Tag: #1

And the music business took a real hit. According to A Century of Music, the record industry went through almnost a total collapse. In 1927, there were 140 million discs sold. Five years later, it was down to six million.

Still, there were a couple of songs that you will know.

Stein Song (University of Maine) – Rudy Vallee. Ten weeks at #1. I saw Vallee in the 1968 movie The Night They Raided Minsky’s in a Binghamton cinema.

Dancing with Tears in My Eyes – Nat Shilkret with Frank Munn, vocals. Seven weeks at #1.

Body and Soul – Paul Whiteman; Jack Fulton, vocals. Six weeks at #1. Libby Holman went to #3 with this song in 1930.

Little White Lies – Waring’s Pennsylvanians. Vocal refrain by Clare Hanlon & the Three Girl Friends. Six weeks at #1. When I was in glee club in high school, a lot of the arrangements were by Fred Waring. This song went to #3 in 1930 by Shilkret/Munn.

You’re Driving Me Crazy (What Did I Do?) – Guy Lombardo, with Carmen Lombardo on vocals. Four weeks at #1. Gaetano Alberto “Guy” Lombardo (1902-1077) was a Canadian bandleader who was Mr. New Years Eve from 1956 on TV, and going back to 1929 on the radio.

Three Little Words – Duke Ellington and the Rhythm Boys. Three weeks at #1. Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (1899 – 1974) was “an American composer, pianist, and leader of a jazz orchestra, which he led from 1923 until his death over a career spanning more than six decades.”

Again?

When It’s Springtime in the Rockies – Ben Selvin. Three weeks at #1.

Chant of the Jungle – Roy Ingraham. Three weeks at #1.

Happy Days Are Here Again – Benny Meroff, with Dusty Rhodes on vocals. Three weeks at #1. In the same year, Leo Reisman/Larry Levin’s version went to #3.

When It’s Springtime in the Rockies – Hilo Hawaiian Orchestra, with Frank Luther and Carson Robison, vocals. Two weeks at #1.

If I Could Be With You One Hour To-night – McKinney’s Cotton Pickers, George Thomas, vocals. Two weeks at #1.

Happy Days Are Here Again -Ben Selvin. Two weeks at #1, yet I can’t find a recording. This song also went to #3 in 1930 by Leo Reisman/Larry Levin.

Puttin’ On the Ritz – Harry Richman. One week at #1. This also went to #4 in 1983 by Taco.

Oh, “except (as it turns out) from speakeasies and bootleggers.

“Also in 1920, women finally got the right to vote following ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution…

“‘Crazy Blues’ by Mamie Smith in 1920 became the first authentic blues recording, paving the way for “the Empress of the Blues,” Bessie Smith.

The hits

Dardenella – Selvin’s Novelty Orchestra, #1 for 13 weeks, gold record (Victor). It’s a song that began life as a ballad with words by Fred Fisher, and put to the music written by Felix Bernard and Johnny S. Black in 1919.

Whispering – Paul Whiteman, #1 for 11 weeks, gold record, but in fact listed as a two million seller (Victor) – The undisputed king of dance bands.

Swanee – Al Jolson, #1 for 9 weeks, gold record (Columbia). One of Jolson’s signature songs. George’s Gershwin’s first hit song. “Swanee” was actually introduced by a singer named Muriel DeForrest in October 1919 but was not a success until Jolson performed it in December 1919 at a Winter Garden show. It was then added to the score of his show, “Sinbad”.

When My Baby Smiles At Me – Ted Lewis Jazz Band, #1 for 7 weeks (Columbia). Music by Bill Munro with words by Andrew B. Sterling and Ted Lewis.

The Love Nest – John Steel, #1 for 4 weeks (Victor). From the musical, “Mary”. Written by Louis A. Hirsch and Otto Harbach.

Hold Me – Art Hickman, #1 for 3 weeks (Columbia).

The “St. Louis Blues” – Marion Harris, #1 for 3 weeks (Columbia). She was the first widely known white singer to sing jazz and blues songs.

The Japanese Sandman – Paul Whiteman, #1 for 2 weeks (Victor). This also-popular flip side of Whiteman’s famous career-launching hit “Whispering”.

I’ve Got My Captain Working for Me Now – Al Jolson, #1 for 2 weeks (Columbia). A great revenge song.

The Love Nest – Art Hickman, #1 for 2 weeks (Columbia).