Here are the 1945 #1 hits, when World War II finally ended. Because there were multiple charts, there were 73 weeks of recordings. I recognize many songs, though I hadn’t been born yet.
Rum and Coca-Cola – Andrews Sisters (Decca), 10 weeks at #1, gold record
Till The End Of Time – Perry Como, the orchestra conducted by Russell Case (Victor), 10 weeks at #1, gold record. Based on Chopin’s Polonaise.
Sentimental Journey – Les Brown and his orchestra with Doris Day (Columbia), nine weeks at #1. gold record
On The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe – Johnny Mercer and the Pied Pipers with Paul Weston and his orchestra (Capitol), eight weeks at #1. From the MGM picture Harvey Girls.
My Dreams Are Getting Better All The Time – Les Brown and his orchestra with Doris Day, (Columbia), seven weeks at #1, from In Society.
There! I Said It Again – Vaughn Monroe, his orchestra, and the Norton Sisters (Victor), six weeks at #1, gold record. The song went to #1, covered by Bobby Vinton, early in 1964; the next #1 was I Want To Hold Your Hand by some British Invasion group.
I Can’t Begin To Tell You – Bing Crosby with Carmen Cavallaro at the piano (Decca), six weeks at #1, gold record
A very goofy song
Chickery Chick – Swing and sway with Sammy Kaye with Nancy Norman, Billy Williams, and the Kaye Choir (Victor), four weeks at #1
It’s Been A Long, Long Time – Harry James and his orchestra with Kitty Kallen (Columbia), three weeks at #1. Written by Sammy Kahn and Jule Styne
I’m Beginning To See The Light – Harry James and his orchestra with Kitty Kallen (Columbia), 2 weeks at #1—Co-written by Duke Ellington, James, and two others.
Ac-Cent-Tch-Ate The Positive – Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers, orchestra conducted by Paul Weston (Capitol), two weeks at #1. Written by Mercer-Harold Arlen, from the film Here Come The Waves
It’s Been A Long, Long Time – Bing Crosby with Les Paul and his trio (Decca), two weeks at #1. Written by Jule Styne-Sammy Cahn
White Christmas – Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers, orchestra conducted by John Scott Trotter (Decca), two weeks at #1. This is the 1942 version which was #1 for 11 weeks that year and a week in 1946. After that, the 1947 version predominated in recordings and airplay.
Candy – Johnny Mercer with Jo Stafford, the Pied Pipers, and Paul Weston and his orchestra (Capitol)
Dream – The Pied Pipers with Paul Weston and his orchestra (Capitol). Written by Johnny Mercer
