What are some really good 1950s songs?

What were the popular songs in the 1950s?

• Answer:

  50 Quintessential EASY-POP Songs of the 50s The Tennessee Waltz Patti Page 1950 While they were waltzing, Patti Page's best friend stole her sweetheart in this recording that sold more than ten million copies. It was one of the biggest hits of all time, second only to Bing Crosby's White Christmas. Mona Lisa Nat King Cole 1950 There were 6 top-twenty versions of this Academy Award winning song, but popular, expressive vocalist Nat King Cole with Nelson Riddle's arrangement had the #1 hit record. My Heart Cries For You Dinah Shore 1950 Guy Mitchell, Vic Damone, and Dinah Shore all had top-five hits with My Heart Cries For You, one of dozens of country-flavored EASY-POP hits like Tony Bennett's Cold, Cold Heart, Patti Page's Detour and Tennessee Waltz, Joni James' Your Cheatin' Heart, Sonny James' Young Love, and Guy Mitchell's Heartaches by the Number. Sentimental Me Ames Brothers 1950 The Ames Brothers (actually Ed, Gene, Joe, and Vic Urick) had two #1 hits in 1950, on the flip side of the ballad Sentimental Me, they released their novelty hit Rag Mop. Anytime Eddie Fisher 1951 Young Eddie Fisher's first million-selling hit, Anytime, was a 1921 vaudeville tune, successfully revived in 1948 by country star Eddy Arnold. It was recorded during Eddie Fisher's tour of duty in the US Army Special Services. My Truly, Truly Fair Guy Mitchell 1951 This early fifties recording features an infectious melody, a buoyant Mitch Miller arrangement, and a spirited, likable singer. It exemplifies the popular male baritones including Frankie Laine, Don Cherry, Steve Lawrence, and Don Cornell. Mockin' Bird Hill and How High the Moon Les Paul & Mary Ford 1951 In this multi-track hit recording, Les Paul superimposed several guitar parts behind breezy-voiced Mary Ford's light-hearted harmony. One of a dozen multi-layered top-ten hits for guitarist Les Paul and vocalist Mary Ford. I Went to Your Wedding Patti Page 1952 Patti Page released this seminal, plaintive lost-love song and it begat her 1953 Changing Partners, June Valli's Crying in the Chapel, Teresa Brewer's A Tear Fell, Caterina Valente's The Breeze and I, Toni Arden's Padre, and Joan Weber's Let Me Go Lover. Wheel of Fortune Kay Starr 1952 Opening with its instantly recognizable clicking spinning wheel, Kay Starr's first platinum record stayed at #1 for ten weeks. While the Wheel of Fortune is turning, turning, turning, brassy Kay Starr is yearning for love. Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes Perry Como 1952 Dozens of these exhilarating, bouncy hits including his Catch a Falling Star, Tina Marie, and Hot Diggity were recorded by the decade's most popular singer. Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me Karen Chandler 1952 This teen lover's lament, Karen Chandler's debut recording, rose to the top five. The song hit the top ten again when Mel Carter recorded it in 1965. You Belong To Me Jo Stafford 1952 Whether he's flying over the ocean in a silver plane or seeing the pyramids along the Nile, Jo Stafford let him know You Belong To Me. Patti Page and Dean Martin also recorded You Belong To Me, but it was Jo Stafford who sold two million copies of her all-time biggest recording in the fall of 1952. That's Amore Dean Martin 1953 This fifties classic is one of scores of popular Italian songs from singers like Al Martino, Tony Martin, Jerry Vale, Vic Damone, Julius LaRosa, and the Gaylords. Ricochet Teresa Brewer 1953 A typical, fast-paced recording with an offbeat lyric. Arrangements were often tailored for the unusual vocal-styles of unique talents like Teresa Brewer, Jaye P. Morgan, Pearl Bailey, Gale Storm, Della Reese, Julie London, and Eartha Kitt. Rags to Riches Tony Bennett 1953 With a swinging vocal treatment, Tony Bennett epitomizes the unique phrasing, voicing, and intonation also personified by Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, and Bing Crosby. Have You Heard Joni James 1953 Winsome female singers like Joni James, Connie Francis, Cathy Carr, Debbie Reynolds, and Karen Chandler reflected the feelings of fifties teenage girls. You, You, You Ames Brothers 1953 Stand-out harmony and an uncomplicated singing style on a simple bouncy ballad You, You, You provided the biggest hit for the Ames Brothers. This quartet, with few equals, dominated the charts during the summer of 1953 The Doggie in the Window Patti Page 1953 Patti Page sold more than four million copies of this simple and unpretentious musing of a lady pricing a puppy with a waggily tail. Mercury A&R man Joe Reisman provided the memorable 'arf-arf' yaps, while the violinist provided the more guttural barks. Young At Heart Frank Sinatra 1954 Frank Sinatra was the first performer to record this breezy, upbeat ballad, which became another million-selling hit for him. The song was delivered in a straightforward way by the greatest crooner of the decade. Hearts of Stone Fontane Sisters 1954 Otis Williams & the Charms released an earlier recording of Hearts of Stone but the Fontane Sisters' cover with a chorus of 'do, do, wat, do, do, wa, da' scored #1. That's All I Want From You Jaye P. Morgan 1954 Jaye P. Morgan recorded (A Little Love That Slowly Grows), That's All I Want from You during her first session at RCA. It was a million-selling record. I Need You Now Eddie Fisher 1954 Flamboyant bobby sox idols, like Eddie Fisher who had 21 hits in a row, belted out powerful ballads in young, zesty, big-voiced, bravura styles. Mr. Sandman Chordettes 1954 Beginning with thirteen 'bum-bum-bum-bums' then the deep voice asking 'yes?' it is the Chordettes' biggest hit. Originally written for a male singer, the Chordettes' sensational arrangement plus the saucy flavor imparted by translating it to a girl's plea, kept Mr. Sandman at the top the charts. Little Things Mean a Lot Kitty Kallen 1954 Kitty Kallen had a #1 hit with this memorable fifties ballad. Joni James reprised it in 1959. This Ole House Rosemary Clooney 1954 50s novelty songs also included her Come-On-A-My House, Patti Page's Doggie in the Window, Perry Como's Delaware, and the Ames Brothers' Naughty Lady of Shady Lane. The Man Upstairs Kay Starr 1954 One of many gospel-flavored hits like Patti Page's Cross Over the Bridge, Laurie London's He's Got the Whole World, and Pat Boone's Wonderful Time Up There. Teach Me Tonight DeCastro Sisters 1954 The DeCastro Sisters hit the big time when their 1954 song Teach Me Tonight sold more than 5 million copies. They had a style something like the then-popular Andrews Sisters, but with a Latin flavor. Sincerely McGuire Sisters 1955 Like the Andrews Sisters, the prototypical sister group, the McGuire sisters had a string of hits: Sugartime, Muskrat Ramble, Something's Gotta Give, and May You Always. Memories Are Made of This Dean Martin 1955 Dean Martin was backed by the Easy Riders singing 'sweet sweet' on this breezy song offering a recipe for fifties life-a girl, a boy, some grief, some joy. It was from the film 'The Seven Hills Of Rome' where it was sung by Mario Lanza. How Important Can It Be? Joni James 1955 Youthful Joni James reflects the feelings of fifties teenage girls in this song questioning the importance of past romantic relationships to a new-found love. Learnin' the Blues Frank Sinatra 1955 One of a dozen classy Frank Sinatra hits, this lightly, bluesy song is in the same vain as Dinah Shore's Blues in Advance, and Ella Mae Morse's Blacksmith Blues. The Breeze and I Caterina Valente 1955 This wistful song in which the singer laments that only the Breeze and I are aware of her love begins with castinets and "la-la-la". The song was originally written as Andalucia, and it was a 1940 hit for Jimmy Dorsey with Bob Eberly. Moonlight Gambler Frankie Laine 1956 Frankie Laine's brash vibrancy and dynamic style, gambling on love, was evident on Moonlight Gambler, the final hit release of his twenty-year career. Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera) Doris Day 1956 Alfred Hitchcock assigned the gifted team of Jay Livingston and Ray Evans to write a simple lullaby for his suspense film 'The Man Who Knew Too Much' and it proved to be the biggest hit of Doris Day's recording career. Que Sera, Sera received the 1956 Academy Award for best original song. No, Not Much Four Lads 1956 This is a typical, stylish, catchy, easy-to-sing-along-with classic fifties hit. Quartet harmony was also heard in recordings from the Four Aces, the Four Preps, the Four Coins, the Crew-Cuts, and the Ames Brothers. Wayward Wind Gogi Grant 1956 This haunting, philosophical 50s lyrical ballad was a beguiling anthem for the restless. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear Elvis Presley 1957 Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Buddy Holly, and other rock idols, scored with mainstream EASY-POP songs in addition to their rock 'n' roll hits. Round and Round Perry Como 1957 Relaxed and amiable Perry Como was a singer who didn't have to prove anything with his voice-no fuss, no affect, no attitude. The quintessential, exhilarating Round and Round was on the charts for more than half of 1957. Chances Are Johnny Mathis 1957 Johnny Mathis typifies the skillful, silky, gentle, and tender side of the fifties sound. April Love Pat Boone 1957 With his white buck shoes and clean-cut image, smooth baritone Pat Boone's lilting title song from his popular film 'April Love' was nominated for an Academy Award. Tammy Debbie Reynolds 1957 She heard the cottonwoods whispering above in the title song from the film 'Tammy and the Bachelor.' It was the only number one hit for America's sweetheart and popular film star Debbie Reynolds. Catch a Falling Star Perry Como 1958 The Ray Charles singers back Perry Como again on this Joe Reisman arrangement that was based on a classical theme from Brahms' Academic Festival Overture. The first-ever 'gold record' was awarded to Catch a Falling Star. It was the last number one hit for the decade's favorite singer. Lollipop Chordettes 1958 The penultimate girl group, the Chordettes, had a #1 hit with Mr. Sandman in 1954 and then recorded this classic 'lolly lolly lollypop' hit. The Fontane Sisters had a similar 'do do wah, do do wah' hit with Hearts of Stone. Oh! Oh! I'm Falling in Love Again Jimmie Rodgers 1958 Jimmie Rodgers, along with the Weavers and the Everly Brothers embody a folk touch in several fifties songs while Harry Belafonte brought calypso to the scene. 26 Miles (Santa Catalina) Four Preps 1958 The youthful image of summertime fun on the beach was captured by the Four Preps in 26 Miles, by Jerry Kellor in Here Comes Summer, and by the Jamies in Summertime. Everybody Loves a Lover Doris Day 1958 This recording utilizes the double-track voice overdub technique frequently heard in the 50s. Doris Day, Jo Stafford, Patti Page, Dinah Shore, Margaret Whiting, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Georgia Gibbs, and others recorded these lively, upbeat, girlish hits. Venus Frankie Avalon 1959 From the angelic choir's opening notes, Venus, a prayer to the goddess for a girlfriend, was the first #1 hit for Frankie Avalon. The Three Bells Browns 1959 The bells rang first for Jimmy Browns' birth, then again for his marriage and finally his death in this pop/folk song from Maxine, Bonnie and Jim Ed Brown. It was based on a song called While The Angelus Was Ringing, a hit in France for both Les Compagnons De La Chanson and Edith Piaf. Mack the Knife Bobby Darin 1959 Mack the Knife, written in 1928 as Moritat or Theme from the Threepenny Opera, became Bobby Darin's signature song. 'Mack' is the character Macheath, the murderer, in The Threepenny Opera. The light melody feels like an upbeat song, but it contrasts sharply with the lyrics about a criminal. Dream Lover Bobby Darin 1959 Bobby Darin, Paul Anka, Pat Boone, Sam Cooke, and Frankie Avalon were pop idols late in the decade.