Some of the #1 hits of 1913 are very familiar to me.
Before getting into those songs, some technology news. This is according to Joel Whitburn’s A Century of Popular Music.
Thomas Edison introduced the Edison Diamond Disc Phonograph and records in 1913. “Their sound was hailed as the finest ever heard to this date, but because the phonograph would only play ‘hill-and-dale’ vertically-grooved records and not the laterally-cut discs made by Victor and Columbia, their popularity would be limited.
1913 was also the peak year of ballroom dancing nationwide, “symbolized by the team of Vernon and Irene Castle… This was also the year that the era’s biggest dance craze, the fox-trot, was introduced. “
Seven weeks at #1
When Irish Eyes Are Smiling – Chauncey Olcott (Columbia). Lyrics by Chauncey Olcott and Geo. Graff, Jr.; Music by Ernest R. Ball. Here are the lyrics. Henry MacDonough went to #3 that year with the same song.
When I Lost You – Henry Burr (Victor). “Written by Irving Berlin after his wife of five months passed away. He was unable to write for some time after the tragedy until he found the strength to compose this song. “
Peg O’ My Heart – Charles Harrison (Victor). The song was featured in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1913. Henry Burr went to #2 that year with the same song. It charted for Walter Van Brunt, #7, in 1914. It went to #1 thrice in 1947 for Jerry Murad’s Harmonicats, Buddy Clark, and The Three Suns. Also that year, #4 for Art Lund, #8 for Clark Dennis, and #5 for Ted Weems. Additionally, #64 pop and #13 adult contemporary for Robert Maxwell in 1964. Written by Alfred Bryan and Fred Fischer.
You Made Me Love You, I Didn’t Want To Do It – Al Jolson (Columbia), gold record. From the stage musical “The Honeymoon Express” in which Jolson starred. He re-recorded it in the 1940s. Written by James V. Monaco and Joseph McCarthy.
Six weeks at #1
Last Night Was The End Of The World – Henry Burr (Victor). Written by Harry Von Tilzer and Andrew B. Sterling.
When The Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam’ – Arthur Collins and Byron Harlan (Columbia). This became an Irving Berlin standard.
A comedy track, five weeks at #1
The Spaniard That Blighted My Life – Al Jolson (Victor). Recorded in the 1940s by Jolson with Bing Crosby. Lyricist: Billy Merson
Three weeks at #1
The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine – Henry Burr and Albert Campbell (Columbia). Covered by Laurel and Hardy in ‘Way Out West’ in 1937. Written by Harry Carroll.
Till The Sands Of The Desert Grow Cold – Alan Turner (Victor). Lyrics: George Graff. Music: Ernest R. Ball
Row! Row! Row! – Ada Jones (Victor). From “Ziegfeld Follies of 1912”. Composed by William Jerome and James Monaco.
Two weeks at #1
Sympathy – Walter Van Brunt and Helen Clark (Victor). Written by Rudolf Friml, Otto Harbach and Gus Kahn.
On January 26, musician Lucinda Williams will turn 70. The 
The Sunday Stealing for this week is nominally about high school. There are a lot more questions about music and recreation, thank goodness.
8. What part has music played in your life? What kind of music was played at your wedding or at parties you have been to?
When Thom Bell died in late December 2022, I needed to link to some of his songs. After all, he, along with “Mighty Three” partners Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, created “The Sound of Philadelphia,” which was “a dominant sound of the early and mid-’70s.”
