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List of Billboard number-one R&B songs of 1950

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Singer Esther Phillips
Esther Phillips, then billed as Little Esther, was the featured vocalist on three number ones for the band led by Johnny Otis.

In 1950, Billboard magazine published two charts covering the top-performing songs in the United States in rhythm and blues (R&B) and related African-American-oriented music genres: Best Selling Retail Rhythm & Blues Records and Most Played Juke Box Rhythm & Blues Records, based on sales in stores and plays in jukeboxes respectively. 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 7, 1950, Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five topped both charts with "Saturday Night Fish Fry" (Parts I & II), which had experienced lengthy runs atop both listings in the last quarter of 1949 and added a single week to each tally in the new year before being displaced from the top spot of both charts by Larry Darnell's "For You My Love". Jordan returned to number one later in the year with "Blue Light Boogie", his 18th and final number one.[3] Having first reached number one in 1943, Jordan was by far the most successful artist of the 1940s on Billboard's R&B charts. His tally of chart-toppers was a record which stood until the 1980s, and "Blue Light Boogie" took his total number of weeks at number one to 113,[a] more than three times the figure achieved by any other act to this point and a record which stood in the 21st century.[4] Jordan's success fell away in the 1950s, but his music is considered to have been hugely influential on the development of both R&B and rock and roll.[5][6][7]

In addition to Jordan, Johnny Otis and Ivory Joe Hunter each achieved multiple number ones in 1950. Otis and his band topped the best sellers chart twice and the juke box listing three times; "Cupid's Boogie" missed the top spot on the former, peaking at number two.[8] Vocalist Little Esther, aged 14,[9][10] received featured credit on all three of Otis's chart-toppers and Mel Walker on two. Otis and his band spent 13 weeks atop the best sellers chart, the most achieved by any act. On the juke box listing, Joe Liggins and his Honeydrippers had the highest total number of weeks at number one, also with 13 weeks. Liggins's song "Pink Champagne" was the year's longest-running chart-topper on both listings, spending 13 non-consecutive weeks atop the juke box chart and 11 consecutive weeks in the peak position on the best sellers chart. It was the second of two long-running number one for Liggins following 1945's "The Honeydripper", which spent a record-setting 18 weeks in the peak position, but by the end of 1951 his chart career was over.[11] Artists who reached number one for the first time in 1950 included Joe Morris and Percy Mayfield, both of whom reached the top spot with their first charting singles.[12] Another first-time chart-topper was Ruth Brown, whose single "Teardrops from My Eyes" was the final number one of 1950 on both charts.[13] Nat "King" Cole gained his first number one for six years when his Trio topped the juke box chart with "Mona Lisa", which achieved sufficient crossover success to also top Billboard's pop charts, the only one of 1950's R&B number ones to achieve this feat.[14]

Chart history

[edit]
A poster advertising singer Ruth Brown
"Teardrops from My Eyes" was a number one for Ruth Brown.
Singer Roy Brown
Roy Brown topped the best sellers chart with "Hard Luck Blues".
Musician Louis Jordan
Louis Jordan achieved his final number one in 1950 with "Blue Light Boogie". His total number of weeks in the top spot vastly exceeded that achieved by any other artist to this point.
Singer Nat King Cole
Nat "King" Cole had his first number one since 1944 with "Mona Lisa".
Chart history
Issue date Juke Box Best Sellers Ref.
Title Artist(s) Title Artist(s)
January 7 "Saturday Night Fish Fry" (Parts I & II) Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five "Saturday Night Fish Fry" (Parts I & II) Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five [15]
January 14 "For You My Love" Larry Darnell "For You My Love" Larry Darnell [16]
January 21 [17]
January 28 [18]
February 4 [19]
February 11 [20]
February 18 "I Almost Lost My Mind" Ivory Joe Hunter [21]
February 25 "I Almost Lost My Mind" Ivory Joe Hunter [22]
March 4 "Double Crossing Blues" Johnny Otis Quintette, The Robins, and Little Esther [23]
March 11
March 18 [24]
March 25 "Double Crossing Blues" Johnny Otis Quintette, The Robins, and Little Esther [25]
April 1 [26]
April 8 [27]
April 15 "Mistrustin' Blues" Little Esther with Mel Walker and the Johnny Otis Orchestra [28]
April 22 [29]
April 29 "I Almost Lost My Mind" Ivory Joe Hunter [30]
May 6 "Mistrustin' Blues" Little Esther with Mel Walker and the Johnny Otis Orchestra "Mistrustin' Blues" Little Esther with Mel Walker and the Johnny Otis Orchestra [31]
May 13 "I Need You So" Ivory Joe Hunter [32]
May 20 [33]
May 27 "Pink Champagne" Joe Liggins and his Honeydrippers [34]
June 3 "Pink Champagne" Joe Liggins and his Honeydrippers [35]
June 10 [36]
June 17 [37]
June 24 [38]
July 1 [39]
July 8 "Cupid's Boogie" Johnny Otis Orchestra, Little Esther, and Mel Walker [40]
July 15 "Pink Champagne" Joe Liggins and his Honeydrippers [41]
July 22
July 29 [42]
August 5 [43]
August 12 [44]
August 19 "Hard Luck Blues" Roy Brown [45]
August 26 [46]
September 2 "Mona Lisa" "King" Cole Trio [47]
September 9 "Blue Light Boogie" (Parts 1 & 2) Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five [48]
September 16 [49]
September 23 [50]
September 30 "Blue Light Boogie" (Parts 1 & 2) Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five [51]
October 7 [52]
October 14
October 21 [53]
October 28 "Blue Shadows" Lowell Fulson "Blue Shadows" Lowell Fulson [54]
November 4 "Anytime — Any Place — Anywhere" Joe Morris and his Orchestra [55]
November 11 [56]
November 18 [57]
November 25 "Anytime — Any Place — Anywhere" Joe Morris and his Orchestra "Please Send Me Someone to Love" Percy Mayfield and his Orchestra [58]
December 2 "Anytime — Any Place — Anywhere" Joe Morris and his Orchestra [59]
December 9 "Teardrops from My Eyes" Ruth Brown [60]
December 16 "Please Send Me Someone to Love" Percy Mayfield and his Orchestra "Please Send Me Someone to Love" Percy Mayfield and his Orchestra [61]
December 23 "Teardrops from My Eyes" Ruth Brown "Teardrops from My Eyes" Ruth Brown [62]
December 30 [63]

Notes

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a. ^ Jordan's first 16 number ones occurred at a time when Billboard published only one R&B chart. His final two number ones occurred during a period when the magazine published two charts and each topped both listings, but the figure of 113 weeks at number one does not double-count weeks when he topped both.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Whitburn 1996, p. xii.
  2. ^ Molanphy, Chris (April 14, 2014). "I Know You Got Soul: The Trouble With Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Chart". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on January 21, 2019. Retrieved December 19, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Whitburn 2004, p. 310.
  4. ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 783.
  5. ^ Dahl, Bill. "Louis Jordan Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  6. ^ Tosches, Nick (August 18, 1992). "Louis Jordan, Forefather of Rock 'N' Roll". Village Voice. Archived from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  7. ^ "Louis Jordan: 'Jukebox King'". NPR. March 4, 2008. Archived from the original on June 23, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  8. ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 445.
  9. ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 459.
  10. ^ Huey, Steve. "Esther Phillips Biography & History". AllMusic. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  11. ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 349.
  12. ^ Whitburn 2004, pp. 385, 415.
  13. ^ Whitburn 2004, p. 87.
  14. ^ Whitburn 2004, pp. 126–127.
  15. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. January 7, 1950. p. 27. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  16. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. January 14, 1950. p. 33. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2018 – via Google Books.
  17. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. January 21, 1950. p. 32. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2018 – via Google Books.
  18. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. January 28, 1950. p. 32. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2018 – via Google Books.
  19. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. February 4, 1950. p. 34. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  20. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. February 11, 1950. p. 32. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  21. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. February 18, 1950. p. 31. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  22. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. February 25, 1950. p. 32. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  23. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. March 11, 1950. p. 36. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  24. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. March 18, 1950. p. 30. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  25. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. March 25, 1950. p. 32. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  26. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. April 1, 1950. p. 32. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  27. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. April 8, 1950. p. 38. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  28. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. April 15, 1950. p. 48. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  29. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. April 22, 1950. p. 40. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  30. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. April 29, 1950. p. 30. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  31. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. May 6, 1950. p. 38. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  32. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. May 13, 1950. p. 32. Retrieved August 7, 2018 – via Google Books.
  33. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. May 20, 1950. p. 32. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2018 – via Google Books.
  34. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. May 27, 1950. p. 34. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  35. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. June 3, 1950. p. 34. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  36. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. June 10, 1950. p. 34. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  37. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. June 17, 1950. p. 36. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  38. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. June 24, 1950. p. 31. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  39. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. July 1, 1950. p. 27. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  40. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. July 8, 1950. p. 32. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  41. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. July 22, 1950. p. 31. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  42. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. July 29, 1950. p. 30. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  43. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. August 5, 1950. p. 33. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  44. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. August 12, 1950. p. 32. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  45. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. August 19, 1950. p. 34. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  46. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. August 26, 1950. p. 31. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  47. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. September 2, 1950. p. 34. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  48. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. September 9, 1950. p. 43. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  49. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. September 16, 1950. p. 39. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2018 – via Google Books.
  50. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. September 23, 1950. p. 38. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2018 – via Google Books.
  51. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. September 30, 1950. p. 34. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2018 – via Google Books.
  52. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. October 14, 1950. p. 40. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2018 – via Google Books.
  53. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. October 21, 1950. p. 32. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2018 – via Google Books.
  54. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. October 28, 1950. p. 38. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 7, 2018 – via Google Books.
  55. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. November 4, 1950. p. 36. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2018 – via Google Books.
  56. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. November 11, 1950. p. 26. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2018 – via Google Books.
  57. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. November 18, 1950. p. 30. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2018 – via Google Books.
  58. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. November 25, 1950. p. 30. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  59. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. December 2, 1950. p. 26. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  60. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. December 9, 1950. p. 28. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  61. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. December 16, 1950. p. 28. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  62. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. December 23, 1950. p. 25. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.
  63. ^ "Rhythm & Blues Records". Billboard. December 30, 1950. p. 18. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Google Books.

Works cited

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