1957: Do Your Stuff

7 — Elvis Presley: "All Shook Up"

4 — Pat Boone: "Love Letters in the Sand" 

7 — Jimmy Dorsey with Orchestra and Chorus: "So Rare"

5 — Elvis Presley: "(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear"

4 — Paul Anka: "Diana"

5 — Jimmie Rodgers: "Honeycomb"

9 — The Bobbettes: "Mr. Lee"

8 — The Everly Brothers: "Wake Up Little Susie"

3 — Bobby Helms: "My Special Angel"

9 — Elvis Presley: "Jailhouse Rock"

7 — The Rays: "Silhouettes"

7 — Sam Cooke: "You Send Me"

5 — Bill Justis: "Raunchy"

5 — Danny & The Juniors: "At the Hop"

Though some of the scores may suggest otherwise, I rather enjoyed these number one hits on Canada's CHUM chart from 1957. Being a music fan who considers fifties' jazz to be vastly superior to either pop or rock 'n' roll from the same period, I hadn't been expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised by a few selections. Jimmy Dorsey's "So Rare" was an early highlight and it would have scored even higher had it not been for that horrible and superfluous chorus. "Jailhouse Rock" proved to be much better than I remember it being, even if I could probably knock it down to an eight depending on my mood. But the real stand out was "Mr. Lee" which I even considered giving a ten at one point until it dawned on me that full marks should be saved for records that I don't have to think about.

There are two big disappointments in this batch as well. The first is "Honeycomb", which impressed me a first only to start to get on my nerves even before that first listen had ended. The other is "Raunchy", which, if nothing else, is proof that simply being 'influential' is not good enough if listening to the bloody thing is otherwise such a chore. (Honestly, I'm a little surprised I didn't give it an even lower score than the modest five it received) As for "My Special Angel", the lowest rated number one hit of the year, it didn't disappoint. I wasn't expecting anything from it and that's exactly what I got. Credit where credit is due.

But '57 is a pretty decent year for Canadian number ones all things considered. There will be stronger twelve month periods ahead but no doubt others will be weaker. A good start.

Next up is 1958. I had been dreading this year of lame novelty hits but I think there are a few gems sprinkled throughout as well. Also, the comedy songs aren't quite as commonplace as I had been expecting. With Elvis' eminent induction into the US military and the overall slowing down of rock 'n' roll's early rush, there was plenty of crap to fill the void but I'm anticipating a respectable collection of hits to come.

Finally, thanks for reading this blog. Please message, friend request or follow me on Facebook, comment, share or just remain silent and keep it to yourself. Whatever you like. I'm in no position to be expecting other people to do the sort of stuff I seldom do.