This is a list of number-one songs in the United States during the year 1956 according to ''
Billboard
A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
'' magazine. Prior to the creation of the
''Billboard'' Hot 100, ''Billboard'' published multiple singles charts each week. In 1956, the following five charts were produced:
*''Best Sellers in Stores'' – ranked the biggest selling singles in retail stores, as reported by merchants surveyed throughout the country.
*''Most Played by Jockeys'' – ranked the most played songs on United States radio stations, as reported by radio disc jockeys and radio stations.
*''Most Played in Jukeboxes'' – ranked the most played songs in
jukebox
A jukebox is a partially automated music-playing device, usually a coin-operated machine, that plays a user-selected song from a self-contained media library. Traditional jukeboxes contain records, compact discs, or digital files, and allow user ...
es across the United States.
*''Honor Roll of Hits'' – a composite ten-position song chart which combined data from the three charts above along with three other component charts. It served as ''The Billboard''s lead chart until the introduction of the Hot 100 in 1958 and would remain in print until 1963.
*''Top 100'' - an early version of the Hot 100, the first chart to feature a combined tabulation of sales, airplay and jukebox play.
Note: In the issues dated February 25, June 16, September 15, November 17, and December 22, ''Billboard'' reported a tie for the number-one single on the Top 100. In addition, ''Billboard'' considered the following
B-sides
The A-side and B-side are the two sides of vinyl records and cassettes, and the terms have often been printed on the labels of two-sided music recordings. The A-side of a single usually features a recording that its artist, producer, or ...
as sharing the number-one spot with its A-side on one of its charts:
*"
I Was the One" (
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one of the most significant cultural figures of the ...
; Best Sellers in Stores; April 21–April 28);
*"I Was the One" (Elvis Presley; Most Played in Jukeboxes; May 5, May 12);
*"
My Baby Left Me" (Elvis Presley; Best Sellers in Stores; July 28);
*"Heaven on Earth" (
The Platters
The Platters are an American vocal group formed in 1952. They are one of the most successful vocal groups of the early rock and roll era. Their distinctive sound bridges the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the new burgeoning genre. The act ...
; Best Sellers in Stores; August 4–11);
*"
Don't Be Cruel
"Don't Be Cruel" is a song that was recorded by Elvis Presley and written by Otis Blackwell in 1956.Victor (2008), ''The Elvis Encyclopedia'', p.115-116 It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2004, it was ranked No. 197 in ' ...
"/"
Hound Dog" (Elvis Presley; Best Sellers in Stores; August 18–October 27);
*"Don't Be Cruel"/"Hound Dog" (Elvis Presley; Most Played in Jukeboxes; September 1–November 10);
*"
Any Way You Want Me" (Elvis Presley; Best Sellers in Stores; November 10–17); and
*"Any Way You Want Me" (Elvis Presley; Most Played in Jukeboxes; December 8).
Notes
See also
*
1956 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1956.
Specific locations
*1956 in British music
*1956 in Norwegian music
Specific genres
*1956 in country music
*1956 in jazz
Events
*January 3 – ''Bach: The Goldberg V ...
References
{{Number-one singles in the United States
1956
Events
January
* January 1 – The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, Anglo-Egyptian Condominium ends in Sudan after 57 years.
* January 8 – Operation Auca: Five U.S. evangelical Christian Missionary, missionaries, Nate Saint, Roger Youderian, E ...
United States Singles