Yahoo Lifestyle 30 Best Songs That Are Classically 1950s
The 1950s brings to mind poodle skirts, sock hops, and drive-in movies. I Love Lucy, The Honeymooners, and Leave It to Beaver were popular television shows, and Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley were some of the biggest names in entertainment at the time. For many, the 1950s was a time of peace and prosperity, often looked upon with nostalgia.
But, not everyone enjoyed the same freedoms during this era. Many of the songs in the 1950s hinted at the simmering racial tension that would later usher in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. The 1950s was a pivotal era in music, laying the groundwork for the rock and roll songs of the 1960s and the rebellious tunes of the 1970s. The decade's musical landscape was diverse, spanning rhythm and blues, pop, country, and rock and roll. Singing ensembles, with their harmonious doo-wop style, were also a popular feature of the era.
Many of the classic songs of the 1950s not only defined an era but also paved the way for today’s music. They have been sampled in contemporary songs or rerecorded by today’s artists, showcasing the enduring influence of 1950s music. To take a walk down memory lane (or to get acquainted with some timeless hits), here are 30 classical songs from the 1950s.
“In the Still of the Night” by The Five Satins (1956)
A smooth, tender ballad, “In the Still of the Night” is one of the most recognizable love songs from the 1950s. The song was written by Fred Parris, the lead singer of The Five Satins, and has been rerecorded by Boyz II Men and featured in the movie Dirty Dancing.
“Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Hadley and His Comets (1954)
The infectious “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and His Comets is considered the first rock anthem. The song rocketed to the top of the charts in 1954, and the intro, “One, two, three o’clock, four o’clock, rock,” is now iconic.
“Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley (1957)
One of Elvis Presley's most famous songs, “Jailhouse Rock,” was released in 1957 in conjunction with the movie of the same name. The song is one of Presley’s signature songs and describes a raucous party that goes down in the middle of a jailhouse.
“I Only Have Eyes For You” by The Flamingos (1959)
The 1959 version of “I Only Have Eyes for You” was recorded by the Chicago-based doo-wop group The Flamingos, and it was a big hit. The song has been sampled in recent pop songs, and the Flamingos were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001.
“Yakety Yak” by The Coasters (1958)
The catchy 1958 hit “Yakety Yak” was performed by The Coasters, an African American vocal group. In the song, a kid is scolded for not doing his chores and told not to talk back. The song has an amusing chorus, but some say the song is a commentary on the treatment of African Americans at the time.
“Why Do Fools Fall In Love” by Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers (1956)
“Why Do Fools Fall in Love” was recorded by the vocal group Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, and the doo-wop song about the perils of falling in love was an instant classic. The lead singer, Frankie Lymon, passed away from an overdose at the age of 26, and the movie 1998 movie Why Do Fools Fall in Love was based on his life.
“La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens (1958)
The Mexican folk song “La Bamba” is also known as La Bomba, and the folk song became famous after being recorded by Ritchie Valens in 1958. The song originated in the Mexican state of Veracruz, and it was the first Spanish song to reach #1 in the United States.
“Hound Dog” by Elvis Pressley (1956)
Another of Elvis’s greatest songs, “Hound Dog,” was first recorded by Black rhythm and blues singer Big Mama Thorton. When Elvis recorded it, the song became his longest-running #1 song. The rock song caused a lot of controversy. Elvis’ performance of Hound Dog on the Milton Berle Show in 1956 was met with outrage over the singer’s hip-swinging moves.
At the Hop” by Danny and the Juniors (1958)
“At The Hop” by Danny and the Juniors was made for dancing, and the song is a mix of doo-wop, pop, and swing sounds. The song’s chorus, “Let’s Go to the Hop,” was a reference to the popular sock hop dances where students took off their shoes in the school gymnasium.
“Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard (1955)
With an instantly recognizable intro, “Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard blasted on the music scene in the mid-1950s. Recorded in New Orleans, the original song included racy lyrics that were eventually cleaned up. The song was Little Richard's first hit, and the flamboyant artist influenced the next generation of rock musicians.
“Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley (1956)
“Heartbreak Hotel” is a traditional blues song with the speaker lamenting a broken heart and finding a “new place to dwell…at the end of Lonely Street at Heartbreak Hotel.” The song became one of the best-selling singles of 1956.
“Que Sera Sera” by Doris Day (1955)
“Que Sera Sera” was sung by Doris Day in the movie The Man Who Knew Too Much. The song is about accepting the future and adopting an attitude of “whatever will be, will be.” The song won an award at the 1956 Oscars for Best Original Song.
“Earth Angel” by the Penguins (1954)
Sung by the doo-wop group The Penguins, “Earth Angel” was the group’s biggest hit. The song was recorded in Los Angeles and sold ten million copies. “Earth Angel” was featured in Back to the Future and has come to be associated with high school dances.
“I Walk the Line by Johnny Cash (1957)
“I Walk the Line” is a country song about staying faithful. The song was written and recorded by Johnny Cash, who is considered one of the pioneers of country music. The song was his first hit, and he went on to have a successful decades-long music career.
“Come Go With Me” by the Del Vikings (1956)
The Del Vikings were a multiracial doo-wop group whose hit “Come With Me” peaked at Number 4 on the pop charts. The group met while stationed at the same Air Force Base in Pittsburg, and the upbeat song is a serenade to a sweetheart.
“Splish Splash” by Bobby Darin (1958)
The playful song “Splish Splash” helped Bobby Darin launch his career. The song, which was reportedly written in 12 minutes, starts with the famous line “Splish splash I was takin’ a bath.” Darin went on to win two Grammys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“Wake Up Little Susie” by the Everly Brothers (1957)
The Everly Brothers, one of the most influential groups in rock and roll history, topped the charts with their song “Wake Up Little Susie.” The duo combined country, rock and roll, and pop, and the song tells the story of a young couple who fall asleep at a drive-thru movie.
“Tequila” by The Champs (1958)
The saxophone-heavy song “Tequila” was performed by the rock and roll band The Champs. The song is based on a Cuban Mambo song, and “tequila,” the only word in the song, is repeated three times. The song won a Grammy in 1958 for best R&B performance, and in 2001, the song was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“Diana” by Paul Anka (1957)
The Paul Anka song “Diana” was reportedly inspired by a girl that Anka met and developed a crush on. In the song, the speaker falls in love with the older girl, and Anka wrote and arranged the song when he was just 16 years old. The song reached number one on the Billboard charts.
“My Baby Cares for Me” by Nina Simone (1959)
“My Baby Cares for Me” was recorded in 1957 and released on Nina Simone’s debut album, “Little Girl Blue.” The song was first performed in 1930, but Nina Simone’s version featuring her sultry voice made it a 1950s hit. The jazz song also had a resurgence in 1987 due to a Chanel No. 5 commercial.
“There Goes My Baby” by The Drifters (1959)
Sung by the Pop/R&B group The Drifters, “There Goes My Baby” came out in the summer of 1959. The group changed members a few times, and the version of the group that recorded “There Goes My Baby” was the third version of the group. The song is a sweet serenade to a lost lover, and it was rerecorded by Donna Summers in 1984.
“Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis (1957)
Considered one of the greatest rock songs, “Great Balls of Fire” was featured in the 1957 movie Jamboree. Jerry Lee Lewis was on piano and vocals, and the song sold more than a million copies in the first 10 days. The song is about the earth-shattering effect of being in love.
“Johnny B Goode” by Chuck Berry (1958)
“Johnny B. Good” is a rock and roll classic and was reportedly inspired by Chuck Berry’s piano player. The song is about coming from humble beginnings and achieving the American Dream. The song was covered by The Beatles and was featured in Back to the Future.
“Come Fly With Me” by Frank Sinatra (1958)
The smooth jazz song “Come Fly With Me” was performed by Frank Sinatra and was the title of his 1958 album. The song reached #1 on the Billboard charts and was nominated for Album of the Year at the inaugural Grammy Awards. The song was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004.
“Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole (1952)
Nat King Cole recorded the timeless serenade “Unforgettable” for his album of the same name. The Alabama-born singer was originally part of a trio, The King Cole Trio, before breaking off on his own and starting a solo career. The song was rereleased in 1991 with Cole’s daughter, Natalie Cole in 1991.
“That’s Amore” by Dean Martin (1953)
The playful love song “That’s Amore” debuted in 1953 and was included on the 1953 soundtrack for the movie The Caddy. The song compares being in love with popular Italian food (pizza and pasta) and has appeared in many movies and series, including Friends, Frasier, and The Simpsons.
“Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes (1954)
“Mr. Sandman” was the first hit for the all-girls group The Chordettes and launched the group’s career. The song is a cheeky request for Mr. Sandman to bring a girl her dream guy while sleeping. The group’s trademark was its acapella harmony, and they were also responsible for the 1959 hit “Lollipop.”
“Only You” by The Platters (1955)
One of the doo-wop songs that defined the decade was “Only You” by The Platters, one of the most successful vocal groups of the era. The group was made up of five members, four men and a woman, and the song is a love song to a sweetheart. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
“Walking After Midnight” by Patsy Cline (1957)
A tender song about taking a stroll and reminiscing about a lover, “Walking After Midnight” jumpstarted Patsy Cline’s country career. After performing the song on the CBS television show Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, the song shot up the charts and gave Cline her first major hit.
“16 Candles” by the Crests (1958)
The Crests were another multiracial group, and their song “16 Candles” peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song is an ode to a girl on her 16th birthday, and it’s one of the most recognizable tracks of the doo-wop era. The 1984 John Hughes movie Sixteen Candles was reportedly taken from the song’s title.
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