Here are the #1 hits of 1914. Joel Whitburn’s A Century of Pop Music notes: “Ballroom dancing…became a nationwide phenomenon, with 1913 as its peak year.”
Also, “six new companies became talking-machine competitors to the Big Three [Edison, Columbia, and Victor] in 1914.” Of course, World War I began that year, though the US didn’t enter the fray until three years later.
I tried to find the best recording. The first one is subpar. In general, the ones from the78prof are quite good.
The Song That Stole My Heart Away – Henry Burr (Columbia), seven weeks at #1
It’s A Long Way To Tipperary – American Quartet (Victor), seven weeks at #1. In 1915, this became a big hit for John McCormack (#1) and the Prince’s Orchestra (#2). This is a very familiar song, and I’m not even 110.
Rebecca of Sunny-brook Farm – American Quartet (Victor), six weeks at #1
I’m On My Way To Mandalay – Henry Burr, Albert Campbell, and Will Oakland (Victor) , six weeks at #1. Written by Al Bryan and Fred Fisher, the writers of Peg O’ My Heart, which I know well.
By The Beautiful Sea – Heidelberg Quintet (Victor), six weeks at #1. Or Quintette, per the label. I know this song, at least the chorus.
Comedy is so subjective
Cohen On The Telephone – Joe Hayman (Columbia), five weeks at #1, a gold record of spoken-word comedy
Too-Ra-Loo-Ra-Loo-Ral (That’s An Irish Lullabye) – Chauncey Olcott (Columbia), four weelks at #1. I knew it was familiar! Bing Crosby covered it and it went to #4 in 1944.
Ballin’ The Jack – Prince’s Orchestra (Columbia), three weeks at #1. An instrumental.
I Love The Ladies– Arthur Collins and Byron Harlan (Columbia), three weeks at #1. A comedy record.
The Aba Daba Honeymoon – Arthur Collins and Byron Harlan (Victor), two weeks at #1, listed as a comedy record. This was a gold record for Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter as it went to #3 in 1951. This has nothing to do with Fred Flintstone.
By The Beautiful Sea– Ada Jones and Billy Watkins