When did the UK singles charts begin?
The UK singles chart, as we know it, started on the 15th November 1952. Previous to this any number ones were based on sheet music sold (yeah, I know right).
What was the first ever UK number one?
The first ever number one was “Here In My Heart” by Al Martino and entered the charts on 15th November 1952. It remained at number one for 9 weeks.
This song is easy listening, big band swing at it’s best. What a voice! I try to imagine how much simpler life was back when this was number one.
Nice one Al!
Wikipedia
“Here in My Heart” is a popular song, written by Pat Genaro, Lou Levinson, and Bill Borrelli, and published in 1952.
A recording of the song by Al Martino made history as the first number one on the UK Singles Chart, on 14 November 1952. “Here in My Heart” remained in the top position for nine weeks in the United Kingdom, setting a record for the longest consecutive run at number one, a record which, over 50 years on, has only been beaten by six other tracks – Bryan Adams’s “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (16 weeks), the Wet Wet Wet version of The Troggs’ “Love Is All Around” (15 weeks), Drake’s “One Dance” (15 weeks), David Whitfield’s “Cara Mia” (10 weeks), Rihanna’s “Umbrella” (10 weeks) and Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” (10 weeks). Frankie Laine’s “I Believe” spent a total of 18 weeks at number one, but not consecutively, instead totalling 18 weeks across several runs at the top.
By staying at number one until 1953 in the UK, Martino secured for himself the record of being the only performer to have a number one hit in the entire year of 1952. No subsequent act has ever dominated the top spot so entirely in any later year.
Other versions, recorded by Vic Damone, and Tony Bennett, were also recorded around the same time. A rhythm and blues version was also recorded that year, by Wini Brown and her Boy Friends. Mario Lanza had also planned to record this song, but changed his mind when asked to by Martino so his own recording would not be neglected.
In 1961, Martino re-recorded the song, although it only reached #86 on the Billboard Top 100 chart (Top 20 on their “Easy Listening” survey). He had previously rerecorded the song in an unsuccessful rockaballad version for MGM’s Cub label.
Larry Day with orchestra Cond.: Frank Cordell recorded the song in London on June 24, 1952. It was released by EMI on the His Master’s Voice label as catalog number B 10323.
Semprini, piano with rhythm accompaniment recorded it as the first song of the medley “Dancing to the piano (No. 18) – Part 1” along with “Half as Much” and “Isle of Innisfree” in London on November 11, 1952. It was released by EMI on the His Master’s Voice label as catalog number B 10394.
In 1963, Richard Harris performed this song in the film This Sporting Life, although he would not release his first album until four years later, with 1967’s Camelot.
The track was Martino’s only UK number one hit. His subsequent releases failed to reach the top of the chart, and his final UK chart appearance was in 1973, when a reissue of “Spanish Eyes” reached the top five.
Lyrics
Here in my heart I’m alone, I’m so lonely
Here in my heart I just yearn for you only
Here in my arms I long to hold you
Hold you so near, ever close to my heart
So, darling
Say that you care, take these arms I give gladly
Surely you know I need your love so badly
Here is my heart, my life, and my all, dear
Please be mine and stay here in my heart
Say that you care, take these arms I give gladly
Surely you know I need your love so badly
Here is my heart, my life, and my all, dear
Please be mine and stay here in my heart
The Playlist
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