List of number-one rhythm and blues hits (United States)

Listed here are Billboard magazine's number-one rhythm and blues hits from 1942–1959. The Billboard R&B chart is today known as the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

Note: From May 22, 1948 to October 13, 1958, multiple charts (usually jukebox, DJ, and sales charts) were used, which explains the overlap in the dates of the charts. Because of the existence of multiple charts, some dates had more than one number-one song during the week.

Chart names

Harlem Hit Parade — 1942 to February 10, 1945.
Juke Box Race Records — February 17, 1945 to June 17, 1957.
Billboard's "Best Sellers" — May 22, 1948 to October 13, 1958.
Rhythm & Blues — June 25, 1949 to November 30, 1963.
Billboard's "Jockeys" — January 22, 1955 to October 13, 1958.
Hot R&B — October 20, 1958 to November 30, 1963. Reinstated January 30, 1965 and continued under that name until the week ending August 16, 1969.
Soul Singles — August 23, 1969 to July 7, 1973.
Hot Soul Singles — July 14, 1973 to June 19, 1982.
Hot Black Singles — June 26, 1982 to October 1990.
Hot R&B Singles — October 1990 to 1998.
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs — 1998 to present.

An asterisk after a song title means that the song lost and then regained the number-one spot.

1940s

1942

October 24: "Take It and Git" — Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy (1 week) - DECCA 4366
October 31: "Mr. Five by Five" —- Freddie Slack and His Orchestra (2 weeks)* - CAPITOL 115
November 7: "Trav'lin' Light" — Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra featuring Lady Day (3 weeks)* - CAPITOL 116
November 14: "Stormy Monday Blues" — Earl Hines and His Orchestra (1 week) - BLUEBIRD 11567
November 28: "When the Lights Go On Again" — Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra (2 weeks)* - DECCA 18496
December 19: "White Christmas" — Bing Crosby (3 weeks) - DECCA 18429

1943

January 16: "See See Rider Blues" — Bea Booze (4 weeks)* - DECCA 8633
January 23: "What's the Use of Getting Sober (When You Gonna Get Drunk Again)" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (1 week) - DECCA 23629
January 30: "That Ain't Right" — Nat King Cole Trio (1 week) - DECCA 8630
February 13: "Apollo Jump" — Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra (2 weeks) - DECCA 18529
March 6: "Don't Stop Now" — Bonnie Davis (5 weeks)* - SAVOY 102
March 27: "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" — The Ink Spots(2 weeks)* - DECCA 18503
April 17: "I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry James and His Orchestra (1 week) - COLUMBIA 36668
April 24: "I Can't Stand Losing You" — The Ink Spots (7 weeks)* - DECCA 18542
May 29: "Don't Get Around Much Anymore (Never No Lament)" — Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (3 weeks)* - VICTOR 26610
July 17: "You'll Never Know" — Dick Haymes (4 weeks) - DECCA 18556
August 14: "Don't Cry Baby" — Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra (14 weeks)* - BLUEBIRD 30-0813
September 25: "A Slip of the Lip (Can Sink a Ship)" — Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (1 week) - VICTOR 20-1528
October 2: "Sentimental Lady" — Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (1 week) - VICTOR 20-1528
November 20: "All for You" — The Nat King Cole Trio (2 weeks)* - CAPITOL 139
December 18: "Shoo-Shoo Baby" — Ella Mae Morse (2 weeks)* - CAPITOL 143
December 25: "Sweet Slumber" — Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra (1 week) - DECCA 18569

1944

January 1: "Ration Blues" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (1 week) - DECCA 8654
January 15: "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me" - Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (8 weeks)* - VICTOR 20-1547
January 22: "G.I. Jive" — Johnny Mercer with Paul Weston And His Orchestra (1 week) - CAPITOL 141
March 11: "Solo Flight" — Benny Goodman and His Orchestra (1 week) - COLUMBIA 36684
March 25: "Cow-Cow Boogie (Cuma-Ti-Yi-Yi-Ay)" — The Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald (1 week) - DECCA 18587
April 1: "Main Stem" — Duke Ellington and His Famous Orchestra (4 weeks)* - VICTOR 20-1556
April 15: "When My Man Comes Home" — Buddy Johnson and His Band (1 week) - DECCA 8655
April 29: "Straighten Up and Fly Right" — The Nat King Cole Trio (10 weeks)* - CAPITOL 154
July 15: "G.I. Jive" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (6 weeks)* - DECCA 8659
August 19: "Till Then" — The Mills Brothers (1 week) - DECCA 18599
September 2: "Hamp's Boogie Woogie" — Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra (6 weeks)* - DECCA 18613
September 30: "I'm Lost" — Benny Carter and His Orchestra (2 weeks)* - CAPITOL 165
October 21: "Gee-Baby — Ain’t I Good to You" — The Nat King Cole Trio (4 weeks) - CAPITOL 169
November 18: "Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall" — The Ink Spots and Ella Fitzgerald (11 weeks)* - DECCA 23356

1945

February 10: "Somebody's Gotta Go" — Cootie Williams and His Orchestra (1 week) - HIT 7119
February 17: "I Wonder" — Pvt. Cecil Gant (2 weeks) - GILT-EDGE 500 CG1
February 24: "I Wonder" — Roosevelt Sykes (7 weeks) - BLUEBIRD 34-0721
April 14: "Tippin' In" — Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra (6 weeks)* - RCA VICTOR 20-1639
April 21: "Mop! Mop!" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (1 week) - DECCA 8668
June 2: "Caldonia" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (7 weeks) - DECCA 8670
July 14: "Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well" — Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra (8 weeks) - DECCA 18674
September 8: "The Honeydripper" (Parts 1 & 2) — Joe Liggins and His Honeydrippers (18 weeks) - EXCLUSIVE 207

1946

January 12: "Buzz Me" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (9 weeks) - DECCA 18734
March 16: "Hey! Ba-Ba-Re-Bop" — Lionel Hampton and His Orchestra (16 weeks)* - DECCA 18754
March 23: "Don’t Worry 'bout That Mule" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (1 week) - DECCA 18734
June 29: "The Gypsy" — The Ink Spots (3 weeks)* - DECCA 18817
July 10: "Stone Cold Dead in the Market (He Had It Coming)" — Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (5 weeks) - DECCA 23546
August 24: "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (18 weeks)* - DECCA 23610
November 23: "Ain’t That Just Like a Woman (They’ll Do It Every Time)" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (2 weeks)* - DECCA 23669

1947

17 January: "Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (17 weeks)* - DECCA 23741
26 April: "Texas and Pacific" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (2 weeks)* - DECCA 23810
17 May: "I Want to Be Loved (But Only By You)" — Savannah Churchill and the Sentimentalists (8 weeks)* - MANOR 1046
24 May: "Old Maid Boogie" — Eddie Vinson and His Orchestra (2 weeks)* - MERCURY 8028
28 June: "Jack You’re Dead" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (7 weeks)* - DECCA 23901
30 August: "Boogie Woogie Blue Plate" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (14 weeks)* - DECCA 24104
22 November: "(Opportunity Knocks But Once) Snatch and Grab It" — Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends (12 weeks)* - CAPITOL/AMERICANA 40028

1948

21 January: "I Love You Yes I Do" — Bull Moose Jackson and His Buffalo Bearcats (3 weeks)* - KING 4181
20 March: "King Size Papa" — Julia Lee and Her Boy Friends (9 weeks) - CAPITOL/AMERICANA 40082
22 May: "Tomorrow Night" — Lonnie Johnson (7 weeks)* - KING 4201
19 June: "Good Rockin' Tonight" — Wynonie Harris (1 week) - KING 4210
10 July: "Long Gone" (Parts I & II) — Sonny Thompson (3 weeks)* - MIRACLE 126
10 July: "Run Joe" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (2 weeks)* - DECCA 24448
24 July: "I Can't Go on Without You" — Bull Moose Jackson and His Buffalo Bearcats (8 weeks) - KING 4230
4 September: "Messin' Around" — Memphis Slim and His House Rockers (2 weeks)* - MIRACLE 125
11 September: "My Heart Belongs to You" — Arbee Stidham (1 week) - RCA VICTOR 20-2572
18 September: "Pretty Mama Blues" — Ivory Joe Hunter (3 weeks) - 4 STAR 1254
2 October: "Corn Bread" — Hal Singer Sextette (4 weeks)* - SAVOY 671
2 October: "Late Freight" — Sonny Thompson Quintet (1 week) - MIRACLE 128
9 October: "Am I Asking Too Much" — Dinah Washington (1 week) - MERCURY 8095
6 November: "Blues After Hours" — Pee Wee Crayton (3 weeks)* - MODERN 624
27 November: "It's Too Soon to Know" — The Orioles (1 week) - JUBILEE 5000
4 December: "Chicken-Shack Boogie" — Amos Milburn (5 weeks)* - ALADDIN 3014
4 December: "Bewildered" — Red Miller Trio (5 weeks)* - BULLET 295
18 December: "'Long About Midnight" — Roy Brown (1 week) - DELUXE 1154
25 December: "Bewildered" — Amos Milburn (3 weeks)* - ALADDIN 3018

1949

19 February: "Boogie Chillen" — John Lee Hooker (1 week) - MODERN 627
19 February: "The Deacon's Hop" — Big Jay McNeely's Blue Jays (1 week) - SAVOY 685
5 May: "The Huckle-Buck" — Paul Williams and His Hucklebuckers (14 weeks)* - SAVOY 683
4 June: "Trouble Blues" — The Charles Brown Trio (15 weeks) - ALADDIN 3024
20 August: "Ain't Nobody's Business" (Parts 1 & 2) — Jimmy Witherspoon (1 week) - SUPREME 1506
10 September: "Roomin' House Boogie" — Amos Milburn (2 weeks) - ALADDIN 3032
17 September: "All She Wants to Do Is Rock" — Wynonie Harris (2 weeks)* - KING 4304
17 September: "Tell Me So" — The Orioles (1 week) - JUBILEE 5005
24 September: "Baby Get Lost" — Dinah Washington (2 weeks) - MERCURY 8148
8 October: "Beans and Corn Bread" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (1 week) - DECCA 24673
15 October: "Saturday Night Fish Fry" — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (12 weeks)* - DECCA 24725
24 December: "For You My Love" — Larry Darnell (8 weeks)* - REGAL 3240

1950s

1950

18 February: "I Almost Lost My Mind" — Ivory Joe Hunter (5 weeks)* - M-G-M 10578
4 March: "Double Crossing Blues" — Johnny Otis Quintette, The Robins, and Little Esther (9 weeks) - SAVOY 731
15 April: "Mistrusting Blues" — Little Esther with Mel Walker and the Johnny Otis Orchestra (4 weeks) - SAVOY 735
13 May: "I Need You So" —Ivory Joe Hunter (2 weeks) - M-G-M 10663
27 May: "Pink Champagne" — Joe Liggins and His Honeydrippers (13 weeks)* - SPECIALTY 355
8 July: "Cupid Boogie" — Johnny Otis Orchestra, Little Esther, and Mel Walker (1 week) - SAVOY 750
19 August: "Hard Luck Blues" — Roy Brown (3 weeks) - DELUXE 3304
2 September: "Mona Lisa" — Nat "King" Cole (4 weeks) - CAPITOL 1010
9 September: "Blue Light Boogie" (Parts 1 & 2) — Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five (7 weeks) - DECCA 27114
28 October: "Blue Shadows" — Lowell Fulson (4 weeks) - SWING TIME 226
4 November: "Anytime — Any Place — Anywhere" — Joe Morris and His Orchestra (4 weeks)* - ATLANTIC 914
25 November: "Please Send Me Someone to Love" — Percy Mayfield (2 weeks)* - SPECIALTY 375
9 December: "Teardrops from My Eyes" — Ruth Brown (11 weeks)* - ATLANTIC 919

1951

6 January: "Bad, Bad Whiskey" — Amos Milburn (3 weeks)* - ALADDIN 3068
3 March: "Black Night" — Charles Brown (14 weeks) - ALADDIN 3076
9 June: "Rocket 88" — Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats (5 weeks) - CHESS 1458
9 June: "Chica Boo" — Lloyd Glenn (2 weeks) - SWING TIME 254
30 June: "Sixty Minute Man" — The Dominoes (14 weeks)* - FEDERAL 12022
1 September: "Don’t You Know I Love You" — The Clovers (2 weeks) - ATLANTIC 934
22 September: "The Glory of Love" — The Five Keys (4 weeks)* - ALADDIN 3099
3 November: "'T' 99 Blues" — Jimmie Nelson and the Peter Rabbit Trio (1 week) - RPM 325
10 November: "Fool, Fool, Fool" — The Clovers (6 weeks)* - ATLANTIC 944
10 November: "I Got Loaded" — "Peppermint" Harris (2 weeks)* - ALADDIN 3097
17 November: "I'm in the Mood" — John Lee Hooker (4 weeks)* - MODERN 835
8 December: "Because of You" — Tab Smith and His Orchestra (2 weeks) - UNITED 104
29 December: "Flamingo" — Earl Bostic and His Orchestra (4 weeks)* - KING 4475

1952

January 12 "Weepin' & Cryin'" — Griffin Brothers Orchestra (3 weeks) - DOT 1071
January 12 "Cry" — Johnnie Ray and the Four Lads (1 week) - OKEH 6840
February 2 "3 o’Clock Blues" — B.B. King (5 weeks) - RPM 339
March 15 "Night Train" — Jimmy Forrest (7 weeks) - UNITED 110
March 15 "Booted" — Roscoe Gordon (1 week) - CHESS 1487
May 3 "5–10–15 Hours" — Ruth Brown (7 weeks) - ATLANTIC 962
June 14 "Have Mercy Baby" — The Dominoes (10 weeks)* - FEDERAL 12068
June 21 "Goin' Home" — Fats Domino (1 week) - IMPERIAL 5180
July 12 "Lawdy Miss Clawdy" — Lloyd Price (7 weeks)* - SPECIALTY 428
August 23 "Mary Jo" — Four Blazes (3 weeks) - UNITED 114
September 6 "Ting-a-Ling" — The Clovers(1 week) - ATLANTIC 969
September 27 "My Song" — Johnny Ace (9 weeks) - DUKE 102
September 27 "Juke" — Little Walter (8 weeks)* - CHECKER 758
November 8 "Five Long Years" — Eddie Boyd (7 weeks)* - JOB 1007
November 8 "You Know I Love You" — B.B. King (2 weeks)* - RPM 363
December 27 "I Don't Know" — Willie Mabon and His Combo (8 weeks) - CHESS 1531

1953

21 February: "Baby Don't Do It" — The "5" Royales (3 weeks) - APOLLO 443
7 March: "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean" — Ruth Brown (5 weeks) - ATLANTIC 986
18 April: "Hound Dog" — Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton" (7 weeks) - PEACOCK 1612
30 May "I'm Mad" — Willie Mabon and His Combo" (2 weeks) - CHESS 1538
13 June: "Help Me Somebody" — The "5" Royales (5 weeks)* - APOLLO 446
4 July: "Please Love Me" — B.B. King (3 weeks)* - RPM 386
18 July: "The Clock" — Johnny Ace (5 weeks)* - DUKE 112
22 August: "Crying in the Chapel" — The Orioles (5 weeks)* - JUBILEE 5122
19 September: "Shake a Hand" — Faye Adams (10 weeks)* - HERALD 416
21 November: "Money Honey" — Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters (11 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1006
5 December: "Honey Hush" — Big Joe Turner (8 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1001

1954

30 January: "The Things That I Used to Do" — Guitar Slim (14 weeks) - SPECIALTY 482
6 February: "I'll Be True" — Faye Adams (1 week) - HERALD 419
27 March: "You'll Never Walk Alone" — Roy Hamilton (8 weeks) - EPIC 9015
22 May: "Work With Me, Annie" — The Midnighters (7 weeks) - FEDERAL 12169
12 June: "Shake, Rattle and Roll" — Big Joe Turner (3 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1026
10 July: "Honey Love" — The Drifters feat. Clyde McPhatter (8 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1029
4 September: "Oh What a Dream" — Ruth Brown (8 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1036
25 September: "Annie Had a Baby" — The Midnighters (2 weeks) - FEDERAL 12195
16 October: "It Hurts Me to My Heart" — Faye Adams (5 weeks) - HERALD 435
20 November: "Mambo Baby" — Ruth Brown (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1044
27 November: "Hearts of Stone" — The Charms (9 weeks) - DELUXE 6062
25 December: "You Upset Me Baby" — B.B. King (2 weeks) - RPM 416

1955

15 January: "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)" — The Penguins (3 weeks) - DOOTONE 348
22 January: "Sincerely" — The Moonglows (2 weeks)* - CHESS 1581
12 February: "Pledging My Love" — Johnny Ace (10 weeks)* - DUKE 136
9 April: "The Wallflower" — Etta James (4 weeks)* - MODERN 947
23 April: "My Babe" — Little Walter (5 weeks)* - CHECKER 811
7 May: "I Got a Woman" — Ray Charles (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1050
21 May: "Unchained Melody" — Roy Hamilton (3 weeks) - EPIC 9102
11 June: "Ain't That a Shame" — Fats Domino (1 week) - IMPERIAL 5348
18 June: "Unchained Melody" — Al Hibbler (1 week) - DECCA 29441
25 June: "Bo Diddley" — Bo Diddley (2 weeks)* - CHECKER 814
6 August: "A Fool for You" — Ray Charles (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1063
20 August: "Maybellene" — Chuck Berry (11 weeks) - CHESS 1604
22 October: "Only You (and You Alone)" — The Platters (7 weeks) - MERCURY 70633
29 October: "All by Myself" — Fats Domino (3 weeks) - IMPERIAL 5357
17 December: "Hands Off" — Jay McShann and His Orchestra (3 weeks) - VEE JAY 155
31 December: "Poor Me" — Fats Domino (1 week) - IMPERIAL 5369
31 December: "Adorable" — The Drifters (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1078

1956

7 January: "The Great Pretender" — The Platters (11 weeks)* - MERCURY 70753
7 January: "At My Front Door" — The El Dorados (1 week)* - VEE JAY 147
17 March: Why Do Fools Fall in Love - Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers (5 weeks) - GEE 10020
24 March: Drown in My Own Tears - Ray Charles (2 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1085
14 April: Long Tall Sally - Little Richard (8 weeks) - SPECIALTY 572
19 May: I'm in Love Again - Fats Domino (9 weeks)* - IMPERIAL 5386
21 July: Fever - Little Willie John (5 weeks) - KING 4935
28 July: Treasure of Love - Clyde McPhatter (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1092
4 August: Rip It Up - Little Richard (2 weeks) - SPECIALTY 579
18 August: My Prayer - The Platters (2 weeks) - MERCURY 70893
25 August: Honky Tonk (Parts 1 & 2) - Bill Doggett (13 weeks)* - KING 4950
1 September: Let the Good Times Roll - Shirley & Lee (3 weeks)* - ALADDIN 3325
15 September: Hound Dog/Don’t Be Cruel - Elvis Presley (6 weeks)* - RCA VICTOR 20-6604
13 November: Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino (11 weeks)* - IMPERIAL 5407

1957

1/5 Since I Met You Baby - Ivory Joe Hunter (3 weeks) - ATLANTIC 1111
1/26 Blue Monday - Fats Domino (8 weeks)* - IMPERIAL 5417
3/9 Jim Dandy - LaVern Baker (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1116
3/16 Love Is Strange - Mickey and Sylvia (2 weeks) - GROOVE 0175
3/23 I'm Walkin' - Fats Domino (6 weeks) - IMPERIAL 5417
4/27 Lucille - Little Richard (2 weeks) - SPECIALTY 598
4/29 School Day - Chuck Berry (5 weeks)* - CHESS 1653
4/29 All Shook Up - Elvis Presley (4 weeks) - RCA VICTOR 20-6870
6/3 Young Blood - The Coasters (1 week) - ATCO 6087
6/10 Searchin' - The Coasters (12 weeks) - ATCO 6087
6/17 C.C. Rider - Chuck Willis (2 weeks)* - ATLANTIC 1130
7/29 Short Fat Fannie - Larry Williams (1 week) - SPECIALTY 638
8/19 Send For Me - Nat "King" Cole (2 weeks) - CAPITOL 3737
9/2 Further Up the Road - Bobby "Blue" Bland (2 weeks)* - DUKE 170
9/2 (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear - Elvis Presley (1 week) - RCA VICTOR 47-7000
9/9 Whole Lot Of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis (2 weeks) - SUN 267
9/16 Long Lonely Nights - Clyde McPhatter (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1149
9/23 Diana - Paul Anka (2 weeks) - ABC/PARAMOUNT 9831
9/30 Mr. Lee - The Bobbettes (4 weeks)* - ATLANTIC 1144
10/7 Honeycomb - Jimmie Rodgers (2 weeks) - ROULETTE 4015
10/21 Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley (5 weeks) - RCA VICTOR 47-7035
10/28 Wake Up Little Susie - The Everly Brothers (1 week) - CADENCE 1337
11/25 You Send Me - Sam Cooke (6 weeks) - KEEN 34013

1958

1/6 At the Hop - Danny & the Juniors (5 weeks) - ABC/PARAMOUNT 9871
1/6 Raunchy - Ernie Freeman (2 weeks) - IMPERIAL 5474
1/20 Raunchy - Bill Justis And His Orchestra (1 week) - PHILLIPS INTERNATIONAL 3519
1/27 I'll Come Running Back to You - Sam Cooke (1 week) - SPECIALTY 619
2/3 Get a Job - The Silhouettes (6 weeks) - EMBER 1029
3/10 Sweet Little Sixteen - Chuck Berry (3 weeks) - CHESS 1683
3/31 Tequila - The Champs (4 weeks) - CHALLENGE 1016
4/28 Twilight Time - The Platters (3 weeks) - MERCURY 71289
5/5 Wear My Ring Around Your Neck - Elvis Presley (3 weeks) - RCA VICTOR 47-7240
5/19 All I Have to Do Is Dream - The Everly Brothers (5 weeks) - CADENCE 1348
5/26 Witch Doctor - David Seville (1 week) - LIBERTY 55132
6/23 Yakety Yak - The Coasters (7 weeks) - ATCO 6116
6/23 What Am I Living For - Chuck Willis (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1179
8/4 Splish Splash - Bobby Darin (2 weeks) - ATCO 6617
8/11 Patricia - Perez Prado And His Orchestra (2 weeks) - RCA VICTOR 47-7245
8/25 Just a Dream - Jimmy Clanton (1 week) - ACE 546
9/1 Little Star - The Elegants (4 weeks) - APT 25005
9/1 When - The Kalin Twins (1 week) - DECCA 30642
9/29 It's All in the Game - Tommy Edwards (3 weeks) - M-G-M 12688
10/6 Rock-In Robin - Bobby Day (3 weeks) - CLASS 229
10/27 Topsy Part 2 - Cozy Cole (6 weeks) - LOVE 50034
12/8 A Lover's Question - Clyde McPhatter (1 week) - ATLANTIC 1199
12/15 Lonely Teardrops - Jackie Wilson (7 weeks) - BRUNSWICK 55105

1959

2/2 Try Me - James Brown (1 week) - FEDERAL 12337
2/9 Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price (4 weeks) - ABC/PARAMOUNT 9927
3/9 It's Just a Matter of Time - Brook Benton (9 weeks) - MERCURY 71394
5/11 Kansas City - Wilbert Harrison (7 weeks) - FURY 1023
6/29 Personality - Lloyd Price (4 weeks) - ABC/PARAMOUNT 10018
7/27 There Goes My Baby - The Drifters (1 week) - ATLANTIC 2025
8/3 What'd I Say (Part 1) - Ray Charles (1 week) - ATLANTIC 2031
8/10 Thank You Pretty Baby - Brook Benton (4 weeks) - MERCURY 71478
9/7 I'm Gonna Get Married - Lloyd Price (3 weeks)* - ABC/PARAMOUNT 10032
9/21 I Want to Walk You Home - Fats Domino (1 week) - IMPERIAL 5606
10/5 Poison Ivy - The Coasters (4 weeks)* - ATCO 6146
10/12 Sea of Love - Phil Phillips (1 week) - MERCURY 71465
10/19 You Better Know It - Jackie Wilson (1 week) - BRUNSWICK 55149
11/16 So Many Ways - Brook Benton (3 weeks)* - MERCURY 71512
11/23 Don't You Know? - Della Reese (2 weeks) - RCA VICTOR 47-7591
12/7 The Clouds - The Spacemen (3 weeks)* - ALTON 254

For continuation, 1960 to present, start search here.

Gap in the chart

From November 30, 1963 to January 23, 1965 there was no Billboard R&B singles charts. Some publications have used Cash Box magazine's stats in their place. No specific reason has ever been given as to why Billboard ceased releasing R&B charts, but the prevailing wisdom is that the chart methodology used was being questioned, since more and more Caucasian acts were reaching number-one on the R&B chart. According to researcher Joel Whitburn, "there was so much crossover of titles between the R&B and pop singles (Hot 100) charts that Billboard considered the charts to be too similar. This does not mean that R&B artists stopped turning out hits. After all, it was during this 14-month period that Motown established itself as an R&B institution."^[1]

1970s

Total number of weeks at #1 (as lead artist)
- 1. The Jackson 5 (24 weeks)
- 2. Aretha Franklin (22 weeks)
- 2. Stevie Wonder (22 weeks)
- 4. Marvin Gaye (21 weeks)
- 5. Al Green (16 weeks)
- 5. The O'Jays (16 weeks)
- 7. Earth, Wind and Fire (15 weeks)
- 7. James Brown (15 weeks)
- 9. Gladys Knight & The Pips (14 weeks)
- 9. The Spinners (14 weeks)
- 11. Barry White (12 weeks)

Most #1 Hits of the Decade (as lead artist)
- 1. Aretha Franklin - 10 #1's
- 2. James Brown - 8 #1's
- 2. Stevie Wonder - 8 #1's
- 2. The O'Jay's - 8 #1's
- 5. Al Green - 6 #1's
- 5. Chic - 6 #1's
- 5. Earth, Wind and Fire - 6 #1's
- 5. Gladys Knight & The Pips - 6 #1's
- 5. Marvin Gaye - 6 #1's
- 5. The Commodores - 6 #1's
- 5. The Floaters - 6 #1's
- 5. The Jackson 5 - 6 #1's
- 5. The Spinners - 6 #1's

7 acts had 5 #1's a piece, and 14 acts had 4 #1's a piece.

1980s

Total number of weeks at #1 (as lead artist)
- 1. Michael Jackson (29 weeks)
- 2. Stevie Wonder (27 weeks)
- 3. Freddie Jackson (19 weeks)
- 4. Lionel Richie (18 weeks)
- 5. Prince (17 weeks)
- 6. Diana Ross (14 weeks)
- 7. Kool & The Gang (13 weeks)
- 8. Rick James (12 weeks)
- 9. Aretha Franklin & Janet Jackson (11 weeks)
- 10. Cameo, Marvin Gaye (10 weeks)
Most #1 Hits of the Decade (as lead artist)
- 1. Michael Jackson- 9 #1's
- 2. Janet Jackson & Freddie Jackson- 7 #1's
- 3. Stevie Wonder, Kool & The Gang, & Bobby Brown- 6 #1's
- 4. Prince, Luther Vandross, & Stephanie Mills- 5 #1's
- 5. Lionel Richie & Gap Band- 4 #1's

1990s

Total number of weeks at #1 (as lead artist)
- 1. R. Kelly (31 weeks)
- 2. Whitney Houston (30 weeks)
- 3. Janet Jackson (21 weeks)
- 4. Usher (19 weeks)
- 5. Monica (18 weeks)
- 6. Boyz II Men & TLC (17 weeks)
- 7. Brandy, Deborah Cox & Puff Daddy (16 weeks)
- 8. Jodeci (14 weeks)
- 9. Mariah Carey (13 weeks)
- 10. The Notorious B.I.G. (12 weeks)

Most #1 Hits of the Decade (as lead artist)
- 1. R. Kelly & Janet Jackson - 7 #1's
- 2. Mariah Carey & En Vogue- 6 #1's
- 3. Whitney Houston, Boyz II Men, Monica, Jodeci & Keith Sweat- 5 #1's
- 4. Tony! Toni! Tone! & Faith Evans - 4 #1's
- 5. TLC, Brandy, Puff Daddy, SWV, Deborah Cox , Dru Hill, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Xscape, Johnny Gill & Tevin Campbell.- 3 #1's

2000s (2000-2009)

Most weeks at #1 (counting lead and featured appearances)
- 1. Alicia Keys- 41 weeks
- 2. Usher- 34 weeks
- 3. Beyoncé- 31 weeks
- 4. Jay-Z- 23 weeks
- 5. 50 Cent & T-Pain- 22 weeks
- 6. Jamie Foxx & Nelly- 20 weeks
- 7. Mariah Carey & Keyshia Cole- 19 weeks
- 8. Ashanti- 18 weeks
- 9. Mary J. Blige & Missy Elliott- 17 weeks
- 10. Yung Joc- 16 weeks

Most Number One hits (counting lead and featured appearances)
- 1. Usher- 8
- 2. Jay-Z & Alicia Keys- 7
- 3. Beyoncé, Monica,Ludacris- 5
- 4. Nelly, Mariah Carey, 50 Cent & Missy Elliott- 4
- 5. Chris Brown, Jamie Foxx, Keyshia Cole, Pharrell, T.I., R. Kelly, Lil' Wayne, Jagged Edge, Ciara, Kanye West & Bow Wow- 3

2010s (2010-2020)

Most weeks at #1 (counting lead and featured appearances)
- 1. Lil Wayne - 29 weeks
- 2. Drake - 23 weeks
- 3. Chris Brown - 17 weeks
- 4. Trey Songz - 14 weeks
- 5. Alicia Keys - 12 weeks
- 6. DJ Khaled - 11 weeks
- 7. Kanye West - 8 weeks
- 8. Kelly Rowland , Monica & Jay-Z - 7 weeks
- 9. Nicki Minaj - 5 weeks

Most Number One hits (counting lead and featured appearances)
- 1. Drake - 5
- 2. Lil Wayne - 3
- 3. Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Kanye West & Miguel - 2
- 4. Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, Monica, Jamie Foxx, Nicki Minaj, DJ Khaled, Big Sean, Jay-Z, & Wale

References

^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. xiii.

Lists of number-one U.S. R&B hits

1942–1959	1940 . 1941 . 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959

1960–1979	1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979

1980–1999	1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

2000–present	2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

Billboard charts

Albums

Billboard 200	Digital Albums Billboard Comprehensive Albums (defunct)

Urban	Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Rap Albums

Rock	Rock Albums Alternative Albums Hard Rock Albums Folk Albums

Country	Country Albums Bluegrass Albums

Jazz	Jazz Albums Blues Albums Classical Albums

Latin	Latin Albums Regional Mexican Albums Latin Pop Albums Tropical Albums

Christian	Christian Albums Gospel Albums

Other	Heatseekers Albums Dance/Electronic Albums Independent Albums Top Catalog Albums Holiday Albums Reggae Albums World Albums New Age Albums Comedy Albums Kid Albums Soundtracks Tastemaker Albums

International	Canadian Albums European Albums (defunct) United Kingdom Albums France Albums

Singles and tracks

Hot 100	Hot 100 Airplay Hot Singles Sales Hot Digital Songs Hot Digital Tracks Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles Ringtones

Pop	Mainstream Top 40 Pop 100 (defunct) Pop 100 Airplay (defunct) Top 40 Tracks (defunct)

Adult	Adult Contemporary Adult Top 40

Dance	Dance Club Songs Dance/Mix Show Airplay Hot Dance Singles Sales Hot Dance/Electronic Digital Songs

Urban	Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Rap Songs

Rock	Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks Rock Songs Alternative Songs

Latin	Hot Latin Songs Regional Mexican Airplay Latin Pop Airplay Tropical Airplay Latin Rhythm Airplay

Christian	Christian Songs Gospel Songs

Other	Heatseekers Songs Country Songs Jazz Songs Holiday Songs Rhythmic Airplay Chart Hot RingMasters

International	Canadian Hot 100 Euro Digital Songs European Hot 100 (defunct) United Kingdom Songs France Songs Germany Songs Japan Hot 100 Korea K-Pop Hot 100 Brasil Hot 100 Airplay Türkiye Top 20 (defunct)

Lists of number-ones

Lists of artists who
reached number one