Three different Billboard charts determined the Country Western #1 songs of 1955: most played in jukeboxes, best sellers in stores, and most played by jockeys. Interestingly, at that point, although changed in 1956, it didn’t specify most played country western, et cetera. I presume some discernment on Billboard’s part. This explains the 76 weeks of #1 songs.
From the Country Music Hall of Fame: Webb Pierce, born August 8, 1921, in West Monroe, Louisiana, died February 24, 1991, and was inducted in 2001.
“One of the greatest stars of country music’s honky-tonk heyday, the 1950s, Webb Pierce had thirteen singles top the Billboard charts in those years—more than any of his illustrious contemporaries.
“His loud, nasal, high-pitched, and sometimes slightly off-key delivery on hit after hit marked him as one of the music’s most distinctive singers in an era of great individualists.”
In The Jailhouse Now – Webb Pierce, 21 weeks at #1. I know the song from the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou, the version by Tim Blake Nelson and Pat Enright (credited as The Soggy Bottom Boys)
Love, Love, Love – Webb Pierce (Decca), 13 weeks at #1
I Don’t Care– Webb Pierce (Decca) ,12 weeks at #1, co-written by Pierce
Redux
Sixteen Tons – “Tennessee” Ernie Ford, 10 weeks at #1. The only song that also went to number one on the pop charts from this list
Loose Talk (Freddie Hart) – Carl Smith, seven weeks at #1
A Satisfied Mind – Porter Wagner (RCA Victor), four weeks at #1. Red Foley and Jean Shepherd both had Top 5 hits with this song in 1955. But the version I heard on the album 50 Stars! 50 Hits! Of Country Music, which my grandfather McKinley Green, gave me, was by Pete Drake and his Talking Steel Guitar
Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young – Faron Young, three weeks at #1. He died at the age of 64 in 1996
The Cattle Call – Eddy Arnold (RCA Victor), two weeks at #1. I remember this song.
That Do Make Make It Nice – Eddy Arnold (RCA Victor), two weeks at #1
Let Me Go, Lover! – Hank Snow and his Rainbow Ranch Boys (RCA Victor), two weeks at #1
Like all the Billboard charts that year, there are three different categories of charts that comprise the #1 R&B hits of 1955: most played jukeboxes, best sellers in stores, and, starting on January 22nd, most played by jockeys, meaning disc jockeys. Thus, 68 weeks of tracks are represented.
The pop hits of 1955 were pretty conventional compared to what the following years would show. Yes, it was the year of Rock Around The Clock hitting the top of the charts, but it wouldn’t be until the following year when Elvis and others took over that you see the real change. Incidentally, there are 73 weeks of hits because of the conflicting charts.