List of Billboard number-one country songs of 1951 explained

In 1951 Billboard magazine published three charts covering the best-performing country music songs in the United States: Most-Played Juke Box (Country & Western) Records, Best-Selling Retail Folk (Country & Western) Records and Country & Western Records Most Played By Folk Disk Jockeys. The juke box chart was compiled based on a "weekly survey among a selected group of jukebox operators whose locations require country and western records", the best sellers chart based on a "survey among a selected group of retail stores, the majority of whose customers purchase country and western records", and the jockeys chart based on a "weekly survey among a select list of over 400 disk jockeys specializing in country and western tunes". The juke box chart would be discontinued in 1957 and the other two charts merged in 1958 to form a multimetric chart, which has been published weekly since that date and since 2005 has been entitled Hot Country Songs.[1]

In the first issue of Billboard of 1951, each chart had a different number one, although two were by the same artist. Lefty Frizzell was atop both the juke box and jockeys charts, with "If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time" and "I Love You a Thousand Ways" respectively, while the best sellers chart was headed by Hank Snow with "The Golden Rocket". During the year, each of the three charts had a song spend more than ten consecutive weeks at number one: Frizzell had an unbroken run of eleven weeks in the top spot of the best sellers chart with "Always Late (with Your Kisses)" and had a similar run at number one on the jockeys chart with "I Want to Be with You Always". The longest run at number one on any of the charts, however, was the fourteen consecutive weeks which Tennessee Ernie spent atop the juke box chart with "Shotgun Boogie". Frizzell reached number one for the first time in late 1950 and achieved five chart-toppers within 18 months, but soon afterwards his chart performance began to decline, his career suffering in part due to issues in his personal life.[2] He was the only artist with four number-one country songs in 1951; Snow and Eddy Arnold each had three. Hank Williams had two number ones on the jockeys chart, but none on either of the other two charts.

Two artists reached number one for the first time in 1951. Carl Smith spent a single week in December atop the jockeys chart with his first number one,[3] "Let Old Mother Nature Have Her Way", although the song would return to the top spot, and also top the best sellers and juke box charts, in 1952.[4] Smith, who had only entered the chart for the first time earlier in the year, would go on to reach the top 40 nearly 70 times over a 20-year career before he chose to retire from the music industry.[5] Bandleader Pee Wee King's debut chart-topper "Slow Poke", featuring his band the Golden West Cowboys and lead vocalist Redd Stewart, had lengthy runs in the top spot on all three charts in 1951, and ended the year in the number one position on all the listings. It would, however, prove to be the only number one single for King,[6] whose career went into decline in the mid-1950s.[7] Every artist to top the chart in 1951 has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, beginning with Hank Williams, who was inducted posthumously in the first group of entrants in 1961.[8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]

Chart history

Issue date!scope=col colspan=2
Juke Boxscope=col colspan=2Best Sellersscope=col colspan=2Jockeysscope=col rowspan=2 class=unsortableRef.
scope=colTitlescope=colArtist(s)scope=colTitlescope=colArtist(s)scope=colTitlescope=colArtist(s)
scope=row"If You've Got the Money I've Got the Time""""I Love You a Thousand Ways"[14]
scope=row"Shotgun Boogie"Tennessee Ernie"I'm Movin' On"[15]
scope=row"I'm Movin' On""I Love You a Thousand Ways"[16]
scope=row""[17]
scope=row"Shotgun Boogie"Tennessee Ernie"I Love You a Thousand Ways"[18]
scope=row"I'm Movin' On""There's Been a Change in Me"[19]
scope=row"There's Been a Change in Me"[20]
scope=row"Shotgun Boogie"Tennessee Ernie"Shotgun Boogie"Tennessee Ernie[21]
scope=row"There's Been a Change in Me""There's Been a Change in Me"[22]
scope=row[23]
scope=row"Shotgun Boogie"Tennessee Ernie[24]
scope=row"There's Been a Change in Me"[25]
scope=row"Rhumba Boogie"[26]
scope=rowalign=center rowspan=2[27]
scope=row
scope=row""[28]
scope=row""[29]
scope=row"There's Been a Change in Me"[30]
scope=row"Cold, Cold Heart"[31]
scope=row"Kentucky Waltz"""[32]
scope=row"Kentucky Waltz""""I Want to Be With You Always"[33]
scope=row"Kentucky Waltz"[34]
scope=row"I Want to Be With You Always""I Want to Be With You Always"[35]
scope=row[36]
scope=row"Kentucky Waltz"[37]
scope=row"I Want to Be With You Always"[38]
scope=row[39]
scope=row"I Want to Play House With You"align=center rowspan=2[40]
scope=row
scope=row"I Want to Play House With You"[41]
scope=row[42]
scope=row"Hey Good Lookin'"[43]
scope=row[44]
scope=row[45]
scope=row"Always Late (with Your Kisses)"[46]
scope=row"I Want to Play House With You"align=center rowspan=2[47]
scope=row"Always Late (with Your Kisses)""Always Late (with Your Kisses)"
scope=row[48]
scope=row"Always Late (with Your Kisses)"[49]
scope=row[50]
scope=row"Hey Good Lookin'"[51]
scope=row"Always Late (with Your Kisses)"[52]
scope=row[53]
scope=row rowspan="2""Hey Good Lookin'"[54]
"Slow Poke"
scope=row"Slow Poke"[55]
scope=row"Hey Good Lookin'"[56]
scope=row"Slow Poke"[57]
scope=row"Slow Poke"[58]
scope=row[59]
scope=row[60]
scope=row"Let Old Mother Nature Have Her Way"[61]
scope=row"Slow Poke"[62]

a. Two songs tied for number one on the juke box chart.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Whitburn, Joel. Joel Whitburn

    . Joel Whitburn's Top Country Songs: 1944-2005. ix. Joel Whitburn. Record Research. 2005. 9780898201659.

  2. Book: Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits. 1996. 9780823082896. Watson-Guptill. 118.
  3. Web site: Carl Smith Biography & History. Stephen Thomas. Erlewine. AllMusic. August 16, 2018. August 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180817023101/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/carl-smith-mn0000163198/biography. live.
  4. Book: Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits. 1996. 9780823082896. Watson-Guptill. 514.
  5. Book: Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits. 1996. 9780823082896. Watson-Guptill. 293 - 296.
  6. Book: Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits. 1996. 9780823082896. Watson-Guptill. 177.
  7. Web site: Pee Wee King Biography & History. Steve. Huey. AllMusic. August 16, 2018. August 16, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180816130318/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/pee-wee-king-mn0000254527/biography. live.
  8. Web site: Lefty Frizzell Biography & History. Stephen Thomas. Erlewine. AllMusic. November 14, 2020. June 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180625104223/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/lefty-frizzell-mn0000190946/biography. live.
  9. Web site: Carl Smith Obituary. The Guardian. Tony. Russell. April 20, 2010. November 5, 2020.
  10. Web site: Eddy Arnold, Country Singer, Is Dead. The New York Times. Bill. Friskics-Warren. May 8, 2008. November 14, 2020. November 2, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201102205046/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/08/arts/music/08cnd-arnold.html. live.
  11. Web site: Obituary: Hank Snow. Paul. Wadey. December 22, 1999. November 14, 2020. The Independent. July 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220707065945/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-hank-snow-1134034.html. live.
  12. Web site: 59 Years Ago:Hank Williams Among First Inductees Into Country Music Hall of Fame. The Boot. Townsquare Media. Gayle. Thompson. November 3, 2020. November 14, 2020. November 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201103201218/https://theboot.com/hank-williams-country-music-hall-of-fame/. live.
  13. Web site: Tennessee Ernie Ford Biography & History. Bill. Manheim. AllMusic. November 14, 2020. July 11, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180711022201/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/tennessee-ernie-ford-mn0000020403/biography. live.
  14. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=aR8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA20. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 20. January 6, 1951. August 17, 2018.
  15. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=XR8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA31. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 31. January 13, 1951. August 17, 2018.
  16. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=5RkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA27. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 27. January 20, 1951. August 19, 2018.
  17. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=VR8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA27. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 27. January 27, 1951. August 20, 2018.
  18. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Gx8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA24. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 24. February 3, 1951. August 20, 2018.
  19. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Xh8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 32. February 10, 1951. August 20, 2018.
  20. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=NB8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA27. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 27. February 17, 1951. August 20, 2018.
  21. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=2R4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA29. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 29. February 24, 1951. August 21, 2018.
  22. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=3h4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA25. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 25 - 27. March 3, 1951. August 21, 2018.
  23. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Oh8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 22. March 10, 1951. August 22, 2018.
  24. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=OR8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA102. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 102 - 104. March 17, 1951. August 22, 2018.
  25. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Px8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 30. March 24, 1951. August 22, 2018.
  26. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Rx8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 36. March 31, 1951. August 23, 2018.
  27. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=EB8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 30. April 14, 1951. August 23, 2018.
  28. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=jh8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 36. April 21, 1951. August 23, 2018.
  29. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Jh8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA33. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 33 - 34. April 28, 1951. August 23, 2018.
  30. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Ih8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 32 - 33. May 5, 1951. August 23, 2018.
  31. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Hx8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 26 - 28. May 12, 1951. August 23, 2018.
  32. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Gh8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 32. May 19, 1951. August 23, 2018.
  33. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=LR8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 30. May 26, 1951. August 23, 2018.
  34. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=1B4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 26. June 2, 1951. August 23, 2018.
  35. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=BB8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 30 - 31. June 9, 1951. August 23, 2018.
  36. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Ah8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA25. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 25. June 16, 1951. August 23, 2018.
  37. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=0x4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 32. June 23, 1951. August 23, 2018.
  38. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=8h4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA32. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 32. June 30, 1951. August 23, 2018.
  39. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=m0UEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 26. July 7, 1951. August 24, 2018.
  40. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=gB8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA27. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 27. July 21, 1951. August 24, 2018.
  41. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=gB8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA27. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 27. July 28, 1951. August 24, 2018.
  42. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=tCEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 28. August 4, 1951. August 24, 2018.
  43. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=PUUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA35. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 35. August 11, 1951. August 24, 2018.
  44. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=K0UEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 26. August 18, 1951. August 24, 2018.
  45. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=UEUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 30 - 31. August 25, 1951. August 24, 2018.
  46. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=cEUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 30. September 1, 1951. August 24, 2018.
  47. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=90QEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA82. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 82 - 84. September 15, 1951. August 24, 2018.
  48. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=_hkEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA34. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 34 - 36. September 22, 1951. August 25, 2018.
  49. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=3UQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA39. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 39 - 41. September 29, 1951. August 28, 2018.
  50. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=oCEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 30 - 31. October 6, 1951. August 28, 2018.
  51. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=kyEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 28. October 13, 1951. August 28, 2018.
  52. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=jyEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 30 - 32. October 20, 1951. August 28, 2018.
  53. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=pCEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 40. October 27, 1951. August 28, 2018.
  54. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=oyEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 40 - 41. November 3, 1951. August 17, 2018.
  55. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=oyEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 40 - 41. November 10, 1951. August 28, 2018.
  56. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=6kQEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 36. November 17, 1951. August 29, 2018.
  57. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=qSEEAAAAMBAJ&q=folk. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 38 - 39. November 24, 1951. August 29, 2018.
  58. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=B0UEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA73. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 73. December 1, 1951. August 29, 2018.
  59. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=c0UEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 40 - 41. December 8, 1951. August 29, 2018.
  60. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=HEUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 30. December 15, 1951. August 29, 2018.
  61. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=sCEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 26. December 22, 1951. August 29, 2018.
  62. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=pSEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA20. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts. Billboard. 20. December 29, 1951. August 16, 2018.

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