These are the #1 pop hits of 1956. You might guess who dominated the charts; it was the guy who made his debut on the Ed Sullivan Show in September of that year.
Every song went at least gold. Note that, because of the multiple charts in that era, there were 83 weeks of #1 songs.
Don’t Be Cruel/ Hound Dog – Elvis Presley (RCA Victor), 11 weeks at #1, quadruple platinum. Written byOtis Blackwell and Leiber/Stoller, respectively.
Singing The Blues – Guy Mitchell with Ray Coniff and his orchestra (Columbia), 10 weeks at #1. I heard this song more often on the radio than any song on the list.
The Wayward Wind – Gogi Grant; orchestra under the direction of Buddy Bregman (Era), 8 weeks at #1
Heartbreak Hotel – Elvis Presley (RCA Victor), 8 weeks at #1, double platinum. His first RCA single. Song credited to Mae Boren Axton, Tommy Durden, and Elvis Presley
Rock and Roll Waltz – Kay Starr, orchestra and chorus conducted by Hugo Winterhalter (RCA Victor), 6 weeks at #1
The Poor People Of Paris – Les Baxter and his Orchestra (Capitol), 6 weeks at #1. Instrumental. I know this song! But I didn’t recognize the title.
Memories Are Made of This – Dean Martin with The Easy Riders, orchestra conducted by Dick Stabile (Capitol), 6 weeks at #1
I know that tune from grade school!
Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley (RCA Victor), 5 weeks at #1, triple platinum. From the 20th Century Fox production of the same name, Elvis’ first film. Song attributed to Elvis Presley-Vera Matson, based on the old folk tune “Aura Lee”
My Prayer – The Platters (Mercury), 5 weeks at #1; initially made famous by both Glenn Miller and The Ink Spots.
Lisbon Antigua – Nelson Riddle and his Orchestra (Capitol), 4 weeks at #1. Instrumental, piano by Stan Wrightsman
I Almost Lot My Mind– Pat Boone, orchestra and chorus conducted by Billy Vaughn (Dot), 4 weeks at #1. “Reviving” a 1950 R&B hit by Ivory Joe Hunter.
The Green Door – Jim Lowe with the High Fives, piano and orchestra by Bob “Hutch” Davie (Dot), 3 weeks at #1. You’d think I’d have heard a song with this title, but I do not recall it.
Moonglow and The Theme From “Picnic” – Morris Stoloff and the Columbia Pictures Orchestra (Decca), 3 weeks at #1. Instrumental from the movie.
The Great Pretender – The Platters (Mercury), 2 weeks at #1. Per The 45 Prof: “Tony Williams purportedly had a head cold and stuffy nose when he recorded this unforgettable #1 pop & R&B hit.”
Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)- Perry Como, orchestra conducted by Mitchell Ayres, with The Ray Charles Singers (RCA Victor), 1 week at #1
I Want You I Need You I Love You – Elvis Presley (RCA Victor), 1 week at #1, platinum. Elvis’ second RCA Victor single (released between “Heartbreak Hotel” and “Hound Dog/Don’t Be Cruel”).
