So seems there was some interest in this from the other thread so might as well get started with the 1952-53 'year'. For the first year we'll cover we're going back to the very beginning. What was Buzzjack's favourite song of the first partial year of the chart and the first full year of the chart? Well let's find out! :)

 

Tracks from Johnnie Ray, Doris Day, Vera Lynn, Nat King Cole and other big names of the era are in contention as well as tracks from Frankie Laine and David Whitfield among others who people of the UK were buying over the course of these 14 months. (For the avoidance future years will be the calendar year - it's just rolled together here due to the date the chart started being in November).

 

I've made a slight tweak to the original suggestion by lowering the number of songs to choose as favourites to 10 (rather than 25) for these 1950s years with smaller scoped charts.

 

Below are the rules, a full list of eligible songs and a Spotify playlist of available eligible songs.

 

Rules:

• The song must have charted as a New Entry on the UK Official Chart (NME for this era) between the first chart dated 14 November 1952 chart and the 25 December 1953 chart inclusive.
• I've used the OCC website as the source for the eligible songs list - if you find an error please let me know and I'll post it in the thread for everyone to know about.
• As there are only 103 eligible songs due to the chart being a Top 12 in this era voters should submit their 10 favourite songs. The first 10 songs will be taken from any longer lists submitted.
• Votes should be submitted by PM to myself - please do not post them in the thread.
• Songs ranked No 1 will receive 10 points, No 2 will get 9 points and so on.
• The deadline to submit lists will be the 21 June 2024 at 23:59
• Results will then be published on the 22nd/23rd June 2024.

List of Eligible Songs

 

14/11/1952 - 12 - Johnnie Ray - Walkin’ My Baby Back Home (1 Week - #12 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 11 - Max Bygraves - Cowpuncher's Cantata (10 Weeks - #6 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 11 - Mario Lanza - Because You’re Mine (24 Weeks - #3 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 10 - Vera Lynn - Auf Wiedersehn Sweetheart (1 Week - #10 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 9 - Vera Lynn - The Homing Waltz (3 Weeks - #9 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 8 - Ray Martin - Blue Tango (4 Weeks - #8 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 8 - Doris Day and Frankie Laine - Sugarbush (8 Weeks - #8 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 7 - Frankie Laine - High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me) (7 Weeks - #7 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 7 - Vera Lynn - Forget Me Not (6 Weeks - #5 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 6 - Rosemary Clooney - Half As Much (9 Weeks - #3 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 5 - Guy Mitchell - Feet Up (Pat Him on the Po Po) (10 Weeks - #2 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 4 - Bing Crosby - The Isle of Innisfree (12 Weeks - #3 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 3 - Nat King Cole - Somewhere Along the Way (7 Weeks - #3 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 2 - Jo Stafford - You Belong To Me (19 Weeks - #1 Peak)

14/11/1952 - 1 - Al Martino - Here in My Heart (18 Weeks - #1 Peak)

21/11/1952 - 10 - Doris Day - My Love and Devotion (2 Weeks - #10 Peak)

21/11/1952 - 9 - Al Martino - Take My Heart (1 Week - #9 Peak)

05/12/1952 - 10 - Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman - Zing A Little Zong (2 Weeks - #10 Peak)

05/12/1952 - 9 - Kay Starr - Comes A-Long A-Love (16 Weeks - #1 Peak)

12/12/1952 - 11 - Winifred Atwell - Britannia Rag (6 Weeks - #5 Peak)

19/12/1952 - 11 - Jo Stafford - Jambalaya (2 Weeks - #11 Peak)

19/12/1952 - 9 - Tony Brent - Walkin to Missouri (7 Weeks - #7 Peak)

19/12/1952 - 8 - Louis Armstrong - Takes Two to Tango (10 Weeks - #6 Peak)

19/12/1952 - 8 - Bing Crosby - Silent Night, Holy Night (2 Weeks - #8 Peak)

19/12/1952 - 7 - Johnnie Ray and the Four Lads - Faith Can Move Mountains (3 Weeks - #7 Peak)

19/12/1952 - 6 - Nat King Cole - Because You’re Mine (4 Weeks - #6 Peak)

19/12/1952 - 6 - Mantovani - White Christmas (3 Weeks - #6 Peak)

02/01/1953 - 12 - Eddie Fisher - Outside of Heaven (17 Weeks - #1 Peak)

02/01/1953 - 12 - Tony Brent - Make It Soon (7 Weeks - #9 Peak)

02/01/1953 - 11 - Nat King Cole - Faith Can Move Mountains (4 Weeks - #10 Peak)

09/01/1953 - 11 - Jimmy Young - Faith Can Move Mountains (1 Week - #11 Peak)

09/01/1953 - 10 - The Mills Brothers - Glow Worm (1 Week - #10 Peak)

16/01/1953 - 11 - Ted Heath and his Music - Vanessa (1 Week - #11 Peak)

16/01/1953 - 10 - Perry Como and the Ramblers - Don’t Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes (15 Weeks - #1 Peak)

23/01/1953 - 12 - Tony Brent - Got You On My Mind (1 Week - #12 Peak)

23/01/1953 - 12 - Eddie Fisher - Everything I Have Is Yours (5 Weeks - #8 Peak)

30/01/1953 - 10 - Al Martino - Now (12 Weeks - #3 Peak)

13/02/1953 - 12 - Art and Dotty Todd - Broken Wings (7 Weeks - #6 Peak)

13/02/1953 - 11 - The Stargazers - Broken Wings (12 Weeks - #1 Peak)

13/02/1953 - 10 - Guy Mitchell - She Wears Red Feathers (16 Weeks - #1 Peak)

20/02/1953 - 12 - Dickie Valentine - Broken Wings (1 Week - #12 Peak)

27/02/1953 - 7 - Danny Kaye - Wonderful Copenhagen (10 Weeks - #5 Peak)

06/03/1953 - 11 - Joni James - Why Don’t You Believe Me? (1 Week - #11 Peak)

13/03/1953 - 12 - Dickie Valentine - All the Time and Everywhere (3 Weeks - #9 Peak)

13/03/1953 - 9 - Lita Roza - (How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window (11 Weeks - #1 Peak)

20/03/1953 - 12 - Buddy Morrow - Night Train (1 Week - #12 Peak)

20/03/1953 - 11 - Frankie Laine - The Girl in the Wood (1 Week - #11 Peak)

27/03/1953 - 9 - Patti Page - (How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window (5 Weeks - #9 Peak)

03/04/1953 - 12 - Doris Day and Johnnie Ray - Ma Says Pa Says (1 Week - #12 Peak)

03/04/1953 - 11 - Frankie Laine - I Believe (36 Weeks - #1 Peak)

03/04/1953 - 10 - Frank Chacksfield’s Tunesmiths - Little Red Monkey (3 Weeks - #10 Peak)

03/04/1953 - 7 - Johnston Brothers - Oh Happy Day (8 Weeks - #4 Peak)

10/04/1953 - 6 - Johnnie Ray - Somebody Stole My Gal (7 Weeks - #6 Peak)

17/04/1953 - 11 - Doris Day and Johnnie Ray - Full Time Job (1 Week - #11 Peak)

24/04/1953 - 10 - Nat King Cole - Pretend (18 Weeks - #2 Peak)

24/04/1953 - 9 - Kay Starr - Side By Side (4 Weeks - #7 Peak)

24/04/1953 - 4 - Guy Mitchell - Pretty Little Black Eyed Susie (11 Weeks - #2 Peak)

01/05/1953 - 11 - Billy Cotton and his Band - In A Golden Coach (10 Weeks - #3 Peak)

01/05/1953 - 9 - Eddie Fisher - Downhearted (15 Weeks - #3 Peak)

08/05/1953 - 9 - Jimmy Boyd and Frankie Laine - Tell Me A Story (16 Weeks - #5 Peak)

15/05/1953 - 12 - Winifred Atwell - Coronation Rag (6 Weeks #5 Peak)

15/05/1953 - 12 - Ron Goodwin - Terry’s Theme From Limelight (23 Weeks - #3 Peak)

15/05/1953 - 11 - Muriel Smith - Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me (17 Weeks - #3 Peak)

22/05/1953 - 10 - Frank Chacksfield - Terry’s Theme From Limelight (24 Weeks - #2 Peak)

22/05/1953 - 6 - Eddie Fisher with Sally Sweetland - I’m Walking Behind You (18 Weeks - #1 Peak)

29/05/1953 - 10 - Mantovani - The Song From Moulin Rouge (23 Weeks - #1 Peak)

05/06/1953 - 12 - Dorothy Squires - I’m Walking Behind You (1 Week - #12 Peak)

05/06/1953 - 11 - Vera Lynn - The Windsor Waltz (1 Week - #11 Peak)

05/06/1953 - 7 - Dickie Valentine - In A Golden Coach (1 Week - #7 Peak)

03/07/1953 - 11 - Ted Heath and his Music - Hot Toddy (11 Weeks - #6 Peak)

10/07/1953 - 12 - Vivian Blaine - A Bushel and A Peck (1 Week - #12 Peak)

10/07/1953 - 10 - Al Martino - Rachel (5 Weeks - #10 Peak)

17/07/1953 - 12 - Gisele Mackenzie - Seven Lonely Days (6 Weeks - #6 Peak)

24/07/1953 - 11 - Doris Day and Johnnie Ray - Let’s Walk That-A-Way (14 Weeks - #4 Peak)

07/08/1953 - 10 - June Hutton with Axel Stordahl and The Boys Next Door - Say You’re Mine Again (7 Weeks - #6 Peak)

14/08/1953 - 9 - Nat King Cole - Can’t I? (8 Weeks - #6 Peak)

21/08/1953 - 9 - Jimmy Young - Eternally (9 Weeks - #8 Peak)

28/08/1953 - 8 - Guy Mitchell - Look At That Girl (14 Weeks - #1 Peak)

04/09/1953 - 12 - Frankie Laine - Where the Winds Blow (12 Weeks - #2 Peak)

18/09/1953 - 9 - Dean Martin - Kiss (8 Weeks - #5 Peak)

18/09/1953 - 8 - Nat King Cole - Mother Nature and Father Time (7 Weeks - #7 Peak)

25/09/1953 - 12 - Winifred Atwell - Flirtation Waltz (3 Weeks - #10 Peak)

02/10/1953 - 9 - David Whitfield - The Bridge of Sighs (1 Week - #9 Peak)

16/10/1953 - 12 - David Whitfield - Answer Me (14 Weeks - #1 Peak)

16/10/1953 - 3 - Frankie Laine - Hey Joe (8 Weeks - #1 Peak)

23/10/1953 - 12 - Ted Heath and his Music - Dragnet (5 Weeks - #9 Peak)

23/10/1953 - 11 - Diana Decker - Poppa Piccolino (10 Weeks - #2 Peak)

23/10/1953 - 6 - Mantovani - Swedish Rhapsody (18 Weeks - #2 Peak)

30/10/1953 - 3 - Frankie Laine - Answer Me (17 Weeks - #1 Peak)

06/11/1953 - 11 - Eddie Fisher - Wish You Were Here (9 Weeks - #8 Peak)

06/11/1953 - 6 - Guy Mitchell - Chicka Boom (15 Weeks - #4 Peak)

20/11/1953 - 11 - Lee Lawrence - Crying in the Chapel (6 Weeks - #7 Peak)

20/11/1953 - 7 - Les Paul and Mary Ford - Vaya Con Dios (4 Weeks - #7 Peak)

27/11/1953 - 11 - Beverley Sisters - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (5 Weeks - #6 Peak)

27/11/1953 - 8 - Jimmy Boyd - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (6 Weeks - #3 Peak)

04/12/1953 - 10 - Ray Martin - Swedish Rhapsody (4 Weeks - #4 Peak)

04/12/1953 - 7 - Winifred Atwell - Let’s Have A Party (15 Weeks - #2 Peak)

04/12/1953 - 7 - Ray Anthony - Dragnet (2 Weeks - #7 Peak)

11/12/1953 - 12 - David Whitfield - Rags to Riches (11 Weeks - #3 Peak)

11/12/1953 - 8 - Joan Regan with the Squadroinarre’s - Ricochet (5 Weeks - #8 Peak)

18/12/1953 - 12 - Guy Mitchell - Cloud Lucky Seven (16 Weeks - #2 Peak)

18/12/1953 - 11 - Billy Cotton and his Band - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (3 Weeks - #11 Peak)

18/12/1953 - 6 - Eddie Calvert - Oh Mein Papa (21 Weeks - #1 Peak)

 

Missing from Spotify is Billy Cotton and his Band -

(would be 102nd song)

Only the first 100 tracks show in the above box, click into Spotify to see all tracks.

 

Please use this voting template if you can:

 

10 points -

9 points -

8 points -

7 points -

6 points -

5 points -

4 points -

3 points -

2 points -

1 point -

 

I think that's all the information you need - any questions just ask. Looking forward to seeing the votes.

 

Votes

Scene

Jade

Chartjack2

DoBelieveTheHype

LastDreamer

King Rollo

JulianT

Severin

Edited June 20, 20241 yr by DoBelieveTheHype

Just voted - thanks!

Voted ^_^ exactly 10 songs stood out to me as favourites so that worked out well :lol:

Voted. Some nice discoveries from that playlist. :D There's also a lot of samey songs that didn't leave an impression but it made it easier to narrow down to 10!

4 votes in so far - just over a week to get yours in.

Voted, I had a shortlist of 18 songs which was more than I thought I would have.

Voted :D

Which year will be the next ? Is it a random selection or year by year in a chronological order ?

Which year will be the next ? Is it a random selection or year by year in a chronological order ?

 

 

Year by year in chronological order.

Edited June 16, 20241 yr by DoBelieveTheHype

Just a quick reminder voting for this close at 23:59 tomorrow night.

Voted. Sorry for the delay. V busy this week!

Thanks to our 8 voters in this years contest I can now reveal the results.

 

47 of the 103 eligible songs were voted for by at least one voter. Despite a theoretical maximum of 80 points being available just three songs received more than 20 points in the end.

 

So let's start the results by looking at those songs in the Top 3.

 

With 28 points you've crowned Little Red Monkey by Frank Chacksfield's Tunesmith's as 1952-53 song of the year.

 

 

Second prize goes to Glow Worm by The Mills Brothers with 26 points.

 

 

In 3rd place is the only other song with more than 20 points (21 points) - Coronation Rag by Winifred Atwell.

 

 

Full table is below:

 

01 - 28 - Frank Chacksfield's Tunesmiths - Little Red Monkey (Jade - 10, JulianT- 10, King Rollo - 8)

02 - 26 - Mills Brothers - Glow Worm (Scene 8, DoBelieveTheHype - 9, JulianT - 9)

03 - 21 - Winifred Atwell - Coronation Rag (Jade 1, Scene 1, Chartjack3 - 3, DoBelieveTheHype 6, King Rollo - 10)

04 - 18 - Jo Stafford - You Belong To Me (Chartjack3 - 9, LastDreamer - 9)

04 - 18 - Winifred Atwell - Brittannia Rag (Jade - 2, Scene - 5, DoBelieveTheHype - 2, King Rollo - 9)

06 - 17 - Buddy Morrow - Night Train (Scene - 10, DoBelieveTheHype - 7)

07 - 16 - Frankie Laine - I Believe (Chartjack3 - 6, King Rollo - 3, Severin - 7)

08 - 14 - Joan Regan - Ricochet (LastDreamer - 10, JulianT - 2, Severin - 2)

08 - 14 - Nat King Cole - Pretend (Chartjack3 - 8, JulianT - 6)

10 - 13 - Doris Day, Johnnie Ray - Sugarbush (LastDreamer - 8, King Rollo - 4, JulianT - 1)

10 - 13 - Guy Mitchell - She Wears Red Feathers (Chartjack3 - 5, Severin - 8)

12 - 12 - Nat King Cole - Somewhere Along the Way (Chartjack3 - 2, DoBelieveTheHype - 10)

12 - 12 - Ray Anthony and his Orchestra - Dragnet (King Rollo - 6 , Severin - 6)

12 - 12 - Winifred Atwell - Let's Have A Party (Jade - 7, Chartjack3 - 1, King Rollo - 1, Severin - 3)

15 - 11 - Ted Heath and his Music - Hot Toddy (Scene 7, Severin - 4)

16 - 10 - Doris Day, Johnnie Ray - Ma Says Pa Says (DoBelieveTheHype - 4, LastDreamer - 6)

16 - 10 - Frankie Laine - High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me) (Severin - 10)

16 - 10 - Johnston Brothers - Oh Happy Day (Chartjack3 - 10)

19 - 09 - Frank Chacksfield - Terry's Theme From Limelight (Jade - 9)

19 - 09 - Kay Starr - Comes A-Long A-Love_(Scene - 9)

19 - 09 - Nat King Cole - Faith Can Move Mountains (Jade - 6, DoBelieveTheHype - 3)

19 - 09 - Vera Lynn - Auf Wiedersehn Sweetheart (Severin - 9 points)

23 - 08 - Eddie Fisher - Everything I Have Is Yours (DoBelieveTheHype - 8)

23 - 08 - Frankie Laine - The Girl in the Wood (JulianT - 8)

23 - 08 - Jo Stafford - Jambalaya (Scene - 3, King Rollo - 5)

23 - 08 - Mantovani - Swedish Rhapsody (Jade - 3, JulianT - 5)

23 - 08 - Mantovani - The Song From Moulin Rouge (Jade - 8)

23 - 08 - Mario Lanza - Because You're Mine (Chartjack3 - 7, DoBelieveTheHype - 1)

29 - 07 - Bing Crosby - The Isle of Innisfree (JulianT - 7)

29 - 07 - Joni James - Why Don't You Believe Me (King Rollo - 7)

29 - 07 - Patti Page - (How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window (LastDreamer - 7)

29 - 07 - Ray Martin - Blue Tango (Scene - 4, JulianT - 3)

33 - 06 - Guy Mitchell - Feet Up (Pat Him on his Po Po) (Scene - 6)

34 - 05 - Eddie Calvert - Oh Mein Papa (Jade - 5)

34 - 05 - Frankie Laine - Hey Joe (Severin - 5)

34 - 05 - Tony Brent - Walkin' To Missouri (DoBelieveTheHype - 5)

34 - 05 - Vera Lynn - The Windsor Waltz (LastDreamer - 5)

38 - 04 - David Whitfield - Rags to Riches (Chartjack3 - 4)

38 - 04 - Doris Day, Johnnie Ray - Full Time Job (LastDreamer - 4)

38 - 04 - Perry Como - Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes (JulianT - 4)

38 - 04 - Winifred Atwell - Flirtation Waltz (Jade - 4)

42 - 03 - Doris Day, Johnnie Ray - Walk That-A-Way (LastDreamer - 3)

43 - 02 - Diana Decker - Poppa Picollino (King Rollo - 2)

43 - 02 - Rosemary Clooney - Half As Much (LastDreamer - 2)

43 - 02 - Vera Lynn - The Homing Waltz (Scene - 2)

46 - 01 - Doris Day - My Love and Devotion (LastDreamer - 1)

46 - 01 - Johnnie Ray - Walkin My Baby Back Home (Severin - 1)

Edited June 22, 20241 yr by DoBelieveTheHype

Excellent winner *.* I am a sucker for the eerie clavioline on that one. Nice to see a fair amount of Winifred Atwell appreciation also.

Well I can’t complain at the top 2 being my top 2. :o

Both records that stand out so much to me: Little Red Monkey is so evocative and sounds waaaay ahead of its time, and The Glow Worm is a wonderfully wistful jazz number with cracking harmonies.

Thanks for running Mr Hype!

My top 3 are all in the top 5 so that's a very good outcome. I did consider putting Little Red Monkey forward for the Buzzjack Presents...Synthpop collection but it's stretching it a bit to call it synthpop. I don't know what Colm, gooddelta and awardinary would have made of it.

I love a duet of Doris Day and Johnnie Ray.

Great to see Glow Worm at #2!

 

29 - 07 - Ted Heath and His Music - Hot Toddy (Scene - 7 Severin 4)

 

I think this should be on 11. :P

Great to see Glow Worm at #2!

I think this should be on 11. :P

 

It is, I noticed the error while doing the list - the place numbers are still right. Just forgot to delete the mistake when moving it up.

sorry I missed this, been hectic of late! My votes wouldnt have made a lot of difference - mostly Nat King Cole and Doris Day would have been bumped up a lot. Moulin Rouge, High Noon, Dragnet, Answer Me wouldve got points. The biggest aeffect wouldve been Nat's Pretend getting 10 points, most likely, and ending 3rd.