Playlist Time Machine

Graduation year

Class of 1956 songs

The class of 1956 grew up with the number one hits from 1951 to 1961. Here they are, year by year, in the order they reached the top.

65 songs, listed in the order they reached the top.

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1958

In 1958, It's All in the Game by Tommy Edwards holds No. 1 for 6 weeks, the longest run of the year. The year opens with Poor Little Fool by Ricky Nelson.

  1. Poor Little FoolRicky Nelson
  2. Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu)Domenico Modugno
  3. Little StarThe Elegants
  4. It's All in the GameTommy Edwards
  5. It's Only Make BelieveConway Twitty
  6. Tom DooleyThe Kingston Trio
  7. To Know Him Is to Love HimThe Teddy Bears
  8. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)The Chipmunks with David Seville

1959

In 1959, Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin holds No. 1 for 9 weeks, the longest run of the year. The year opens with Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by The Platters. Frankie Avalon and The Fleetwoods each have 2 No. 1s.

  1. Smoke Gets in Your EyesThe Platters
  2. Stagger LeeLloyd Price
  3. VenusFrankie Avalon
  4. Come Softly to MeThe Fleetwoods
  5. The Happy OrganDave "Baby" Cortez
  6. Kansas CityWilbert Harrison
  7. The Battle of New OrleansJohnny Horton
  8. Lonely BoyPaul Anka
  9. A Big Hunk o' LoveElvis Presley
  10. The Three BellsThe Browns
  11. Sleep WalkSanto & Johnny
  12. Mack the KnifeBobby Darin
  13. Mr. BlueThe Fleetwoods
  14. Heartaches by the NumberGuy Mitchell
  15. WhyFrankie Avalon

1960

In 1960, Theme from A Summer Place by Percy Faith holds No. 1 for 9 weeks, the longest run of the year. The year opens with El Paso by Marty Robbins. Elvis Presley has 3 No. 1s.

  1. El PasoMarty Robbins
  2. Running BearJohnny Preston
  3. Teen AngelMark Dinning
  4. Theme from A Summer PlacePercy Faith
  5. Stuck on YouElvis Presley
  6. Cathy's ClownThe Everly Brothers
  7. Everybody's Somebody's FoolConnie Francis
  8. Alley-OopHollywood Argyles
  9. I'm SorryBrenda Lee
  10. Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot BikiniBrian Hyland
  11. It's Now or NeverElvis Presley
  12. He'll Have to GoJim Reeves
  13. The TwistChubby Checker
  14. My Heart Has a Mind of Its OwnConnie Francis
  15. Mr. CusterLarry Verne
  16. Save the Last Dance for MeThe Drifters
  17. I Want to Be WantedBrenda Lee
  18. Georgia on My MindRay Charles
  19. StayMaurice Williams and the Zodiacs
  20. Are You Lonesome Tonight?Elvis Presley

1961

In 1961, Tossin' and Turnin' by Bobby Lewis holds No. 1 for 7 weeks, the longest run of the year. The year opens with Wonderland by Night by Bert Kaempfert.

  1. Wonderland by NightBert Kaempfert
  2. Will You Love Me TomorrowThe Shirelles
  3. CalcuttaLawrence Welk
  4. Pony TimeChubby Checker
  5. SurrenderElvis Presley
  6. Blue MoonThe Marcels
  7. RunawayDel Shannon
  8. Mother-in-LawErnie K-Doe
  9. Travelin' ManRicky Nelson
  10. Running ScaredRoy Orbison
  11. Bristol StompThe Dovells
  12. Moody RiverPat Boone
  13. Quarter to ThreeU.S. Bonds
  14. Tossin' and Turnin'Bobby Lewis
  15. Wooden HeartJoe Dowell
  16. MichaelThe Highwaymen
  17. Take Good Care of My BabyBobby Vee
  18. Hit the Road JackRay Charles
  19. Runaround SueDion
  20. Big Bad JohnJimmy Dean
  21. Please Mr. PostmanThe Marvelettes
  22. The Lion Sleeps TonightThe Tokens
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