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This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1947.
For each Year in Music (beginning 1940) and Year in Country Music (beginning 1939), a comprehensive Year End Top Records section can be found at mid-page (popular), and on the Country page.
The charts are compiled from data published by Billboard magazine, using their formulas, with slight modifications. Most important, there are no songs missing or truncated by Billboard's holiday deadline. Each year, records included enter the charts between the prior November and early December. Each week, fifteen points are awarded to the number one record, then nine points for number two, eight points for number three, and so on. This system rewards songs that reach the highest positions, as well as those that had the longest chart runs. This is our adjustment to Mr. Whitburn's formula, which places no. 1 records on top, then no 2 and so on, ordered by weeks at that position. This allows a record with 4 weeks at no. 1 that only lasted 6 weeks to be rated very high. Here, the total points of a song's complete chart run determines its position. Our chart has more songs, more weeks and may look nothing like Billboard's, but it comes from the exact same surveys.
Before theHot100 was implemented in 1958, Billboard magazine measured a record's performance with three charts, 'Best-Selling Popular Retail Records', 'Records Most-Played On the Air' or 'Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys' and 'Most-Played Juke Box Records'. As Billboard did starting in the 1940s, the three totals for each song are combined, with that number determining the final year-end rank. For example, 1944's "A Hot Time in the Town of Berlin" by Bing and the Andrews Sisters finished at no. 19, despite six weeks at no. 1 on the 'Most-Played Juke Box Records'(JB) chart. It scored 126 points, to go with its Best-Selling chart (BS) total of 0. Martha Tilton's version of "I'll Walk Alone" peaked at no. 4 on the Juke Box chart, which only totalled 65 points, but her BS total was also 65, for a final total of 130, ranking no. 18. Examples like this can be found in "The Billboard" magazine up to 1958. By the way, the 'Records Most-Played On the Air' chart didn't begin until January 1945, which is why we only had two sub-totals.
Our rankings are based on Billboard data, but we also present info on recording and release dates, global sales totals, RIAA and BPI certifications and other awards. Rankings from other genres like 'Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs' or 'Most Played Juke Box Race Records', Country charts including 'Most Played Juke Box Folk (Hillbilly) Records', 'Cashbox magazine', and other sources are presented if they exist. We supplement our info with reliable data from the "Discography of American Historical Recordings" website, Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954[4] and other sources as specified.
| Rank | Artist | Title | Label | Recorded | Released | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Craig and His Orchestra | "Near You"[5] | Bullet 1001 | February 1947 (1947-02) | March 1947 (1947-03) | US Billboard 1947 no. 1, US no. 1 for 17 weeks, 25 total weeks, 657 points, sold 2.5 million |
| 2 | Ted Weems and His Orchestra | "Heartaches"[6] | Decca 25017 | August 23, 1938 (1938-08-23) | December 1946 (1946-12) | US Billboard 1947 no. 2, US no. 1 for 13 weeks, 20 total weeks, 643 points |
| 3 | Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra | "Ballerina"[7] | RCA Victor 20-2433 | August 12, 1947 (1947-08-12) | October 1947 (1947-10) | US Billboard 1947 no. 3, US no. 1 for 10 weeks, 22 total weeks, 589 points |
| 4 | The Harmonicats | "Peg o' My Heart"[8][9] | Vitacoustic 1 | March 1947 (1947-03) | April 1947 (1947-04) | US Billboard 1947 no. 4, US no. 1 for 8 weeks, 26 total weeks, 452 points |
| 5 | Buddy Clark (Ray Noble Orchestra) | "Linda"[10] | Columbia 37215 | November 15, 1946 (1946-11-15) | February 1947 (1947-02) | US Billboard 1947 no. 5, US no. 1 for 2 weeks, 23 total weeks, 381 points, CashBox no. 4 |
| 6 | Tex Williams and The Western Caravan | "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)"[11] | Capitol 40001 | March 27, 1947 (1947-03-27) | May 10, 1947 (1947-05-10) | US Billboard 1947 no. 6, US no. 1 for 6 weeks, 23 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1947 no. 3, USHB no. 1 for 16 weeks, 23 total weeks, 358 points |
| 7 | The Three Suns | "Peg O' My Heart"[12] | RCA Victor 20-2272 | April 25, 1947 (1947-04-25) | May 15, 1947 (1947-05-15) | US Billboard 1947 no. 7, US no. 1 for 4 weeks, 19 total weeks, 326 points |
| 8 | Arthur Godfrey | "Too Fat Polka (I Don't Want Her-You Can Have Her-She's Too Fat For Me)"[13] | Columbia 37921 | August 1947 (1947-08) | September 29, 1947 (1947-09-29) | US Billboard 1947 no. 8, US no. 2 for 8 weeks, 18 total weeks, 320 points |
| 9 | Perry Como (Ted Weems Orchestra) | "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now"[14] | Decca 25078 | October 5, 1939 (1939-10-05) | June 1947 (1947-06) | US Billboard 1947 no. 9, US no. 1 for 1 weeks, 17 total weeks, 283 points |
| 10 | Freddy Martin and His Orchestra | "Managua, Nicaragua"[7] | RCA Victor 20-2026 | 1946 (1946) | November 1946 (1946-11) | US Billboard 1947 no. 10, US no. 1 for 3 weeks, 13 total weeks, 239 points, CashBox no. 4 |
| 11 | Eddy Howard and His Orchestra | "I Wonder, I Wonder, I Wonder"[15] | Majestic 1124 | April 1947 (1947-04) | May 1947 (1947-05) | US Billboard 1947 no. 11, US no. 2 for 4 weeks, 19 total weeks, 237 points, CashBox no. 4 |
| 12 | Hoagy Carmichael | "Huggin' and Chalkin'"[16] | Decca 23675 | August 19, 1946 (1946-08-19) | October 1946 (1946-10) | US Billboard 1947 no. 12, US no. 1 for 2 weeks, 15 total weeks, 218 points, CashBox no. 3, Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, 1,000,000 sales[4] |
| 13 | Art Lund | "Mam'selle"[17] | MGM 10011 | February 20, 1947 (1947-02-20) | April 1947 (1947-04) | US Billboard 1947 no. 13, US no. 1 for 2 weeks, 13 total weeks, 216 points |
| 14 | Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra | "I Wish I Didn't Love You So"[7] | RCA Victor 20-2294 | November 8, 1946 (1946-11-08) | May 1947 (1947-05) | US Billboard 1947 no. 14, US no. 2 for 5 weeks, 15 total weeks, 202 points |
| 15 | Jack Owens | "How Soon (Will I Be Seeing You)"[18] | Tower 1258 | 1947 (1947) | October 1947 (1947-10) | US Billboard 1947 no. 15, US no. 2 for 1 weeks, 20 total weeks, 201 points |
| 16 | Eddy Howard and His Orchestra | "My Adobe Hacienda"[15] | Majestic 1117 | January 1947 (1947-01) | April 1947 (1947-04) | US Billboard 1947 no. 16, US no. 2 for 5 weeks, 15 total weeks, 193 points, CashBox no. 4 |
| 17 | Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra (VocalDon Cornell) | "That's My Desire"[7] | RCA Victor 20-2251 | April 1947 (1947-04) | May 1947 (1947-05) | US Billboard 1947 no. 17, US no. 2 for 1 weeks, 22 total weeks, 193 points |
| 18 | Red Ingle and The Natural Seven vocal byCinderella G Stump | "Temptation (Tim-Tayshun)"[19] | Capitol 412 | March 14, 1947 (1947-03-14) | May 1947 (1947-05) | US Billboard 1947 no. 18, US no. 1 for 1 week, 15 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1947 no. 7, USHB no. 2 for 11 weeks, 18 total weeks, 190 points |
| 19 | Perry Como | "When You Were Sweet Sixteen"[7] | RCA Victor 20-2259 | April 10, 1947 (1947-04-10) | May 1947 (1947-05) | US Billboard 1947 no. 19, US no. 2 for 1 weeks, 19 total weeks, 183 points |
| 20 | Buddy Clark (Mitchell Ayres Orchestra) | "Peg O' My Heart"[10] | Columbia 37392 | April 25, 1947 (1947-04-25) | July 5, 1947 (1947-07-05) | US Billboard 1947 no. 20, US no. 1 for 6 weeks, 15 total weeks, 165 points |
| 21 | Perry Como | "Chi-Baba, Chi-Baba (My Bambino Go to Sleep)"[7] | RCA Victor 20-2259 | April 10, 1947 (1947-04-10) | May 1947 (1947-05) | US Billboard 1947 no. 21, US no. 1 for 3 weeks, 13 total weeks, 160 points |
| 22 | Dinah Shore | "Anniversary Song"[10] | Columbia 37234 | February 12, 1947 (1947-02-12) | March 25, 1947 (1947-03-25) | US Billboard 1947 no. 22, US no. 1 for 2 weeks, 12 total weeks, 158 points |
The following songs appeared inThe Billboard's Most-Played Juke Box Race Records chart, starting November 1946 through November 1947. Each week ten points were awarded to the number one record, then four points for number two, three points for number three, and so on. This system rewards songs that reach the highest positions, as well as those that had the longest chart runs. Also seeBillboard Most-Played Race Records of 1947.
| Rank | Artist | Title | Label | Recorded | Released | Chart positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louis Jordan and HisTympany Five | "Ain't Nobody Here but Us Chickens"[20] | Decca 23741 | June 26, 1946 (1946-06-26) | November 1946 (1946-11) | US Billboard 1947 no. 88, US pop charts no. 6 for 1 week, 6 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 1, Race Records chart no. 1 for 17 weeks, 27 total weeks, 199 points |
| 2 | Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five | "Boogie Woogie Blue Plate"[21] | Decca 24104 | April 23, 1947 (1947-04-23) | August 1947 (1947-08) | US Billboard 1947 no. 205, US pop charts no. 21 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 2, Race Records chart no. 1 for 14 weeks, 25 total weeks, 168 points |
| 3 | Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends | "(Opportunity Knocks But Once) Snatch and Grab It"[11] | Capitol Americano 40028 | June 11, 1947 (1947-06-11) | September 1947 (1947-09) | US Billboard 1947 no. 287, US pop charts no. 24 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 3, Race Records chart no. 1 for 12 weeks, 28 total weeks, 168 pointsselling over 500,000 copies |
| 4 | Savannah Churchill and the Sentimentalists (akaThe Four Tunes) | "I Want to Be Loved (But Only by You)"[22] | Manor 1046 | November 1946 (1946-11) | December 1946 (1946-12) | US Billboard 1947 no. 236, US pop charts no. 21 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 4, Race Records chart no. 1 for 8 weeks, 25 total weeks, 127 points |
| 5 | Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five | "Jack, You're Dead"[23] | Decca 23901 | October 10, 1946 (1946-10-10) | May 1947 (1947-05) | US Billboard 1947 no. 200, US pop charts no. 21 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 5, US no. 1 for 7 weeks, 20 total weeks, 108 points |
| 6 | Eddie Vinson and His Orchestra | "Old Maid Boogie"[24] | Mercury 8028 | November 15, 1946 (1946-11-15) | February 1947 (1947-02) | US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 6, US no. 1 for 2 weeks, 23 total weeks, 79 points |
| 7 | Nellie Lutcher and Her Rhythm | "He's a Real Gone Guy"[11] | Capitol Americano 40017 | April 30, 1947 (1947-04-30) | September 1947 (1947-09) | US Billboard 1947 no. 160, US pop charts no. 15 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 7, Race Records chart no. 2 for 3 weeks, 23 total weeks, 53 points |
| 8 | Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five | "Let The Good Times Roll"[25] | Decca 23741 | June 26, 1946 (1946-06-26) | November 1946 (1946-11) | US Billboard 1947 no. 88, US pop charts no. 6 for 1 week, 12 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 8, US no. 2 for 4 weeks, 23 total weeks, 52 points |
| 9 | Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five | "Texas and Pacific"[26] | Decca 23810 | October 10, 1946 (1946-10-10) | December 1946 (1946-12) | US Billboard 1947 no. 197, US pop charts no. 20 for 1 week, 3 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 9, US no. 1 for 2 weeks, 15 total weeks, 49 points |
| 10 | Nellie Lutcher and Her Rhythm | "Hurry on Down"[11] | Capitol Americano 40002 | April 10, 1947 (1947-04-10) | July 1947 (1947-07) | US Billboard 1947 no. 196, US pop charts no. 20 for 1 week, 5 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 10, Race Records chart no. 2 for 3 weeks, 18 total weeks, 39 points |
| 11 | Johnny Moore's Three Blazers (vocalCharles Brown) | "New Orleans Blues"[27] | Exclusive 240 | 1947 (1947) | May 1947 (1947-05) | US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 11, US no. 2 for 2 weeks, 13 total weeks, 32 points |
| 12 | Lionel Hampton and His Hamptonians | "I Want to Be Loved (But Only by You)"[28] | Decca 23879 | April 2, 1947 (1947-04-02) | April 1947 (1947-04) | US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 12, US no. 2 for 1 weeks, 11 total weeks, 25 points |
| 13 | Mills Brothers | "Across the Alley from the Alamo"[29] | Decca 23863 | March 3, 1947 (1947-03-03) | May 1947 (1947-05) | US Billboard 1947 no. 30, US pop charts no. 2 for 2 weeks, 15 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 13, Race Records chart no. 2 for 1 week, 12 total weeks, 24 points |
| 14 | Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five | "Open the Door, Richard!"[30] | Decca 23841 | January 23, 1947 (1947-01-23) | March 25, 1947 (1947-03-25) | US Billboard 1947 no. 66, US pop charts no. 6 for 1 week, 4 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 14, Race Records chart no. 2 for 4 weeks, 6 total weeks, 21 points |
| 15 | Frankie Laine andMannie Klein's All Stars | "That's My Desire"[24] | Mercury 5007 | August 27, 1946 (1946-08-27) | December 12, 1946 (1946-12-12) | US Billboard 1947 no. 44, US pop charts no. 4 for 1 week, 26 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 15, Race Records chart no. 3 for 2 weeks, 11 total weeks, 20 points |
| 16 | Jack McVea and His All-Stars | "Open The Door, Richard!"[31] | Black & White 792 | September 15, 1946 (1946-09-15) | January 1947 (1947-01) | US Billboard 1947 no. 64, US pop charts no. 3 for 1 week, 9 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 16, Race Records chart no. 2 for 2 weeks, 7 total weeks, 19 points |
| 17 | Dusty Fletcher | "Open The Door, Richard (Part 1)"[32] | National 4012 | January 4, 1947 (1947-01-04) | January 1947 (1947-01) | US Billboard 1947 no. 50, US pop charts no. 3 for 1 week, 7 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 17, Race Records chart no. 2 for 2 weeks, 7 total weeks, 19 points |
| 18 | Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five | "Early In The Mornin''"[33] | Decca 24155 | April 23, 1947 (1947-04-23) | October 1947 (1947-10) | US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 18, Race Records chart no. 3 for 3 weeks, 10 total weeks, 19 points |
| 19 | Erskine Hawkins | "Hawk's Boogie"[7] | RCA Victor 20-2169 | October 7, 1946 (1946-10-07) | March 1947 (1947-03) | US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 19, Race Records chart no. 2 for 1 week, 8 total weeks, 18 points |
| 20 | Annie Laurie withPaul Gayten Trio | "Since I Fell for You" | DeLuxe 1082 | April 23, 1947 (1947-04-23) | July 1947 (1947-07) | US Billboard 1947 no. 198, US pop charts no. 20 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 20, Race Records chart no. 3 for 3 weeks, 10 total weeks, 18 points |
| 21 | Count Basie and His Orchestra | "Open The Door, Richard!"[7] | RCA Victor 20-2127 | January 3, 1947 (1947-01-03) | January 1947 (1947-01) | US Billboard 1947 no. 29, US pop charts no. 1 for 1 week, 9 total weeks, US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1947 no. 21, Race Records chart no. 2 for 1 weeks, 6 total weeks, 15 points |
