UK Singles Chart: 1952

The UK Singles Chart first began on November 14th 1952. It started out as a top 12, but the first ever chart contained 15 songs. This was because the chart was based on the 10 biggest selling records from 20 different record shops, therefore sometimes you would have songs tied in the same position.

The charts are often criticised for not being what they used to be. Some criticisms I've heard in recent years include it's too American, aren't they too old to still be in the charts, nobody writes their own music, its the same artists over again. However these criticisms could also be applied to the charts of 1952.

There was a total of 27 songs which made the charts that year and 20 different artists. In the 7 weeks that it had been going, Vera Lynn had already clocked up 3 hits. Of the 20 artists, 13 of them were American, 5 British, 1 Canadian and 1 Trinidadian. Of the 5 British artists, 3 of them were actually born outside the UK, Mantovani was born in Italy, Ray Martin in Austria and Tony Brent in India. The oldest artist in the charts that year was Louis Armstrong who was 51. The only song which had been written by the artist performing it that year was Britannia Rag by Winifred Atwell.

The first ever UK number one was Al Martino - Here in my Heart and this would be the only number one single of the year, though Jo Stafford - You Belong to Me and Kay Starr - Comes A-Long A-Love which were the second and third number ones were released that year.

The first ever band to have a single was The Four Lads who collaborated with Johnnie Ray on Faith Can Move Mountains, and they would be the only band to have a hit that year. They are still together today although only one original member remains. We also had the first one hit wonder, Jane Wyman who collaborated with Bing Crosby on Zing a Little Zong but would never have another hit.

We had two Christmas singles this year, Bing Crosby - Silent Night and Mantovani - White Christmas. Many of the songs of the year could be described as either Traditional Pop or Light Orchestral music, none of it being the rock n roll the 50s are often remember for.