Radio station WFOR in Hattiesburg, Mississippi has been on 1400 AM since 1936. Currently they’re running a sports format (The Score 1400) but they had been a Top 40 station in the 1950’s. This survey predates the rock & roll years, so Top 40 meant something completely different then. Enjoy!
| # | Song/Artist | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | I’ve Got An Invitation To A Dance Billy Williams Quartet |
Billy had 13 records that charted nationally, the most popular being Fats Wallers “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter,” which reached #3 in 1957. This did not chart nationally. |
| 9 | Am I In Love Joni James |
Giovanna Carmello Babbo was born and raised in Chicago, and adopted the professional name Joni James when she decided to become a singer. She reached #22 on the Pop chart with this song. |
| 8 | Don’t Get Around Much Anymore Patti Page |
Patti was the top-charting female vocalist and best-selling female artist during the 1950’s. While this record didn’t chart nationally, it did well in some markets, such as Hattiesburg. |
| 7 | Stranger In Paradise The Four Aces |
Or, as friend of mine called it, “Stranger With Parasites.” Seriously, this was a million-seller for The Four Aces, who are still active in some form although all the members have shuffled off this mortal plane. It reached #3 on the Pop chart and #6 in the UK. |
| 6 | From The Vine Came The Grape The Hilltoppers |
The Hilltoppers formed at Western Kentucky State College (now Western Kentucky University), whose teams are called the Hilltoppers. This song reached #8 nationally. |
| 5 | There’ll Be No Teardrops Tonight Tony Bennett |
Tony’s been around since the end of World War II, and it just recently was announced that he’s had Alzheimer’s since 2016, but he continues to perform and record. This song reached #7 nationally. |
| 4 | Wanted Perry Como |
A big hit for Perry, this reached #1 and spent eight weeks there. |
| 3 | Melancholy Me Eddy Howard |
Vocalist and bandleader Eddy Howard was popular mostly in the 1940’s and early 1950’s. “Melancholy Me” was his last Top 20 hit, reaching #16 nationally. |
| 2 | Marie Tommy Dorsey/td> | Called “The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing,” “Marie” is one of Tommy Dorsey’s better known songs. This clip is from the 1947 biopic The Fabulous Dorseys. |
| 1 | Cross Over The Bridge Patti Page |
Patti makes her second appearance on this survey at #1. “Cross Over The Bridge” went to #2 nationally. |
And that’s Top Ten Tuesday for March 9, 2021.
Great old songs!
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That they were…
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How I loved listening to all of these. So nice to listen and hear songs I never heard before. I do love Strangers in Paradise but the Orchestral version more than the singing. Just me:)
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Glad you enjoyed!
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I got nothing, I was under construction, but not in final form.
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I was still a couple of years off. My parents weren’t even married until October ’54.
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All new to me 💜
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Definitely before our time…
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Yes indeed and some 💜
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