List of Billboard number-one country songs of 1954 explained

In 1954 Billboard magazine published three charts covering the best-performing country music songs in the United States: Most Played in Juke Boxes, National Best Sellers (renamed Best Sellers in Stores with the February 20 issue of the magazine), and Most Played By Jockeys. The three charts had been published since 1944, 1948 and 1949 respectively. 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]

The number one position on all three charts was dominated in 1954 by singer Webb Pierce, who had inherited the mantle of the most popular act in country music since the death of Hank Williams in 1953 and who was in the midst of a run of success which included 12 chart-toppers in a four-year period.[2] [3] On the best sellers chart, Pierce's singles "There Stands the Glass", "Slowly" and "More and More" spent a combined total of 32 weeks in the top spot, and he held the top spot from the start of the year until mid-June without interruption. On the juke box chart, the same three songs spent 29 weeks at number one, or 30 if the chart dated March 6 is counted twice, as in that week "There Stands the Glass" and "Slowly" tied for the top spot. On the jockeys chart, Pierce spent a total of 29 weeks at number one with four songs, including "Even Tho", which did not reach the top of the other two listings. "More and More" was the year's final number one on all three charts. "Slowly" was the first country chart-topper to feature the pedal steel guitar, an instrument which would go on to become a staple of the genre.[4] [5]

The longest-running number one song of the year on all three charts was Hank Snow's "I Don't Hurt Anymore". The Canadian singer spent twenty consecutive weeks atop the best sellers chart with the song, the only chart-topper of the year on that listing not to be by Pierce. This set a new record for the longest unbroken run at number one on any of Billboards country charts, although it fell one week short of the record for the highest cumulative total number of weeks at number one by a song, which Snow himself held jointly with Eddy Arnold.[6] "I Don't Hurt Anymore" also spent twenty non-consecutive weeks at number one on the juke box chart, and a total of eighteen weeks in the top spot on the jockeys listing. One act achieved a debut country number one in 1954. Johnnie & Jack spent two weeks in the top spot of the jockeys chart with "(Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely", the only number one for the duo.[7] Six weeks after Johnnie Wright, one half of Johnnie & Jack, spent his final week at number one, his wife Kitty Wells reached the top spot with "One by One", a duet with Red Foley.[8] She was the only female artist to top the chart in 1954.[9] "One by One" was the final chart-topper for Foley, who had achieved his first number one ten years earlier and had been among the most prolific acts in the first decade of Billboards country music charts, with more than 50 entries.[10]

Chart history

Issue date!scope=col colspan=2
Juke Boxscope=col colspan=2Best Sellersscope=col colspan=2Jockeysscope=col rowspan=2 class=unsortable
scope=colTitlescope=colArtist(s)scope=colTitlescope=colArtist(s)scope=colTitlescope=colArtist(s)
scope=row"Let Me Be The One""There Stands the Glass""There Stands the Glass"[11]
scope=row rowspan=2"There Stands the Glass""Let Me Be the One"align=center rowspan=2[12]
"Bimbo"
scope=row"There Stands the Glass"[13]
scope=row[14]
scope=row"Bimbo"[15]
scope=row"There Stands the Glass"[16]
scope=row"Let Me Be The One"[17]
scope=row rowspan=2"There Stands the Glass""Slowly""Bimbo"align=center [18]
"Wake Up, Irene"align=center
scope=row rowspan=2"Slowly"[19]
"There Stands the Glass"
scope=row rowspan=2[20]
"Slowly"
scope=rowalign=center rowspan=2[21]
scope=row
scope=row[22]
scope=row[23]
scope=row[24]
scope=row[25]
scope=row[26]
scope=row[27]
scope=row[28]
scope=row"I Really Don't Want to Know"[29]
scope=row"Slowly"align=center rowspan=2[30]
scope=row
scope=row[31]
scope=row""Johnnie & Jackalign=center rowspan=2[32]
scope=row"I Don't Hurt Anymore"
scope=row"I Don't Hurt Anymore"[33]
scope=row"Even Tho"[34]
scope=row"I Don't Hurt Anymore"[35]
scope=row"I Don't Hurt Anymore"[36]
scope=row[37]
scope=row"One by One" and Red Foley[38]
scope=row"I Don't Hurt Anymore"[39]
scope=rowalign=center rowspan=2[40]
scope=row
scope=row[41]
scope=row[42]
scope=row[43]
scope=row[44]
scope=row[45]
scope=row[46]
scope=rowalign=center rowspan=2[47]
scope=row
scope=row[48]
scope=row[49]
scope=row"More and More""More and More"[50]
scope=row"I Don't Hurt Anymore"[51]
scope=row"More and More"[52]
scope=row[53]
scope=row"More and More"[54]
scope=row[55]
scope=row[56]
scope=row[57]

a. Two songs tied for number one on the jockeys chart.
b. 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. Web site: Webb Pierce Biography & History. AllMusic. Stephen Thomas. Erlewine. September 9, 2018. September 10, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180910014745/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/webb-pierce-mn0000198901/biography. live.
  3. Book: Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits. 1996. 9780823082896. Watson-Guptill. 244 - 247.
  4. Web site: 67 Years Ago: Webb Pierce Hits No. 1 With 'Slowly'. The Boot. Townsquare Media. Annie. Zaleski. February 20, 2021. March 12, 2021. February 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210220144318/https://theboot.com/webb-pierce-slowly-no-1/. live.
  5. Ross . Michael . Pedal to the Metal: A Short History of the Pedal Steel Guitar . . March 12, 2021 . February 17, 2015 . March 8, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210308101432/https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/22152-pedal-to-the-metal-a-short-history-of-the-pedal-steel-guitar . live .
  6. Book: Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits. 1996. 9780823082896. Watson-Guptill. 512 - 515.
  7. Book: Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits. 1996. 9780823082896. Watson-Guptill. 163.
  8. Web site: Johnnie & Jack Biography & History. AllMusic. Cub. Koda. December 8, 2020. February 10, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210210211710/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/johnnie-jack-mn0000235537. live.
  9. Book: Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits. 1996. 9780823082896. Watson-Guptill. 515.
  10. Book: Whitburn, Joel. The Billboard Book of Top 40 Country Hits. 1996. 9780823082896. Watson-Guptill. 111 - 113.
  11. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=0hoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA27. Top C & W Records. Billboard. January 2, 1954. September 10, 2018. 27.
  12. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=sh4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA33. Top C & W Records. Billboard. January 9, 1954. September 10, 2018. 33.
  13. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=lB4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40. Top C & W Records. Billboard. January 16, 1954. September 10, 2018. 40.
  14. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=tx4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA35. Top C & W Records. Billboard. January 23, 1954. September 10, 2018. 35.
  15. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=xB4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA45. Top C & W Records. Billboard. January 30, 1954. September 10, 2018. 45.
  16. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=vR4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41. Top C & W Records. Billboard. February 6, 1954. September 10, 2018. 41.
  17. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=yx4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA57. Top C & W Records. Billboard. February 13, 1954. September 10, 2018. 57.
  18. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=0h4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA39. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. February 20, 1954. September 11, 2018. 39.
  19. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=ChsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA44. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. February 27, 1954. September 11, 2018. 44.
  20. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=zh4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA92. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. March 6, 1954. September 11, 2018. 92.
  21. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=KB8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. March 20, 1954. September 12, 2018. 40.
  22. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=ER8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA33. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. March 27, 1954. September 12, 2018. 33.
  23. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Mh8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA30. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. April 3, 1954. September 13, 2018. 30.
  24. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=TEUEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA42. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. April 10, 1954. September 14, 2018. 42.
  25. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Rh8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA26. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. April 17, 1954. September 14, 2018. 26.
  26. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Ph8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA44. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. April 24, 1954. September 14, 2018. 44.
  27. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=TR8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA33. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. May 1, 1954. September 14, 2018. 33.
  28. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=YB8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA28. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. May 8, 1954. September 14, 2018. 28.
  29. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=Wx8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT26. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. May 15, 1954. September 11, 2018. 30.
  30. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=bx8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA59. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. May 29, 1954. September 12, 2018. 59.
  31. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=5h4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA42. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. June 5, 1954. September 12, 2018. 42.
  32. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=4h4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA42. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. June 19, 1954. September 12, 2018. 42.
  33. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=oB4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. June 26, 1954. September 12, 2018. 36.
  34. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=4h4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA42. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. July 3, 1954. September 12, 2018. 42.
  35. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=EBsEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA31. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. July 10, 1954. September 12, 2018. 31.
  36. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=9RoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA60. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. July 17, 1954. September 12, 2018. 60.
  37. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=rB4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA29. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. July 24, 1954. September 12, 2018. 29.
  38. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=zxoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA44. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. July 31, 1954. September 12, 2018. 44.
  39. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=2SAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA39. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. August 7, 1954. September 12, 2018. 39.
  40. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=iyEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA44. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. August 21, 1954. September 13, 2018. 44.
  41. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=liEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA76. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. August 28, 1954. September 13, 2018. 76.
  42. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=LSMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA29. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. September 4, 1954. September 13, 2018. 29.
  43. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=xiEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA52. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. September 11, 1954. September 13, 2018. 52.
  44. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=4yAEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA36. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. September 18, 1954. September 13, 2018. 36.
  45. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=oiEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA57. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. September 25, 1954. September 13, 2018. 57.
  46. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=vyEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. October 2, 1954. September 13, 2018. 41.
  47. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=oSEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA41. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. October 16, 1954. September 14, 2018. 41.
  48. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=nyEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PT39. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. October 23, 1954. September 14, 2018. 42.
  49. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=nSEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA40. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. October 30, 1954. September 14, 2018. 40.
  50. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=myEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. November 6, 1954. September 14, 2018. 48.
  51. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=LCEEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA86. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. November 13, 1954. September 14, 2018. 86.
  52. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=1RoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA46. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. November 20, 1954. September 14, 2018. 46.
  53. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=LiMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA42. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. November 27, 1954. September 14, 2018. 42.
  54. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=LCMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. December 4, 1954. September 14, 2018. 48.
  55. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=KiMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA45. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. December 11, 1954. September 14, 2018. 45.
  56. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=IiMEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA34. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. December 18, 1954. September 14, 2018. 34.
  57. Book: https://books.google.com/books?id=zh4EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA92. The Billboard Music Popularity Charts: Country & Western Records. Billboard. December 25, 1954. September 11, 2018. 92.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "List of Billboard number-one country songs of 1954".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.