As we go back through the top hits of the 1940s, now with official (and expensive) chart information, we’re listing the songs in order, sharing those that we haven’t previously shared.

After the last song we featured topped the charts, Billboard introduced what’s actually considered the standard for the era, the Best Sellers chart. That’s the chart I have. And, after the last song we shared, we come to one that was previously shared, namely I’ll Never Smile Again, by Tommy Dorsey, featuring Frank Sinatra on vocals. It was number one for 12 consecutive weeks, beginning late July 1940.

But now we have … something different. While the Best Sellers chart is considered the standard, the official compilation of number one songs includes songs that also topped Billboard’s Juke Box Record Buying Guide. Initially, it was the official chart. Today, many simply recognize the Best Sellers chart as the definite chart, and ignore other charts. Still, there was more than one official chart at the time. Which brings us to our next chart topper.

This one had peaked at number four on the Record Buying Guide chart the week before the Best Sellers chart was introduced. And, a couple of weeks later, in August 1940, it topped the Record Buying Guide, the same chart that had been the authority for the first seven months of 1940. So, we’re counting it, as the official authority recognizes it, ignoring the later changing of history.

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The chart information is from Billboard magazine, as compiled by Record Research. Chart data is copyright 1939-1954, BPI Communications.