Songs from the Year 1956
This page lists the top songs of 1956 in the
source charts. The way that the
various charts are combined to reach this final list is described on the
in the site generation page.
A list of the hit albums of 1956
is also available..
This list has also been compared to the results
for North America and Europe.
There is also a set of monthly tables showing
the various number ones on any date during 1956.
| # |
Artist |
Song Title |
Year |
Chart Entries |
| 1 |
Doris Day |
Que sera sera (Whatever will be will be) |
1956 |
UK 1 - Jun 1956 (22 weeks), Flanders 1 - Dec 1956 (6 months), Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 5 weeks - Sep 1956, Record Mirror 1 for 6 weeks - Aug 1956, Australia 1 for 8 weeks - Sep 1956, France 1 for 1 week - Jan 1957, Oscar in 1956 (film 'The Man Who Knew Too Much'), Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012 (1956), ASCAP song of 1955, US Billboard 2 - Jun 1956 (27 weeks), US CashBox 3 - Jun 1956 (25 weeks), Italy 4 of 1957, US CashBox 5 of 1956, Your Hit Parade 5 of 1956, US BB 7 of 1956, Brazil 16 of 1957, US invalid BB 23 of 1956, POP 23 of 1956, Europe 27 of the 1950s (1956), UKMIX 34, AFI 48, RIAA 165, RYM 23 of 1956 |
| 2 |
Elvis Presley |
Heartbreak Hotel |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - Mar 1956 (27 weeks), US BB 1 of 1956, US CashBox 1 - Mar 1956 (21 weeks), Grammy Hall of Fame in 1995 (1956), D.Marsh 1 of 1956, US 2 X Platinum (certified by RIAA in Jul 1999), UK 2 - May 1956 (22 weeks), 4 in 2FM list, US CashBox 6 of 1956, Your Hit Parade 6 of 1956, Europe 7 of the 1950s (1956), Scrobulate 13 of rock & roll, DDD 15 of 1956, Acclaimed 19 (1956), US invalid BB 22 of 1956, UKMIX 22, POP 22 of 1956, DMDB 26 (1956), Brazil 37 of 1956, Rolling Stone 45, nuTsie 45 of 1950s, Italy 49 of 1956, RIAA 87, ODK Germany 90 - Aug 2007 (3 weeks), WXPN 730, RYM 2 of 1956, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 3 |
Elvis Presley |
Hound Dog |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - Aug 1956 (28 weeks), US CashBox 1 - Jul 1956 (21 weeks), Grammy Hall of Fame in 1988 (1956), DDD 1 of 1956, US 4 X Platinum (certified by RIAA in Jul 1999), UK 2 - Sep 1956 (25 weeks), US invalid BB 2 of 1956, POP 2 of 1956, US BB 8 of 1956, nuTsie 8 of 1950s, D.Marsh 11 of 1956, Flanders 13 - Nov 1956 (2 months), US CashBox 15 of 1956, UKMIX 15, Brazil 17 of 1956, Rolling Stone 19, DMDB 20 (1956), Acclaimed 52 (1956), Europe 57 of the 1950s (1956), Scrobulate 60 of oldies, RIAA 68, Italy 72 of 1956, WXPN 692, RYM 1 of 1956, Guardian Pop 4, Global 7 (10 M sold) - 1956, Party 281 of 1999 |
| 4 |
Fats Domino |
Blueberry Hill |
1956 |
Belgium 1 - Jun 1976 (10 weeks), Grammy Hall of Fame in 1987 (1956), Library of Congress artifact added 2005 (1956), Holland 2 - Jun 1976 (10 weeks), US invalid BB 2 of 1957, POP 2 of 1957, Europe 3 of the 1950s (1956), US Billboard 4 - Sep 1956 (27 weeks), US CashBox 4 - Oct 1956 (13 weeks), UK 6 - Dec 1956 (15 weeks), Flanders 7 - Mar 1957 (5 months), DDD 8 of 1956, France 10 - May 1976 (1 week), D.Marsh 17 of 1956, RIAA 18, nuTsie 31 of 1950s, US CashBox 39 of 1956, US BB 41 of 1956, DMDB 55 (1956), Brazil 74 of 1957, Rolling Stone 81, Acclaimed 153 (1956), RYM 5 of 1956, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 5 |
Elvis Presley |
Don't Be Cruel |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - Aug 1956 (27 weeks), US CashBox 1 - Aug 1956 (21 weeks), US CashBox 1 of 1956, Your Hit Parade 1 of 1956, Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002 (1956), US BB 2 of 1956, DDD 4 of 1956, D.Marsh 11 of 1956, DMDB 12 (1956), Europe 14 of the 1950s (1956), nuTsie 15 of 1950s, Belgium 17 - Sep 1977 (2 weeks), Brazil 19 of 1956, US invalid BB 19 of 1956, POP 19 of 1956, UK 24 - Jun 1978 (12 weeks), RIAA 68, Acclaimed 74 (1956), Italy 92 of 1958, Rolling Stone 197, WXPN 543, RYM 1 of 1956 |
| 6 |
Dean Martin |
Memories Are Made of This |
1956 |
UK 1 - Feb 1956 (16 weeks), US Billboard 1 - Dec 1955 (24 weeks), US CashBox 1 - Dec 1955 (20 weeks), Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 3 weeks - Mar 1956, Record Mirror 1 for 2 weeks - Mar 1956, Australia 1 for 5 weeks - Apr 1956, US BB 9 of 1956, US CashBox 11 of 1956, Flanders 20 - Apr 1956 (1 month), US invalid BB 24 of 1956, POP 24 of 1956, Brazil 60 of 1956, DDD 66 of 1955, Italy 94 of 1957, UKMIX 350, RYM 20 of 1955 |
| 7 |
The Platters |
The Great Pretender |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - Dec 1955 (24 weeks), US CashBox 1 - Dec 1955 (22 weeks), Australia 1 for 3 weeks - Jul 1956, Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002 (1956), US CashBox 2 of 1956, Your Hit Parade 2 of 1956, UK 5 - Sep 1956 (16 weeks), Flanders 5 - Dec 1956 (5 months), DDD 5 of 1955, D.Marsh 8 of 1955, US BB 12 of 1956, US invalid BB 17 of 1956, POP 17 of 1956, Italy 31 of 1957, nuTsie 37 of 1950s, Europe 50 of the 1950s (1956), Scrobulate 68 of oldies, Acclaimed 260 (1955), Rolling Stone 351, RYM 11 of 1955, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 8 |
Guy Mitchell |
Singing The Blues |
1956 |
UK 1 - Dec 1956 (22 weeks), US Billboard 1 - Oct 1956 (26 weeks), US CashBox 1 - Oct 1956 (10 weeks), Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 11 weeks - Jan 1957, Record Mirror 1 for 3 weeks - Jan 1957, Australia 1 for 6 weeks - Mar 1957, Flanders 4 - Feb 1957 (7 months), US BB 7 of 1957, US invalid BB 9 of 1956, POP 9 of 1956, D.Marsh 37 of 1956, DDD 50 of 1956, UKMIX 77, Acclaimed 1807 (1956), RYM 26 of 1956 |
| 9 |
Elvis Presley |
Love Me Tender |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - Oct 1956 (23 weeks), US CashBox 1 - Oct 1956 (12 weeks), US invalid BB 1 of 1956, POP 1 of 1956, US 3 X Platinum (certified by RIAA in Jul 1999), Europe 6 of the 1950s (1955), UK 11 - Dec 1956 (9 weeks), US BB 15 of 1956, Brazil 20 of 1957, US CashBox 27 of 1956, Scrobulate 94 of ballad, DDD 99 of 1956, Vinyl Surrender 111 (1956), Rolling Stone 437, Acclaimed 1358 (1956), RYM 6 of 1956, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 10 |
Little Richard |
Long Tall Sally |
1956 |
Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 (1956), DDD 2 of 1956, UK 3 - Feb 1957 (16 weeks), US invalid BB 4 of 1956, Peel list 4 of 1956, POP 4 of 1956, US Billboard 6 - Apr 1956 (19 weeks), US CashBox 8 - Mar 1956 (14 weeks), Flanders 9 - Jun 1956 (4 months), nuTsie 9 of 1950s, D.Marsh 13 of 1956, US BB 45 of 1956, Brazil 50 of 1958, Rolling Stone 56, Scrobulate 92 of rockabilly, Acclaimed 178 (1956), UKMIX 703, RYM 10 of 1956, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 11 |
Carl Perkins |
Blue Suede Shoes |
1956 |
Grammy Hall of Fame in 1986 (1956), Library of Congress artifact added 2006 (1955), US Billboard 2 - Mar 1956 (21 weeks), US CashBox 2 - Mar 1956 (16 weeks), DDD 3 of 1956, D.Marsh 5 of 1956, US invalid BB 7 of 1956, POP 7 of 1956, UK 10 - May 1956 (8 weeks), nuTsie 14 of 1950s, US CashBox 17 of 1956, US BB 18 of 1956, DMDB 54 (1956), Scrobulate 72 of rockabilly, Acclaimed 72 (1956), RIAA 78, Brazil 95 of 1956, Rolling Stone 95, RYM 4 of 1956, Guardian Rock 5, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 12 |
The Platters |
My Prayer |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - Jul 1956 (23 weeks), US CashBox 1 - Jun 1956 (23 weeks), US CashBox 3 of 1956, Your Hit Parade 3 of 1956, UK 4 - Nov 1956 (13 weeks), US BB 4 of 1956, Italy 6 of 1957, US invalid BB 6 of 1956, POP 6 of 1956, Flanders 10 - Nov 1956 (4 months), D.Marsh 20 of 1956, DDD 21 of 1956, Brazil 22 of 1957, Europe 81 of the 1950s (1956), RYM 61 of 1956 |
| 13 |
Johnnie Ray |
Just Walkin' in the Rain |
1956 |
UK 1 - Oct 1956 (19 weeks), Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 4 weeks - Dec 1956, Record Mirror 1 for 7 weeks - Nov 1956, Australia 1 for 9 weeks - Dec 1956, US Billboard 2 - Sep 1956 (28 weeks), US CashBox 3 - Sep 1956 (17 weeks), Flanders 14 - Feb 1957 (4 months), US BB 23 of 1956, US CashBox 24 of 1956, US invalid BB 35 of 1956, POP 35 of 1956, UKMIX 62, Italy 73 of 1957, RYM 64 of 1956, Guardian Pop 7 |
| 14 |
Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers |
Why Do Fools Fall in Love? |
1956 |
UK 1 - Jun 1956 (17 weeks), Record Mirror 1 for 3 weeks - Jul 1956, Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001 (1955), US CashBox 2 - Feb 1956 (20 weeks), DDD 4 of 1955, US invalid BB 5 of 1956, POP 5 of 1956, US Billboard 6 - Feb 1956 (21 weeks), D.Marsh 8 of 1956, US CashBox 18 of 1956, nuTsie 19 of 1950s, US BB 28 of 1956, Acclaimed 136 (1956), RIAA 182, UKMIX 192, Rolling Stone 307, RYM 6 of 1955, Guardian Pop 6, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 15 |
Kay Starr |
Rock 'n' Roll Waltz |
1956 |
UK 1 - Feb 1956 (20 weeks), US Billboard 1 - Dec 1955 (25 weeks), US CashBox 1 - Dec 1955 (20 weeks), Australia 1 for 5 weeks - Jun 1956, US BB 10 of 1956, US CashBox 13 of 1956, Flanders 18 - Apr 1956 (1 month), UKMIX 162, RYM 187 of 1956 |
| 16 |
Gene Vincent |
Be Bop a Lula |
1956 |
Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 (1956), US CashBox 5 - Jun 1956 (17 weeks), DDD 5 of 1956, US Billboard 7 - Jun 1956 (20 weeks), D.Marsh 9 of 1956, UK 16 - Jul 1956 (7 weeks), nuTsie 21 of 1950s, US BB 27 of 1956, US invalid BB 39 of 1956, POP 39 of 1956, Italy 81 of 1957, Rolling Stone 102, Acclaimed 133 (1956), RYM 8 of 1956, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 17 |
Perry Como |
Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - Mar 1956 (23 weeks), Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 3 weeks - Jun 1956, Australia 1 for 4 weeks - Nov 1956, US CashBox 3 - Mar 1956 (19 weeks), UK 4 - May 1956 (13 weeks), Flanders 13 - Jul 1956 (1 month), US CashBox 14 of 1956, US BB 16 of 1956, RYM 85 of 1956 |
| 18 |
Louis Armstrong |
Mack the Knife |
1956 |
Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 2 weeks - Oct 1959, Australia 1 for 4 weeks - May 1956, Grammy Hall of Fame in 1997 (1955), Library of Congress artifact added 2015 (1956), UK 8 - Apr 1956 (12 weeks), US invalid BB 16 of 1956, POP 16 of 1956, US Billboard 20 - Feb 1956 (15 weeks), Scrobulate 54 of jazz, RYM 22 of 1955 |
| 19 |
Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly |
True Love |
1956 |
Oscar in 1956 (film 'High Society') (Nominated), US Billboard 3 - Sep 1956 (31 weeks), UK 4 - Nov 1956 (27 weeks), US CashBox 4 - Sep 1956 (17 weeks), Flanders 19 - Mar 1957 (1 month), US CashBox 33 of 1956, US BB 44 of 1956, Europe 58 of the 1950s (1956), Brazil 63 of 1957, UKMIX 93, RYM 33 of 1956 |
| 20 |
Vic Damone |
On the Street Where You Live |
1956 |
UK 1 - May 1958 (17 weeks), Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 6 weeks - Jun 1958, US Billboard 4 - Apr 1956 (25 weeks), US CashBox 6 - Apr 1956 (20 weeks), Australia 12 of 1959, US BB 35 of 1956, US CashBox 36 of 1956, Brazil 89 of 1957, UKMIX 269, RYM 88 of 1956, NY Daily Love list 78 |
| 21 |
Jim Lowe |
Green Door |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - Sep 1956 (26 weeks), Australia 1 for 1 week - Jun 1957, US CashBox 2 - Sep 1956 (16 weeks), UK 8 - Oct 1956 (9 weeks), US BB 19 of 1956, US CashBox 26 of 1956, US invalid BB 40 of 1956, POP 40 of 1956, Brazil 97 of 1957, RYM 37 of 1956 |
| 22 |
Gogi Grant |
Wayward Wind |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - Apr 1956 (28 weeks), US CashBox 1 - Apr 1956 (23 weeks), US CashBox 4 of 1956, Your Hit Parade 4 of 1956, US BB 5 of 1956, UK 9 - Jun 1956 (11 weeks), US invalid BB 20 of 1956, POP 20 of 1956, Brazil 91 of 1956, RYM 189 of 1956 |
| 23 |
Bill Doggett |
Honky Tonk |
1956 |
Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 (1956), US Billboard 2 - Aug 1956 (29 weeks), US CashBox 2 - Aug 1956 (20 weeks), Peel list 2 of 1956, US CashBox 10 of 1956, Your Hit Parade 10 of 1956, DDD 17 of 1956, US BB 21 of 1956, D.Marsh 22 of 1956, nuTsie 94 of 1950s, Acclaimed 519 (1956), RYM 59 of 1956, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 24 |
Johnny Cash |
I Walk the Line |
1956 |
Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 (1956), Scrobulate 3 of country, DDD 10 of 1956, US Billboard 17 - Sep 1956 (22 weeks), US invalid BB 21 of 1956, POP 21 of 1956, US CashBox 23 - Sep 1956 (13 weeks), Rolling Stone 30, D.Marsh 33 of 1956, nuTsie 35 of 1950s, RIAA 61, Acclaimed 75 (1956), US BB 81 of 1956, WXPN 342, RYM 3 of 1956, Party 198 of 2007, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500, UK most streamed for 1956 |
| 25 |
Bill Haley & his Comets |
See You Later Alligator |
1956 |
Flanders 4 - Mar 1956 (5 months), US Billboard 6 - Jan 1956 (19 weeks), US CashBox 6 - Jan 1956 (17 weeks), UK 7 - Mar 1956 (21 weeks), D.Marsh 11 of 1955, US invalid BB 13 of 1956, POP 13 of 1956, DDD 17 of 1955, US CashBox 30 of 1956, US BB 33 of 1956, UKMIX 345, RYM 9 of 1955 |
| 26 |
Pat Boone |
I'll Be Home |
1956 |
UK 1 - Apr 1956 (24 weeks), Record Mirror 1 for 6 weeks - Jun 1956, US Billboard 4 - Feb 1956 (22 weeks), US CashBox 5 - Feb 1956 (18 weeks), US CashBox 32 of 1956, US invalid BB 33 of 1956, POP 33 of 1956, US BB 34 of 1956, UKMIX 40, RYM 149 of 1955 |
| 27 |
Chuck Berry |
Roll Over Beethoven |
1956 |
Grammy Hall of Fame in 1990 (1956), Library of Congress artifact added 2003 (1956), D.Marsh 2 of 1956, DDD 6 of 1956, US Billboard 29 - Jun 1956 (5 weeks), US invalid BB 29 of 1956, POP 29 of 1956, Scrobulate 35 of rock & roll, US CashBox 48 - Jun 1956 (2 weeks), Rolling Stone 97, Acclaimed 389 (1956), RYM 11 of 1956 |
| 28 |
Dreamweavers |
It's Almost Tomorrow |
1956 |
UK 1 - Feb 1956 (18 weeks), Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 6 weeks - Mar 1956, Record Mirror 1 for 3 weeks - Mar 1956, US CashBox 6 - Oct 1955 (24 weeks), US Billboard 7 - Nov 1955 (23 weeks), US BB 51 of 1956, UKMIX 156, RYM 91 of 1955 |
| 29 |
Nelson Riddle |
Lisbon Antigua (In Old Lisbon) |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - Dec 1956 (29 weeks), US CashBox 1 - Dec 1955 (25 weeks), US BB 3 of 1956, US CashBox 7 of 1956, Your Hit Parade 7 of 1956, Brazil 11 of 1956, Italy 19 of 1957, RYM 64 of 1955 |
| 30 |
Les Baxter & his Orchestra |
Poor People of Paris |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - Feb 1956 (24 weeks), US CashBox 1 - Feb 1956 (21 weeks), Australia 1 for 1 week - Aug 1956, US BB 6 of 1956, US CashBox 12 of 1956, Brazil 26 of 1957, RYM 74 of 1956 |
| 31 |
Frankie Laine |
A Woman in Love |
1956 |
UK 1 - Sep 1956 (21 weeks), Record Mirror 1 for 3 weeks - Oct 1956, Flanders 5 - Aug 1956 (3 months), US CashBox 16 - Nov 1955 (15 weeks), US Billboard 19 - Nov 1955 (17 weeks), Italy 24 of 1957, UKMIX 55 |
| 32 |
Morris Stoloff |
Moonglow & Theme From Picnic |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - Apr 1956 (27 weeks), US CashBox 1 - Apr 1956 (23 weeks), Australia 1 for 1 week - Aug 1956, UK 7 - Jun 1956 (11 weeks), US CashBox 9 of 1956, Your Hit Parade 9 of 1956, US BB 11 of 1956, RYM 126 of 1956 |
| 33 |
Eddie Fisher |
Cindy, Oh Cindy |
1956 |
Australia 1 for 2 weeks - Apr 1957, Flanders 2 - May 1957 (3 months), UK 5 - Nov 1956 (16 weeks), US CashBox 9 - Oct 1956 (13 weeks), US Billboard 10 - Oct 1956 (19 weeks), US BB 58 of 1956, UKMIX 750 |
| 34 |
Anne Shelton |
Lay Down Your Arms |
1956 |
UK 1 - Aug 1956 (14 weeks), Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 4 weeks - Oct 1956, Record Mirror 1 for 4 weeks - Sep 1956, US CashBox 22 - Sep 1956 (4 weeks), US Billboard 59 - Sep 1956 (8 weeks), UKMIX 240 |
| 35 |
Sonny James |
Young Love |
1956 |
Australia 1 for 3 weeks - May 1957, US Billboard 2 - Dec 1956 (21 weeks), US CashBox 4 of 1957, US BB 8 of 1957, UK 11 - Feb 1957 (7 weeks), US CashBox 40 - Dec 1956 (1 week), D.Marsh 40 of 1956, DDD 98 of 1956, RYM 197 of 1956 |
| 36 |
Pat Boone |
I Almost Lost My Mind |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - Jun 1956 (23 weeks), US CashBox 1 - Jun 1956 (19 weeks), US BB 13 of 1956, UK 14 - Aug 1956 (7 weeks), US CashBox 20 of 1956, Brazil 99 of 1956, RYM 158 of 1956 |
| 37 |
Elvis Presley |
I Want You, I Need You, I Love You |
1956 |
US Billboard 1 - May 1956 (24 weeks), US Platinum (certified by RIAA in Mar 1992), US CashBox 3 - May 1956 (21 weeks), UK 14 - Jul 1956 (11 weeks), US BB 14 of 1956, US CashBox 16 of 1956, D.Marsh 25 of 1956, DDD 58 of 1956, RYM 22 of 1956 |
| 38 |
Pat Boone |
Friendly Persuasion |
1956 |
Oscar in 1956 (film 'Friendly Persuasion') (Nominated), UK 3 - Dec 1956 (21 weeks), US Billboard 5 - Sep 1956 (24 weeks), US CashBox 10 - Sep 1956 (16 weeks), US CashBox 38 of 1956, US BB 52 of 1956, Italy 84 of 1957, UKMIX 316 |
| 39 |
Ronnie Hilton |
No Other Love |
1956 |
UK 1 - Apr 1956 (14 weeks), Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 6 weeks - May 1956, Record Mirror 1 for 4 weeks - May 1956, UKMIX 292, RYM 63 of 1956 |
| 40 |
Howlin' Wolf |
Smokestack Lightning |
1956 |
Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 (1956), Library of Congress artifact added 2009 (1956), UK 42 - Jun 1964 (5 weeks), DDD 44 of 1956, Scrobulate 89 of blues, Rolling Stone 285, Acclaimed 349 (1956), RYM 21 of 1956, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 41 |
Little Richard |
Rip it Up |
1956 |
D.Marsh 4 of 1956, Flanders 6 - Oct 1956 (3 months), DDD 16 of 1956, US Billboard 17 - Jul 1956 (18 weeks), US CashBox 20 - Jun 1956 (14 weeks), UK 30 - Dec 1956 (1 week), nuTsie 46 of 1950s, Acclaimed 1383 (1956), RYM 16 of 1956 |
| 42 |
The Five Satins |
In the Still of the Night |
1956 |
Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 (1956), DDD 7 of 1956, POP 10 of 1956, D.Marsh 10 of 1956, nuTsie 28 of 1950s, US Billboard 29 - Sep 1956 (19 weeks), US CashBox 32 - Aug 1956 (9 weeks), Rolling Stone 90, RIAA 100, RYM 58 of 1956, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 43 |
Tony Martin |
Walk Hand in Hand |
1956 |
Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 6 weeks - Jul 1956, UK 2 - Jul 1956 (15 weeks), US Billboard 10 - Apr 1956 (20 weeks), US CashBox 16 - Apr 1956 (15 weeks), US BB 74 of 1956, UKMIX 462, RYM 194 of 1956 |
| 44 |
Teresa Brewer |
A Tear Fell |
1956 |
UK 2 - Apr 1956 (15 weeks), US Billboard 5 - Feb 1956 (23 weeks), US CashBox 7 - Feb 1956 (18 weeks), US CashBox 34 of 1956, US invalid BB 38 of 1956, POP 38 of 1956, US BB 49 of 1956, UKMIX 688 |
| 45 |
Freddy Quinn |
Heimweh |
1956 |
Flanders 1 - Aug 1956 (9 months), Germany 1 for 14 weeks - Jul 1956, RYM 35 of 1956, Global 33 (5 M sold) - 1956 |
| 46 |
Fats Domino |
I'm in Love Again |
1956 |
US Billboard 3 - Apr 1956 (23 weeks), US CashBox 3 - May 1956 (18 weeks), D.Marsh 6 of 1956, UK 12 - Jul 1956 (14 weeks), US CashBox 22 of 1956, US BB 25 of 1956, DDD 26 of 1956, RYM 45 of 1956 |
| 47 |
Joe 'Fingers' Carr |
Portuguese Washerwoman |
1956 |
Australia 1 for 3 weeks - Aug 1956, UK 20 - Jun 1956 (5 weeks), US CashBox 23 - May 1956 (12 weeks), US Billboard 25 - May 1956 (16 weeks), Brazil 34 of 1956 |
| 48 |
Fats Domino |
Blue Monday |
1956 |
US Billboard 9 - Dec 1956 (18 weeks), D.Marsh 12 of 1956, DDD 18 of 1956, UK 23 - Mar 1957 (2 weeks), US CashBox 38 - Dec 1956 (1 week), US BB 50 of 1957, nuTsie 95 of 1950s, Acclaimed 1555 (1956), RYM 14 of 1956 |
| 49 |
Four Lads |
Standing On the Corner |
1956 |
US Billboard 3 - Apr 1956 (20 weeks), US CashBox 4 - Apr 1956 (19 weeks), US invalid BB 12 of 1956, POP 12 of 1956, US BB 29 of 1956, US CashBox 29 of 1956, UK 34 - Apr 1960 (4 weeks), RYM 129 of 1956 |
| 50 |
Hugo Winterhalter & Eddie Heywood |
Canadian Sunset |
1956 |
US Billboard 2 - Jun 1956 (31 weeks), US CashBox 2 - Jun 1956 (25 weeks), US CashBox 8 of 1956, Your Hit Parade 8 of 1956, US BB 17 of 1956, Brazil 98 of 1957 |
| 51 |
Don Cherry |
Band of Gold |
1956 |
US Billboard 4 - Dec 1955 (22 weeks), US CashBox 4 - Nov 1955 (21 weeks), UK 6 - Feb 1956 (11 weeks), Flanders 20 - May 1956 (1 month), US CashBox 28 of 1956, US BB 38 of 1956 |
| 52 |
Perry Como |
More |
1956 |
Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 5 weeks - Nov 1956, US Billboard 4 - Jun 1956 (18 weeks), US CashBox 7 - Jun 1956 (16 weeks), UK 10 - Sep 1956 (12 weeks), US BB 39 of 1956, RYM 198 of 1956 |
| 53 |
James Brown |
Please, Please, Please |
1956 |
Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001 (1956), DDD 9 of 1956, nuTsie 32 of 1950s, Scrobulate 54 of gotanygoodmusic, US Billboard 95 - Feb 1964 (2 weeks), Rolling Stone 142, Acclaimed 316 (1956), RYM 17 of 1956, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 54 |
Elvis Presley |
Blue Suede Shoes |
1956 |
US Gold (certified by RIAA in Jul 1999), UK 9 - May 1956 (12 weeks), Scrobulate 19 of rock & roll, US Billboard 24 - Apr 1956 (12 weeks), DDD 31 of 1956, Rolling Stone 423, Acclaimed 2152 (1956), RYM 9 of 1956 |
| 55 |
Lonnie Donegan |
Lost John |
1956 |
Peel list 1 of 1956, UK 2 - Apr 1956 (17 weeks), US CashBox 45 - Jun 1956 (2 weeks), US Billboard 58 - Jun 1956 (2 weeks), RYM 193 of 1956 |
| 56 |
Lou Busch |
Zambezi |
1956 |
Record Mirror 1 for 2 weeks - Feb 1956, UK 2 - Jan 1956 (17 weeks), US Billboard 75 - Dec 1955 (6 weeks), UKMIX 419, RYM 120 of 1956 |
| 57 |
LaVern Baker |
Jim Dandy |
1956 |
US Billboard 17 - Dec 1956 (19 weeks), D.Marsh 18 of 1956, DDD 19 of 1956, US CashBox 45 - Dec 1956 (1 week), US BB 94 of 1957, nuTsie 96 of 1950s, Rolling Stone 343, Acclaimed 825 (1956), RYM 44 of 1956, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 58 |
Bill Haley & his Comets |
Rip it Up |
1956 |
UK 4 - Nov 1956 (18 weeks), Flanders 6 - Oct 1956 (3 months), US CashBox 24 - Sep 1956 (5 weeks), US Billboard 30 - Aug 1956 (14 weeks), UKMIX 508, RYM 97 of 1956 |
| 59 |
Winifred Atwell |
Poor People of Paris |
1956 |
UK 1 - Mar 1956 (16 weeks), Record Mirror 1 for 5 weeks - Apr 1956, UKMIX 237 |
| 60 |
Fats Domino |
My Blue Heaven |
1956 |
D.Marsh 6 of 1956, US invalid BB 8 of 1956, POP 8 of 1956, US CashBox 14 - May 1956 (11 weeks), US Billboard 21 - Apr 1956 (20 weeks), DDD 45 of 1956, US BB 92 of 1956, RYM 45 of 1956 |
| 61 |
The Platters |
(You've Got) The Magic Touch |
1956 |
US CashBox 3 - Mar 1956 (16 weeks), US Billboard 4 - Mar 1956 (20 weeks), US invalid BB 18 of 1956, POP 18 of 1956, US CashBox 31 of 1956, US BB 36 of 1956, DDD 79 of 1956 |
| 62 |
Dean Martin |
Innamorata (Sweetheart) |
1956 |
Flanders 14 - Oct 1956 (1 month), US CashBox 17 - Feb 1956 (12 weeks), UK 21 - Apr 1956 (3 weeks), US Billboard 27 - Mar 1956 (12 weeks), Italy 78 of 1957, RYM 49 of 1955 |
| 63 |
Gene Vincent |
Race With the Devil |
1956 |
Peel list 3 of 1956, UK 28 - Oct 1956 (1 week), DDD 41 of 1956, US CashBox 50 - Sep 1956 (2 weeks), Scrobulate 90 of rockabilly, US Billboard 96 - Oct 1956 (1 week), RYM 46 of 1956 |
| 64 |
Shirley & Lee |
Let the Good Times Roll |
1956 |
US invalid BB 11 of 1956, POP 11 of 1956, DDD 14 of 1956, D.Marsh 15 of 1956, US CashBox 24 - Aug 1956 (15 weeks), US Billboard 27 - Aug 1956 (19 weeks), nuTsie 44 of 1950s, RYM 34 of 1956 |
| 65 |
The Cadets |
Stranded in The Jungle |
1956 |
US CashBox 10 - Jul 1956 (9 weeks), D.Marsh 14 of 1956, US Billboard 15 - Jul 1956 (11 weeks), US invalid BB 31 of 1956, POP 31 of 1956, DDD 37 of 1956, Acclaimed 2254 (1956), RYM 73 of 1956 |
| 66 |
Harry Belafonte |
Jamaica Farewell |
1956 |
US Billboard 14 - Oct 1956 (26 weeks), US CashBox 19 - Nov 1956 (6 weeks), US invalid BB 34 of 1956, POP 34 of 1956, US BB 57 of 1957, Italy 85 of 1957, RYM 39 of 1956 |
| 67 |
Bill Haley & his Comets |
R-O-C-K |
1956 |
Flanders 3 - May 1956 (5 months), US Billboard 16 - Apr 1956 (14 weeks), US CashBox 21 - Mar 1956 (10 weeks), US invalid BB 37 of 1956, POP 37 of 1956, RYM 107 of 1956 |
| 68 |
Dick Hyman Trio |
Mack the Knife |
1956 |
US Billboard 8 - Jan 1956 (20 weeks), UK 9 - Mar 1956 (10 weeks), US CashBox 9 - Jan 1956 (19 weeks), Brazil 31 of 1956, US BB 60 of 1956 |
| 69 |
Clyde McPhatter |
Treasure of Love |
1956 |
US CashBox 13 - May 1956 (14 weeks), US Billboard 16 - May 1956 (17 weeks), D.Marsh 24 of 1956, UK 27 - Aug 1956 (1 week), DDD 62 of 1956, US BB 93 of 1956, RYM 100 of 1956 |
| 70 |
Patience & Prudence |
Tonight You Belong to Me |
1956 |
US CashBox 3 - Aug 1956 (20 weeks), US Billboard 4 - Aug 1956 (25 weeks), US CashBox 21 of 1956, US BB 26 of 1956, UK 28 - Nov 1956 (3 weeks), RYM 36 of 1956 |
| 71 |
Frank Sinatra |
I've Got You Under My Skin |
1956 |
Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 (1956), DDD 29 of 1956, Scrobulate 29 of jazz, WXPN 186, Acclaimed 729 (1956), RYM 158 of 1972, Party 184 of 2007 |
| 72 |
Teresa Brewer |
Sweet Old-Fashioned Girl |
1956 |
UK 3 - Jul 1956 (15 weeks), US Billboard 7 - Jun 1956 (20 weeks), US CashBox 11 - Jun 1956 (17 weeks), US BB 46 of 1956, UKMIX 558, RYM 157 of 1956 |
| 73 |
David Whitfield |
My September Love |
1956 |
Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 2 weeks - Jun 1956, UK 3 - Mar 1956 (24 weeks), UKMIX 181, RYM 165 of 1956 |
| 74 |
The Platters |
You'll Never Never Know |
1956 |
US Billboard 11 - Sep 1956 (18 weeks), US CashBox 14 - Sep 1956 (13 weeks), UK 23 - Jan 1957 (3 weeks), Italy 38 of 1957, US BB 79 of 1956 |
| 75 |
Gilbert Becaud |
La Corrida |
1956 |
France 1 for 5 weeks - Dec 1956, Flanders 6 - Jul 1956 (7 months), RYM 138 of 1956 |
| 76 |
The Chordettes |
Born to Be With You |
1956 |
US Billboard 5 - Jun 1956 (20 weeks), UK 8 - Sep 1956 (9 weeks), US CashBox 8 - Jun 1956 (16 weeks), D.Marsh 30 of 1956, US BB 37 of 1956, RYM 162 of 1956 |
| 77 |
Frankie Laine |
Sixteen Tons |
1956 |
Australia 1 for 6 weeks - Feb 1956, UK 10 - Jan 1956 (3 weeks), Flanders 17 - Feb 1956 (2 months) |
| 78 |
Little Willie John |
Fever |
1956 |
D.Marsh 3 of 1956, DDD 11 of 1956, US CashBox 22 - Jun 1956 (13 weeks), US Billboard 27 - Jul 1956 (15 weeks), nuTsie 36 of 1950s, Acclaimed 614 (1956), one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 79 |
Lys Assia |
Refrain |
1956 |
EuroVision Song Contest winner 1956 (for Switzerland in Lugano), Italy 50 of 1956, RYM 123 of 1956 |
| 80 |
Jimmy Young |
More |
1956 |
Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 5 weeks - Nov 1956, UK 4 - Sep 1956 (17 weeks), UKMIX 577 |
| 81 |
Pat Boone |
Anastasia |
1956 |
US CashBox 25 - Dec 1956 (3 weeks), US Billboard 37 - Dec 1956 (18 weeks), Brazil 66 of 1957, Italy 82 of 1957, RYM 196 of 1956 |
| 82 |
Buchanan & Goodman |
Flying Saucer |
1956 |
US Billboard 3 - Aug 1956 (13 weeks), US BB 30 of 1956, D.Marsh 34 of 1956, US CashBox 35 of 1956, Canada 48 - Jul 1957 (1 week) |
| 83 |
Elvis Presley |
My Baby Left Me |
1956 |
US CashBox 18 - May 1956 (8 weeks), UK 19 - Sep 2007 (2 weeks), D.Marsh 29 of 1956, US Billboard 31 - May 1956 (14 weeks), DDD 43 of 1956, RYM 22 of 1956 |
| 84 |
Bo Diddley |
Who Do You Love? |
1956 |
Grammy Hall of Fame in 2010 (1956), DDD 22 of 1956, Rolling Stone 132, Acclaimed 345 (1956), RYM 12 of 1956 |
| 85 |
Four Lads |
No, Not Much |
1956 |
US Billboard 2 - Jan 1956 (24 weeks), US CashBox 3 - Jan 1956 (19 weeks), US CashBox 19 of 1956, US BB 20 of 1956, RYM 128 of 1956 |
| 86 |
Screamin' Jay Hawkins |
I Put a Spell On You |
1956 |
France 4 - Jan 1972 (1 week), DDD 33 of 1956, Rolling Stone 313, Acclaimed 313 (1956), RYM 7 of 1956, one of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500 |
| 87 |
Lucienne Delyle |
Amour, Castagnettes et Tango |
1956 |
France 1 for 9 weeks - May 1956, Flanders 9 - Mar 1956 (4 months) |
| 88 |
Bill Haley & his Comets |
Rudy's Rock |
1956 |
Flanders 16 - Dec 1956 (2 months), UK 26 - Nov 1956 (5 weeks), US Billboard 34 - Nov 1956 (13 weeks), US CashBox 38 - Oct 1956 (4 weeks) |
| 89 |
Nat King Cole |
Love is a Many Splendoured Thing |
1956 |
Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 1 week - Jan 1956, Flanders 6 - Mar 1956 (3 months) |
| 90 |
Bill Haley & his Comets |
Rockin' Through the Rye |
1956 |
UK 3 - Aug 1956 (23 weeks), US CashBox 39 - Jun 1956 (3 weeks), US Billboard 78 - Jul 1956 (3 weeks), UKMIX 136, RYM 132 of 1956 |
| 91 |
Cathy Carr |
Ivory Tower |
1956 |
US Billboard 2 - Mar 1956 (24 weeks), US CashBox 5 - Mar 1956 (19 weeks), US CashBox 25 of 1956, US BB 32 of 1956, RYM 38 of 1956 |
| 92 |
Ivory Joe Hunter |
Since I Met You Baby |
1956 |
US Billboard 12 - Nov 1956 (22 weeks), US CashBox 12 - Nov 1956 (6 weeks), D.Marsh 16 of 1956, US BB 62 of 1957, DDD 64 of 1956, RYM 75 of 1956 |
| 93 |
Patti Page |
Allegheny Moon |
1956 |
US Billboard 2 - Jun 1956 (27 weeks), US CashBox 6 - Jun 1956 (23 weeks), US CashBox 23 of 1956, US BB 24 of 1956, RYM 171 of 1956 |
| 94 |
Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers |
I Want You To Be My Girl |
1956 |
US CashBox 10 - Apr 1956 (12 weeks), US Billboard 13 - Apr 1956 (15 weeks), D.Marsh 28 of 1956, DDD 93 of 1956, US BB 95 of 1956, RYM 80 of 1956 |
| 95 |
Pat Boone |
Tutti Frutti |
1956 |
US CashBox 10 - Jan 1956 (13 weeks), US Billboard 12 - Jan 1956 (18 weeks), Italy 60 of 1957, US BB 83 of 1956, RYM 149 of 1955 |
| 96 |
Peggy Lee |
Mr Wonderful |
1956 |
UK 5 - May 1957 (13 weeks), US Billboard 14 - Mar 1956 (20 weeks), US CashBox 22 - Mar 1956 (8 weeks), US BB 91 of 1956, RYM 135 of 1956 |
| 97 |
Bill Haley & his Comets |
The Saints Rock 'n' Roll |
1956 |
UK 5 - May 1956 (24 weeks), US Billboard 18 - Apr 1956 (10 weeks), US CashBox 23 - Mar 1956 (8 weeks), UKMIX 149, RYM 107 of 1956 |
| 98 |
Ronnie Carroll |
Walk Hand in Hand |
1956 |
Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 6 weeks - Jul 1956, UK 13 - Jul 1956 (8 weeks), RYM 167 of 1956 |
| 99 |
Frankie Laine |
Moonlight Gambler |
1956 |
US Billboard 3 - Nov 1956 (22 weeks), UK 13 - Dec 1956 (13 weeks), US CashBox 19 - Dec 1956 (5 weeks), US BB 32 of 1957 |
| 100 |
Sanford Clark |
The Fool |
1956 |
US Billboard 7 - Jul 1956 (21 weeks), US CashBox 8 - Jul 1956 (18 weeks), US CashBox 37 of 1956, US BB 42 of 1956, DDD 101 of 1956 |
|
The comments here are from the the MusicID impact site site. This version is not able to accept comments yet
29 Mar 2019
first love
Looking for this song: "first love, date with your steady beau, f first love, two hearts that says hello, it's your first love hay rides, parties andchaperones, dances, call on the telephone it's your first love" It was sang by a group w/a female lead singer. any chance of finding a recording?
21 Dec 2018
You Don't Know Me By Jerry Vale+
What Position Did "You Don't Know Me" Place In July 1956 Be Jerry Vale I ThinkHe Came In The Top 40 Or 20 Can You Help Me Out + +
Peak in Billboard was 14, in the CashBox chart it made 13 and was the 56 in the Billboard year end chart.
1 Aug 2015
lost song
I'm trying to trace a song with the following words in it " I'm going to marry Cookie in the spring and Cookie's going marry me" +i dont know the artist but it was on the radio in the 50s / 60s+
12 Oct 2014
Hugo Winterhalter & Eddie Heywood
#69- Canadian Sunset is also on Your Hit Parade #8.
Data fixed, thanks
17 May 2014
song with lyrics i love you mary lou
song from 1955 to 1956
5 Apr 2013
# 82 Woman in Love
This was also a # 19 Billboard hit.
You are right the data has been fixed thanks
5 Apr 2013
# 22 Mack the Knife
This was also a #20 Billboard Hit.
Yes you are right, we had it listed as "Theme From 'A Threepenny Opera'", we've fixed the data. Thanks for the suggestion
9 Jul 2012
eddie my love
I have enjoyed your site. I was actually looking for the song eddie my love by the teen queens and then later by a few other more famous groups of the time.
I didn't find it referenced even though wikapedia noted it was a top 14 on Billboard. I thought it was at least enough to be in your top 100. Is this an oversight or was I off on its national popularity (could have been just a regional favorite afterall) Thanks again for this reference. I am using as a time line peg for an autobiography. I seems that music allows one to realize where you were at a given moment
"Eddie My Love" was a hit in both Billboard and CashBox, it is also listed in David Marsh's list. However it was not a hit outside the USA, so it is just outside the top 100 for 1956. You will notice that even the 100th song was a hit in two countries.
15 Feb 2012
Song lists
This site is a gem! Your listings are impressive, and comprehensive. I read your notes on the scoring system, and agree with your method. Well done!
8 Jan 2012
# 22 Mack the Knife
This was also a # 20 Billboard hit.
9 Sep 2011
old song
What year did Michael Holyiday? sing "one day I'm going to write the story of my life",? because I heard it on the Radio on our Honeymoon 55 years ago, I'm just finishing my life story to leave to my children, that has been because I liked the song so much, what other songs did he sing?
Thank you
We don't have any idea when the song was released, however "The Story of My Life" became a hit (in the UK at least) in 1958 reaching: UK 1 - Jan 1958 (15 weeks), Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 4 weeks - Feb 1958, Record Mirror 1 for 2 weeks - Feb 1958, RYM 140 of 1958, UKMIX 352
We don't have reliable French charts from that era. But that was his biggest hit (in those charts we have). Other songs of his that reached the charts were:
"Stairway of Love" (1958) - Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 1 week - Jun 1958, UK 3 - May 1958 (13 weeks)
"Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)" (1956) - Radio Luxembourg sheet music 1 for 3 weeks - Jun 1956, UK 14 - Jun 1956 (8 weeks)
"Starry Eyed" (1960) - UK 1 - Jan 1960 (13 weeks)
"Gal With the Yaller Shoes" (1956) - UK 13 - Jun 1956 (3 weeks)
"Nothin' to Do" (1956) - UK 20 - Mar 1956 (3 weeks)
"I'll Always Be in Love With You" (1958) - UK 27 - Jul 1958 (1 week)
"In Love" (1958) - UK 26 - Mar 1958 (3 weeks)
"Keep Your Heart" (1958) - RYM 140 of 1958
"Little Boy Lost" (1960) - UK 50 - Sep 1960 (1 week)
"Skylark" (1960) - UK 39 - Apr 1960 (3 weeks)
"Ten Thousand Miles" (1956) - UK 24 - Oct 1956 (3 weeks)
10 Jul 2011
Lonnie Donegan
Could you please provide info as to where Lonnie Donegan's Rock Island Line placed on the Billboard charts.
Thanks.
There is a page for Lonnie Donegan that has that information on it, "Rock Island Line" was song number 40 of 1955. It reached number 8 in the Billboard charts (its run there was 17 weeks starting Mar 1956).
We suspect that the year of 1954 on the Acclaimed music site is incorrect, since it entered both the US and UK charts in 1956. Our calculation places it in 1955, as do the RYM and DDD sites, because that is between the Acclaimed and Billboard dates.
Lonnie Donegan's version was the most successful although Leadbelly had a version of the song in 1944. Following Lonnie Donegan's hit it was a hit for Don Cornell in the US and Stan Freberg in the UK. Johnny Cash's version was number 93 in the Billboard chart in Feb 1970.
13 Sep 2010
Song listed
I'm starting to use your list as a reference for my music collections as the listing are superb and comprehensive, Great job.
However, can you list more songs than no. 100? What are the 100 songs represents in terms of chart ranking? are they in the billboard top 40? Base on the 100s, if the song ranking not up to 40 and above, then it would not be listed, is that right?
Desi Arnaz.
Thanks for the kind words, you are clearly using these lists the way we intended to revisit music of the past and suggest songs that should be tried out.
We specificly selected to show only the top 100 songs for a number of reasons, not least of which was that we felt most readers would think any more would be excessive.
The rankings are in order of the songs chart positions in all the charts it shows up in. So while a Billboard top 40 slot might be a good start a song has to have been a hit in more than just that one chart to make it to our list.
For example the Frankie Laine song "Moonlight Gambler" reached number 3 in Billboard, and number 13 in the UK chart, however because it was not a hit elsewhere it ranks as the 131st song of 1956 (and hence is not in this listing)
In contrast Louis Armstrong's version of "Mack the Knife" was number 1 in Australia, number 8 in the UK, inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1997 and got many other chart entries. However it was never a hit in the Billboard chart. We rank this song as number 28 of 1956, much higher than Frankie Laine's song.
We use a scoring system that is described in detail in the "Site Generation" FAQ page. It has been honed over many years and tested in a wide variety of ways. While, of course, any scoring system will have its pitfalls we feel that this one is both simple enough to be transparent and yet yeilds results that are usually reasonable.