Songs from the Year 1921

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This page lists the top songs of 1921 in the source charts. The way that the various charts are combined to reach this final list is described on the in the site generation page.

Between 1920 and 1940 there are few available charts (at least that we can find). These results should be treated with some caution since, with few exceptions, they are based on fairly subjective charts and biased towards the USA.

The top ten song artists of 1921 were:

1:Paul Whiteman3:Ted Lewis & his Orchestra5:Nora Bayes7:Al Jolson9:Aileen Stanley
2:Marion Harris4:Frank Crumit6:Ben Selvin8:Original Dixieland Jazz Band10:Van & Schenck
# Artist Song Title Year Chart Entries
1 Marion Harris I Ain't Got Nobody 1921 US invalid BB 1 of 1921, POP 1 of 1921, US Billboard 3 - Jun 1921 (7 weeks), Brazil 18 of 1922, nuTsie 45 of 1920s, RYM 21 of 1921
2 Nora Bayes Make Believe 1921 US Billboard 1 - Jun 1921 (10 weeks), ASCAP song of 1921, Brazil 7 of 1922, US invalid BB 13 of 1921, POP 16 of 1921
3 Van & Schenck Ain't We Got Fun? 1921 US Billboard 1 - Aug 1921 (9 weeks), US invalid BB 2 of 1921, POP 2 of 1921, Brazil 23 of 1922, nuTsie 79 of 1920s
4 Eddie Cantor Margie 1921 US Billboard 1 - Feb 1921 (12 weeks), Brazil 7 of 1921, US invalid BB 11 of 1921, POP 12 of 1921, nuTsie 90 of 1920s, RYM 55 of 1920
5 Fanny Brice Second Hand Rose 1921 Library of Congress artifact added 2005 (1921), POP 2 of 1922, US Billboard 3 - Feb 1922 (7 weeks), US invalid BB 3 of 1921
6 Paul Whiteman Song of India 1921 US Billboard 1 - Aug 1921 (14 weeks), US invalid BB 4 of 1921, POP 4 of 1921, Brazil 31 of 1922
7 Marion Harris Look For The Silver Lining 1921 US Billboard 1 - Apr 1921 (10 weeks), US invalid BB 12 of 1921, POP 14 of 1921, Brazil 34 of 1922, RYM 22 of 1921
8 Paul Whiteman Say it With Music 1921 US Billboard 1 - Nov 1921 (14 weeks), US invalid BB 15 of 1921, POP 20 of 1921, Brazil 29 of 1922, RYM 10 of 1921
9 Ted Lewis & his Orchestra All By Myself 1921 US Billboard 1 - Sep 1921 (12 weeks), US invalid BB 6 of 1921, POP 15 of 1921, Brazil 21 of 1922
10 Al Jolson Avalon 1921 US Billboard 2 - Nov 1920 (9 weeks), POP 11 of 1921, Europe 14 of the 1930s (1920), Brazil 22 of 1921, RYM 47 of 1921
11 Paul Whiteman Cherie 1921 US Billboard 1 - Jul 1921 (12 weeks), POP 6 of 1921, Brazil 20 of 1922, RYM 46 of 1921
12 Al Jolson O-H-I-O (O-My-O!) 1921 US Billboard 1 - Apr 1921 (7 weeks), US invalid BB 5 of 1921, POP 5 of 1921, RYM 48 of 1921
13 Paul Whiteman My Mammy 1921 US Billboard 1 - May 1921 (12 weeks), POP 18 of 1921, Brazil 27 of 1922, RYM 20 of 1921
14 Isham Jones Wabash Blues 1921 US Billboard 1 - Dec 1921 (12 weeks), US invalid BB 9 of 1921, POP 9 of 1921, RYM 23 of 1921
15 Billy Murray & Billy Jones Down By the O-HI-O 1921 US Billboard 2 - Mar 1921 (5 weeks), US invalid BB 7 of 1921, POP 7 of 1921
16 Ethel Waters There'll Be Some Changes Made 1921 US Billboard 5 - Dec 1921 (5 weeks), US invalid BB 10 of 1922, POP 10 of 1922, RYM 8 of 1921
17 Marion Harris I'm a Jazz Vampire 1921 US Billboard 8 - Feb 1921 (2 weeks), US invalid BB 10 of 1921, POP 10 of 1921, RYM 14 of 1920
18 Paul Whiteman My Man (Mon Homme) 1921 US Billboard 2 - Jul 1921 (7 weeks), Brazil 28 of 1922, RYM 46 of 1921
19 Aileen Stanley My Man (Mon Homme) 1921 US Billboard 7 - Aug 1921 (2 weeks), US invalid BB 8 of 1921, POP 8 of 1921
20 Paul Whiteman Bright Eyes 1921 US Billboard 2 - Apr 1921 (7 weeks), POP 13 of 1921, RYM 9 of 1921
21 Aileen Stanley My Mammy 1921 US Billboard 8 - Jun 1921 (2 weeks), US invalid BB 14 of 1921, POP 18 of 1921
22 Ted Lewis & his Orchestra Second Hand Rose 1921 US Billboard 2 - Nov 1921 (7 weeks), Brazil 30 of 1922
23 William Jennings Bryan Cross of Gold 1921 Library of Congress artifact added 2003 (1921)
24 Richard Crooks Arise O Sun 1921 Peel list 1 of 1921
25 Bahiano Esta Nega Que Me Da 1921 Brazil 1 of 1921
26 Paul Whiteman Caresses 1921 US Billboard 5 - Mar 1921 (5 weeks), POP 19 of 1921, RYM 90 of 1929
27 Paul Biese Trio & Frank Crumit MiMi 1921 US Billboard 10 - Oct 1921 (1 week), Brazil 12 of 1922
28 Arturo Toscanini & La Scala Orchestra Symphony in E Flat Major (Finale) 1921 US Billboard 12 - Apr 1921 (1 week), Brazil 19 of 1922
29 Paul Whiteman When Buddha Smiles 1921 US Billboard 2 - Mar 1922 (7 weeks), RYM 15 of 1921
30 Original Dixieland Jazz Band Home again blues 1921 US Billboard 2 - Apr 1921 (6 weeks), RYM 34 of 1921
31 Paul Whiteman April Showers 1921 US Billboard 2 - Feb 1922 (6 weeks), RYM 40 of 1921
32 Paul Whiteman Make Believe 1921 US Billboard 2 - May 1921 (9 weeks), RYM 77 of 1921
33 Prince's Orchestra Deep In Your Eyes 1921 US Billboard 8 - Oct 1921 (2 weeks), POP 17 of 1921
34 Vincent Lopez I'm Just Wild About Harry 1921 US Billboard 11 - Jan 1922 (1 week), Jazz Standard 964
35 Paul Biese Trio Canadian Capers 1921 Peel list 4 of 1921, RYM 81 of 1921
36 Marion Harris I'm Nobody's Baby 1921 US Billboard 3 - Oct 1921 (8 weeks), RYM 27 of 1921
37 Paul Whiteman Learn to Smile 1921 US Billboard 3 - Sep 1921 (5 weeks), RYM 28 of 1921
38 Original Dixieland Jazz Band St Louis Blues 1921 US Billboard 3 - Aug 1921 (6 weeks), RYM 42 of 1921
39 Original Dixieland Jazz Band Palesteena 1921 US Billboard 3 - Mar 1921 (5 weeks), RYM 58 of 1921
40 Frank Crumit Sweet Lady 1921 US Billboard 3 - Dec 1921 (6 weeks), RYM 67 of 1921
41 Vernon Dalhart Tuck Me to Sleep (In My Old 'Tucky Home) 1921 US Billboard 2 - Dec 1921 (7 weeks)
42 Henry Burr & Albert Campbell Feather Your Nest 1921 US Billboard 2 - Jan 1921 (6 weeks)
43 Art Hickman Darlin' 1921 US Billboard 2 - Mar 1921 (7 weeks)
44 Patrick Waddington Night May Have It's Sadness 1921 Peel list 2 of 1921
45 Orquestra de Eduardo Souto Paixao de Artista 1921 Brazil 2 of 1921
46 Paul Whiteman Gypsy Blues 1921 US Billboard 4 - Mar 1922 (4 weeks), RYM 15 of 1921
47 Benson Orchestra of Chicago Bimini Bay 1921 US Billboard 4 - Jan 1922 (4 weeks), RYM 41 of 1921
48 Paul Whiteman Canadian Capers 1921 US Billboard 4 - Dec 1921 (5 weeks), RYM 41 of 1921
49 Paul Whiteman Do You Ever Think of Me? 1921 US Billboard 4 - May 1921 (4 weeks), RYM 76 of 1921
50 Paul Whiteman Humming 1921 US Billboard 5 - Jul 1921 (3 weeks), RYM 20 of 1921
51 Marion Harris Beale Street Blues 1921 US Billboard 5 - Dec 1921 (4 weeks), RYM 53 of 1921
52 Ben Selvin Cherie 1921 US Billboard 5 - Jul 1921 (2 weeks), RYM 56 of 1921
53 Frank Crumit All By Myself 1921 US Billboard 5 - Aug 1921 (4 weeks), RYM 66 of 1921
54 Ernest Hare My Buddy 1921 US Billboard 5 - Dec 1922 (3 weeks), RYM 70 of 1921
55 Ernest Hare & Billy Jones Down Yonder 1921 US Billboard 5 - Aug 1921 (3 weeks), RYM 99 of 1921
56 Nora Bayes Cherie 1921 US Billboard 5 - Oct 1921 (4 weeks), RYM 104 of 1921
57 Mamie Smith Dangerous Blues 1921 US Billboard 6 - Sep 1921 (3 weeks), RYM 1 of 1921
58 Ben Selvin Say it With Music 1921 US Billboard 6 - Dec 1921 (3 weeks), RYM 14 of 1921
59 Frank Crumit I Used to Love You But It's All Over Now 1921 US Billboard 7 - Jul 1921 (2 weeks), RYM 65 of 1921
60 Paul Whiteman I Never Knew I Could Love 1921 US Billboard 7 - Jun 1921 (3 weeks), RYM 76 of 1921
61 Paul Biese Trio & Frank Crumit I Ain't Nobody's Darling 1921 US Billboard 7 - Nov 1921 (3 weeks), RYM 98 of 1921
62 Paul Whiteman Sweetheart 1921 US Billboard 3 - Oct 1921 (6 weeks)
63 Yerkes Flotilla Orchestra Mazie 1921 US Billboard 3 - Jul 1921 (5 weeks)
64 Carl Fenton Cherie 1921 US Billboard 3 - Jul 1921 (4 weeks)
65 Original Dixieland Jazz Band Royal Garden Blues 1921 US Billboard 3 - Nov 1921 (5 weeks)
66 Paul Whiteman Grieving for You - Feather Your Nest 1921 US Billboard 3 - Feb 1921 (6 weeks)
67 Leopoldo Froes Mimosa 1921 Brazil 3 of 1921
68 Alfred Lester Ours is a Nice 'ouse Ours Is 1921 Peel list 3 of 1921
69 Original Dixieland Jazz Band Jazz Me Blues 1921 US Billboard 9 - Sep 1921 (1 week), RYM 42 of 1921
70 Original Dixieland Jazz Band Margie 1921 US Billboard 9 - Mar 1921 (1 week), RYM 58 of 1921
71 Paul Biese Trio Toddle 1921 US Billboard 10 - Jun 1921 (1 week), RYM 82 of 1921
72 Frank Crumit Home again blues 1921 US Billboard 10 - May 1921 (1 week), RYM 83 of 1921
73 Paul Whiteman Everybody Step 1921 US Billboard 11 - Feb 1922 (1 week), RYM 49 of 1921
74 Ben Selvin Make Believe 1921 US Billboard 11 - Jun 1921 (1 week), RYM 84 of 1921
75 Aileen Stanley I'm Nobody's Baby 1921 US Billboard 11 - Jul 1921 (1 week), RYM 105 of 1921
76 Original Dixieland Jazz Band Sweet Mama (Papa's Getting Mad) 1921 US Billboard 12 - Mar 1921 (1 week), RYM 33 of 1921
77 Mamie Smith Royal Garden Blues 1921 US Billboard 13 - May 1921 (1 week), RYM 7 of 1921
78 Frank Crumit Frankie & Johnny 1921 US Billboard 18 - 1927 (1 week), RYM 98 of 1921
79 Benny Krueger & his Orchestra Spread Yo' Stuff 1921 US Billboard 4 - May 1921 (5 weeks)
80 Leo Reisman Bright Eyes 1921 US Billboard 4 - Apr 1921 (4 weeks)
81 Reinald Werrenrath Love Sends a Little Gift of Roses 1921 US Billboard 4 - Jul 1921 (6 weeks)
82 Ted Lewis & his Orchestra Margie 1921 US Billboard 4 - Mar 1921 (5 weeks)
83 Peerless Quartet My Mammy 1921 US Billboard 4 - Apr 1921 (5 weeks)
84 John McCormack Learn to Smile 1921 US Billboard 4 - Oct 1921 (5 weeks)
85 Bahiano Ai Amor 1921 Brazil 4 of 1921
86 Eddie Cantor I Never Knew 1921 Jazz Standard 303, RYM 72 of 1921
87 Paul Biese Trio Rose 1921 US Billboard 5 - Apr 1921 (3 weeks)
88 Benson Orchestra of Chicago San 1921 US Billboard 5 - Oct 1921 (4 weeks)
89 Homer Rodeheaver & Virginia Asher The Old Rugged Cross 1921 US Billboard 5 - Mar 1921 (3 weeks)
90 Sterling Trio I Found a Rose in the Devil's Garden 1921 US Billboard 5 - Jul 1921 (3 weeks)
91 Peerless Quartet Auld Lang Syne 1921 US Billboard 5 - Dec 1921 (3 weeks)
92 Van & Schenck All She'd Say was Umh-Hum 1921 US Billboard 5 - Jan 1921 (4 weeks)
93 Henry Burr Old Pal, Why Don't You Answer Me? 1921 US Billboard 5 - Jan 1921 (4 weeks)
94 Frank Crumit Three O'Clock in The Morning 1921 US Billboard 5 - Oct 1921 (3 weeks)
95 Isham Jones Make Believe 1921 US Billboard 5 - Jun 1921 (5 weeks)
96 Ethel Waters Down Home Blues 1921 US Billboard 5 - Sep 1921 (4 weeks)
97 Frank Crumit Dapper Dan 1921 US Billboard 5 - Dec 1921 (4 weeks)
98 Aileen Stanley All By Myself 1921 US Billboard 5 - Oct 1921 (3 weeks)
99 Billy Jones Peggy O'Neil 1921 US Billboard 5 - Aug 1921 (5 weeks)
100 Al Jolson Scandanavia 1921 US Billboard 5 - Jul 1921 (3 weeks)

Comment on the contents of the 'Songs from the Year 1921' page
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Previous Comments (newest first)

31 Mar 2021

song title

a few of the lyrics, Bailing wire and a hickory board, was all of John Henryford.


15 Aug 2020

Frank Crumit - Frankie and Johnnie

Thanks for putting this data together. It's amazing. Respectfully I wanted topoint out that Frankie and Johnny as listed on here was not recorded in 1921 as far as I can tell, but in 1927, which the chart section lists along with a RYM listing of 1921

The year listed is when the song was a hit, not when it was released. The source chart claims the song came from 1921 so that's the year we tag it with.

In this case we suspect that you are correct and the RYM chart is in error, however we don't have enough evidence to justify modifying the original data.


22 May 2012

# 17 You Can't Keep a Good Man Down

Mamie Smith recorded this song twice. The 1920 recording OKay 4113 is a vocal by Mamie. The 1921 recording OKay 4305 is an instrumental by her Jazz Hounds and is the recording that charted. If this is the recording you are targeting, it should properly belong in the 1921 listing.

We suspect you are correct, however the RYM listing has Mamie Smith as the artist for the 1920 hit (probably wrongly as you say). The year a song is assigned to is the median of all the years of charts it shows up in, the median of 1920 & 1921 is 1920, that is why it is listed here.

This is one of those cases where the data looks wrong but we feel the case is (as they say in Scotland) "unproven". So we are going to add a note (this one) but leave the data as it was originally found.


15 Mar 2012

MY PARENTS SONG

IV,E BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS TOO. I USED TO SING IT IN MY TEENS 1948 TO 1952. FOUND UGLY CHILE BY JOHNNY MERCER WORDS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT.1999. WOULD ALSO LIKE TO FIND ORIGINAL


24 Aug 2011

27 Make Believe

Bing Crosby did not join the Whiteman band until late 1926. He did record this song with members on the Whiteman band in 1929, but the 1921 Whiteman recording is instrumental only.

You are correct, the entries have been changed, thanks for the correction.


19 Aug 2011

Probable Duplicate

#20 Nora Bayes and #29 Charles Prince AHO version of "Make Believe" are probably the same song. Nora sang the vocal for the Charles Prince recording.

Thanks again for the great website!

You are correct, the data has been fixed, thanks for the suggestion.


15 Aug 2011

My Parents Song

I have no idea what year this song was released, and the only lines of the lyrics I remember are: "Your teeth are yellow who's your fellow your some ugly child"

Hope someone can help !!


29 May 2011

Error Found - Marion Harris

You have an incorrect song title listed for Marion Harris.

Your database listing: "Sweet Mama (Papa's Getting Mad)" - 1920 US Billboard 4 - Dec 1920 (6 weeks), RYM 31 of 1920 - this This song was recorded and attributed to the Original Dixieland Jass Band (ODJB) Broadway Rose/Sweet Mama (Papa's Getting Mad)/Strut, Miss Lizzie, 1920, Victor 18722 See Wikipedia, Original Dixieland Jass Band

The Correct Song title for the Marion Harris Song is "Sweet Papa, Your Mama's Getting Mad." She evidently recorded this Rose/Little/ Frost song on 8-31-1920 in New York, NY on for Columbia A3300.

I don't know if your US Billboard information is attributable to the ODJB band or to Marion Harris. I didn't research it any further.

K. Kapral

The song is listed under the Original Dixieland Jass Band as well as Marion Harris' version.

Both the original source for the Billboard data (the Bullfrog spreadsheet) and the current RYM web site list Columbia A3300 as "Sweet Mama (Papa's Getting Mad)". By seraching for "Columbia A3300" on Google we found a 78 for sale on eBay which has a picture of the label from Columbia A3300 which clearly shows the title as "Sweet Mamma (Papa's Getting Mad)" (we ignore the extra 'M' of course).

So we think your information is wrong, Marion Harris may well have recorded a song called "Sweet Papa, Your Mama's Getting Mad" but we think that is not "Columbia A3300" and it is not the song that reached number 4 in the Billboard charts.