No.1 Pop Music Hits (1983)

Every generation should give testimony to what there was about a particular piece of music from their early recollection (vocals, lyrics, melody, beat, instrumentals, arrangements, recording, timing, etc.) that made a song popular. We may find occasion to recall, rave, rage, rate and puzzle about the success of a song that made it to the top spot, but the numbers will not be denied. 'Billboard' first introduced a 'Music Popularity Chart' in 1940. Through 1955, the Number One position was taken almost exclusively by instrumentals and vocals of romantic standards and the like, until the Bill Haley and His Comets recording of (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock became the "dividing line between all that came before and all that followed" after 1955. So it is that these 47 installments from July 1955 to 2001 beg for your collective input, as we recollect, ponder and reminisce. Perhaps some perspective would be appropriate regarding songs from the last 15 years. (Source: 'The Billboard Book of NUMBER ONE HITS', Fred Bronson et al.)