Step 1 : Introduction to the question "What was the first song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart when it debuted in 1958?"
...The first song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart when it debuted on August 4, 1958, was “Poor Little Fool” by Ricky Nelson. At just 18 years old, Nelson became the inaugural chart-topper of what would become the definitive ranking of American pop music. “Poor Little Fool,” a mellow rock-and-roll ballad reflected the teenage angst of the era and resonated strongly with young listeners. The Billboard Hot 100 replaced earlier charts like the "Best Sellers in Stores" and marked a more comprehensive system that combined sales, radio play, and jukebox activity.