1
record label: Mercury 70893
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #4
written by: Georges Boulanger and Jimmy Kennedy
album: The Platters
comments: [ballad]
The Platters
My Prayer
1956
Mercury
2
record label: Gee 1002
chart position: RandB #1, US #6, UK #1
weeksinr&bchart: 17
written by: Frankie Lymon, Herman Santiago and George Goldner
album: The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #307]
Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers
Why Do Fools Fall In Love
1956
Gee
3
record label: Mercury 70753
chart position: RandB #1, US #1
written by: Buck Ram
album: The Platters – Vol. IV
comments: [ballad]
The Platters
The Great Pretender
1956
Mercury
4
record label: Imperial 107
chart position: RandB #1, US #2, UK #6
written by: Vincent Rose, Al Lewis and Larry Stock
album: This Is Fats Domino!
Fats Domino
Blueberry Hill
1956
Imperial
5
record label: King 4950
chart position: RandB #1, US #2
weeksinr&bchart: 28
written by: Bill Doggett, Billy Butler, Clifford Scott and Shep Shepherd
album: Everybody Dance the Honky Tonk
comments: [instrumental]
Bill Doggett
Honky Tonk (Parts 1 and 2)
1956
King
6
record label: Imperial 5386
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, UK #12
weeksinr&bchart: 20
written by: Fats Domino (as Antoine Domino), Dave Bartholomew
album: Fats Domino Rock and Rollin'
Fats Domino
I'm in Love Again
1956
Imperial
7
record label: Mercury 70633
chart position: RandB #1, US #5
written by: Buck Ram (as Ande Rand)
The Platters
Only You (And You Alone)
1956
Mercury
8
record label: King 4935
chart position: RandB #1, US #24
written by: Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell (as John Davenport)
album: Fever
Little Willie John
Fever
1956
King
9
record label: Specialty 5015
chart position: RandB #1, US #6, UK #3
weeksinr&bchart: 16
written by: Enotris Johnson, Robert Blackwell and Little Richard (as Richard Penniman)
album: Here's Little Richard
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #56]
Little Richard
Long Tall Sally
1956
Specialty
10
record label: Atlantic 1111
chart position: RandB #1, US #12
written by: Ivory Joe Hunter
album: Ivory Joe Hunter
comments: [ballad]
Ivory Joe Hunter
Since I Met You Baby
1956
Atlantic
11
record label: Specialty 579
chart position: RandB #1, US #17, UK #30
weeksinr&bchart: 17
written by: Robert Blackwell, John Marascalco
album: Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
Rip It Up
1956
Specialty
12
record label: Specialty 561
chart position: RandB #2, US #17, UK #29
weeksinr&bchart: 21
written by: Little Richard (as Richard Penniman), Dorothy LaBostrie
album: Here's Little Richard
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #43]
Little Richard
Tutti Frutti
1956
Specialty
13
record label: Aladdin 3325
chart position: RandB #1, US #20
weeksinr&bchart: 19
written by: Leonard Lee
album: Let the Good Times Roll
Shirley & Lee
Let the Good Times Roll
1956
Aladdin
14
record label: RPM 453
chart position: RandB #2, US #14
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Aaron Collins
album: Eddie My Love
comments: [ballad]
The Teen Queens
Eddie My Love
1956
RPM
15
record label: Chess 1581
chart position: RandB #1, US #20
weeksinr&bchart: 20
written by: Harvey Fuqua, Alan Freed
The Moonglows
Sincerely
1956
Chess
16
record label: Ember 1005
chart position: RandB #3, US #24
weeksinr&bchart: 17
written by: Fred Parris
album: The Five Satins
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #90]
The Five Satins
(I Remember) In the Still of the Nite
1956
Ember
17
record label: Atlantic 1092
chart position: RandB #1, US #16, UK #27
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Joe Shapiro, Lou Stallman
album: Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters
Clyde McPhatter
Treasure of Love
1956
Atlantic
18
record label: Gee 1012
chart position: RandB #3, US #13
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Morris Levy
album: The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon
Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
I Want You to Be My Girl
1956
Gee
19
record label: Mercury 70819
chart position: RandB #4, US #4
written by: Buck Ram
album: The Platters – Vol. IV
comments: [ballad]
The Platters
(You've Got) The Magic Touch
1956
Mercury
20
record label: Atlantic 1116
chart position: RandB #1, US #17
written by: Lincoln Chase
album: LaVern Baker
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #343]
LaVern Baker & The Gliders
Jim Dandy
1956
Atlantic
21
record label: Atlantic 1085
chart position: RandB #1
written by: Henry Glover
album: Ray Charles
comments: [ballad]
Ray Charles
Drown in My Own Tears
1956
Atlantic
22
record label: Mercury 70963
chart position: RandB #3, US #17
written by: Sil Austin
album: Golden Saxophone Hits
comments: [Jazz RnB Instrumental]
Sil Austin
Slow Walk
1956
Mercury
23
record label: Atlantic 1088
chart position: RandB #2, US #41
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: J. Mayo Williams, Bo Chatman and Mitchell Parish
album: Rock and Roll
comments: first recorded by Turner in 1941 with the Art Tatum band Decca 8563
Joe Turner
Corrina, Corrina
1956
Atlantic
24
record label: Atlantic 1081
chart position: RandB #2, US #44
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Willis Carroll, Carmen Taylor
album: Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters
Clyde McPhatter
Seven Days
1956
Atlantic
25
record label: King 5000
chart position: RandB #4, US #26
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Sil Austin
album: Wow!
comments: instrumental
Bill Doggett
Slow Walk
1956
King
26
record label: Rama 216
chart position: RandB #5, US #53
weeksinr&bchart: 15
written by: James Sheppard and William H. Miller
album: A Thousand Miles Away
comments: [ballad]
The Heartbeats
A Thousand Miles Away
1956
Rama
27
record label: Imperial 5396
chart position: RandB #2, US #14
written by: Cliff Friend and Dave Franklin
album: Fats Domino Rock and Rollin'
Fats Domino
When My Dreamboat Comes Home
1956
Imperial
28
record label: Atlantic 1104
chart position: RandB #4, US #97
written by: Dorian Burton and Howard Plummer
album: LaVern Baker
LaVern Baker
Still
1956
Atlantic
29
record label: Vee Jay 226
chart position: RandB #3
weeksinr&bchart: 9
written by: Jimmy Reed
album: I'm Jimmy Reed
comments: [blues]
Jimmy Reed
You've Got Me Dizzy
1956
Vee Jay
30
record label: Flash 115
chart position: RandB #2, US #79
weeksinr&bchart: 4
written by: Gus Jenkins
comments: [instrumental]
Gus Jenkins
Tricky
1956
Flash
31
record label: Atlantic 1085
chart position: RandB #2
weeksinr&bchart: 2
written by: Charles
album: Ray Charles
comments: b side of Drown In My Own Tears
Ray Charles
Mary Ann
1956
Atlantic
32
record label: Parrot 10822
chart position: RandB #3, US #20
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Clarence Henry
Clarence Frogman Henry
Ain't Got No Home
1956
Parrot
33
record label: Modern 994
chart position: RandB #4, US #15
weeksinr&bchart: 4
written by: James Johnson [James E. Johnson], Ernestine Smith and Al Curry
album: Rockin' N' Reelin'
The Cadets
Stranded In The Jungle
1956
Modern
34
record label: Savoy 1155
chart position: RandB #2, US #25
written by: Nappy Brown, Rose Marie McCoy and Fred Mendelsohn
Nappy Brown
Don't Be Angry
1956
Savoy
35
record label: Chess 1626
chart position: RandB #2, US #29
weeksinr&bchart: 7
written by: Chuck Berry
album: Rock, Rock, Rock OST
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #97]
Chuck Berry
Roll Over Beethoven
1956
Chess
36
record label: Specialty 572
chart position: RandB #2, US #33
weeksinr&bchart: 16
written by: Little Richard (as Richard Penniman), Eddie Bo (as Eddie Bocage), Albert Collins and James Smith
album: Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
Slippin' and Slidin' (Peepin' and Hidin')
1956
Specialty
37
record label: Imperial 5386
chart position: RandB #5, US #19
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: Walter Donaldson and George Whiting (as George A. Whiting)
album: Fats Domino Rock and Rollin'
Fats Domino
My Blue Heaven
1956
Imperial
38
record label: Deluxe 6093
chart position: RandB #5, US #11
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Jack Fulton and Lois Steele
album: Otis Williams And His Charms Sing Their All Time Hits
comments: [ballad]
Otis Williams & His Charms
Ivory Tower
1956
Deluxe
39
record label: Aladdin 3338
chart position: RandB #3, US #38
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Leonard Lee
Shirley & Lee
I Feel Good
1956
Aladdin
40
record label: Atlantic 1094
chart position: RandB #4, US #30
weeksinr&bchart: 4
written by: Mack David, Teddy McRae and Sid Wyche
album: The Clovers
The Clovers
Love, Love, Love
1956
Atlantic
41
record label: Flip 315
chart position: RandB #7, US #25
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Ed Wells
comments: [ballad]
The Six Teens
A Casual Look
1956
Flip
42
record label: Imperial 5375
chart position: RandB #5, US #35
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew
album: Fats Domino Swings
Fats Domino
Bo Weevil
1956
Imperial
43
record label: Atlantic 1104
chart position: RandB #7, US #22
written by: Dorian Burton, Howard Plummer and LaVern Baker
album: LaVern Baker
LaVern Baker
I Can't Love You Enough
1956
Atlantic
44
record label: Mercury 70948
chart position: RandB #9, US #11
written by: Buck Ram (as Jeanette Miles), Paul Robi and Tony Williams
album: The Platters – Vol. IV
comments: [ballad]
The Platters
You'll Never Never Know
1956
Mercury
45
record label: Chess 1629
chart position: RandB #6 US #25
weeksinr&bchart: 7
written by: Billy Davis [Roquel Davis], Harry Pratt and Charles Sutton
The Moonglows
See Saw
1956
Chess
46
record label: London 8309
chart position: RandB #5, US #44
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Fats Domino (as Antoine Domino) and Dave Bartholomew
album: This Is Fats Domino!
Fats Domino
So-Long
1956
London
47
record label: Flash 109
chart position: RandB #9, US #18
written by: E. Smith, J. Johnson
The Jayhawks
Stranded in the Jungle
1956
Flash
48
record label: Dot 15507
chart position: RandB #8, US #17
weeksinr&bchart: 5
written by: Dorinda Morgan
album: If You Want This Love
comments: [ballad]
Sonny Knight
Confidential
1956
Dot
49
record label: Clef 89162
chart position: RandB #8, US #28
written by: Vernon Duke and E. Y. Harburg
comments: [jazz RnB]
Count Basie
April in Paris
1956
Clef
50
record label: Cheapo 1002
chart position: RandB #9, US #24
written by: Ronnie Jordan and John McDermott
The G-Clefs
Ka-Ding Dong
1956
Cheapo
51
record label: Gee 1011
chart position: RandB #8, US #57
weeksinr&bchart: 6
written by: Goldner, Cox
album: Heart And Soul
The Cleftones
Little Girl Of Mine
1956
Gee
52
record label: Specialty 579
chart position: RandB #8, US #44
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Robert Blackwell and John Marascalco
album: Here's Little Richard
Little Richard
Ready Teddy
1956
Specialty
53
record label: Vee Jay 168
chart position: RandB #3
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Jimmy Reed
album: I'm Jimmy Reed
comments: [blues]
Jimmy Reed
Ain't That Lovin' You Baby
1956
Vee Jay
54
record label: Atlantic 1098
chart position: RandB #3
written by: Chuck Willis
album: King Of The Stroll
comments: [ballad]
Chuck Willis
It's Too Late
1956
Atlantic
55
record label: Atlantic 1083
chart position: RandB #3
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Blanche Carter
album: The Clovers
comments: [ballad]
The Clovers
Devil or Angel
1956
Atlantic
56
record label: RPM 468
chart position: RandB #3
written by: Ivory Joe Hunter
album: Singin' the Blues
comments: [blues]
B.B. King
Bad Luck
1956
RPM
57
record label: RPM 479
chart position: RandB #3
written by: Buck Ram (as Jean Miles) and Katherine Harrison
album: Mr. Blues
comments: [ballad]
B.B. King
On My Word of Honor
1956
RPM
58
record label: Decca 29982
chart position: US #10
written by: Phil Belmonte, Alan White and Leroy Lovett
album: After The Lights Go Down Low
comments: [ballad]
Al Hibbler
After the Lights Go Down Low
1956
Decca
59
record label: Gee 1018
chart position: RandB #10, US #57
weeksinr&bchart: 3
written by: Jimmy Castor and Jimmy Smith
album: The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon
Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
I Promise to Remember
1956
Gee
60
record label: Gee 1022
chart position: RandB #8, US #77
weeksinr&bchart: 3
written by: Morris Levy
album: The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon
Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
The ABC's of Love
1956
Gee
61
record label: Checker 827
chart position: RandB #4
weeksinr&bchart: 1
written by: Bo Diddley (as Ellas McDaniel)
album: Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley
Pretty Thing
1956
Checker
62
record label: Vee Jay 204
chart position: RandB #4
written by: Marvin Junior and Johnny Funches
album: Oh, What A Nite
comments: [ballad]
The Dells
Oh, What A Nite
1956
Vee Jay
63
record label: Chess 1635
chart position: RandB #4
weeksinr&bchart: 6
written by: Chuck Berry
album: After School Session
Chuck Berry
Too Much Monkey Business
1956
Chess
64
record label: Decca 929933
chart position: US #13
written by: Remus Harris and Arthur Strauss
album: Billy Ward And The Dominoes
comments: [ballad]
Billy Ward & The Dominoes ft. Jackie Wilson
St. Therese of the Roses
1956
Decca
65
record label: Cash 1017
chart position: RandB #5
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: John Gray, Mike Akapoff and Ernie Freeman
album: Comin' Home Baby Stone Rocker
comments: [instrumental]
Ernie Freeman Combo
Jivin' Around
1956
Cash
66
record label: King 4841
chart position: RandB #5
written by: Mertis John (as Mertis John Jr.)
album: Fever
comments: [blues soul]
Little Willie John
Need Your Love So Bad
1956
King
67
record label: Federal 12258
chart position: RandB #5
written by: James Brown and Johnny Terry
album: Please, Please, Please
comments: [ballad]
James Brown with the Famous Flames
Please, Please, Please
1956
Federal
68
record label: Atlantic 1078
chart position: RandB #5
written by: Buddy Lucas
album: Rockin' & Driftin'
The Drifters
Steamboat
1956
Atlantic
69
record label: Atco 6073
chart position: RandB #11, US #73
weeksinr&bchart: 2
written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
album: The Coasters
The Coasters
One Kiss Led to Another
1956
Atco
70
record label: Atlantic 1096
chart position: RandB #5
written by: Ray Charles
album: Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Hallelujah, I Love Her So
1956
Atlantic
71
record label: Chess 1635
chart position: RandB #5
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Chuck Berry
album: After School Session
comments: B side to "Too Much Monkey Business" in the US
Chuck Berry
Brown Eyed Handsome Man
1956
Chess
72
record label: Capitol 3456
chart position: RandB #15, US #16
weeksinr&bchart: 2
written by: Clyde Otis and Kelly Owens
comments: [ballad]
Nat King Cole & the Four Knights
That's All There Is to That
1956
Capitol
73
record label: Imperial 5366
chart position: RandB #5
written by: Pearl King and Dave Bartholomew
album: I Didn't Wanna Do It
The Spiders
Witchcraft
1956
Imperial
74
record label: Melba 102
chart position: RandB #11, US #62
written by: The Willows and Morty Craft
Willows
Church Bells May Ring
1956
Melba
75
record label: King 4822
chart position: RandB #9, US #92
written by: Bubber Johnson
album: Come Home
comments: [ballad]
Bubber Johnson
Come Home
1956
King
76
record label: Checker 830
chart position: RandB #5
weeksinr&bchart: 1
written by: Fats Washington and Stan Lewis
album: The Flamingos
comments: [ballad]
The Flamingos
I'll Be Home
1956
Checker
77
record label: Mercury 70893
chart position: RandB #13, US #39
written by: Buck Ram
album: The Platters
comments: [ballad]
The Platters
Heaven on Earth
1956
Mercury
78
record label: King 4841
chart position: RandB #6
written by: Rudy Toombs
comments: [blues soul] [b side to Need Your Love So Bad]
Little Willie John
Home at Last
1956
King
79
record label: Jewel 861
chart position: RandB #6
weeksinr&bchart: 6
written by: Willie Dixon
comments: [blues]
Otis Rush
I Can't Quit You Baby
1956
Jewel
80
record label: Atlantic 1108
chart position: RandB #6
written by: Doc Pomus
album: Yes Indeed!
Ray Charles
Lonely Avenue
1956
Atlantic
81
record label: RPM 468
chart position: RandB #6
written by: B.B. King and Jules Taub
album: Singin' the Blues
comments: [blues]
B.B. King
Sweet Little Angel
1956
RPM
82
record label: Royal Roost 621
chart position: US #20
written by: Cooley
Eddie Cooley & the Dimples
Priscilla
1956
Royal Roost
83
record label: Checker 817
chart position: RandB #6
weeksinr&bchart: 2
written by: Bo Diddley (as Ellas McDaniel)
comments: [instrumental]
Little Walter & His Jukes
Roller Coaster
1956
Checker
84
record label: Gee 1018
chart position: RandB #7
weeksinr&bchart: 4
written by: Abner Silver, Roy Alfred
album: The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon
Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
Who Can Explain
1956
Gee
85
record label: Imperial 5621
chart position: RandB #7
weeksinr&bchart: 2
written by: Irving Ashby and Ernie Freeman
comments: instrumental
Ernie Freeman
Lost Dreams
1956
Imperial
86
record label: Atlantic 1112
chart position: RandB #7
written by: Jesse Stone and Chuck Willis
album: King Of The Stroll
comments: [ballad]
Chuck Willis
Juanita
1956
Atlantic
87
record label: Jamie 1145
chart position: RandB #7
weeksinr&bchart: 3
written by: George Motola and John Marascalco
album: The Casual
comments: [ballad]
Jesse Belvin
Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams)
1956
Jamie
88
record label: Specialty 584
chart position: RandB #7
weeksinr&bchart: 3
written by: John Marascalco and Maybelle Jackson
album: Little Richard
Little Richard
Heeby-Jeebies
1956
Specialty
89
record label: Capitol 3502
chart position: RandB #12, US #23
weeksinr&bchart: 3
written by: Ivory Joe Hunter and Clyde Otis
album: The Fantastic Five Keys
comments: [ballad]
The Five Keys
Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind
1956
Capitol
90
record label: Checker 833
chart position: RandB #7
weeksinr&bchart: 3
written by: Bernie Roth (as Bernard Roth)
Little Walter & His Jukes
Who
1956
Checker
91
record label: Chess 1620
chart position: RandB #7
written by: Bernie Roth (as Bernard Roth)
comments: [blues]
Muddy Waters
Forty Days and Forty Nights
1956
Chess
92
record label: Chess 1612
chart position: RandB #7
written by: Muddy Waters (as McKinley Morganfield)
album: Trouble No More (Singles 1955 1959)
comments: [blues]
Muddy Waters
Trouble, No More
1956
Chess
93
record label: Atlantic 1080
chart position: RandB #7
written by: Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
Joe Turner & His Blues Kings
The Chicken and the Hawk (Up, Up and Away)
1956
Atlantic
94
record label: Deluxe 6091
chart position: RandB #14, US #48
written by: Rudy Toombs
Otis Williams & His New Group
That's Your Mistake
1956
Deluxe
95
record label: Atlantic 2079
chart position: RandB #9
written by: Carmen Taylor and Willis Carroll
The Cookies
In Paradise
1956
Atlantic
96
record label: Chess 1618
chart position: RandB #8
weeksinr&bchart: 3
written by: Burnett
album: Moanin' In The Moonlight
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #285]
Howlin Wolf
Smoke Stack Lightning
1956
Chess
97
record label: Atlantic 1083
chart position: RandB #8
weeksinr&bchart: 10
written by: Turner
The Clovers
Hey, Doll Baby
1956
Atlantic
98
record label: Atco 6064
chart position: RandB #8
weeksinr&bchart: 6
written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
album: The Coasters
The Coasters
Down in Mexico
1956
Atco
99
record label: Chess 1615
chart position: RandB #8
weeksinr&bchart: 5
written by: Chuck Berry
album: After School Session
Chuck Berry
No Money Down
1956
Chess
100
record label: Atlantic 1100
chart position: RandB #8
written by: Jesse Stone
album: Rockin' The Blues
Joe Turner
Lipstick, Powder and Paint
1956
Atlantic