The Number One Hits of 1949

Nov 13, 1948 – Jan 7, 1949
Dinah Shore
Buttons and Bows
Dinah Shore was born Frances Rose Shore in Winchester, Tennessee, and became a renowned singer and actress.
The popularity of “Buttons and Bows” led to it becoming the first song to receive the Gold Award from the RIAA in 1949.
Jan 8, 1949 – Jan 14, 1949
Spike Jones and His Orchestra
All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)
Spike Jones, born Lindley Armstrong Jones, was a bandleader and musician known for his novelty songs and humorous music.
Donald Yetter Gardner wrote “All I Want for Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth)” as a novelty Christmas song that has become a holiday classic.
Jan 15, 1949 – Jan 21, 1949
Dinah Shore
Buttons and Bows
Dinah Shore’s career spanned several decades, and she continued to perform well into the 1980s.
The success of “Buttons and Bows” led to it being covered by various artists, such as Bob Hope, Gene Autry, and Dinah Washington.
Jan 23, 1949 – Mar 11, 1949
Evelyn Knight
A Little Bird Told Me
Born Evelyn Davis, Evelyn Knight was an American singer who gained popularity in the 1940s and early 1950s with hits like “A Little Bird Told Me” and “Powder Your Face with Sunshine.”
“A Little Bird Told Me” was written by Harvey Oliver Brooks and reached number one on the Billboard charts in 1949.
Mar 12, 1949 – Mar 25, 1949
Blue Barron and His Orchestra
Cruising Down the River
Born Harry Freidman, Blue Barron was a popular bandleader in the 1940s, known for his sweet, melodic music style.
“Cruising Down the River” was composed by Eily Beadell and Nell Tollerton and became a popular hit in 1949.
Mar 26, 1949 – May 13, 1949
Russ Morgan and His Orchestra
Cruising Down the River
Russ Morgan, born Russell Morgan, was a bandleader and composer who led one of the most successful big bands of the 1940s.
Russ Morgan’s rendition of “Cruising Down the River” became a chart-topping hit and remains one of his most well-known recordings.
May 14, 1949 – Jul 29, 1949
Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra
(Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend
Vaughn Monroe was a baritone singer, trumpeter, bandleader, and actor who starred in several Western films.
“(Ghost) Riders in the Sky: A Cowboy Legend” was written by Stan Jones and is a classic Western song covered by numerous artists.
Jul 30, 1949 – Sep 2, 1949
Perry Como
Some Enchanted Evening
Perry Como was known for his relaxed and laid-back singing style, which earned him the nickname “Mr. C.”
“Some Enchanted Evening” is a song from the 1949 Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific” and has become a popular standard.
Sep 3, 1949 – Sep 30, 1949
Vic Damone
You’re Breaking My Heart
Vic Damone, born Vito Rocco Farinola, was an American singer and actor who gained fame in the 1940s and 1950s with his smooth vocal style.
“You’re Breaking My Heart” was written by Pat Genaro and Sunny Skylar and became a hit for Vic Damone in 1949.
Oct 1, 1949 – Nov 25, 1949
Frankie Laine
That Lucky Old Sun
Frankie Laine, born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio, was a popular American singer, songwriter, and actor known for his powerful, emotive singing style.
“That Lucky Old Sun” is a song written by Haven Gillespie and Beasley Smith, and Frankie Laine’s rendition became a major hit in 1949.
Nov 26, 1949 – Jan 6, 1950
Frankie Laine
Mule Train
Frankie Laine’s career spanned over six decades, with numerous chart-topping hits and successful albums.
“Mule Train” was written by Johnny Lange, Hy Heath, and Fred Glickman and became a signature song for Frankie Laine in 1949.

The Biggest Pop Artists of 1949 include:
The Andrews Sisters, Buddy Clark, Perry Como, Bing Crosby, Vic Damone, Gordon Jenkins and His Orchestra, Dick Haymes, Eddy Howard, Sammy Kaye, Frankie Laine, Peggy Lee, Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians, Tony Martin, Art Mooney, Russ Morgan, Vaughn Monroe, Gordon MacRae, Tony Martin, Art Mooney, Dinah Shore, Frank Sinatra, Jo Stafford, Kay Starr, Mel Torme, Jimmy Wakely, Margaret Whiting

Charts based on Billboard music charts.

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