Eddie Calvert - Cherry Pink (And Apple Blossom White)

Eddie Calvert - 'Cherry Pink (And Apple Blossom White)'

27th May, 1955 (4 weeks)

"This version of a French song, "Cerisier Rose et Pommier Blanc" from 1950, reached number 1 for Mexican conductor and King of Mambo, Perez Prado in 1955.

'Older' Was That Really At Number 1? readers may remember some more of Perez Prado's music appearing in a 'quite popular' advert campaign from 1995, which subsequently saw said song ('Guaglione') reach Number 2 in the UK charts.

Maybe there should be a sister site, Was That Only at Number 2?..."

Oh, wait, this is a different version of the song, by Eddie Calvert? Well this should just be relabeled as 'when cover versions are deeply lazy and unimaginative', then.

Tony Bennett - Stranger In Paradise

Tony Bennett - 'Stranger In Paradise'
13th May, 1955 (2 weeks)

Tony Bennett took the next Number 1, for two weeks, with 'Stranger In Paradise', and scored his first hit record with it as well.

And there you have it. Some nice, bland and inoffensive crooning from Tony Bennett.

Perez Prado & his Orchestra - Cherry Pink (and Apple Blossom)

Perez Prado & his Orchestra - 'Cherry Pink (and Apple Blossom)'

29th April, 1955 (2 weeks)

This version of a French song, "Cerisier Rose et Pommier Blanc" from 1950, reached number 1 for Mexican conductor and King of Mambo, Perez Prado in 1955.

'Older' Was That Really At Number 1? readers may remember some more of Perez Prado's music appearing in a 'quite popular' advert campaign from 1995, which subsequently saw said song ('Guaglione') reach Number 2 in the UK charts.

Maybe there should be a sister site, Was That Only at Number 2?...

Tennessee Ernie Ford - Give Me Your Word

Tennessee Ernie Ford - 'Give Me Your Word'

11th March, 1955 (7 weeks)

Gravel-voiced Ernest Jennings Ford, aka Tennessee Ernie Ford, scored his first UK Number 1 with Give Me Your Word.

Tennessee Ernie Ford's voice is a nice break from the sugar-fueled, milkshake bar pop music of the previous entries at number 1. Unfortunately, this song just fails to show off what Ford was actually capable of vocally. Fortunately, Ford was able to develop his style, becoming a very clear influence on modern country & western music (something that never really took off in Britain) and his signature tune - Sixteen Tons - would be another hit for Ford in early 1956.

Ruby Murray - Softly, Softly

Ruby Murray - 'Softly, Softly'

18th February, 1955 (3 weeks)

In 1955 Ruby Murray scored seven top 10 singles. Her sole Number 1, however, was 'Softly, Softly', a Number 1 for 3 weeks:

Pleasant enough, but nothing special.

Rosemary Clooney - Mambo Italiano

Rosemary Clooney - 'Mambo Italiano'

14th January, 1955 (1 week)

4th February, 1955 (2 weeks)

Famous aunt Rosemary made a welcome return to the top of the chart in 1955 with her second Number 1 after 'This Ole House'. She stayed there for 3 non-consecutive weeks with the now well-known song Mambo Italiano ('younger' readers may remember Shaft's remix from 2000 reaching number 12 in the charts, though versions by Dean Martin and Bette Midler also exist).

The song was written by Bob Merrill - of 'How Much Is That Doggy In The Window' hatefulness - under a very strict deadline, scribbled on the back of a napkin in an Italian restaurant, scoring approximately 0% on the 'Incredible Coincidences-o-Matic'.

Below is Rosemary Clooney strutting her stuff to Mambo Italiano:

Dickie Valentine - Finger Of Suspicion

Dickie Valentine - 'Finger Of Suspicion'

7th January, 1955 (1 week)

21st January, 1955 (2 weeks)

Dickie Valentine was one of the most successful of the British 'big band' singers - he was even voted the top British male vocalist in 1954 after he went solo and here he is, topping the UK charts for the first time at the start of 1955 with the first of his two Number 1s.

It's easy to see why he was so popular with his wining smile, trademark look & sound and captivating performance style; and despite only having two Number 1s, he did also have a run of other memorable songs to chart, such as 'Mr Sandman' and 'Teenager in Love'.

But ultimately Dickie Valentine's place here at the top of the charts in 1955 - the year that rock n' roll really took off - is quite fitting. Representing the vanguard of a sound that had become old, that was already of the past - that was soon to be replaced by Bill Haley & The Comets as the wave of rock n' roll swept over the nation.

In the meantime, however, there were no good videos of this song available. So here's Dickie Valentine performing 'King Of Dixieland' in 1958 and you'll soon see why he was so popular.