this new feature. Here are my thoughts:

I am not much familar with the 1944 or 1954 titles.

I like pretty much all the stuff from the '64 charts. But I haven't heard The Bachelors or the Ray Charles Singers. My buddy told me Bachelors were a British invasion band that only had a few hits.

1974 - I was only three and a half at the time. But I do remember my Mom buying a copy "You Make Me Feel Brand New", which has always been a personal favorite of mine.

1984 - My adolesence. I yearn for the diversity of this type of playlist. Springsteen has his biggest hit and became a superstar with the "Born In The USA" album. Every song a gem.

1994 - College years. Still following the charts, but more into alterative music. Lisa Loeb still records and "Stay" was one of the biggest songs of the year. Too bad she didn't become a bigger star. I always thought that "Regulate" was a cool tune for that era.

2004 - The year of Usher! He dominated the charts that year with four number ones! Alicia Keys, Outkast and Maroon 5. I own these CD's and at a time when I wasn't rushing to buy music unless the artist had great songs. This was a very substantial list.

Thanks Dave!

It's interesting that "Diane" charted so high, yet has never been played much on oldies stations, even back 20 years ago when playlists were including much more '50s and early '60s material than they do now.

That '84 chart is pretty good, I agree.

[H2IZCOOL]

Jul 1, 2010 0:01:36 GMT -5 dave910 said:

I like pretty much all the stuff from the '64 charts. But I haven't heard The Bachelors or the Ray Charles Singers. My buddy told me Bachelors were a British invasion band that only had a few hits.

Dave, The Bachelors were actually an Irish group - but I guess that's close enough to be linked to the British Invasion. I always thought they sounded more like a barbershop harmony group than a "band." They were bigger on the other side of the ocean than here. They did have a few (mostly minor) hits in the States, but the only two I remember are "Diane" and "Marie." Diane hit #10 here. I think most of their songs were covers of much older songs - '20s and '30s vintage.

[m c dornan]

I hadn't seen "Love Me with All Your Heart" on the 1964 chart!

"Cuando Caliente el Sol" was the original Spanish song, and was sung by Anacani on the Lawrence Welk show.

Ray Charles Singers had nothing to do with Ray Charles. The group's leader called himself Ray Charles tho it wasn't his original name. (but then "Ray Charles" wasn't Ray Charles' original name either.)