TV passes 50% of households, Ike ends the Korean War, Playboy debuts and the Supreme Court tackles school segregation in a year of positive thinking and aggressive envelope-pushing, but Pop doubles down on its proven formulas with lusher strings, Country/Western covers and even barking dogs! Meanwhile, girls are ordering “Eddie Fishers” at soda fountains, boys are sleuthing out R&B in the ‘hood and a New York DJ has to eat a record after it’s a leftfield hit.

#1 Song of the Year   The top song according to our Chartcrush ranking of all songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year

Artists of the Year   The top three artists based on all charted songs that spent most of their chart runs in the year

1. Perry Como
2. Joni James
3. Les Paul & Mary Ford

Artist with Most Charting Songs   Artist(s) with the most charting songs during the year (song count in parentheses)

• Joni James (8)

Average #1 Artist Age   The average of how old artists who scored #1 hits during the year were when their songs first reached #1

• 32.0

#1 Songs   List of #1 songs that earned the majority of their chart ranking points in the year, and (in parentheses), the month the song first hit #1 and the total number of weeks it was #1

1. Joni James – Why Don’t You Believe Me (December ’52, 5 wks)
2. Perry Como with The Ramblers – Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes (January, 5 wks)
3. Teresa Brewer – Till I Waltz Again with You (February, 6 wks)
4. Patti Page – The Doggie in the Window (March, 7 wks)
5. Percy Faith & His Orchestra feat. Felicia Sanders – Song from “Moulin Rouge” (Where Is Your Heart) (May, 9 wks)
6. Eddie Fisher feat. Sally Sweetland – I’m Walking Behind You (July, 3 wks)
7. Les Paul & Mary Ford – Vaya Con Dios (May God Be with You) (August, 11 wks)
8. The Ames Brothers – You, You, You (October, 7 wks)
9. Tony Bennett – Rags to Riches (November, 8 wks)