There were 27 #1 hits of 1935. Rather than list them all here, I’ll break them in half.
Some notes about the charts. They were partly compiled from these sources: the weekly record-label bestseller charts ran in Variety until 1935. Billboard picked up these charts from November 1935 until early 1938. Metronome carried the charts until the end of 1938.
By 1934, Billboard and Variety began publishing rankings of the top songs for radio airplay and sheet music. Your Hit Parade launched its famous radio-broadcast song rankings in April 1935.
Cheek To Cheek – Fred Astaire with Leo Reisman and his orchestra (Brunswick), 11 weeks at #1. Written by Irving Berlin for the movie Top Hat; here are Astaire and Ginger Rogers from the film
Isle of Capri– Ray Noble and his Orchestra, Al Bowlly on vocals (Victor), 7 weeks at #1
When I Grow Too Old To Dream – Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra, Kenny Sargenton on vocals (Decca), 4 weeks at #1. Composed by Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II for the 1935 film musical “The Night Is Young.”
Red Sails In The Sunset – Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians, Carmen Lombardo on vocals (Decca), 4 weeks at #1
Lovely To Look At – Eddy Duchin and his orchestra, Lew Sherwood on vocals (Victor) 4 weeks at #1. Written by Hammerstein II-Fields-McHugh-Kern for the 1935 film treatment of “Roberta.” The song was not in the 1933 stage version.
She’s A Latin from Manhattan – Victor Young and his orchestra, Hal Burke, on vocals. (Decca), 4 weeks at #1. From the 1935 Warner Brothers film “Go Into Your Dance” starring Al Jolson and Ruby Keeler, score by Harry Warren-Al Dubin.
In A Gypsy Tea Room – Bob Crosby and his orchestra, Crosby on vocals (Decca) 3 weeks at #1
Simply because you’re near me
I’m In The Mood For Love – Little Jack Little and his orchestra (Columbia), 3 weeks at #1. From t
I Won’t Dance – Eddy Duchin and his orchestra, Lew Sherwood on vocals (Victor) 3 weeks at #1. Written by Hammerstein II-Fields-McHugh-Kern for the 1935 film treatment of “Roberta.” The song was not in the 1933 stage version.
Truckin’ – Fats Waller (Victor), 3 weeks at #1. From “Cotton Club Parade, 26th Edition.” Written by Ted Koehler-Rube Bloom
Chasing Shadows – Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, Bob Eberle on vocals (Decca), 3 weeks at #1
You Ae My Lucky Star – Eddie Duchin Orchestra, Lew Sherwood on vocals (Victor), 3 weeks at #1. From the film “Broadway Melody of 1936” written by Arthur Freed-Nacio Herb Brown.
Blue Moon – Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra, Kenny Sargent on vocals (Decca) 3 weeks at #1. “Lorenz Hart had written THREE previously unsuccessful or unused sets of lyrics for this Richard Rodgers melody. Obviously, his 4th attempt was the charm.” Or not. “Blue Moon was composed in 1931 by a 17-year-old, Edward W. Roman, the son of Polish immigrants, after an evening of moonlit skating on a pond in upstate New York.” in any case, I’m a sucker for the version by the Marcels.