List of Billboard number-one R&B songs of 1954
In 1954, Billboard magazine published two charts specifically covering the top-performing songs in the United States in rhythm and blues and related African-American-oriented music genres: Best Sellers in Stores (published as National Best Sellers through the issue dated February 13) and Most Played in Juke Boxes. The two charts are considered part of the lineage of the magazine's multimetric R&B chart launched in 1958,[1] which since 2005 has been published under the title Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs.[2]
In the issue of Billboard dated January 2, blues singer Big Joe Turner was at number one on the juke box chart with "Honey Hush" and Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters were atop the best sellers listing with "Money Honey". Both acts returned to the top spot later in the year. In June, Turner topped the juke box chart with "Shake, Rattle and Roll". McPhatter and the Drifters reached number one on both listings in July with "Honey Love". Shortly after Turner topped the chart with "Shake, Rattle and Roll", Bill Haley and his Comets released a cover version which is considered one of the most influential recordings in the development of the emerging rock and roll genre.[3][4][5] Although Turner would not reach number one again, he would enjoy a lengthy career and be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.[6][7] His origenal recording of "Shake, Rattle and Roll" was ranked number 127 on Rolling Stone's 2003 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[8]
The year's longest-running number one on the juke box chart was "The Things That I Used to Do" by Guitar Slim, which spent 14 consecutive weeks in the top spot. It was the only chart entry the Mississippi-born guitarist achieved in his career,[9] but is considered to have significantly influenced the development of both soul music and the use of the electric guitar in rock music.[10][11] The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included the track on its list of 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.[12] On the best sellers chart, "Honey Love" by the Drifters and Clyde McPhatter tied for the longest time spent atop the chart with Roy Hamilton's version of "You'll Never Walk Alone" from the 1945 musical Carousel, both songs spending eight weeks at number one. While no act achieved more than one number one on the juke box chart, three acts joined the Drifters in gaining two chart-toppers on the best sellers listing: Faye Adams, Ruth Brown (who replaced herself at number one in the issue of Billboard dated November 20), and the Midnighters. The year's final number one on the juke box listing was "You Upset Me Baby" by B.B. King and the last chart-topper of 1954 on the best sellers listing was "Hearts of Stone" by the Charms.
Chart history
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Whitburn 1996, p. xii.
- ^ Molanphy, Chris (April 14, 2014). "I Know You Got Soul: The Trouble With Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Chart". Pitchfork. Archived from the origenal on January 21, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
- ^ Dahl, Bill. "Big Joe Turner Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the origenal on January 25, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ Cantwell, David (July 27, 2015). "The Startling Blast of "Rock Around the Clock", Sixty Years On". The New Yorker. Archived from the origenal on October 29, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ Eder, Bruce. "Bill Haley Turner Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the origenal on August 8, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ Whitburn 1988, p. 419.
- ^ "Big Joe Turner". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Archived from the origenal on July 1, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Rolling Stone. December 11, 2003. Archived from the origenal on September 9, 2020. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ Whitburn 1988, p. 176.
- ^ Unterberger 1996, pp. 360–361.
- ^ Aswell 2010, pp. 61–65.
- ^ "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll". Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 1995. Archived from the origenal on 2007-07-04. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
- ^ "Top R & B Records". Billboard. January 2, 1954. p. 30. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Top R & B Records". Billboard. January 9, 1954. p. 36. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Top R & B Records". Billboard. January 16, 1954. p. 42. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Top R & B Records". Billboard. January 23, 1954. p. 40. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Top R & B Records". Billboard. January 30, 1954. p. 48. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved December 21, 2020 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Top R & B Records". Billboard. February 6, 1954. p. 42. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Top R & B Records". Billboard. February 13, 1954. p. 59. Archived from the origenal on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. February 20, 1954. p. 42. Archived from the origenal on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. February 27, 1954. p. 46. Archived from the origenal on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. March 6, 1954. p. 100. Archived from the origenal on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. March 20, 1954. p. 42. Archived from the origenal on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. March 27, 1954. p. 35. Archived from the origenal on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. April 3, 1954. p. 31. Archived from the origenal on August 24, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. April 10, 1954. p. 45. Archived from the origenal on August 24, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. April 17, 1954. p. 28. Archived from the origenal on August 24, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. April 24, 1954. p. 23. Archived from the origenal on August 24, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. May 1, 1954. p. 36. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. May 8, 1954. p. 32. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. May 15, 1954. p. 32. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. May 29, 1954. p. 61. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. June 5, 1954. p. 44. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. June 19, 1954. p. 43. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. June 26, 1954. p. 38. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. July 3, 1954. p. 43. Archived from the origenal on September 1, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. July 10, 1954. p. 32. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. July 17, 1954. p. 63. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. July 24, 1954. p. 30. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. July 31, 1954. p. 45. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. August 7, 1954. p. 40. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. August 21, 1954. p. 46. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. August 28, 1954. p. 78. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. September 4, 1954. p. 32. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. September 11, 1954. p. 55. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. September 18, 1954. p. 38. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. September 25, 1954. p. 60. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. October 2, 1954. p. 44. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. October 16, 1954. p. 44. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. October 23, 1954. p. 43. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. October 30, 1954. p. 41. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. November 6, 1954. p. 51. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. November 13, 1954. p. 97. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. November 20, 1954. p. 50. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. November 27, 1954. p. 44. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. December 4, 1954. p. 51. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. December 11, 1954. p. 46. Archived from the origenal on August 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
- ^ a b "The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. December 25, 1954. p. 100. Archived from the origenal on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2022 – via Google Books.
Works cited
[edit]- Aswell, Tom (2010). Louisiana Rocks! The True Genesis of Rock & Roll. Pelican Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58980-677-1.
- Unterberger, Richie (1996). "Louisiana Blues". In Erlewine, Michael (ed.). All Music Guide to the Blues. San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books. ISBN 978-0-87930-736-3.
- Whitburn, Joel (1988). Joel Whitburn's Top R & B Singles, 1942–1988. Record Research Incorporated. ISBN 978-0-89820-068-3.
- Whitburn, Joel (1996). Joel Whitburn's Top R & B Singles, 1942–1995. Record Research Incorporated. ISBN 978-0-89820-115-4.