These are the number one pop hits of 1946. Fascinatingly, of the 20 recordings, the same song went to the top by two different artists (The Gypsy and Oh! What It Seemed ) or even three artists (To Each His Own).
This is a function, in large part, because between 1944 and 1958, there were multiple charts. In 1946, it was Best Sellers, Juke Box, and Disc Jockey. That’s why there are 96(!) #1 hits that year.
The Gypsy – Ink Spots (Decca), 13 weeks at #1, gold record. Even though they came out long before I was born, I always loved the group.
Oh! What It Seemed To Be – Frankie Carle and his orchestra with Marjorie Hughes, vocals (Columbia), 11 weeks at #1. Co-written by Carle. Hughes is Carle’s daughter.
Rumors Are Flying – Frankie Carle and his orchestra, with Marjorie Hughes, vocals (Columbia), 9 weeks at #1
To Each His Own – Eddy Howard and his orchestra, vocals by Eddy Howard and trio. (Majestic), 8 weeks at #1, gold record. The song is from the film To Each His Own.
The Gypsy – Dinah Shore, orchestra under the direction of Sonny Burke (Columbia), 8 weeks at #1. I recall some of her talk shows and even some of her later variety series.
Oh! What It Seemed To Be – Frank Sinatra, orchestra under the direction of Axel Stordahl (Columbia), 8 weeks at #1
The Old Lamp-Lighter – Sing and Sway with Sammy Kaye with Billy Williams and choir (RCA Victor), 7 weeks at #1
(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons -the King Cold Trio (Capitol), 6 weeks at #1
Winter hit
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! – Vaughn Monroe and his orchestra, vocal by Vaughn Monroe and The Norton Sisters (Victor), 5 weeks at #1. Written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne. This didn’t chart until 12/22/1945 and peaked on 1/19/1946. So this was a real winter, rather than a Christmas song
Five Minutes More – Frank Sinatra, orchestra under the direction of Axel Stordahl (Columbia), 4 weeks at #1
Prisoner of Love – Perry Como with Russ Case and his Orchestra (RCA Victor), 3 weeks at #1, gold record. He had a musical variety show from 1948 to 1963, which I vaguely recall
To Each His Own -Freddy Martin and his orchestra, with Stuart Wade, vocals (RCA Victor), 2 weeks at #1, inspired by the Paramount picture, To Each His Own
Personality – Johnny Mercer and the Pied Pipers, with Paul Weston and his orchestra (Capitol), 2 weeks at #1. “Dorothy Lamour introduced on-screen this great Johnny Burke-Jimmy Van Heusen song in the Hope-Crosby film ‘Road To Utopia.'”
Symphony – Freddy Martin and his orchestra, with Clyde Rogers, vocals (Victor), 2 weeks at #1
Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief – Betty Hutton, orchestra and vocal quartet conducted by Paul Weston (Capitol ), 2 weeks at #1. Here’s Betty Hutton performing the musical number from the 1945 Paramount movie “The Stork Club”.
Ole Buttermilk Sky – Kay Kyser and his orchestra, with Michael Douglas and the Campus Kids (Columbia), 2 weeks at #1, song from “Canyon Passage.” Michael Douglas later became TV host Mike Douglas, whom I would watch occasionally
These are all one week at number one
Surrender – Perry Como, with Russ Case and his orchestra (RCA Victor)
To Each His Own -Ink Spots (Decca ), gold record. Song written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans
I’m A Big Girl Now – Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye with Betty Barclay, vocals (RCA Victor)
White Christmas – Bing Crosby with Ken Darby Singers and John Scott Trotter and his orchestra (Decca), a holiday Song. This is the 1942 version, the last year it charted before it was supplanted by the 1947 take. The Irving Berlin composition from 1942 was the eighth-most-recorded song between 1890 and 1954.
