| W/E |
Artist |
Song |
Weeks at No.1 |
Comments |
16th Jan |
Jo Stafford |
You Belong To Me |
1 |
Jo Stafford was a singer with
Tommy Dorsey until 1942, when she went on to
solo stardom. This was her only UK No. 1. |
23rd Jan |
Kay Starr |
Comes A-Long A-Love |
1 |
This was her first UK No. 1.
Born in Oklahoma, her father was an American
Indian, her mother Irish. Her well-known song, "Wheel
of Fortune", pre-dates the UK chart. |
30th Jan |
Eddie Fisher |
Outside Of Heaven |
1 |
This was his first UK No. 1.
US tenor who was married to Elizabeth Taylor
and Debbie Reynolds, and is father of actress
Carrie Fisher. |
6th Feb |
Perry Como |
Don't Let The Stars Get In
Your Eyes |
5 |
Top international tv crooner
of the decade, whose shows were watched world-wide.
This was his first UK No. 1. |
13th Mar |
Guy Mitchell |
She Wears Red Feathers |
4 |
He was a US rising star, whose
early best-sellers pre-dated the charts. First
of a series of hits with producer Mitch Miller.
This was his first UK No. 1. |
10th Apr |
Stargazers |
Broken Wings |
1 |
First No 1 by a British act.
They were radio stars of the 50s who mostly recorded
novelty songs. This was their first UK No.
1. |
17th Apr |
Lita Roza |
(How Much Is) That Doggie
In The Window |
1 |
UK star and NME readers' Top
Female artist of 1953. This novelty song was
her only UK No. 1. |
24th Apr |
|
I Believe |
9 |
Major US singing star of
the 50s. Holds the record for most (non-consecutive)
weeks at No 1, ever with this song that topped
the charts for a total of 18 weeks. |
26th Jun |
Eddie Fisher |
I'm Walking Behind You |
1 |
His fifth million-seller. He
remained a star for many years, and continued
with cabaret performances until the end of the
century although this was to be only his 2nd
and final UK No. 1. |
3rd Jul |
|
I Believe |
6 |
After only a brief interruption
by Eddie Fisher, I Believe returned to the top
spot for a further 6 weeks. |
14th Aug |
Mantovani |
The Song from the Moulin
Rouge |
1 |
Popular Italian-born orchestra
leader. First instrumental No 1, from the film
of the same name, and Mantovani's only UK No.
1. |
21st Aug |
|
I Believe |
3 |
A final 3 weeks at the top
for I Believe and a place in the history books
for Frankie Laine for having
the only song in history to return to No.1 twice |
11th Sep |
Guy Mitchell |
Look At That Girl |
6 |
A 2nd number one for Guy Mitchell
that finally ended Frankie Laine's huge run with
I Believe. |
23rd Oct |
|
Hey Joe |
2 |
Following up his earlier success,
this became his 2nd No. 1. During the last week
of October 1953 he had four singles in the Top
12. |
6th Nov |
David Whitfield |
Answer Me |
2* |
Powerful tenor who was the
top-selling British artist of the mid-50s. This
was his first UK No. 1. |
13th Nov |
|
Answer Me |
8* |
Back for this 3rd UK No. 1
with a different recording of Answer Me, that
became the Christmas No.1 for 1953. the song
was banned by BBC for religious content (use
of the phrase "O
Lord"), but it still outsold David Whitfield's
version. |
