Songs from the Year 1926

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This page lists the top songs of 1926 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 1926 were:

1:Gene Austin3:Al Jolson5:Louis Armstrong7:Vincent Lopez9:Jelly Roll Morton
2:George Olsen4:Paul Whiteman6:Jack Smith8:Ben Selvin10:Ben Bernie
# Artist Song Title Year Chart Entries
1 Gene Austin Bye Bye, Blackbird 1926 US Billboard 1 - Jul 1926 (12 weeks), Grammy Hall of Fame in 2005 (1926), ASCAP song of 1926, US invalid BB 5 of 1926, Music Imprint 9 of 1920s, POP 16 of 1926, Brazil 18 of 1927, nuTsie 25 of 1920s, Daily Deuce 27, RIAA 189, Acclaimed 1339 (1926), RYM 22 of 1926
2 George Olsen Always 1926 US Billboard 1 - Apr 1926 (10 weeks), US invalid BB 2 of 1926, POP 2 of 1926, Brazil 22 of 1926, nuTsie 52 of 1920s
3 Jan Garber Baby Face 1926 US Billboard 1 - Sep 1926 (12 weeks), US invalid BB 3 of 1926, Brazil 4 of 1927, POP 5 of 1926, nuTsie 36 of 1920s
4 Al Jolson I'm Sitting On Top of the World 1926 US Billboard 1 - Mar 1926 (11 weeks), US invalid BB 8 of 1926, POP 8 of 1926, Europe 20 of the 1930s (1925), Brazil 25 of 1926
5 Al Jolson When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob-Bob-Bobbin' Along 1926 US Billboard 1 - Sep 1926 (8 weeks), US invalid BB 1 of 1926, POP 3 of 1926, nuTsie 82 of 1920s, RYM 50 of 1926
6 Paul Whiteman The Birth of the Blues 1926 US Billboard 1 - Nov 1926 (12 weeks), US invalid BB 10 of 1926, POP 10 of 1926, Brazil 16 of 1927, nuTsie 72 of 1920s, RYM 87 of 1926
7 Paul Whiteman Valencia 1926 US Billboard 1 - Jun 1926 (17 weeks), US invalid BB 14 of 1926, POP 14 of 1926, Brazil 31 of 1926, nuTsie 46 of 1920s, RYM 48 of 1926
8 Vincent Lopez Always 1926 US Billboard 1 - May 1926 (9 weeks), POP 2 of 1926, Brazil 8 of 1926, RYM 20 of 1926
9 Ben Bernie Sleepy Time Gal 1926 US Billboard 1 - Feb 1926 (13 weeks), US invalid BB 9 of 1926, POP 9 of 1926, Brazil 29 of 1926
10 Johnny Hamp & The Kentucky Serenaders Black Bottom 1926 Peel list 2 of 1926, US Billboard 3 - Dec 1926 (6 weeks), US invalid BB 12 of 1926, POP 12 of 1926, RYM 5 of 1927
11 Jack Smith Gimme a Lil' Kiss, Will Ya, Huh? 1926 US Billboard 1 - Jun 1926 (8 weeks), US invalid BB 15 of 1926, POP 18 of 1926, Brazil 24 of 1926
12 Johnny Marvin Breezin' Along With the Breeze 1926 US Billboard 1 - Oct 1926 (10 weeks), US invalid BB 16 of 1926, POP 20 of 1926, Brazil 33 of 1927
13 Gene Austin Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue 1926 US Billboard 1 - Mar 1926 (11 weeks), US invalid BB 6 of 1926, POP 6 of 1926, nuTsie 94 of 1920s
14 Louis Armstrong Heebie Jeebies 1926 Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 (1926), POP 15 of 1926, nuTsie 44 of 1920s, aceterrier.com 68 of the 1920s (1925), RYM 1 of 1926
15 Fred Astaire & George Gershwin Fascinating Rhythm 1926 Grammy Hall of Fame in 2006 (1926), Library of Congress artifact added 2005 (1926)
16 Jelly Roll Morton Black Bottom Stomp 1926 Library of Congress artifact added 2006 (1926), US Billboard 13 - 1927 (3 weeks), aceterrier.com 19 of the 1920s (1926), RYM 3 of 1926, Guardian Jazz 3
17 George Olsen Who? 1926 US Billboard 1 - Jan 1926 (12 weeks), US invalid BB 13 of 1926, Brazil 32 of 1926
18 Louis Armstrong Muskrat Ramble 1926 US invalid BB 7 of 1926, POP 7 of 1926, US Billboard 8 - Jul 1926 (2 weeks), nuTsie 78 of 1920s, RYM 1 of 1926
19 Vincent Lopez Show Me the Way to Go Home 1926 POP 1 of 1926, US Billboard 3 - Feb 1926 (6 weeks), RYM 49 of 1926
20 Gertrude Lawrence Do, Do, Do 1926 US Billboard 8 - 1927 (5 weeks), US invalid BB 11 of 1926, POP 11 of 1926, aceterrier.com 90 of the 1920s (1926)
21 George Olsen Sunny 1926 US Billboard 2 - Feb 1926 (8 weeks), Brazil 30 of 1926
22 Ted Lewis & his Orchestra I've Found a New Baby 1926 US Billboard 2 - Jul 1926 (6 weeks), nuTsie 43 of 1920s
23 Ben Selvin Valencia 1926 US Billboard 3 - Jul 1926 (6 weeks), Brazil 31 of 1927
24 Paul Robeson Swing Low, Sweet Chariot 1926 Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015 (1926)
25 Pawlo Humeniuk Dance Under the Willows 1926 Library of Congress artifact added 2005 (1926)
26 Fernando & Romeu Silva Chua, Chua 1926 Brazil 1 of 1926
27 Blind Blake Come On Boys Lets Do That Messin' Around 1926 Peel list 1 of 1926
28 Isham Jones I Lost My Heart in Monterey (When I Found You) 1926 US Billboard 3 - Dec 1926 (5 weeks), Brazil 71 of 1928
29 Nick Lucas Sleepy Time Gal 1926 US Billboard 3 - Feb 1926 (6 weeks), nuTsie 92 of 1920s
30 Lewis James Am I Wasting My Time On You 1926 US Billboard 5 - Aug 1926 (3 weeks), Brazil 48 of 1927
31 Duke Ellington East St Louis Toodle OO 1926 US Billboard 10 - 1927 (4 weeks), nuTsie 60 of 1920s, RYM 2 of 1926
32 Louis Armstrong Big Butter & Egg Man 1926 US Billboard 13 - 1927 (3 weeks), nuTsie 100 of 1920s, RYM 27 of 1926
33 Ernest Hare & Billy Jones That Certain Party 1926 US Billboard 9 - Mar 1926 (1 week), Brazil 41 of 1927
34 Cliff Edwards (Ukelele Ike) Dinah 1926 US Billboard 5 - Mar 1926 (3 weeks), nuTsie 37 of 1920s
35 Ipana Troubadors Baby Face 1926 US Billboard 10 - Nov 1926 (1 week), Brazil 91 of 1928
36 Jack Smith Baby Face 1926 US Billboard 6 - Dec 1926 (3 weeks), US 1940s 19 - Jun 1948 (1 week)
37 Gene Austin Ya Gotta Know How To Love 1926 US Billboard 8 - Sep 1926 (2 weeks), POP 13 of 1926
38 Irving Kaufman Tonight You Belong to Me 1926 US Billboard 11 - Dec 1926 (2 weeks), POP 19 of 1926
39 Gid Tanner & his Skillet Lickers Turkey In De Straw 1926 US Billboard 14 - Dec 1926 (1 week), nuTsie 85 of 1920s
40 Ben Bernie Reaching for the Moon 1926 US Billboard 2 - Jul 1926 (6 weeks)
41 Paul Whiteman Moonlight on the Ganges 1926 US Billboard 2 - Nov 1926 (10 weeks)
42 George Olsen Horses 1926 US Billboard 2 - Jun 1926 (6 weeks)
43 Pedro Celestino Ave Maria 1926 Brazil 2 of 1926
44 Bessie Smith Lost Your Head Blues 1926 US Billboard 5 - Sep 1926 (4 weeks), RYM 44 of 1926
45 Al Jolson At Peace with the World 1926 US Billboard 3 - Aug 1926 (5 weeks)
46 Isham Jones It Made You Happy When You Made Me Cry 1926 US Billboard 3 - Dec 1926 (8 weeks)
47 George Olsen Girlfriend 1926 US Billboard 3 - Aug 1926 (6 weeks)
48 Ted Lewis & his Orchestra Where'd You Get Those Eyes? 1926 US Billboard 3 - Sep 1926 (6 weeks)
49 The Revelers The Blue Room 1926 US Billboard 3 - Oct 1926 (5 weeks)
50 George Olsen Drifting & Dreaming (Sweet Paradise) 1926 US Billboard 3 - May 1926 (6 weeks)
51 Abe Lyman & his California Orchestra Mary Lou 1926 US Billboard 3 - Jul 1926 (5 weeks)
52 Ruth Etting Lonesome & Sorry 1926 US Billboard 3 - Aug 1926 (6 weeks)
53 Henry Burr Always 1926 US Billboard 3 - May 1926 (5 weeks)
54 Ben Selvin Barcelona 1926 US Billboard 3 - Nov 1926 (5 weeks)
55 Benny Krueger & his Orchestra How Many Times? 1926 US Billboard 3 - Oct 1926 (6 weeks)
56 Gene Austin Sleepy Time Gal 1926 US Billboard 3 - Mar 1926 (5 weeks)
57 Henry Hall & his Orchestra Bird Song At Eventide 1926 Peel list 3 of 1926
58 Turunas da Mauriceia Eu Vi Lili 1926 Brazil 3 of 1926
59 The Revelers Lucky Day 1926 US Billboard 10 - Dec 1926 (1 week), RYM 21 of 1926
60 The Revelers The Birth of the Blues 1926 US Billboard 11 - Nov 1926 (1 week), RYM 21 of 1926
61 Vernon Dalhart Miami Storm 1926 US Billboard 14 - 1927 (2 weeks), RYM 82 of 1926
62 Jelly Roll Morton Sidewalk Blues 1926 POP 17 of 1926, RYM 5 of 1926
63 Jelly Roll Morton Wolverine Blues 1926 US Billboard 19 - 1928 (1 week), RYM 3 of 1926
64 Nick Lucas Bye Bye, Blackbird 1926 US Billboard 4 - Aug 1926 (4 weeks)
65 Harry Richman The Birth of the Blues 1926 US Billboard 4 - Oct 1926 (5 weeks)
66 Ben Selvin A Night of Love 1926 US Billboard 4 - Jun 1926 (5 weeks)
67 Fred Waring & the Pennsylvanians Looking at the World Thro' Rose-Colored Glasses 1926 US Billboard 4 - Oct 1926 (5 weeks)
68 Ben Bernie Cherie, I Love You 1926 US Billboard 4 - Jul 1926 (5 weeks)
69 Vernon Dalhart There's a New Star in Heaven Tonight 1926 US Billboard 4 - Nov 1926 (6 weeks)
70 Nick Lucas Always 1926 US Billboard 4 - May 1926 (4 weeks)
71 Roger Wolfe Kahn & his Orchestra Mountain Greenery 1926 US Billboard 4 - Sep 1926 (5 weeks)
72 John McCormack Just a Cottage Small 1926 US Billboard 4 - Mar 1926 (5 weeks)
73 Ernest Hare & Billy Jones She Knows Her Onions 1926 Peel list 4 of 1926
74 R Ricciardi Palma do Martirio 1926 Brazil 4 of 1926
75 Blind Lemon Jefferson Long Lonesome Blues 1926 WXPN 772, RYM 13 of 1926
76 Paul Whiteman That Certain Feeling 1926 US Billboard 5 - May 1926 (3 weeks)
77 Henry Burr You Forgot to Remember 1926 US Billboard 5 - Jan 1926 (3 weeks)
78 Ford & Glenn Sleepy Head 1926 US Billboard 5 - Jun 1926 (4 weeks)
79 Al Jolson I Wish I Had My Old Gal Back Again 1926 US Billboard 5 - Jul 1926 (3 weeks)
80 George Olsen Katinka 1926 US Billboard 5 - Oct 1926 (4 weeks)
81 Arden-Ohman Orchestra Sentimental Me 1926 US Billboard 5 - Feb 1926 (3 weeks)
82 Isham Jones At Peace with the World 1926 US Billboard 5 - Sep 1926 (3 weeks)
83 Franklyn Baur Tonight You Belong to Me 1926 US Billboard 5 - Dec 1926 (6 weeks)
84 Denis King Song of the Vagabonds 1926 US Billboard 5 - Apr 1926 (4 weeks)
85 Fred Waring & the Pennsylvanians Take Me for a Buggy Ride 1926 US Billboard 5 - Apr 1926 (4 weeks)
86 Isham Jones The Original Charleston 1926 US Billboard 5 - Feb 1926 (3 weeks)
87 Vincent Lopez Song of the Flame 1926 US Billboard 5 - Jun 1926 (3 weeks)
88 Ben Selvin Am I Wasting My Time On You 1926 US Billboard 5 - Oct 1926 (4 weeks)
89 Gertrude Lawrence A Cup of Coffee, A Sandwich, & You 1926 US Billboard 5 - Mar 1926 (4 weeks)
90 George Olsen Lucky Day 1926 US Billboard 5 - Nov 1926 (4 weeks)
91 Isham Jones My Castle in Spain 1926 US Billboard 5 - Apr 1926 (3 weeks)
92 The Revelers Valencia 1926 US Billboard 5 - Sep 1926 (4 weeks)
93 Fred Waring & the Pennsylvanians I Love My Baby 1926 US Billboard 6 - May 1926 (3 weeks)
94 Vernon Dalhart The Wreck of the Shenandoah 1926 US Billboard 6 - Jan 1926 (3 weeks)
95 Ernest Hare & Billy Jones Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 1926 US Billboard 6 - Dec 1926 (4 weeks)
96 Ben Selvin Baby Face 1926 US Billboard 6 - Oct 1926 (3 weeks)
97 Abe Lyman & his California Orchestra After I Say I'm Sorry 1926 US Billboard 6 - May 1926 (3 weeks)
98 Al Jolson Miami 1926 US Billboard 6 - Apr 1926 (3 weeks)
99 Ted Weems Love Bound 1926 US Billboard 6 - Sep 1926 (2 weeks)
100 Billy Murray & Aileen Stanley I Can't Get Over a Girl Like You (Loving a Boy Like Me) 1926 US Billboard 6 - Dec 1926 (2 weeks)

Comment on the contents of the 'Songs from the Year 1926' page
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Previous Comments (newest first)

15 Feb 2021

Betty,a song recorded by Ben Selvin, Orch.

Am looking for the lyrics. +Have no idea who wrote same. +The year is 1926+Another recording is Joe Cadullo, Everglades Orch.

No lyrics on this site


15 Mar 2017

# 75 I Can't Believe That You're in Love With Me

This should be in the 1930 listing. It was recorded April 5, 1930 and wasreleased on OK 41415. This is from Jazz Records 1897-1942 by Brian Rust.

The "Jazz Standards" chart had 1926 as the year. It looks like 1930 is the more likely (as you suggest). Data fixed, thanks


30 May 2016

# 73 She Knows Her Onions

This should be listed a Ernest Hare & Billy Jones in order to be consistentwith other entries, since Hare & Jones were in fact the Happiness Boys.

What a great catch, as you say "The Happiness Boys" was a radio show in the 1920s staring Ernest Hare & Billy Jones so this sole entry should be assigned to them

Data fixed

Thanks


2 Feb 2016

#80 - The Revelers - Valencia

I feel the title here should be changed to just 'Valencia' rather than'Valencia (A Song Of Spain). Per Joel Whitburn (& Wikipedia) it is the same song as versions by Paul Whiteman , Ben Selvin & Tony Martin.

Data fixed, thanks


10 Jan 2016

Double Listing - Black Bottom

#18 - The Kentucky Serenaders & #50 - Johnny Hamp should be combined. Per Joel Whitburn & John Peel this group was originally called Johnny Hamp & The Kentucky Serenaders.

We've assigned all songs credited to either Johnny Hamp or the Kentucky Serenaders to "Johnny Hamp & The Kentucky Serenaders". We realise this is not quite correct but it should help when searchng for related songs

Thanks


9 Jan 2016

#21 - Artur Rubinstein - Chopin Polonaise

The following Chart Entry should be removed from here and transferred to 1952 Albums (per Library Of Congress (NRR). 1. Library Of Congress artifact added 2006 (1952).

Data fixed, thanks


30 Nov 2015

I think the name of the song is in the willows it has a line in it that saidsomething about a little sister are you coming +my grandmother sang it all the time+


3 Aug 2015

Kentucky Serenaders

Hi,

It's "The Kentucky Serenaders" instead of "The KentuckEy Serenaders"

Cheers Walter

That sounds like a good fix, data corrected, thanks


2 Sep 2013

#3 Black Bottom

You are correct that by the time this recording was issued, Johnny Hamp had changed the name of his band to Johnny Hamp and His Orchestra and thus should be billed as such rather than The Kentucky Serenaders as you have it above. This recording peaked at # 3 and was on the charts for 6 weeks. The Morton recording of Black Bottom Stomp peaked at # 13 and was on the charts for 3 weeks. I believe the confusion is that the the Peel list and other organizations that listed this recording in their charts were still listing him as Johnny Hamp and His Kentucky Serenaders even though he had changed the name of the band by that time.


21 Mar 2013

# 15 Black Bottom

This is a different band than the one listed as # 23 in 1920. That band was led by Bill Pike.

The entries are grouped by name, the fact that there are two distinct groups with the same name is impossible to determine from the data. Just like the fact that we list all hits by Tommy Dorsey together despite the fact that this name was shared by two different people.

Thanks for the clarification


21 Mar 2013

#15 Black Bottom

This was also a # 3 Billboard Hit. The band was officially billed as Johnny Hamp and his Kentucky Serenaders.

Not according to the Bullfrog data. The song "Black Bottom" is credited to "Johnny Hamp & His Orchestra" and peaked at number 6 - Victor 20101. The number 3 hit was "Black Bottom Stomp" credited to "Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers" - Victor 20221.


3 Mar 2013

U dont have Henry hall

We have not found any UK based charts from the 1930s. So he doesn't have enough entries to make the list.

The two songs that we do have are "Bird Song At Eventide" in 1926 and "Play to Me, Gypsy" from 1934.