1946 in music


This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1946.

Specific locations

Specific genres

Events

Albums released

Top popular records of 1946

For each Year in Music and Year in Country Music, a comprehensive Year End Top Records section can be found at mid-page, and on the Country page.
The charts are compiled from data published by Billboard magazine, using their formulas, with slight modifications. Most important, there are no songs missing or truncated by Billboard's holiday deadline. Each year, records included enter the charts between the prior November and early December. Each week, fifteen points are awarded to the number one record, then nine points for number two, eight points for number three, and so on. This system rewards songs that reach the highest positions, as well as those that had the longest chart runs. This is our adjustment to Mr. Whitburn's formula, which places no. 1 records on top, then no 2 and so on, ordered by weeks at that position. This allows a record with 4 weeks at no. 1 that only lasted 6 weeks to be rated very high. Here, the total points of a song's complete chart run determines its position. Our chart has more songs, more weeks and may look nothing like Billboard's, but it comes from the exact same surveys.
Before the Hot100 was implemented in 1958, Billboard magazine measured a record's performance with three charts, 'Best-Selling Popular Retail Records', 'Records Most-Played On the Air' or 'Records Most Played By Disk Jockeys' and 'Most-Played Juke Box Records'. As Billboard did starting in the 1940s, the three totals for each song are combined, with that number determining the final year-end rank. For example, 1944's "A Hot Time in the Town of Berlin" by Bing and the Andrews Sisters finished at no. 19, despite six weeks at no. 1 on the 'Most-Played Juke Box Records' chart. It scored 126 points, to go with its Best-Selling chart total of 0. Martha Tilton's version of "I'll Walk Alone" peaked at no. 4 on the Juke Box chart, which only totalled 65 points, but her BS total was also 65, for a final total of 130, ranking no. 18. Examples like this can be found in "The Billboard" magazine up to 1958. The 'Records Most-Played On the Air' chart didn't begin until January 1945, which is why we only had two sub-totals.
Our rankings are based on Billboard data, but we also present info on recording and release dates, global sales totals, RIAA and BPI certifications and other awards. Rankings from other genres like 'Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs' or 'Most Played Juke Box Race Records', Country charts including 'Most Played Juke Box Folk Records', 'Cashbox magazine', and other sources are presented if they exist. We supplement our info with reliable data from the "Discography of American Historical Recordings" website, Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954 and other sources as specified.
The following songs appeared in The Billboard's 'Best Selling Retail Records', 'Records Most-Played On the Air' and 'Most Played Juke Box Records' charts, starting November 1945 and before December 1946.
RankArtistTitleLabelRecordedReleasedChart positions
1Eddy Howard and His Orchestra"To Each His Own"Majestic 7188US Billboard 1946 #1, US #1 for 8 weeks, 24 total weeks, 576 points, CashBox #3, 1,000,000 sales
2The Ink Spots"The Gypsy"Decca 18817US Billboard 1946 #2, US #1 for 13 weeks, 23 total weeks, CashBox #1, US Most-Played Race Records 1945 #3, Race Records #1 for 3 weeks, 13 total weeks, 548 points, 1,000,000 sales
3Frankie Carle and his Orchestra "Rumors Are Flying"Columbia 37069US Billboard 1946 #3, US #1 for 11 weeks, 28 total weeks, 477 points, CashBox #6, 1,000,000 sales
4Frank Sinatra"Five Minutes More"Columbia 37048US Billboard 1946 #4, US #1 for 7 weeks, 19 total weeks, 453 points
5Swing and Sway With Sammy Kaye"The Old Lamp-Lighter"RCA Victor 20-1963US Billboard 1946 #5, US #1 for 8 weeks, 21 total weeks, 452 points, CashBox #8
6Frankie Carle and his Orchestra, 20 total weeks, 436 points, CashBox #5
7Perry Como"Prisoner of Love"RCA Victor 20-1814US Billboard 1946 #7, US #1 for 3 weeks, 20 total weeks, 429 points, 1,000,000 sales
8Dinah Shore"The Gypsy"Columbia 36964US Billboard 1946 #8, US #1 for 8 weeks, 17 total weeks, 358 points, CashBox #2, Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, 1,000,000 sales
9Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra"Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!"Victor 20-1759US Billboard 1946 #9, US #1 for 6 weeks, 16 total weeks, 349 points
10King Cole Trio"(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons"Capitol 304US Billboard 1946 #10, US #1 for 7 weeks, 16 total weeks, CashBox #1, US Most-Played Race Records 1945 #20, Race Records #3 for 2 weeks, 8 total weeks, 293 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2018, 1,000,000 sales
11Betty Hutton"Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief"Capitol 220US Billboard 1946 #10, US #1 for 1 week, 22 total weeks, 299 points
12Frank Sinatra"Oh! What It Seemed to Be"Columbia 36905US Billboard 1946 #11, US #1 for 8 weeks, 28 total weeks, 295 points, CashBox #7
13Freddy Martin and His Orchestra"Symphony"Victor 20-1747US BB 1945 #12, US #1 for 2 weeks, 13 total weeks
14Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers"Personality"Capitol 230US Billboard 1946 #13, US #1 for 1 weeks, 17 total weeks, 289 points, Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998
15Freddy Martin and His Orchestra"To Each His Own"RCA Victor 20-1921US Billboard 1946 #14, US #1 for 2 weeks, 16 total weeks, 255 points, CashBox #4
16Kay Kyser and His Orchestra"Ole Buttermilk Sky"Columbia 37073US Billboard 1946 #15, US #1 for 7 weeks, 16 total weeks, 253 points
17Perry Como"Surrender"RCA Victor 20-1877US Billboard 1946 #16, US #1 for 9 weeks, 17 total weeks, 250 points
18Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters"South America, Take It Away"Decca 23569US Billboard 1946 #18, US #2 for 13 weeks, 17 total weeks, 213 points, 1,000,000 sales
19Hoagy Carmichael and Orchestra"Ole Buttermilk Sky"ARA 155US Billboard 1946 #19, US #1 for 1 weeks, 17 total weeks, 182 points, Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998
20Dinah Shore"Doin' What Comes Natur'lly"Columbia 36976US Billboard 1946 #20, US #3 for 1 weeks, 17 total weeks, 159 points, CashBox #3
21Dinah Shore"Laughing on the Outside (Crying on the Inside)"Columbia 36964US Billboard 1946 #21, US #3 for 1 weeks, 17 total weeks, 158 points, CashBox #3
22Kay Kyser and His Orchestra"The Old Lamp-Lighter"Columbia 37095US Billboard 1946 #22, US #1 for 7 weeks, 16 total weeks, 143 points, CashBox #9
23Swing and Sway With Sammy Kaye"I'm A Big Girl Now"RCA Victor 20-1812US Billboard 1946 #23, US #1 for 1 week, 18 total weeks, 141 points, CashBox #6, 1,000,000 sales

Top race records

Billboard Most-Played Race Records of 1946 is a year-end list compiled by Billboard magazine, printed in the January 4, 1947, issue. It includes rankings for the calendar year only, handicapping records at the beginning and end of the year such as "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie", which finished second as a result. For all year-end charts on these pages, records that enter the chart in December of the previous year, or remain on the chart after December of the current year, receive points for their full chart runs. Each week, a score of 15 points is assigned for the no. 1 record, 9 points for no. 2, 8 points for no. 3, and so on, and the total of all weeks determined the final rank. Additional information from other sources is reported, but not used for ranking. This includes dates obtained from the Discography of American Historical Recordings website, chart performance from Billboards 'Best Selling Retail Records, Records Most-Played On the Air and Most Played Juke Box Records charts, Most Played Juke Box Folk Records, Cashbox, and other sources as noted. Additional information can also be found at List of Most Played Juke Box Race Records number ones of 1946.
RankArtistTitleLabelRecordedReleasedChart positions
1Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five"Choo Choo Ch'Boogie"Decca 23610US Billboard 1946 #54, US #7 for 1 weeks, 6 total weeks, US Most-Played Race Records 1946 #1, Race Records #1 for 18 weeks, 26 total weeks, 1,000,000 sales
2Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra"Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop"Decca 18754US Billboard 1946 #114, US #9 for 1 weeks, 8 total weeks, US Most-Played Race Records 1946 #2, Race Records #1 for 16 weeks, 25 total weeks
3Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five"Buzz Me"Decca 18734US BB 1946 #90, US #9 for 1 week, 2 total weeks, US Most-Played Race Records 1946 #3, Race Records #1 for 9 weeks, 13 total weeks
4Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five"Stone Cold Dead in the Market (He Had It Coming)"Decca 23546US Billboard 1946 #76, US #7 for 1 weeks, 6 total weeks, US Most-Played Race Records 1946 #4, Race Records #1 for 5 weeks, 20 total weeks, 95 points
5Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five"Ain't That Just Like a Woman (They'll Do It Every Time)"Decca 23669US Billboard 1946 #229, US #17 for 1 week, 2 total weeks, US Most-Played Race Records 1946 #6, Race Records #1 for 2 weeks, 17 total weeks, 74 points
6The Ink Spots"The Gypsy"Decca 18817US Billboard 1946 #2, US #1 for 13 weeks, 23 total weeks, 55 points, CashBox #1, US Most-Played Race Records 1946 #5, Race Records #1 for 2 weeks, 13 total weeks, 1,000,000 sales
7Roy Milton and His Solid Senders"R. M. Blues"Juke Box 504US Most-Played Race Records 1946 #7, Race Records #2 for 2 weeks, 25 total weeks, 54 points
8Johnny Moore's Three Blazers "Driftin' Blues"Philo 112US Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Race Records 1946 #8, US #2 for 1 week, 23 total weeks, 48 points
9Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five"Salt Pork, West Virginia"Decca 18762US Most-Played Race Records 1946 #9, Harlem/Race Records #2 for 6 weeks, 15 total weeks, 44 points
10Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five"Don't Worry 'Bout That Mule"Decca 18734US Most-Played Race Records 1946 #10, Race Records #1 for 1 week, 11 total weeks, 43 points
11Andy Kirk and His Orchestra and The Jubalaires"I Know"Decca 18782US Billboard 1946 #277, US #21 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Most-Played Race Records 1946 #11, Race Records #2 for 4 weeks, 16 total weeks, 34 points
12King Cole Trio"(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66"Capitol 256US Billboard 1946 #137, US #11 for 1 weeks, 2 total weeks, US Most-Played Race Records 1946 #12, Race Records #1 for 1 week, 11 total weeks, 30 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2018, 1,000,000 sales
13Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five"That Chick's Too Young To Fry"Decca 23610US Most-Played Race Records 1946 #13, Race Records #3 for 8 weeks, 11 total weeks, 30 points
20King Cole Trio"(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons"Capitol 304US Billboard 1946 #10, US #1 for 7 weeks, 16 total weeks, CashBox #1, US Most-Played Race Records 1945 #20, Race Records #3 for 2 weeks, 8 total weeks, 17 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2018, 1,000,000 sales

Published popular music

Classical music

Compositions

Opera

Film

Musical theater

Musical films

The Bamboo Blonde starring Frances LangfordBreakfast in Hollywood starring Tom Breneman, Bonita Granville, Billie Burke and Zasu Pitts and featuring Andy Russell, The King Cole Trio and Spike Jones and his City Slickers. Directed by Harold D. Schuster.Cinderella Jones starring Joan Leslie, Robert Alda, S. Z. Sakall and Edward Everett Horton. Directed by Busby Berkeley.Do You Love Me released May 17, starring Maureen O'Hara, Dick Haymes and featuring Harry James and his Music Makers.Doll Face starring Vivian Blaine and Dennis O'Keefe and featuring Perry Como and Carmen Miranda. Directed by Lewis Seiler.Earl Carroll Sketchbook starring Constance Moore, William Marshall and Edward Everett HortonEasy to Wed starring Esther Williams, Van Johnson, Lucille Ball and Keenan Wynn. Directed by Eddie Buzzell.Gaiety George released July 22 starring Richard Greene and Ann Todd.The Harvey GirlsHoliday in Mexico starring Jane Powell, José Iturbi, Walter Pidgeon, Roddy McDowall, Ilona Massey and Xavier Cugat. Directed by George Sidney.The Jolson StoryLondon Town released September 30 starring Sid Fields, Greta Gynt, Petula Clark, Kay Kendall and Sonny Hale and featuring Tessie O'Shea and Beryl Davis.No Leave, No Love starring Van Johnson, Pat Kirkwood, Keenan Wynn and Marie Wilson, and featuring Xavier Cugat & his Orchestra and Guy Lombardo and his Orchestra. Directed by Charles Martin.Song of the SouthSt. Louis WomanSusie Steps Out starring David Bruce, Cleatus Caldwell and Margaret Dumont. Directed by Reginald Le Borg.Sweetheart of Sigma Chi starring Phil Regan, Elyse Knox and Phil Brito and featuring Frankie Carle & his OrchestraSwing Parade of 1946 starring Gale Storm, Phil Regan and The Three Stooges and featuring Connee Boswell and Louis Jordan. Directed by Phil Karlson.Tars and Spars starring Janet Blair, Alfred Drake and Sid Caesar.Three Little Girls in Blue starring June Haver, George Montgomery, Vivian Blaine, Celeste Holm and Vera Ellen. Directed by Bruce Humberstone.Till the Clouds Roll ByThe Time, the Place and the Girl released on December 28 starring Dennis Morgan, Jack Carson, Janis Paige and Martha Vickers.Ziegfeld Follies starring Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Lucille Bremer, Fanny Brice, Judy Garland, Kathryn Grayson, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly and Red Skelton. Directed by Vincente Minnelli.

Births

Deaths

Date unknown