Which Ricky Nelson song became the first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 when the chart debuted in 1958?

Ricky Nelson’s “Poor Little Fool” became the first Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 when the chart debuted in 1958.

The song was written by Sharon Sheeley and recorded by Nelson, who was then a major television and recording star through The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet. Its rise helped establish the new chart as Billboard’s principal measure of popular single success.

“Poor Little Fool” reached number one on August 4, 1958, during the Hot 100’s first week. It remained at the summit for two weeks. The chart replaced several separate genre and retail charts with one combined ranking.

A common mix-up is confusing the first Hot 100 No. 1 with the first song listed on an earlier Billboard chart. Nelson’s single specifically holds the distinction for the inaugural Hot 100 ranking.