This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1948.
The following songs appeared in The Billboard's 'Best Selling Retail Records', 'Records Most-Played On the Air' and 'Most Played Juke Box Records' charts, starting November 1947 and before December 1948. Each week fifteen points were awarded to the number one record, then nine points for number two, eight points for number three, and so on. This system rewards songs that reach the highest positions, as well as those that had the longest chart runs. The total of a song's complete chart run is determined (never cutoff at the end of December, as in The Billboard's year-end lists), then the three Popular charts are combined, with that number determining a record's year-end rank. Regional charts determine the 11-25 rankings each week, and records that failed to score on the main chart were ranked by highest position. If a record scored on only one or two of the popular charts, it will obviously rank lower than a national hit on radios and juke boxes. Additional information from other sources is reported, but not used for ranking. This includes dates obtained from the "Discography of American Historical Recordings" website, chart performance from 'Most Played Juke Box Race Records', 'Most Played Juke Box Folk (Hillbilly) Records', 'Cashbox', and other sources as noted.
Rank | Artist | Title | Label | Recorded | Released | Chart positions | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Buttons and Bows" | Columbia 38284 | US Billboard 1948 #1, US #1 for 10 weeks, 23 total weeks, 577 points, CashBox #1, Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, sold 2.5 million | ||||
2 | "Twelfth Street Rag" | Capitol 15105 | US Billboard 1948 #2, US #1 for 8 weeks, 32 total weeks, 559 points, CashBox #34 | ||||
3 | Peggy Lee (Dave Barbour Orchestra) | "Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me)" | Capitol 15022 | US Billboard 1948 #3, US #1 for 9 weeks, 21 total weeks, 551 points, CashBox #16 | |||
4 | "A Tree in the Meadow" | Capitol 15122 | US Billboard 1948 #4, US #1 for 5 weeks, 23 total weeks, 424 points, CashBox #3 | ||||
5 | "I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover"[3] | MGM 10119 | US Billboard 1948 #5, US #1 for 5 weeks, 18 total weeks, 413 points, CashBox #10 | ||||
6 | "Nature Boy" | Capitol 15054 | US Billboard 1948 #6, US #1 for 8 weeks, 18 total weeks, 386 points, CashBox #4 | ||||
7 | "Now is the Hour"[4] | Decca 24279 | US Billboard 1948 #7, US #1 for 3 weeks, 23 total weeks, 383 points, CashBox #2 | ||||
8 | Jon and Sondra Steele | "My Happiness"[5] | Damon 11133 | US Billboard 1948 #8, US #2 for 2 weeks, 30 total weeks, 380 points, CashBox #6 | |||
9 | Regent 117 | US Billboard 1948 #9, US #1 for 6 weeks, 24 total weeks, 378 points, CashBox #18 | |||||
10 | "Woody Woodpecker"[6] | Columbia 38197 | US Billboard 1948 #10, US #1 for 6 weeks, 15 total weeks, 360 points, CashBox #5 | ||||
11 | Ken Griffin (Organ) (Vocal Jerry Wayne) | "You Can't Be True, Dear"[7] | Rondo 228 | US Billboard 1948 #11, US #1 for 7 weeks, 23 total weeks, 341 points, CashBox #9 | |||
12 | Kay Kyser and his Orchestra | "On a Slow Boat to China" | Columbia 38301 | US Billboard 1948 #12, US #2 for 7 weeks, 20 total weeks, 328 points | |||
13 | "My Darling, My Darling"[8] | Capitol 15270 | US Billboard 1948 #13, US #1 for 1 weeks, 17 total weeks, 253 points | ||||
14 | "Little White Lies"[9] | Decca 24280 | US Billboard 1948 #14, US #2 for 1 week, 23 total weeks, 250 points | ||||
15 | "My Happiness" | Capitol 15278 | US Billboard 1948 #15, US #3 for 1 week, 27 total weeks, 247 points | ||||
16 | "It's Magic" | Columbia 38188 | US Billboard 1948 #16, US #2 for 1 week, 21 total weeks, 229 points, CashBox #7 | ||||
17 | Ken Griffin | "You Can't Be True, Dear"[10] | Rondo 128 | US Billboard 1948 #17, US #2 for 7 weeks, 15 total weeks, 224 points | |||
18 | "Love Somebody" | Columbia 38174 | US Billboard 1948 #18, US #1 for 5 weeks, 24 total weeks, 214 points | ||||
19 | "Maybe You'll Be There"[11] | Decca 24403 | US Billboard 1948 #19, US #1 for 2 weeks, 15 total weeks, 188 points | ||||
20 | "Beg Your Pardon" | Bullet 1012 | US Billboard 1948 #20, US #3 for 1 week, 20 total weeks, 188 points, sold 2.5 million | ||||
25 | "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"[12] | RCA Victor 20-3177 | US Billboard 1948 #25, US #1 for 3 weeks, 8 total week, 138 points | ||||
30 | "Woody Woodpecker" | Capitol 15278 | US Billboard 1948 #30, US #2 for 5 weeks, 9 total weeks, 81 points | ||||
56 | "Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)"[13] | Columbia 37942 | US Billboard 1948 #56, US #8 for 1 week, 5 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1948 #24, USHB #4 for 1 week, 7 total weeks, 35 points | ||||
134 | Gene Autry | "Buttons and Bows"[14] | Columbia 20469 | US Billboard 1948 #134, US #17 for 1 week, 3 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1948 #30, USHB #6 for 1 weeks, 12 total weeks, 17 points |
The following songs appeared in The Billboard's Most-Played Juke Box Race Records and Best-Selling Retail Race Records charts, starting November 1947 through November 1948. Each week twenty points were awarded to the number one record, then fourteen points for number two, thirteen points for number three, and so on. This system rewards songs that reach the highest positions, as well as those that had the longest chart runs. Also see Billboard Top Race Records of 1948.
Rank | Artist | Title | Label | Recorded | Released | Chart Positions | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | "Long Gone"[15] | Miracle 126 | US Billboard 1948 #339, US pop charts #29 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #1, Race Records charts #1 for 5 weeks, 31 total weeks, 700 points | ||||
2 | "Tomorrow Night"[16] | King 4201 | US Billboard 1948 #149, US pop charts #19 for 1 week, 3 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #2, Race Records charts #1 for 7 weeks, 18 total weeks, 622 points | ||||
3 | "Chicken Shack Boogie"[17] [18] | Aladdin 3014 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #3, Race Records charts #1 for 5 weeks, 23 total weeks, 577 points | ||||
4 | "Pretty Mama Blues"[19] | Pacific 637 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #4, Race Records charts #1 for 3 weeks, 25 total weeks, 530 points | ||||
5 | "Good Rockin' Tonight" | King 4210 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #5, Race Records charts #1 for 1 week, 25 total weeks, 519 points | ||||
6 | "Bewildered" | Bullet 295 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #6, Race Records charts #1 for 5 weeks, 21 total weeks, 486 points | ||||
7 | "Corn Bread"[20] | Savoy 671 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #7, Race Records charts #1 for 4 weeks, 21 total weeks, 482 points | ||||
8 | "King Size Papa"[21] | Capitol Americana 40082 | US Billboard 1948 #128, US pop charts #15 for 1 week, 3 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #8, Race Records charts #1 for 9 weeks, 28 total weeks, 451 points | ||||
9 | "I Can't Go on Without You" | King 4230 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #9, Race Records charts #1 for 8 weeks, 17 total weeks, 418 points | ||||
10 | "Messin' Around" | Miracle 125 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #10, Race Records charts #1 for 2 weeks, 25 total weeks, 403 points | ||||
11 | Amos Milburn | "Bewildered" | Aladdin 3018 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #11, Race Records charts #1 for 3 weeks, 16 total weeks, 384 points | |||
12 | "My Heart Belongs to You"[22] | RCA Victor 20-2572 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #12, Race Records charts #1 for 1 week, 24 total weeks, 372 points | ||||
13 | Bull Moose Jackson and His Buffalo Bearcats | "I Love You Yes I Do" | King 4181 | US Billboard 1948 #182, US pop charts #21 for 1 week, 3 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #13, Race Records charts #1 for 3 weeks, 26 total weeks, 352 points | |||
14 | "Run Joe"[23] | Decca 24448 | US Billboard 1948 #240, US pop charts #23 for 1 week, 3 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #14, Race Records charts #1 for 2 weeks, 15 total weeks, 324 points | ||||
15 | "Long About Midnight" | DeLuxe 3154 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #15, Race Records charts #1 for 1 week, 17 total weeks, 313 points | ||||
16 | Bull Moose Jackson and His Buffalo Bearcats | "All My Love Belongs To You" | King 4189 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #16, Race Records charts #3 for 2 weeks, 17 total weeks, 273 points | |||
17 | "Blues After Hours"[24] | Modern 624 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #17, Race Records charts #1 for 3 weeks, 13 total weeks, 256 points | ||||
18 | "It's Too Soon to Know" | It's A Natural 5000 | US Billboard 1948 #110, US pop charts #13 for 1 week, 7 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #18, Race Records charts #1 for 1 weeks, 17 total weeks, 239 points | ||||
19 | "Fine Brown Frame" | Capitol 15032 | US Billboard 1948 #195, US pop charts #21 for 1 week, 2 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #19, Race Records charts #2 for 3 weeks, 17 total weeks, 229 points | ||||
20 | "Am I Asking Too Much"[25] | Mercury 8095 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #20, Race Records charts #1 for 1 weeks, 14 total weeks, 219 points | ||||
21 | Paula Watson | "A Little Bird Told Me"[26] | Supreme 1507 | US Billboard 1949 #44, US pop charts #6 for 1 weeks, 16 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #21, Race Records charts #2 for 1 weeks, 14 total weeks, 203 points | |||
22 | Sonny Thompson with The Sharps and Flats | "Late Freight" | Miracle 128 | US Billboard 1948 #205, US pop charts #21 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #22, Race Records charts #1 for 1 week, 11 total weeks, 200 points | |||
23 | "Nature Boy" | Capitol 15054 | US Billboard 1948 #6, US pop charts #1 for 8 weeks, 18 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #23, Race Records charts #2 for 1 week, 12 total weeks, 198 points | ||||
24 | "Send for Me if You Need Me" | National 9045 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #24, Race Records charts #4 for 1 week, 11 total weeks, 165 points | ||||
25 | Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five | "Barnyard Boogie"[27] | Decca 24300 | US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #25, Race Records charts #2 for 4 weeks, 13 total weeks, 152 points |
Composer | Composition | Date | Location | Performers | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1948-12-31 | Philadelphia | Philadelphia Orchestra – Ormandy[28] | |||
Excursions | 1948-12-22 | New York City | Behrend[29] | ||
1948-04-09 | Boston | Steber / Boston Symphony – Koussevitzky[30] | |||
Altenberg Lieder (1912) | 1948-09-14 | Venice (Biennale) | Martin-Metten / La Fenice – Scherchen[31] | ||
1948-08-31 | London (Proms) | Horsley / London Symphony – Cameron[32] | |||
A Charm of Lullabies | 1948-01-03 | The Hague | Evans, De Nobel | ||
Saint Nicolas, cantata | 1948-06-05 | Pears / Aldeburgh Festival Chorus – Woodgate | |||
In a Landscape | 1948-08-20 | Black Mountain, North Carolina | Cage[33] | ||
1948-08-22 | Black Mountain, North Carolina | Cage | |||
Coriolano, overture | 1948-09-08 | RAI Symphony Orchestra in Rome – Previtali | |||
Six Lieder | 1948-11-30 | Vienna | Ceska, Wünsch | ||
The Red Pony suite | 1948-10-30 | Houston | Houston Symphony, Kurtz[34] | ||
Quattro liriche di Antonio Machado | 1948-12-03 | Brussels | Martin-Metten, Dallapiccola | ||
1948-01-23 | Boston | Boston Symphony – Koussevitzky[35] | |||
Symphony No. 2 (1944) | 1948-11-23 | London | Chelsea Symphony – Del Mar[36] | ||
1948-04-30 | Paris | Joy | |||
1948-10-22 | Boston | Boston Symphony – Koussevitzky[37] | |||
Recordare | 1948-12-31 | Boston | Boston Symphony – Koussevitzky[38] | ||
1948-12-31 | Boston | Firkusny / Boston Symphony – Hanson | |||
1948-08-26 | Bad Pyrmont, Germany | [unknown orchestra] – Fortner[39] | |||
1948-12-12 | Baden-Baden, Germany | Stanske / SWF Symphony – Bour | |||
Das Marienleben (2nd version) | 1948-11-03 | Hannover | Kupper, Seemann[40] | ||
Piano Trio (1915) | 1948-05-28 | Berea, Ohio | Poinar, Pierce, Wolaver | ||
Three Harvest Home Chorales (1915) | 1948-03-03 | New York City | The Collegiate Chorale – Shaw | ||
1948-04-23 | Vienna | Martenot / [unknown orchestra] – Jolivet | |||
Suite delphique | 1948-04-22 | Vienna | Vienna Philharmonic – Jolivet | ||
1948-10-29 | Moscow | Bezrodny / Moscow Conservatory Symphony – Terian[41] | |||
1948-04-06 | Katowice, Poland | Polish National Radio Symphony – Fitelberg | |||
1948-09-17 | Gorini, Lorenzi / [unknown ensemble] – Gracis | ||||
1948-02-27 | Boston | Boston Symphony – Koussevitzky | |||
Concertino for Piano and Orchestra (1938) | 1948-05-08 | London | Liza Fuchsová / London Symphony – Standford Robinson | ||
Saga of the Mississippi | 1948-04-09 | Philadelphia | Philadelphia Orchestra – Ormandy[42] | ||
Serenade in G | 1948-09-02 | London (Proms) | London Symphony – Cameron | ||
Due salmi funebri in memoria di Alfredo Casella | 1948-09-17 | Bozzi Luca / [unknown ensemble] – Gracis | |||
1948-12-28 | Moscow | [unknown orchestra] – Gauk[43] | |||
The Return of Pushkin | 1948-01-02 | Boston | Koshetz / Boston Symphony – Koussevitzky[44] | ||
Trois poèmes de Saadi | 1948-03-06 | Paris | French Radio National Orchestra – Giardino | ||
1948-01-09 | Boston | Boston Symphony – Koussevitzky | |||
1948-09-14 | La Fenice Orchestra – Scherchen | ||||
1948-07-01 | Cheltenham Music Festival, UK | Olof / Hallé Orchestra – Barbirolli[45] | |||
Christmas Symphonies | 1948-12-23 | Philadelphia | Philadelphia Orchestra – Ormandy | ||
1948-09-15 | Poltronieri Quartet | ||||
Cinq études de bruits | 1948-10-05 | Paris | [electronic music] | ||
A Survivor from Warsaw | 1948-11-04 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Smith / Albuquerque Civic Symphony Orchestra – Frederick | ||
Oboe Concerto | 1948-09-13 | London (Proms) | Goossens / London Symphony – Robinson | ||
Fuga giocosa | 1948-08-06 | London (Proms) | London Symphony – Cameron | ||
1948-01-30 | Boston | Boston Symphony – Bernstein | |||
Fugal Overture | 1948-08-13 | London (Proms) | BBC Symphony – Sargent | ||
1948-10-27 | Milan | Members of the La Scala Orchestra and Chorus – Ansermet[46] | |||
Suite from Louisiana Story | 1948-11-26 | Philadelphia | Philadelphia Orchestra – Ormandy | ||
1948-11-15 | London | BBC Symphony – Boult | |||
Hyperion, dramatic overture | 1948-04-01 | Cleveland | Cleveland Orchestra – Szell[47] | ||
Music for Orchestra | 1948-09-08 | RAI Symphony Orchestra in Rome – Previtali | |||
1948-04-21 | London (Royal Albert Hall) | BBC Symphony – Boult[48] | |||
Symphony in Three Movements | 1948-09-08 | RAI Symphony Orchestra in Rome – Previtali |