List of Billboard number-one rhythm and blues hits

Listed here are Billboard magazine's number-one rhythm and blues hits from 1942 to 1959. The Billboard R&B chart is today known as the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Note: From May 22, 1948 to October 13, 1958, multiple charts (usually jukebox, DJ, and sales charts) were used, which explains the overlap in the dates of the charts. Because of the existence of multiple charts, some dates had more than one number-one song during the week.

Chart names

• Harlem Hit Parade — 1942 to February 10, 1945.
• Juke Box Race Records — February 17, 1945 to June 17, 1957.
• Billboard's "Best Sellers" — May 22, 1948 to October 13, 1958.
• Rhythm & Blues — June 25, 1949 to November 30, 1963.
• Billboard's "Jockeys" — January 22, 1955 to October 13, 1958.
• Hot R&B —; October 20, 1958 to November 30, 1963. Reinstated January 30, 1965 and continued under that name until the week ending August 16, 1969.
• Soul Singles — August 23, 1969 to July 7, 1973.
• Hot Soul Singles — July 14, 1973 to June 19, 1982.
• Hot Black Singles — June 26, 1982 to October 1990.
• Hot R&B Singles — October 1990 to 1998.
• Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs — 1998 to present.

An asterisk after a song title means that the song lost and then regained the number-one spot.

1940s

1942

• October 24: "Take It and Git" — Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy (1 week) - DECCA 4366
• October 31: "Mr. Five by Five — Ella Mae Morse with Freddie Slack and His Orchestra (2 weeks)* - CAPITOL 115
• November 7: "Trav'lin' Light" — Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra featuring Billie Holiday (3 weeks)* - CAPITOL 116
• November 14: "Stormy Monday Blues" — Earl Hines and His Orchestra (1 week) - BLUEBIRD 11567
• November 28: "When the Lights Go On Again" — Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra (2 weeks)* - DECCA 18496
• December 19: "White Christmas" — Bing Crosby (3 weeks) - DECCA 18429

1943

• January 16: "See See Rider Blues" — Bea Booze (4 weeks)* - DECCA 8633
• January 23: "What's the Use of Getting Sober (When You Gonna Get Drunk Again)" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (1 week) - DECCA 23629
• January 30: "That Ain't Right" — Nat King Cole Trio (1 week) - DECCA 8630
• February 13: "Apollo Jump" — Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra (2 weeks) - DECCA 18529
• March 6: "Don't Stop Now" — Bonnie Davis (5 weeks)* - SAVOY 102
• March 27: "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" — The Ink Spots(2 weeks)* - DECCA 18503
• April 17: "I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry James and His Orchestra (1 week) - COLUMBIA 36668
• April 24: "I Can't Stand Losing You" — The Ink Spots (7 weeks)* - DECCA 18542
• May 29: "Don't Get Around Much Anymore (Never No Lament)" — Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (3 weeks)* - VICTOR 26610
• July 17: "You'll Never Know" — Dick Haymes (4 weeks) - DECCA 18556
• August 14: "Don't Cry Baby" — Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra (14 weeks)* - BLUEBIRD 30-0813
• September 25: "A Slip of the Lip (Can Sink a Ship)" — Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (1 week) - VICTOR 20-1528
• October 2: "Sentimental Lady" — Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (1 week) - VICTOR 20-1528
• November 20: "All for You" — The Nat King Cole Trio (2 weeks)* - CAPITOL 139
• December 18: "Shoo Shoo Baby" — Ella Mae Morse (2 weeks)* - CAPITOL 143
• December 25: "Sweet Slumber" — Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra (1 week) - DECCA 18569

1944

• January 1: "Ration Blues" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (1 week) - DECCA 8654
• January 15: "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me" - Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (8 weeks)* - VICTOR 20-1547
• January 22: "G.I. Jive" — Johnny Mercer with Paul Weston And His Orchestra (1 week) - CAPITOL 141
• March 11: "Solo Flight" — Benny Goodman and His Orchestra (1 week) - COLUMBIA 36684
• March 25: "Cow-Cow Boogie (Cuma-Ti-Yi-Yi-Ay)" — The Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald (1 week) - DECCA 18587
• April 1: "Main Stem" — Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (4 weeks)* - VICTOR 20-1556
• April 15: "When My Man Comes Home" — Buddy Johnson and His Band (1 week) - DECCA 8655
• April 29: "Straighten Up and Fly Right" — The Nat King Cole Trio (10 weeks)* - CAPITOL 154
• July 15: "G.I. Jive" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (6 weeks)* - DECCA 8659
• August 19: "Till Then" — The Mills Brothers (1 week) - DECCA 18599
• September 2: "Hamp's Boogie Woogie" — Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra (6 weeks)* - DECCA 18613
• September 30: "I'm Lost" —; Benny Carter and His Orchestra (2 weeks)* - CAPITOL 165
• October 21: "Gee, Baby, Ain't I Good to You" — The Nat King Cole Trio (4 weeks) - CAPITOL 169
• November 18: "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall" — The Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald (11 weeks)* - DECCA 23356

1945

• February 10: "Somebody's Gotta Go" — Cootie Williams and His Orchestra (1 week) - HIT 7119
• February 17: "I Wonder" — Pvt. Cecil Gant (2 weeks) - GILT-EDGE 500 CG1
• February 24: "I Wonder" — Roosevelt Sykes (7 weeks) - BLUEBIRD 34-0721
• April 14: "Tippin' In" — Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra (6 weeks)* - RCA VICTOR 20-1639
• April 21: "Mop! Mop!" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (1 week) - DECCA 8668
• June 2: "Caldonia" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (7 weeks) - DECCA 8670
• July 14: "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well" — Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra (8 weeks) - DECCA 18674
• September 8: "The Honeydripper" (Parts 1 & 2) — Joe Liggins and His Honeydrippers (18 weeks) - EXCLUSIVE 207

1946

• January 12: "Buzz Me" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (9 weeks) - DECCA 18734
• March 16: "Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop" — Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra (16 weeks)* - DECCA 18754
• March 23: "Don’t Worry 'bout That Mule" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (1 week) - DECCA 18734
• June 29: "The Gypsy" — The Ink Spots (3 weeks)* - DECCA 18817
• July 10: "Stone Cold Dead in the Market (He Had It Coming)" — Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (5 weeks) - DECCA 23546
• August 24: "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (18 weeks)* - DECCA 23610
• November 23: "Ain’t That Just Like a Woman (They’ll Do It Every Time)" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (2 weeks)* - DECCA 23669

1947

• 17 January: "Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (17 weeks)* - DECCA 23741
• 26 April: "Texas and Pacific" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (2 weeks)* - DECCA 23810
• 17 May: "I Want to Be Loved (But Only by You)" — Savannah Churchill and the Sentimentalists (8 weeks)* - MANOR 1046
• 24 May: "Old Maid Boogie" — Eddie Vinson and His Orchestra (2 weeks)* - MERCURY 8028
• 28 June: "Jack You’re Dead" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (7 weeks)* - DECCA 23901
• 30 August: "Boogie Woogie Blue Plate" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (14 weeks)* - DECCA 24104
• 22 November: "(Opportunity Knocks But Once) Snatch and Grab It" — Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends (12 weeks)* - CAPITOL/AMERICANA 40028

1948

• January 21: "I Love You Yes I Do" — Bull Moose Jackson and His Buffalo Bearcats (3 weeks)* - KING 4181
• March 20: "King Size Papa" — Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends (9 weeks) - CAPITOL/AMERICANA 40082
• May 22: "Tomorrow Night" — Lonnie Johnson (7 weeks)* - KING 4201
• June 19: "Good Rockin' Tonight" — Wynonie Harris (1 week) - KING 4210
• July 10: "Long Gone" (Parts I & II) — Sonny Thompson (3 weeks)* - MIRACLE 126
• July 10: "Run Joe" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (2 weeks)* - DECCA 24448
• July 24: "I Can't Go on Without You" — Bull Moose Jackson and His Buffalo Bearcats (8 weeks) - KING 4230
• September 4: "Messin Around" —; Memphis Slim and His House Rockers (2 weeks)* - MIRACLE 125
• September 11: "My Heart Belongs to You" — Arbee Stidham (1 week) - RCA VICTOR 20-2572
• September 18: "Pretty Mama Blues" — Ivory Joe Hunter (3 weeks) - 4 STAR 1254
• October 2: "Corn Bread" —; Hal Singer Sextette (4 weeks)* - SAVOY 671
• October 2: "Late Freight" —; Sonny Thompson Quintet (1 week) - MIRACLE 128
• October 9: "Am I Asking Too Much" — Dinah Washington (1 week) - MERCURY 8095
• November 6: "Blues After Hours" — Pee Wee Crayton (3 weeks)* - MODERN 624
• November 27: "It's Too Soon to Know" — The Orioles (1 week) - JUBILEE 5000
• December 4: "Chicken Shack Boogie" — Amos Milburn (5 weeks)* - ALADDIN 3014
• December 4: "Bewildered" — Red Miller Trio (5 weeks)* - BULLET 295
• December 18: "'Long About Midnight" — Roy Brown (1 week) - DELUXE 1154
• December 25: "Bewildered" — Amos Milburn (3 weeks)* - ALADDIN 3018

1949

• February 19: "Boogie Chillen" — John Lee Hooker (1 week) - MODERN 627
• February 19: "The Deacon's Hop" — Big Jay McNeely's Blue Jays (1 week) - SAVOY 685
• May 5: "The Huckle-Buck" — Paul Williams and His Hucklebuckers (14 weeks)* - SAVOY 683
• June 4: "Trouble Blues" — The Charles Brown Trio (15 weeks) - ALADDIN 3024
• August 20: "Ain't Nobody's Business" (Parts 1 & 2) — Jimmy Witherspoon (1 week) - SUPREME 1506
• September 10: "Roomin' House Boogie" — Amos Milburn (2 weeks) - ALADDIN 3032
• September 17: "All She Wants to Do Is Rock" — Wynonie Harris (2 weeks)* - KING 4304
• September 17: "Tell Me So" — The Orioles (1 week) - JUBILEE 5005
• September 24: "Baby Get Lost" — Dinah Washington (2 weeks) - MERCURY 8148
• October 8: "Beans and Corn Bread" —; Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (1 week) - DECCA 24673
• October 15: "Saturday Night Fish Fry" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (12 weeks)* - DECCA 24725
• December 24: "For You My Love" — Larry Darnell (8 weeks)* - REGAL 3240

1950s

1950

• February 18: "I Almost Lost My Mind" — Ivory Joe Hunter (5 weeks)* - M-G-M 10578
• March 4: "Double Crossing Blues" — Johnny Otis Quintette, The Robins, and Little Esther (9 weeks) - SAVOY 731
• April 15: "Mistrusting Blues" — Little Esther with Mel Walker and the Johnny Otis Orchestra (4 weeks) - SAVOY 735
• May 13: "I Need You So" — Ivory Joe Hunter (2 weeks) - M-G-M 10663
• May 27: "Pink Champagne" — Joe Liggins and His Honeydrippers (13 weeks)* - SPECIALTY 355
• July 8: "Cupid Boogie" — Johnny Otis Orchestra, Little Esther, and Mel Walker (1 week) - SAVOY 750
• August 19: "Hard Luck Blues" —; Roy Brown (3 weeks) - DELUXE 3304
• September 2: "Mona Lisa" —; Nat "King" Cole (4 weeks) - CAPITOL 1010
• September 9: "Blue Light Boogie" (Parts 1 & 2) — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (7 weeks) - DECCA 27114
• October 28: "Blue Shadows" — Lowell Fulson (4 weeks) - SWING TIME 226
• November 4: "Anytime — Any Place — Anywhere" — Joe Morris and His Orchestra (4 weeks)* - ATLANTIC 914
• November 25: "Please Send Me Someone to Love" — Percy Mayfield (2 weeks)* - SPECIALTY 375
• December 9: "Teardrops from My Eyes" — Ruth Brown (11 weeks)* - ATLANTIC 919

1951

• January 6: "Bad, Bad Whiskey" — Amos Milburn (3 weeks)* - ALADDIN 3068
• March 3: "Black Night" — Charles Brown (14 weeks) - ALADDIN 3076
• June 9: "Rocket 88" —; Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats (5 weeks) - CHESS 1458
• June 9: "Chica Boo" — Lloyd Glenn (2 weeks) - SWING TIME 254
• June 30: "Sixty Minute Man" — The Dominoes (14 weeks)* - FEDERAL 12022
• September 1: "Don’t You Know I Love You" — The Clovers (2 weeks) - ATLANTIC 934
• September 22: "The Glory of Love" —; The Five Keys (4 weeks)* - ALADDIN 3099
• November 3: "'T' 99 Blues" — Jimmie Nelson and the Peter Rabbit Trio (1 week) - RPM 325
• November 10: "Fool, Fool, Fool" — The Clovers (6 weeks)* - ATLANTIC 944
• November 10: "I Got Loaded" — "Peppermint" Harris (2 weeks)* - ALADDIN 3097
• November 17: "I'm in the Mood" — John Lee Hooker (4 weeks)* - MODERN 835
• December 8: "Because of You" — Tab Smith and His Orchestra (2 weeks) - UNITED 104
• December 29: "Flamingo" — Earl Bostic and His Orchestra (4 weeks)* - KING 4475

1952

• January 12: "Weepin' & Cryin'" — Griffin Brothers Orchestra (3 weeks) - DOT 1071
• January 12: "Cry" — Johnnie Ray and the Four Lads (1 week) - OKEH 6840
• February 2: "3 o’Clock Blues" — B.B. King (5 weeks) - RPM 339
• March 15: "Night Train" — Jimmy Forrest (7 weeks) - UNITED 110
• March 15: "Booted" — Roscoe Gordon (1 week) - CHESS 1487
• May 3: "5–10–15 Hours" — Ruth Brown (7 weeks) - ATLANTIC 962
• June 14: "Have Mercy Baby" — The Dominoes (10 weeks)* - FEDERAL 12068
• June 21: "Goin' Home" — Fats Domino (1 week) - IMPERIAL 5180
• July 12: "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" — Lloyd Price (7 weeks)* - SPECIALTY 428
• August 23: "Mary Jo" — Four Blazes (3 weeks) - UNITED 114
• September 6: "Ting-A-Ling" — The Clovers(1 week) - ATLANTIC 969
• September 27: "My Song" — Johnny Ace (9 weeks) - DUKE 102
• September 27: "Juke" — Little Walter (8 weeks)* - CHECKER 758
• November 8: "Five Long Years" — Eddie Boyd (7 weeks)* - JOB 1007
• November 8: "You Know I Love You" — B.B. King (2 weeks)* - RPM 363
• December 27: "I Don't Know" — Willie Mabon and His Combo (8 weeks) - CHESS 1531

1953

• February 21: "Baby Don't Do It" — The "5" Royales (3 weeks) - APOLLO 443
• March 7: "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean" — Ruth Brown (5 weeks) - ATLANTIC 986
• April 18: "Hound Dog" — Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton" (7 weeks) - PEACOCK 1612
• May 30: "I'm Mad" — Willie Mabon and His Combo" (2 weeks) - CHESS 1538
• June 13: "Help Me Somebody" — The "5" Royales (5 weeks)* - APOLLO 446
• July 4: "Please Love Me" — B.B. King (3 weeks)* - RPM 386
• July 18: "The Clock" — Johnny Ace (5 weeks)* - DUKE 112
• August 22: "Crying in the Chapel" — The Orioles (5 weeks)* - JUBILEE 5122
• September 19: "Shake a Hand" — Faye Adams (10 weeks)* - HERALD 416
• November 21: "Money Honey" — Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters (11 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1006
• December 5: "Honey Hush" — Big Joe Turner (8 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1001

1954

• January 30: "The Things That I Used to Do" — Guitar Slim (14 weeks) - SPECIALTY 482
• February 6: "I'll Be True" — Faye Adams (1 week) - HERALD 419
• March 27: "You'll Never Walk Alone" — Roy Hamilton (8 weeks) - EPIC 9015
• May 22: "Work With Me, Annie" — The Midnighters (7 weeks) - FEDERAL 12169
• June 12: "Shake, Rattle and Roll" — Big Joe Turner (3 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1026
• July 10: "Honey Love" — The Drifters feat. Clyde McPhatter (8 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1029
• September 4: "Oh What a Dream" — Ruth Brown (8 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1036
• September 25: "Annie Had a Baby" — The Midnighters (2 weeks) - FEDERAL 12195
• October 16: "It Hurts Me to My Heart" — Faye Adams (5 weeks) - HERALD 435
• November 20: "Mambo Baby" — Ruth Brown (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1044
• November 27: "Hearts of Stone" — The Charms (9 weeks) - DELUXE 6062
• November 25: "You Upset Me Baby" — B.B. King (2 weeks) - RPM 416

1955

• January 15: "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" — The Penguins (3 weeks) - Dootone 348
• January 22: "Sincerely" — The Moonglows (2 weeks)* - CHESS 1581
• February 12: "Pledging My Love" — Johnny Ace (10 weeks)* - DUKE 136
• April 9: "The Wallflower" — Etta James (4 weeks)* - MODERN 947
• April 23: "My Babe" — Little Walter (5 weeks)* - CHECKER 811
• May 7: "I Got a Woman" — Ray Charles (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1050
• May 21: "Unchained Melody" — Roy Hamilton (3 weeks) - EPIC 9102
• June 11: "Ain't That a Shame" — Fats Domino (1 week) - IMPERIAL 5348
• June 18: "Unchained Melody" — Al Hibbler (1 week) - DECCA 29441
• June 25: "Bo Diddley" — Bo Diddley (2 weeks)* - CHECKER 814
• August 6: "A Fool for You" — Ray Charles (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1063
• August 20: "Maybellene" — Chuck Berry (11 weeks) - CHESS 1604
• October 22: "Only You (and You Alone)" — The Platters (7 weeks) - MERCURY 70633
• October 29: "All by Myself" — Fats Domino (3 weeks) - IMPERIAL 5357
• December 17: "Hands Off" — Jay McShann and His Orchestra (3 weeks) - VEE JAY 155
• December 31: "Poor Me" — Fats Domino (1 week) - IMPERIAL 5369
• December 31: "Adorable" — The Drifters (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1078

1956

• January 7: "The Great Pretender" — The Platters (11 weeks)* - MERCURY 70753
• January 7: "At My Front Door" — The El Dorados (1 week) - VEE JAY 147
• March 17: "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" — Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers (5 weeks) - GEE 10020
• March 24: "Drown in My Own Tears" — Ray Charles (2 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1085
• April 14: "Long Tall Sally" — Little Richard (8 weeks) - SPECIALTY 572
• May 19: "I'm in Love Again" — Fats Domino (9 weeks)* - IMPERIAL 5386
• July 21: "Fever" — Little Willie John (5 weeks) - KING 4935
• July 28: "Treasure of Love" — Clyde McPhatter (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1092
• August 4: "Rip It Up" — Little Richard (2 weeks) - SPECIALTY 579
• August 18: "My Prayer" — The Platters (2 weeks) - MERCURY 70893
• August 25: "Honky Tonk" (Parts 1 & 2) — Bill Doggett (13 weeks)* - KING 4950
• September 1: "Let the Good Times Roll" — Shirley & Lee (3 weeks)* - ALADDIN 3325
• September 15: "Hound Dog"/"Don’t Be Cruel" — Elvis Presley (6 weeks)* - RCA VICTOR 20-6604
• November 13: "Blueberry Hill" — Fats Domino (11 weeks)* - IMPERIAL 5407

1957

• January 5: "Since I Met You Baby" — Ivory Joe Hunter (3 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1111
• January 26: "Blue Monday" — Fats Domino (8 weeks)* - IMPERIAL 5417
• March 9: "Jim Dandy" — LaVern Baker (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1116
• March 16: "Love Is Strange" — Mickey and Sylvia (2 weeks) - GROOVE 0175
• March 23: "I'm Walkin'" — Fats Domino (6 weeks) - IMPERIAL 5417
• April 27: "Lucille" — Little Richard (2 weeks) - SPECIALTY 598
• April 29: "School Day" — Chuck Berry (5 weeks)* - CHESS 1653
• April 29: "All Shook Up" — Elvis Presley (4 weeks) - RCA VICTOR 20-6870
• June 3: "Young Blood" — The Coasters (1 week) - ATCO 6087
• June 10: "Searchin'" — The Coasters (12 weeks) - ATCO 6087
• June 17: "C.C. Rider" — Chuck Willis (2 weeks)* - ATLANTIC 1130
• July 29: "Short Fat Fannie" — Larry Williams (1 week) - SPECIALTY 638
• August 19: "Send For Me" — Nat "King" Cole (2 weeks) - CAPITOL 3737
• September 2: "Further Up the Road" — Bobby "Blue" Bland (2 weeks)* - DUKE 170
• September 2: "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear" — Elvis Presley (1 week) - RCA VICTOR 47-7000
• September 9: "Whole Lot Of Shakin' Going On" — Jerry Lee Lewis (2 weeks) - SUN 267
• September 16: "Long Lonely Nights" — Clyde McPhatter (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1149
• September 23: "Diana" — Paul Anka (2 weeks) - ABC/PARAMOUNT 9831
• September 30: "Mr. Lee" — The Bobbettes (4 weeks)* - ATLANTIC 1144
• October 7: "Honeycomb" — Jimmie Rodgers (2 weeks) - ROULETTE 4015
• October 21: "Jailhouse Rock" — Elvis Presley (5 weeks) - RCA VICTOR 47-7035
• October 28: "Wake Up Little Susie" — The Everly Brothers (1 week) - CADENCE 1337
• November 25: "You Send Me" — Sam Cooke (6 weeks) - KEEN 34013

1958

• January 6: "At the Hop" — Danny & the Juniors (5 weeks) - ABC/PARAMOUNT 9871
• January 6: "Raunchy" — Ernie Freeman (2 weeks) - IMPERIAL 5474
• January 20: "Raunchy" — Bill Justis And His Orchestra (1 week) - PHILLIPS INTERNATIONAL 3519
• January 27: "I'll Come Running Back to You" — Sam Cooke (1 week) - SPECIALTY 619
• February 3: "Get a Job" — The Silhouettes (6 weeks) - EMBER 1029
• March 10: "Sweet Little Sixteen" — Chuck Berry (3 weeks) - CHESS 1683
• March 31: "Tequila" — The Champs (4 weeks) - CHALLENGE 1016
• April 28: "Twilight Time" — The Platters (3 weeks) - MERCURY 71289
• May 5: "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck" — Elvis Presley (3 weeks) - RCA VICTOR 47-7240
• May 19: "All I Have to Do Is Dream" — The Everly Brothers (5 weeks) - CADENCE 1348
• May 26: "Witch Doctor" — David Seville (1 week) - LIBERTY 55132
• June 23: "Yakety Yak" — The Coasters (7 weeks) - ATCO 6116
• June 23: "What Am I Living For" — Chuck Willis (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1179
• August 4: "Splish Splash" — Bobby Darin (2 weeks) - ATCO 6617
• August 11: "Patricia" — Perez Prado And His Orchestra (2 weeks) - RCA VICTOR 47-7245
• August 25: "Just a Dream" — Jimmy Clanton (1 week) - ACE 546
• September 1: "Little Star" — The Elegants (4 weeks) - APT 25005
• September 1: "When" — The Kalin Twins (1 week) - DECCA 30642
• September 29: "It's All in the Game" — Tommy Edwards (3 weeks) - M-G-M 12688
• October 6: "Rock-In Robin" — Bobby Day (3 weeks) - CLASS 229
• October 27: "Topsy Part 2" — Cozy Cole (6 weeks) - LOVE 50034
• December 8: "A Lover's Question" — Clyde McPhatter (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1199
• December 15: "Lonely Teardrops" — Jackie Wilson (7 weeks) - BRUNSWICK 55105

1959

• February 2: "Try Me" — James Brown (1 week) - FEDERAL 12337
• February 9: "Stagger Lee" — Lloyd Price (4 weeks) - ABC/PARAMOUNT 9927
• March 9: "It's Just a Matter of Time" — Brook Benton (9 weeks) - MERCURY 71394
• March 11: "Kansas City" — Wilbert Harrison (7 weeks) - FURY 1023
• June 279: "Personality" — Lloyd Price (4 weeks) - ABC/PARAMOUNT 10018
• July 27: "There Goes My Baby" — The Drifters (1 week) - ATLANTIC 2025
• August 3: "What'd I Say" (Part 1) — Ray Charles (1 week) - ATLANTIC 2031
• August 10: "Thank You Pretty Baby" — Brook Benton (4 weeks) - MERCURY 71478
• September 7: "I'm Gonna Get Married" — Lloyd Price (3 weeks)* - ABC/PARAMOUNT 10032
• September 21: "I Want to Walk You Home" — Fats Domino (1 week) - IMPERIAL 5606
• October 5: "Poison Ivy" — The Coasters (4 weeks)* - ATCO 6146
• October 12: "Sea of Love" — Phil Phillips (1 week) - MERCURY 71465
• October 19: "You Better Know It" — Jackie Wilson (1 week) - BRUNSWICK 55149
• November 16: "So Many Ways" — Brook Benton (3 weeks)* - MERCURY 71512
• November 23: "Don't You Know?" — Della Reese (2 weeks) - RCA VICTOR 47-7591
• December 7: "The Clouds" — The Spacemen (3 weeks)* - ALTON 254

For continuation, 1960 to present, start search here.

Gap in the chart

From November 30, 1963 to January 23, 1965 there was no Billboard R&B singles chart. Some publications have used Cash Box magazine's stats in their place. No specific reason has ever been given as to why Billboard ceased releasing R&B charts, but the prevailing wisdom is that the chart methodology used was being questioned, since more and more Caucasian acts were reaching number-one on the R&B chart. According to researcher Joel Whitburn, "there was so much crossover of titles between the R&B and pop singles (Hot 100) charts that Billboard considered the charts to be too similar. This does not mean that R&B artists stopped turning out hits. After all, it was during this 14-month period that Motown established itself as an R&B institution."^[1]

References

1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. xiii.