Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Full Ranking Of Acts 1941-1950

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Decade 1941-1950 Analysis

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1951 Analysis

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1950 Analysis

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1949 Analysis

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1948 Analysis

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1947 Analysis

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1946 Analysis

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Monday, October 15, 2007

1945 Analysis

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1944 Analysis

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1943 Analysis

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1942 Analysis

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1941 Analysis

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Sunday, October 14, 2007

Introduction

This site will rank the most successful acts, singles, songs and labels of the 1940's on Billboard's mainstream chart. The rankings are obtained using the Chartwatch sales-related points system (copyright Hancock, J.M. & Rawlings, N.D.(1981) CW 1:31; CW 2:33-34). It should be noted from the outset that these charts were institutionally racist and that black acts were usually relegated to a 'race'/R&B chart that is not scored here. However, the rankings are still an interesting insight into the musical styles that were favoured by the 'white' radio stations and record executives that ran the industry. It is also notable that, despite its racist bias, the chart was occasionally obliged to recognise black artists such as Nat 'King' Cole and Duke Ellington, as will become apparent from the annual analyses.