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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Other • Top 1000

Top R&B Songs of the 1940s

1940

Video playlist

Cover

Date

Title

Album

US
country
peak

Comment

Video

1.

White Christmas by Bing Crosby

398

✫1
US

✫1
R&B

[Academy Award for Best Original Song 1942]
[Decca 23778]
written by Irving Berlin

2.

Pistol Packin' Mama by Al Dexter

394

✫1
US

✫1
country

5
R&B

as Al Dexter and His Troopers
[Okeh 6708]
written by Al Dexter

3.

There Are Such Things by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra

392

✫1
US

2
R&B

vocals by Frank Sinatra & The Pied Pipers
[Victor 27974]
written by Stanley Adams, Abel Baer & George W. Meyer

4.

I Had the Craziest Dream by Harry James and His Orchestra

383

✫1
US

4
R&B

vocals by Helen Forrest
[Columbia 36659]
written by Harry Warren & Mack Gordon

5.

The Gypsy by The Ink Spots

382

✫1
US

✫1
R&B

written by Billy Reid

6.

Nature Boy by Nat King Cole

380

✫1
US

2
R&B

as King Cole
[Capitol 15054]
written by Eden Ahbez

7.

I've Heard That Song Before by Harry James and His Orchestra

376

✫1
US

✫1
R&B

[Columbia 36668]
written by Jule Styne & Sammy Cahn

8.

You'll Never Know by Dick Haymes

376

✫1
US

✫1
R&B

[Decca 18556]
written by Harry Warren, Mack Gordon & Dorothy Fern Norris

9.

Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall by The Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald

374

✫1
US

✫1
R&B

written by Doris Fisher & Allan Roberts

10.

G.I. Jive by Louis Jordan

374

✫1
US

✫1
R&B

as Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
[Decca 8659]
written by Johnny Mercer

11.

Rum and Coca-Cola by The Andrews Sisters

373

✫1
US

3
R&B

[Decca 18636]
written by Lord Invader & Lionel Belasco

12.

Open the Door, Richard! by Count Basie

372

✫1
US

2
R&B

[novelty]
[RCA Victor 2127]
written by Bob Russell

13.

Paper Doll by The Mills Brothers

371

✫1
US

2
R&B

written by Johnny Black (as Johnny S. Black)

14.

Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive by Johnny Mercer

370

✫1
US

4
R&B

[Capitol 180]
written by Harold Arlen & Johnny Mercer

15.

(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons by The King Cole Trio

370

✫1
US

3
R&B

[Capitol 304]
written by Pat Best (as William Best) & Deek Watson

16.

To Each His Own by The Ink Spots

369

✫1
US

3
R&B

written by Jay Livingston & Ray Evans

17.

I'm Making Believe by The Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald

368

✫1
US

2
R&B

B side to Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall
written by James V. Monaco & Mack Gordon

18.

Open the Door, Richard by The Three Flames

367

✫1
US

3
R&B

[novelty]
[Columbia 37268]
written by Bob Russell

19.

Sunday, Monday or Always by Bing Crosby

364

✫1
US

3
R&B

[Decca 18561]
written by Jimmy Van Heusen & Johnny Burke

20.

You Always Hurt the One You Love by The Mills Brothers

359

✫1
US

5
R&B

B side to Till Then
written by Allan Roberts & Doris Fisher

21.

My Heart Tells Me (Should I Believe My Heart?) by Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra

355

✫1
US

7
R&B

vocals by Eugenie Baird
[Decca 18567]
written by Harry Warren & Mack Gordon

22.

Pistol Packin' Mama by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters

352

2
US

✫1
country

3
R&B

[Decca 23277]
written by Al Dexter

23.

Is You Is or Is You Ain't (Ma' Baby) by Louis Jordan

352

2
US

✫1
country

3
R&B

as Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
[Decca 8659]
written by Louis Jordan & Billy Austin

24.

Don't Fence Me In by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters

349

✫1
US

9
R&B

[Decca 23364]
written by Cole Porter & Robert Fletcher

25.

In the Blue of Evening by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra

349

✫1
US

10
R&B

vocals by Frank Sinatra
[Victor 201530]
written by Tom Adair (as Thomas Montgomery Adair) & Alfonso D'Artega

26.

Taking a Chance on Love by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

349

✫1
US

10
R&B

vocals by Helen Forrest
written by Vernon Duke, John La Touche (as John Latouche) & Ted Fetter

27.

I'll Walk Alone by Dinah Shore

348

✫1
US

10
R&B

[Victor 1586]
written by Jule Styne & Sammy Cahn

28.

Don't Get Around Much Anymore by The Ink Spots

330

2
US

✫1
R&B

written by Duke Ellington & Bob Russell

29.

Across the Alley from the Alamo by The Mills Brothers

328

2
US

2
R&B

written by Joe Greene

30.

It Can't Be Wrong by Dick Haymes

324

2
US

2
R&B

[Decca 18557]
written by Kim Gannon & Max Steiner

31.

All or Nothing at All by Frank Sinatra and Harry James

307

2
US

8
R&B

as Frank Sinatra & Harry James & His Orchestra
[Columbia 35587]
written by Arthur Altman & Jack Lawrence

32.

Brazil (Aquarela Do Brasil) by Xavier Cugat and His Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra

305

2
US

9
R&B

[instrumental]
[Columbia 36651]
written by Ary Barroso & Bob Russell

33.

Open the Door Richard! by Jack McVea and His All Stars

283

3
US

2
R&B

[novelty]
written by Bob Russell

34.

Open the Door, Richard! (Parts 1 & 2) by Dusty Fletcher

282

3
US

2
R&B

[novelty]
[National 4012]
written by Bob Russell

35.

The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas to You) by The King Cole Trio

277

3
US

3
R&B

[Christmas]
[Capitol 311]
written by Mel Tormé & Robert Wells

36.

Shoo-Shoo Baby by Ella Mae Morse

271

4
US

✫1
R&B

[Capitol 143]
written by Phil Moore

37.

It Started All Over Again by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra

265

4
US

2
R&B

vocals by Frank Sinatra & The Pied Pipers
[Victor 201522]
written by Bill Carey & Carl Fisher

38.

A Little Bird Told Me by Blue Lu Barker

264

4
US

4
R&B

[Capitol 15308]
written by Harvey O. Brooks

39.

That's My Desire by Frankie Laine

263

4
US

3
R&B

as Frankie Laine & Mannie Klein's All Stars
[Mercury 5007]
written by Helmy Kresa & Carroll Loveday

40.

As Time Goes By by Jacques Renard and His Orchestra

262

3
US

8
R&B

vocal by Frank Munn; originally from 1931
written by Herman Hupfeld

41.

I'll Be Home for Christmas (If Only in My Dreams) by Bing Crosby

261

3
US

8
R&B

[Christmas]
[Decca 18570]
written by Buck Ram, Kim Gannon & Walter Kent

42.

Why Don't You Do Right by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra

257

4
US

4
R&B

vocals by Peggy Lee
written by Kansas Joe McCoy

43.

You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To by Dinah Shore

244

4
US

10
R&B

[Victor 1519]
written by Cole Porter

44.

When They Ask About You by Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra

243

4
US

10
R&B

vocals by Kitty Kallen
[Decca 18582]
written by Sam H. Stept

45.

Cherry by Harry James and His Orchestra

243

4
US

10
R&B

[instrumental]
B side to Jump Town
written by Don Redman

46.

Caldonia by Louis Jordan

238

6
US

✫1
R&B

as Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
[Decca 8670]
written by Fleecie Moore

47.

Ain't Nobody Here but Us Chickens by Louis Jordan

235

6
US

✫1
R&B

written by Joan Whitney (as Joan Whitney Kramer) & Alex Kramer

48.

A Little Bird Told Me by Paula Watson

234

6
US

2
R&B

[Supreme 1507]
written by Harvey O. Brooks

49.

Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me by Duke Ellington

232

6
US

✫1
R&B

[instrumental]
[Victor 20-1547]
written by Duke Ellington & Bob Russell

50.

Boogie Woogie by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra

231

5
US

6
R&B

[instrumental]
[Victor 26054]
written by Clarence "Pinetop" Smith

51.

Open the Door, Richard! by Louis Jordan

229

6
US

2
R&B

written by Bob Russell

52.

I'm Beginning to See the Light by Duke Ellington

224

6
US

4
R&B

vocals by Joya Sherrill
[Victor 20-1618]
written by Duke Ellington, Don George, Johnny Hodges & Harry James

53.

I Wish by The Mills Brothers

224

6
US

4
R&B

B side to Put Another Chair At the Table
written by Allan Roberts & Doris Fisher

54.

White Christmas by Bing Crosby

223

5
US

9
R&B

[R]
[Christmas]
[Decca 18429]
written by Irving Berlin

55.

Straighten Up and Fly Right by The King Cole Trio

222

9
US

✫1
country

✫1
R&B

US B side to Straighten Up and Fly Right
[Capitol 154]
written by Nat King Cole & Irving Mills

56.

Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well by Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra

220

7
US

✫1
R&B

vocals by Wynonie Harris
[Decca 18674]
written by Eddie DeLange & John Benson Brooks (as Johnny Brooks)

57.

Choo Choo Ch'Boogie by Louis Jordan

219

7
US

✫1
R&B

written by Denver Darling, Vaughn Horton & Milt Gabler

58.

Stone Cold Dead in the Market (He Had It Coming) by Louis Jordan and Ella Fitzgerald

218

7
US

✫1
R&B

written by Wilmoth Houdini

59.

My Happiness by Ella Fitzgerald

216

6
US

8
R&B

with the Song Spinners
[Decca 24446]
written by Betty Peterson Blasco & Borney Bergantine

60.

Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me by Woody Herman and His Orchestra

200

7
US

4
R&B

written by Duke Ellington & Bob Russell

61.

Ration Blues by Louis Jordan

200

11
US

✫1
country

✫1
R&B

as Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
[Decca 8654]
written by Antonio Cosey, Collenane Clark & Louis Jordan

62.

I'll Get by (As Long as I Have You) by The Ink Spots

200

7
US

4
R&B

written by Fred E. Ahlert & Roy Turk

63.

Don't Get Around Much Anymore (Never No Lament) by Duke Ellington

200

8
US

✫1
R&B

[instrumental]
[Victor 26610]
written by Duke Ellington & Bob Russell

64.

Till Then by The Mills Brothers

199

8
US

✫1
R&B

written by Eddie Seiler, Sol Marcus & Guy Wood

65.

Tippin' In by Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra

193

9
US

✫1
R&B

[instumental]
written by Bobby Smith [saxophonist] (as Robert Lewis Smith)

66.

A Cottage for Sale by Billy Eckstine

192

8
US

3
R&B

as Billy Eckstine & His Orchestra
hit for Guy Lombardo in 1930
[National 9014]
written by Willard Robison & Larry Conley

67.

Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop by Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra

191

9
US

✫1
R&B

written by Curley Hamner & Lionel Hampton

68.

Buzz Me by Louis Jordan

191

9
US

✫1
R&B

written by Fleecie Moore (as Fleecy Moore) & Bobby Black (as Dave Dexter)

69.

Mr. Five by Five by Freddie Slack and His Orchestra

187

10
US

✫1
R&B

written by Don Raye & Gene De Paul (as Gene DePaul)

70.

I Love You So Much It Hurts by The Mills Brothers

183

8
US

8
R&B

[Decca 24550]
written by Floyd Tillman

71.

Cow-Cow Boogie by Freddie Slack and His Orchestra

178

9
US

6
R&B

written by Don Raye, Benny Carter & Gene De Paul (as Gene DePaul)

72.

It's Only a Paper Moon by Ella Fitzgerald and The Delta Rhythm Boys

178

9
US

4
R&B

written by Harold Arlen, E. Y. Harburg & Billy Rose

73.

It's Only a Paper Moon by Delta Rhythm Boys

178

9
US

4
R&B

hit for Paul Whiteman in 1933
[Decca 23425]
written by Harold Arlen, E. Y. Harburg & Billy Rose

74.

Cow-Cow Boogie (Cuma-Ti-Yi-Y-Ay) by The Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald

176

10
US

✫1
R&B

written by Don Raye, Gene De Paul & Benny Carter

75.

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Louis Jordan and Ella Fitzgerald

175

9
US

6
R&B

written by Frank Loesser

76.

Prisoner of Love by The Ink Spots

174

9
US

5
R&B

written by Russ Columbo, Clarence Gaskill & Leo Robin

77.

The Honeydripper by Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra

174

10
US

2
R&B

as Jimmie Lunceford and His Orchestra & The Delta Rhythm Boys
[Decca 23451]
written by Joe Liggins

78.

You Were Only Fooling (While I Was Falling in Love) by The Ink Spots

174

8
US

15
R&B

written by Larry Fotine, Billy Faber & Fred Meadows

79.

Sweet Slumber by Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra

168

15
US

4
country

✫1
R&B

vocals by Trevor Bacon
[Decca 18569]
written by Al Neiburg (as Al J. Neiburg), Lucky Millinder & Henri Woode (as William Henri Woode)

80.

Jimmy's Blues by Count Basie

168

10
US

3
R&B

[Columbia 36831]
written by Jimmy Rushing (as James Rushing)

81.

Prisoner of Love by Billy Eckstine

167

10
US

3
R&B

as Billy Eckstine & His Orchestra
hit for russ columbo in 1932
[National 9017]
written by Russ Columbo, Clarence Gaskill & Leo Robin

82.

Don't Cry, Baby by Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra

166

15
US

6
country

✫1
R&B

vocals by Jimmy Mitchelle
[Bluebird 30-0813]
written by Jimmy Mitchelle (as Jimmy Mitchell) & Sammy Lowe

83.

I Learned a Lesson, I'll Never Forget by 5 Red Caps

165

14
US

2
country

3
R&B

[Beacon 7120]
written by Joe Davis

84.

The Dark Town Poker Club by Phil Harris

165

10
US

4
R&B

as Phil Harris & his Orchestra
[novelty]
hit for Bert Williams in 1914
[ARA 116]
written by Bert Williams, Will Vodery & Jean Havez (as Jean C. Havez)

85.

You Can't Get That No More by Louis Jordan

164

11
US

2
R&B

as Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
[Decca 8668]
written by Louis Jordan & Sam Theard

86.

When My Man Comes Home by Buddy Johnson

160

18
US

2
country

✫1
R&B

vocals by Ella Johnson
[Decca 8655]
written by Buddy Johnson & J. Mayo Williams

87.

It's Too Soon to Know by The Orioles

159

13
US

✫1
R&B

[Jubilee 5000]
written by Deborah Chessler

88.

The Honeydripper (Parts 1 & 2) by Joe Liggins and His Honeydrippers

158

13
US

✫1
R&B

written by Joe Liggins

89.

Caldonia by Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra

158

12
US

2
R&B

vocals by Ace Harris & Band
written by Fleecie Moore

90.

When the Lights Go On Again (All Over the World) by Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra

157

14
US

✫1
R&B

vocals by Trevor Bacon
[Decca 18496]
written by Bennie Benjamin, Eddie Seiler & Sol Marcus

91.

(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66 by The King Cole Trio

156

11
US

3
R&B

[Capitol 256]
written by Bobby Troup

92.

Got a Right to Cry by Joe Liggins and His Honeydrippers

156

12
US

2
R&B

written by Joe Liggins

93.

Sweet Georgia Brown by Brother Bones and His Shadows

156

10
US

9
R&B

[instrumental]
[Tempo 652]
written by Ben Bernie, Maceo Pinkard & Kenneth Casey

94.

G.I. Jive by Johnny Mercer

154

13
US

✫1
R&B

[Capitol 141]
written by Johnny Mercer

95.

Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me by Stan Kenton and His Orchestra

152

10
US

8
R&B

vocals by Red Dorris
written by Duke Ellington & Bob Russell

96.

Don't Be a Baby, Baby by The Mills Brothers

150

12
US

3
R&B

written by Buddy Kaye & Howard Steiner

97.

King Size Papa by Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends

150

15
US

✫1
R&B

[Capitol 40082]
written by Johnny Gomez & Paul Vance

98.

Red Blues by Cootie Williams

147

18
US

4
country

2
R&B

vocals by Eddie 'Cleanhead' Vinson ; aka Cherry Red Blues
[Hit 7084]
written by Bob Haggart

99.

I Can't Give You Anything but Love by Rose Murphy

146

13
US

3
R&B

#1 hit for Cliff Edwards in 1928
[Majestic 1204]
written by Jimmy McHugh & Dorothy Fields

100.

That's the Stuff You Gotta Watch by Buddy Johnson

146

14
US

2
R&B

vocals by Ella Johnson
written by Buddy Johnson

US charts info based on Billboard (www.billboard.com) charts • UK charts info based on The Official UK Charts Company's charts

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