Top Ten Songs of the 1900s

1. Enrico Caruso, “Vesti La Giubba (On With the Play),” 1907
2. Sousa’s Band, “Stars and Stripes Forever,” 1901
3. Fisk University Jubilee Singers, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” 1909*
4. Bert Williams, “Nobody,” 1906**
5. Billy Murray, “Give My Regards to Broadway,” 1905
6. Byron G. Harlan, Joe Belmont & The Florodora Girls, “Tell Me Pretty Maiden,” 1902
7. Haydn Quartet, “Sweet Adeline (You’re the Flower of My Heart)”,1904
8. Frank Staley, “Auld Lang Syne,” 1907
9. Billy Murray, “The Grand Old Rag,” 1906
10. Billy Murray, “Yankee Doodle (Song),” 1905

Follow this link to listen to this playlist on Spotify. Please note that songs #5 - #8 and #10 are later recordings, as recordings of the original artists were unavailable.

*The Fisk University Jubilee Singers are a Black a cappella ensemble formed in 1871, whose early repertoire primarily featured traditional spirituals and some songs by Stephen Foster. The group began as a way to fundraise for their university. The singers continue to tour and perform to this day.

**Please note that Bert Williams was a Bahamian vaudeville and minstrel performer.