1948 in music


This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1948.

Specific locations

Specific genres

Events

Albums released

Top popular records

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 1947 and before December 1948. Each week fifteen points were 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. The total of a song's complete chart run is determined, then the three Popular charts are combined, with that number determining a record's year-end rank. Regional charts determine the 11-25 rankings each week, and records that failed to score on the main chart were ranked by highest position. If a record scored on only one or two of the popular charts, it will obviously rank lower than a national hit on radios and juke boxes. 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 'Most Played Juke Box Race Records', 'Most Played Juke Box Folk Records', 'Cashbox', and other sources as noted.
RankArtistTitleLabelRecordedReleasedChart positions
1Dinah Shore and Her Happy Boys"Buttons and Bows"Columbia 38284US Billboard 1948 #1, US #1 for 10 weeks, 23 total weeks, 577 points, CashBox #1, Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, sold 2.5 million
2Pee Wee Hunt Orchestra"Twelfth Street Rag"Capitol 15105US Billboard 1948 #2, US #1 for 8 weeks, 32 total weeks, 559 points, CashBox #34
3Peggy Lee "Mañana (Is Soon Enough for Me)"Capitol 15022US Billboard 1948 #3, US #1 for 9 weeks, 21 total weeks, 551 points, CashBox #16
4Margaret Whiting"A Tree in the Meadow"Capitol 15122US Billboard 1948 #4, US #1 for 5 weeks, 23 total weeks, 424 points, CashBox #3
5Art Mooney and his Orchestra"I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover"MGM 10119US Billboard 1948 #5, US #1 for 5 weeks, 18 total weeks, 413 points, CashBox #10
6King Cole"Nature Boy"Capitol 15054US Billboard 1948 #6, US #1 for 8 weeks, 18 total weeks, 386 points, CashBox #4
7Bing Crosby"Now is the Hour"Decca 24279US Billboard 1948 #7, US #1 for 3 weeks, 23 total weeks, 383 points, CashBox #2
8Jon and Sondra Steele"My Happiness"Damon 11133US Billboard 1948 #8, US #2 for 2 weeks, 30 total weeks, 380 points, CashBox #6
9Al Trace and His New OrchestraYou Call Everybody Darlin'Regent 117US Billboard 1948 #9, US #1 for 6 weeks, 24 total weeks, 378 points, CashBox #18
10Kay Kyser and his Orchestra"Woody Woodpecker"Columbia 38197US Billboard 1948 #10, US #1 for 6 weeks, 15 total weeks, 360 points, CashBox #5
11Ken Griffin (Organ) "You Can't Be True, Dear"Rondo 228US Billboard 1948 #11, US #1 for 7 weeks, 23 total weeks, 341 points, CashBox #9
12Kay Kyser and his Orchestra"On a Slow Boat to China"Columbia 38301US Billboard 1948 #12, US #2 for 7 weeks, 20 total weeks, 328 points
13Jo Stafford and Gordon MacRae"My Darling, My Darling"Capitol 15270US Billboard 1948 #13, US #1 for 1 weeks, 17 total weeks, 253 points
14Dick Haymes"Little White Lies"Decca 24280US Billboard 1948 #14, US #2 for 1 week, 23 total weeks, 250 points
15The Pied Pipers"My Happiness"Capitol 15278US Billboard 1948 #15, US #3 for 1 week, 27 total weeks, 247 points
16Doris Day"It's Magic"Columbia 38188US Billboard 1948 #16, US #2 for 1 week, 21 total weeks, 229 points, CashBox #7
17Ken Griffin"You Can't Be True, Dear"Rondo 128US Billboard 1948 #17, US #2 for 7 weeks, 15 total weeks, 224 points
18Doris Day and Buddy Clark"Love Somebody"Columbia 38174US Billboard 1948 #18, US #1 for 5 weeks, 24 total weeks, 214 points
19Gordon Jenkins and His Orchestra"Maybe You'll Be There"Decca 24403US Billboard 1948 #19, US #1 for 2 weeks, 15 total weeks, 188 points
20Francis Craig and His Orchestra"Beg Your Pardon"Bullet 1012US Billboard 1948 #20, US #3 for 1 week, 20 total weeks, 188 points, sold 2.5 million
25Spike Jones and His City Slickers"All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth"RCA Victor 20-3177US Billboard 1948 #25, US #1 for 3 weeks, 8 total week, 138 points
30Mel Blanc and the Sportsmen"Woody Woodpecker"Capitol 15278US Billboard 1948 #30, US #2 for 5 weeks, 9 total weeks, 81 points
56Gene Autry"Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)"Columbia 37942US Billboard 1948 #56, US #8 for 1 week, 5 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1948 #24, USHB #4 for 1 week, 7 total weeks, 35 points
134Gene Autry"Buttons and Bows"Columbia 20469US Billboard 1948 #134, US #17 for 1 week, 3 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1948 #30, USHB #6 for 1 weeks, 12 total weeks, 17 points

The Billboard's Top Race Records

The following songs appeared in The Billboard's Most-Played Juke Box Race Records and Best-Selling Retail Race Records charts, starting November 1947 through November 1948. Each week twenty points were awarded to the number one record, then fourteen points for number two, thirteen 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. Also see Billboard Top Race Records of 1948.
RankArtistTitleLabelRecordedReleasedChart Positions
1Sonny Thompson with The Sharps and Flats"Long Gone"Miracle 126US Billboard 1948 #339, US pop charts #29 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #1, Race Records charts #1 for 5 weeks, 31 total weeks, 700 points
2Lonnie Johnson"Tomorrow Night"King 4201US Billboard 1948 #149, US pop charts #19 for 1 week, 3 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #2, Race Records charts #1 for 7 weeks, 18 total weeks, 622 points
3Amos Milburn"Chicken Shack Boogie"Aladdin 3014US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #3, Race Records charts #1 for 5 weeks, 23 total weeks, 577 points
4Ivory Joe Hunter"Pretty Mama Blues"Pacific 637US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #4, Race Records charts #1 for 3 weeks, 25 total weeks, 530 points
5Wynonie Harris"Good Rockin' Tonight"King 4210US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #5, Race Records charts #1 for 1 week, 25 total weeks, 519 points
6Red Miller Trio"Bewildered"Bullet 295US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #6, Race Records charts #1 for 5 weeks, 21 total weeks, 486 points
7Hal Singer Sextette"Corn Bread"Savoy 671US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #7, Race Records charts #1 for 4 weeks, 21 total weeks, 482 points
8Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends"King Size Papa"Capitol Americana 40082US Billboard 1948 #128, US pop charts #15 for 1 week, 3 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #8, Race Records charts #1 for 9 weeks, 28 total weeks, 451 points
9Bull Moose Jackson and His Buffalo Bearcats"I Can't Go on Without You"King 4230US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #9, Race Records charts #1 for 8 weeks, 17 total weeks, 418 points
10Memphis Slim and His House Rockers"Messin' Around"Miracle 125US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #10, Race Records charts #1 for 2 weeks, 25 total weeks, 403 points
11Amos Milburn"Bewildered"Aladdin 3018US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #11, Race Records charts #1 for 3 weeks, 16 total weeks, 384 points
12Arbee Stidham"My Heart Belongs to You"RCA Victor 20-2572US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #12, Race Records charts #1 for 1 week, 24 total weeks, 372 points
13Bull Moose Jackson and His Buffalo Bearcats"I Love You Yes I Do"King 4181US Billboard 1948 #182, US pop charts #21 for 1 week, 3 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #13, Race Records charts #1 for 3 weeks, 26 total weeks, 352 points
14Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five"Run Joe"Decca 24448US Billboard 1948 #240, US pop charts #23 for 1 week, 3 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #14, Race Records charts #1 for 2 weeks, 15 total weeks, 324 points
15Roy Brown and His Orchestra"Long About Midnight"DeLuxe 3154US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #15, Race Records charts #1 for 1 week, 17 total weeks, 313 points
16Bull Moose Jackson and His Buffalo Bearcats"All My Love Belongs To You"King 4189US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #16, Race Records charts #3 for 2 weeks, 17 total weeks, 273 points
17Pee Wee Crayton and His Guitar"Blues After Hours"Modern 624US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #17, Race Records charts #1 for 3 weeks, 13 total weeks, 256 points
18The Orioles"It's Too Soon to Know"It's A Natural 5000US Billboard 1948 #110, US pop charts #13 for 1 week, 7 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #18, Race Records charts #1 for 1 weeks, 17 total weeks, 239 points
19Nellie Lutcher and Her Rhythm"Fine Brown Frame"Capitol 15032US Billboard 1948 #195, US pop charts #21 for 1 week, 2 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #19, Race Records charts #2 for 3 weeks, 17 total weeks, 229 points
20Dinah Washington"Am I Asking Too Much"Mercury 8095US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #20, Race Records charts #1 for 1 weeks, 14 total weeks, 219 points
21Paula Watson"A Little Bird Told Me"Supreme 1507US Billboard 1949 #44, US pop charts #6 for 1 weeks, 16 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #21, Race Records charts #2 for 1 weeks, 14 total weeks, 203 points
22Sonny Thompson with The Sharps and Flats"Late Freight"Miracle 128US Billboard 1948 #205, US pop charts #21 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #22, Race Records charts #1 for 1 week, 11 total weeks, 200 points
23King Cole"Nature Boy"Capitol 15054US Billboard 1948 #6, US pop charts #1 for 8 weeks, 18 total weeks, US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #23, Race Records charts #2 for 1 week, 12 total weeks, 198 points
24The Ravens"Send for Me if You Need Me"National 9045US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #24, Race Records charts #4 for 1 week, 11 total weeks, 165 points
25Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five"Barnyard Boogie"Decca 24300US Billboard Top Race Records 1948 #25, Race Records charts #2 for 4 weeks, 13 total weeks, 152 points

Published popular music

Classical music

Compositions

Opera

Film

Musical theatre

A La Carte London production As the Girls Go Broadway productionBob's Your Uncle London production opened at the Saville Theatre on May 5 and ran for 363 performances The Boltons Revue London productionCage Me a Peacock London production opened at the Strand Theatre on June 18 and ran for 337 performancesCaribbean Rhapsody London productionCarissima London production opened at the Palace Theatre on March 10 and ran for 488 performances Down in the Valley Broadway productionHigh Button Shoes – London production opened at the Hippodrome on December 22 and ran for 291 performancesImperial Violets Paris production Inside U.S.A. Broadway production loosely based on the book Inside U.S.A. by John Gunther. Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz. Opened on Broadway at the New Century Theatre on April 30, 1948, and run for 399 performancesThe Kid from Stratford London production opened at the Prince's Theatre on September 30 and ran for 235 performances Kiss Me, Kate – Broadway production opened on December 30 at the New Century Theatre and ran for 1077 performances Lend an Ear Broadway production Look Ma, I'm Dancin'! Broadway production Love Life Broadway productionMaid to Measure London revue opened at the Cambridge Theatre on May 20. Starring Jessie Matthews, Tommy Fields, Joan Heal and Lew Parker. Magdalena Broadway production Make Mine Manhattan Broadway production Moonshine New Haven productionMy Romance opened at the Shubert Theatre on October 19, transferred to the Adelphi Theatre (New York) on December 7 and ran for a total of 95 performances Oranges And Lemons London production Slings And Arrows London production That's The Ticket Broadway production Where's Charley? Broadway production opened on October 11 at the St. James Theatre and ran for 792 performances

Musical films

April Showers starring Ann Sothern, Jack Carson, Robert Alda and S. Z. Sakall. Directed by James V. Kern.Are You With It? starring Donald O'Connor, Olga San Juan and Martha Stewart. Directed by Jack Hively. La Belle Meuniere Big City Bill and Coo Casbah starring Yvonne DeCarlo and Tony Martin. A Date with Judy starring Wallace Beery, Jane Powell and Elizabeth Taylor. Directed by Richard Thorpe. Deux Amours Easter Parade starring Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford and Ann Miller. Directed by Charles Walter. The Emperor Waltz starring Bing Crosby, Joan Fontaine, Roland Culver, Richard Haydn and Lucille Watson. Directed by Billy Wilder. Fandango Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin' starring Donald O'Connor, Marjorie Main, Percy Kilbride and Penny Edwards. Directed by George Sherman. For the Love of Mary A Foreign Affair Give My Regards to Broadway Glamour Girl starring Virginia Grey and Gene Krupa & his Band. Directed by Arthur Dreifuss. The Glass Mountain If You Knew Susie The Kissing Bandit Ladies of the Chorus starring Adele Jergens and Marilyn Monroe Lulu Belle Luxury Liner Martin Block's Musical Merry Go Round Mary Lou Melody Time animated film including Johnny Appleseed and Pecos BillMexican Hayride Mickey A Miracle Can Happen The Miracle of the Bells Music Man On an Island with You starring Esther Williams, Peter Lawford and Jimmy Durante. Directed by Richard Thorpe. One Night with You One Sunday Afternoon starring Dennis Morgan and Janis PaigeOne Touch Of Venus released August, starring Ava Gardner, Robert Walker and Dick Haymes. The Paleface starring Bob Hope and Jane Russell The Pirate Rachel and the Stranger Romance on the High Seas So Dear to My Heart A Song Is Born starring Danny Kaye, Virginia Mayo and Benny GoodmanSummer Holiday released on April 16 starring Mickey Rooney and Gloria DeHaven That Lady in Ermine starring Betty Grable and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Three Daring Daughters Two Guys From TexasUp In Central Park starring Deanna Durbin, Dick Haymes and Vincent Price. Directed by William Seiter. When My Baby Smiles At Me starring Betty Grable, Dan Dailey, June Havoc, Jack Oakie, James Gleason and Richard Arlen. Directed by Walter Lang. Words and Music You Were Meant for Me starring Jeanne Crain, Dan Dailey and Oscar Levant. Directed by Lloyd Bacon.

Births

Deaths