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This Day in Music: Billboard Launches its Modern Charts in 1940

This Day in Music notes that on July 20, 1940, Billboard magazine premiered the modern version of its charts. Previously, according to the site, best seller lists were submitted by each label. The new version combined all the major companies.

The first number one song was “I’ll Never Smile Again” by Frank Sinatra and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Above is Sinatra’s version with The Hi-Lo’s.

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