There was hardly a time in 1950 that you didn’t run into "Goodnight Irene"; it was either blaring on the radio, on the jukebox or in your home. It’s actually a remake of a 1933 blues song, written in ¾ time.
Written in 1940, this song recorded by the smooth voiced Tony Bennett was used in the movie I Was an American Spy. 1951 was a memorable year as Rosemary Clooney, Nat King Cole, Patti Page and Les Paul all had #1 hits.
You read that right. "Wheel of Fortune" is a pop song that had many covers, but the most popular one that spent 10 weeks in the top 10 was by Kay Starr. It was later used as the theme for the game show of the same name.
Yes, THE Les Paul recorded this classic in 1953, and it spent 31 weeks on the charts. Les and Mary also had 5 other top-ten hits during this time--creating a bit of a monopoly on the airwaves.
Reaching #1 in both the UK and the US, "Little Things Mean A Lot" was the biggest hit by Kitty Kallen, charting for almost 7 months. Kallen successfully made the jump from big band swing to modern post-war pop.
It's not just the “Happy Days Song”, but that’s what a lot of folks associate the song with. Many think this the first rock and roll song, but it’s not--that distinction belongs to "Shake, Rattle and Roll". The original title was “We’re Gonna Rock Around the Clock Tonight” and was included in the film Blackboard Jungle.
Marking one of the biggest shifts in the world in music, no artist had a better year in 1956 than Elvis. Clocking 5 songs in the top 100 in a single year, the record held until the 80s. Even if you weren’t a fan, there was no escaping his gyrating hips, wiggly legs and soulful voice.
Elvis continued to dominate 1957 with 4 more hits and movies to match. Some consider the movies/dance numbers to be an early form of music video. The "Jailhouse Rock" set is also the inspiration for Chicago's "Cell Block Tango" number; choreographed by the amazing Bob Fosse. (Pop! Six! Squish! Uh-uh! Cicero! Lipschitz!)
1958 was the year of silly songs, which included "Tequila", "Witch Doctor", "Splish Splash", "The Chipmunk Song" and "Yakety Yak". However, it was Sheb’s very strange ballad about a one-eyed, one-horn flying purple people eater that wanted to join a rock n roll band that won the year.
This old standard from the play Threepenny Opera was given a facelift and subsequently cemented Bobby Darin as Best New Artist.
One of the few orchestral themes to hit the top 100 and have staying power, the movie starring Sandra Dee and Troy Donahue captured song listeners in 1960.
This classic spent 7 consecutive weeks at number one and was featured on the soundtrack for Animal House. Billboard also ranked this song #27 of the all-time charts.
The Four Seasons topped the charts in 1962 with 2 hits that cemented them as pop royalty--leaving the 50s do-wap sound in the dust. 1962 also featured these amazing songs: "The Twist", "The LocoMotion", and "Breaking Up is Hard to Do."
1963 was a time of turmoil on the charts, with one single after another. "Sugar Shack" peaked at #1 and held the spot for 5 consecutive weeks as a bubblegum pop hit. The song is featured in Mermaids and Forest Gump.
The Beatles invaded the U.S. in 1964, and some will agree that music has never been the same. Women lost their minds and voices over the Fab Four--and other artists like Mary Wells, The Beach Boys, Dean Martin and The Supremes, who would normally have had HUGE years, took a back seat.
While Beatlemania continued to reign supreme, it’s the cute little duet by the odd couple of Sonny and Cher that ruled 1965. 1965 is also the year that the bad boy Rolling Stones hit the charts and The Byrds wanted everyone to "Turn! Turn! Turn!" while the Righteous Brothers crooned "You’ve Lost That Lovin Feelin."
Nancy Sinatra, The Supremes, The Troggs, The Beach Boys, and The Four Tops all had hits in 1966, but it’s the Monkees that nabbed the #1 spot in December and held on into 1967. We still believe!
While "To Sir with Love" is technically the #1 song of 1967, its Aretha’s signature anthem that is most identified with 1967. While originally recorded by Otis Redding, it was Franklin’s ‘sock it to me’ chorus that became a landmark for the feminist movement that stands today.
With a turbulent year in America, The Beatles were right on cue in encouraging love in their iconic White Album. At over 7 minutes in length, "Hey Jude" was the longest single in British history up until that time. Elsewhere in 1968, The Doors offered the little diddy "Hello I Love You", while the magnificent Marvin Gaye told us he "Heard it Through the Grapevine" to humans and raisins alike.
The end of the tumultuous 60s demanded groovy song, and this hit song from the musical Hair sure did deliver! AFI's 100 years, 100 Songs ranked this at #33 of most influential movie songs of all time. (Yes, I’m serious).
Becoming Simon & Garfunkel’s biggest hit, "Bridge Over Troubled Water" topped the Billboard 100 for 6 weeks and sold over six million copies worldwide that year. It also holds the distinction of being the most performed songs of the 20th century, with over 50 artists covering it. And still remains one of the most talked about moments from their concert in Bryant Park, NYC.
While some of the lyrics are nonsensical, Three Dog Night found themselves with a #1 hit in "Joy to the World." The song is so popular that the Denver Broncos play it at the end of every home victory and fans everywhere scream “Jeremiah was a bullfrog!"
One of the sweetest songs to hit this list, Roberta Flack’s slow, sensual version became a breakout hit. Oddly enough, when she was recording it, she was mourning the loss of a beloved cat, who had died 2 days earlier. Roberta proved she had the pipes and longevity to pull it off.
With a title this long and a peppy little beat, it’s hard not to sing along with the chorus. A yellow ribbon has significance--in the 19th century it would signify that women were devoted to their sweethearts in the calvary. Orlando borrowed the military significance to launch this song about being accepted by his love.
While Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford were killing it on the screen in The Way We Were (writer/composer Marvin Hamlisch picked up two Oscars), the year was marked by multiple influences in music. John Denver hit the charts with "Annie’s Song", Eric Clapton Shot the Sheriff, and Olivia Newton John released her LP and nabbed a couple of spots. 1974 had something for everyone.
Neil Sedaka wrote and recorded this song first, but it’s the collaboration between this dynamic duo that keeps this earworm alive today. In other 1975 news--Grammy-winning Linda Ronstadt jumped into the year as did KC and the Sunshine Band, Glen Campbell, The Eagles, and The Bee Gees.
It figures we’d see one of the Fab Four one the list, and Paul McCartney (along with the rest of Wings) did it with "Silly Love Songs". But its hard to believe that this is only the beginning of the disco craze. Let’s not forget those favorites "Play that Funky Music", "Afternoon Delight", and "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover." How many ways can you name?
Oddly enough, Billboard didn’t award a 1977 Billboard #1 song of the year from 1977--it was from 1976 with Rod Stewart’s "Tonight’s the Night". But Pat Boone’s daughter, Debby, ruled the airwaves, the sales, the teenage girl’s angst, and the 70s with her weird lyric interpretation. Written as a song to a lover, Debby Boone claimed "You Light Up My Life" was a love letter to God.
The Bee Gees made "Night Fever" for the iconic Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. This hit might have claimed the number one spot, but really, that entire album is the best of the Bee Gees and probably disco itself.
The first 4 bars of "My Sharona" are probably the most famous part of this oddly addictive song. It even gained some notoriety in 2005 when it was revealed to be on President George W Bush’s playlist.
Kicking off the fabulous 80s music revival is Blondie with "Call Me"--holding off Lipps Inc ("Funkytown"), Pink Floyd ("Another Brick in the Wall"), and country crossover Kenny Rogers ("Lady"). It didn’t hurt that the song was the opening theme of American Gigolo staring a then-unknown Richard Gere.
A song written in 1974 found its way to the top of the charts in 1981, thanks to Kim Carnes and that smoky, gravelly voice. A bit of trivia: the recorded version was done in one take. Bette Davis was so impressed that she wrote letters of thanks for making her a part of modern times.
After 12 albums into the music business, Olivia Newton John hopped out onto the pop train and got "Physical"--so much so the music video had a warning! The song, oddly enough, was originally offered to Rod Stewart and Tina Turner.
Sting introduced the world to The Police with this little song about long-held love that’s now considered by many to be stalkerish. Stalkerish or not, "Every Breath You Take" has become a classic through the years.
Tied for the year with "Jump" by Van Halen, Prince created a musical masterpiece that continues to bring in new fans to this day. 1984 provided some much-needed variety in music including love songs "Against All Odds" and "Missing You", as well as introducing America to a band called Wham!
In a year when there was a new number one song every single week, I was surprised by this entry. Even more so by the talent that emerged that year including Simple Minds, Tears for Fears, Duran Duran, Dire Straits and a-ha. In a heavy year for synth and new wave, it was the love song that took the honors.
In another tumultuous year for number one hits, I didn’t believe this until I saw the stats. Whitney was just starting to come into her own and "Take My Breath Away" made girls swoon everywhere for Tom Cruise. But when all was said and done, Dionne Warwick remained on top.
If it wasn’t so silly, I’m not sure the Bangles would hold the title with "Walk Like an Egyptian". Jon Bon Jovi was "Livin on a Prayer" and U2 roared into the U.S. as 4 Irish blokes with the staying power to sell out stadiums for decades. Tiffany and Debbie Gibson held concerts at the mall because they were too young to go anywhere else.
George Michael took the single circuit and then shook his little tush to give us all "Faith". You might not want to admit it, but we all know this is one of the catchiest songs of all time.
The year of the female solo artists saw Michael Jackson's sister, Janet, rise to the top with "Miss You Much." It also showed us Debbie Gibson, Roxette, Bette Midler and Gloria Estefan.
Love her or hate her, Sinead has one of the rawest, purest voices. While originally performed by Prince, Sinead is probably more associated with "Nothing Compares 2 U" these days. Being considered controversial, she was blackballed in the industry. Song of the year honors went to Wilson Phillips with "Hold On".
1991 was one of those years where everything seemed to stick for music, but nothing was stickier than Bryan Adam's power ballad "Everything I Do, I Do it For You." To this day, it's still one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Boyz II Men won 1992 with their R & B groove "End of the Road." Other artists like hip-hop Kris Kross, Color Me Badd and Vanessa Williams loaded the charts with talent.
Listen, I challenge you to find a more perfect love song. "I Will Always Love You" was written by Dolly Parton and taken to new heights by Whitney Houston in 1993. To be honest, no other song in 1993 really had a chance to stack up to the star power and vocals from this love hit.
Boys II Men returned in 1994 to knock everyone’s socks off and charted 20 weeks at number 1 with their second album, including the hit "I'll Make Love to You."
Whatever you do, don’t go chasing waterfalls. Tackling hard topics like drugs, promiscuity and AIDS, TLC's soft voices and hard message ruled the airwaves and Grammys.
EARWORM ALERT! We all know the dance, we all know the lyrics, and its hard not to sing the only thing you know--hey, Macarena! It might not have been the most profound song, but in 1996, people couldn't get enough of it.
It doesn’t matter what name he goes by--Puff Daddy/Puff Diddy/PDiddy/Puffy/ Diddy/Sean Combs threw it down in his debut album. Elton John actually took song of the year for his re-released "Candle in the Wind" (originally an ode to Marilyn Monroe) with his 1997 version as a tribute to Princess Diana of Wales.
Two powerhouse vocalists teamed up for "The Boy is Mine"--inspired by Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney’s 1982 duet, "The Girl is Mine". Add a mid-tempo R&B track and flip the script, you have the first number one hit for both artists.
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that mainstream audiences didn’t know who iconic guitarist Carlos Santana was until "Smooth" hit the charts. 1999 was a year that ushered in pop diva Mouseketeers Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera as well as introduced "Livin La Vida Loca" and cemented Cher’s status as a queen of comebacks with "Believe."
