Tag: #1

I was wondering why the list of the#1 hits of 1936 was so long. It was a function of the national economy. The record industry underwent an almost total collapse. By 1932, only six million records had been sold, compared with a peak of 140,000,000 just five years earlier.

However, according to Joel Whitburn Presents A Century of Pop Music, the jukebox had become ubiquitous whenever people gathered to listen to music or dance.  Some 225,000 were in operation by 1939.

You will likely recognize some of these. I’d heard 5 of the first six.

The songs

Pennies From Heaven – Bing Crosby with George Stoll and his orchestra (Decca), 10 weeks at #1. From the Columbia picture, Pennies From Heaven.

Goody Goody – Benny Goodman and his orchestra with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor),  6 weeks at #1. Co-written by Johnny Mercer.

The Way You Look Tonight – Fred Astaire with Johnny Green (no relation) and his orchestra (Brunswick), 6 weeks at #1. The Oscar-winning song from the movie Swing Time

Alone – Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra, with Cliff Weston, vocals (Victor), 6 weeks at #1, from the M-G-M film, A Night At The Opera

The Glory of Love – Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor) 6 weeks at #1

A Fine Romance (A Sarcastic Love Song) – Fred Astaire with Johnny Green andhis orchestra (Brunswick), 5 weeks at #1, from Swing Time, written by Fields/Kern

The Music Goes ‘Round and ‘Round – Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven, with Edythe Wright, vocals (Victor), 5 weeks at #1,  a novelty song

Did I Remember – Shep Fields and His Rippling Rhythm Orchestra, with Charles Chester, vocals (Bluebird), 4 weeks at #1, from the M-G-M film Suzy

It’s A Sin To Tell A Lie – Fats Waller and his Rhythm (Victor), 4 weeks at #1

Is It True What They Say About Dixie – Jimmy Dorsey and his orchestra, with Bob Eberly, vocals (Decca ), 4 weeks at #1

Three weeks at #1

Moon Over Miami – Eddie Duchin and his orchestra, with Lew Sherwood, vocals (Victor)

The Music Goes ‘Round and Around – Reilly-Farley and their Oxnard Club Boys, with Mike Reilly (Decca),  a novelty song. Reilly’s name is subsequently spelled Riley.

Melody From The Sky – Jan Garber and his orchestra, The Idol of The Air Lanes, with Lee Bennett, vocals (Decca)

Two weeks at #1

When Did You Leave Heaven – Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, with Carmen Lombardo, vocals (Victor), from the 20th Century Fox film Sing, Baby, Sing

In The Chapel In The Moonlight -Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm Orchestra (Bluebird)

These Foolish Things Remind Me Of You – Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor), from the revue, Spread It Abroad

A Beautiful Lady In Blue – Jan Garber and his orchestra, The Idol of The Air Lanes,  with Lew Palmer, vocals (Decca)

It’s Been So Long – Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor). From the M-G-M film The Great Ziegfeld

Until The Real Thing Comes Along – Andy Kirk and his Twelve Clouds of Joy, with Pha Terrell, vocals (Decca)

Lost – Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, with Carmen Lombardo, vocals (Victor)

When I’m With You – Hal Kemp and his orchestra, with Skinnay Ennis, vocals (Brunswick). From the Temple film Poor Little Rich Girl

You Turned The Tables On Me – Benny Goodman and his orchestra, with Helen Ward, vocals (Victor). From the 20th Century Fox film Sing, Baby, Sing

There’s A Small Hotel – Hal Kemp and his orchestra, with Maxine Grey, vocals (Brunswick). From the musical On Your Toes, written by Rodgers and Hart. 

Take My Heart – Eddy Duchin and his orchestra, with Jerry Cooper, vocals (Victor) 

One week at #1

Lights Out – Eddy Duchin and his orchestra, with Lew Sherwood, vocals (Victor)

You–  Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra, with Edythe Wright, vocals (Victor). From the M-G-M film, The Great Ziegfeld

All My Life – Fats Waller and his Rhythm (Victor). From the Republic film Laughing Irish Eyes

I’m Putting All My Eggs In One Basket – Fred Astaire with Johnny Green and his orchestra (Brunswick). From the film Follow The First, written by Irving Berlin

I’ll Sing You A Thousand Love Songs – Eddy Duchin and his orchestra, with Jimmy Newill, vocals. From the Cosmopolitan film Cain and Mabel