The impact of rock ‘n’ culture was so dramatic that it completely eclipsed the under-appreciated pop music of the fifties. The quintessential ASY-POP recordings were seen in the nineteen fifty-five years ago, and they are still recorded in the recent century. But in this one decade there was an amazing variety of catchy songs, infectious arrangements, and catchy lyrics that made the recordings far more innovative than the sum of their parts. No single record represents a decade. You need to understand the unique sound of the 50s LIGHT-POPgenre by listening to a selection of quintessential records. Here are twenty-five original songs and singers who epitomized ASY-POP sounds in the early fifties.
The Tennessee Waltz Patti Page 1950
While they were walking, Patti Page’s boyfriend stole his girlfriend on this record 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 the popular, expressive vocalist Nat King Cole had a #1 hit record with Nelson Riddle’s arrangement.
My heart cries out to you Dinah Shore 1950
Guy Mitchell, Vic Damone, and Dina Beach all had a top-five hit with My Heart Is Crying Out For You, one of dozens of country-flavored 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< /i >, and Guy Mitchell’s Heart Numbers.
Sentimental Me Love Brothers 1950
The Ames brothers (actually Ed, Gene, Joe and Vic Urick) had two #1 hits in the 1950s, on the flip side of the ballad Sentimental Me, they released the novelty hit Rag Mop. .
Eddie Fisher 1951
Young Eddie Fisher’s first million-selling hit, Anyone, was a 1921 vaudeville song, successfully revived in 1948 by star Eddy Arnold. It was written by Eddie Fisher as a tour guide in the US Army Special Services.
My really, really beautiful Guy Mitchell 1951
This early fifties record features an infectious melody, light composition by Mitch Miller, and a soulful, lovable singer. Examples include 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 layered several guitar parts behind the windy Mary Ford with a light heart harmony One of twelve multi-layered top-ten hits by guitarist Les Paul and vocalist Mary Ford.
I Went to Your Wedding Patti Page 1952
Patti Page released this seminal, plaintive song of lost love and it spawned 1953’s Changing Partners, June Valley’s Crying in the Chapel, Teresa Brewer’s A Tear Fell >, Caterina Valentis Aura et I, Toni Arden Padre, and Ioanna Weber Amator go me.
Wheel of Fortune Kay Starr 1952
Opening with her instantly recognizable Click Wheel, Kay Starr’s first platinum record stayed at #1 for ten weeks. While the wheel of fortune turns, turns, turns, copper Kay Starr longs for love.
Don’t Get Stars In Your Eyes Perry Como 1952
Dozens of these exhilarating, bona fide hits including Falling Star, Tina Marie and Hot Diggity were written by the most popular singers of the decade.
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me Karen Chandler 1952
This teen-loving 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 are mine Jo Stafford 1952
Whether flying on a silver plane over the ocean or seeing the pyramids on the Nile, let Jo Stafford know you are Me. Patti Page and Dean Martin also recorded You Me, but it was Jo Stafford who sold two million copies of her all-time biggest record in the fall of 1952.
This Love Dean Martin 1953
This fifties classic is one of the most popular Italian songs from singers such as Al Martino, Tony Martin, Jerry Vale, Vic Damone, Julio LaRosa, and the Gaylords.
Ricochet Teresa Brewer 1953
A typical, fast-paced recording with lyrical lyrics. The arrangements are often shaped by the unusual vocal styles of such talented individuals as Teresa Brewer, Jaye P. Morgan, Pearl Bailey, Gale Storm, Della Reese, Julie London, and Eartha Kitt.
Rags of Riches Tony Bennett 1953
With a trending vocal treatment, Carmen Bennett epitomizes the unique phrasing, voice, and sound also personified by Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, and Bing Crosby.
have you heard Joni James 1953
Delightful female singers such as Joni James, Connie Francis, Cathy Carr, Debbie Reynolds, and Karen Chandler reflect the feelings of the fifties .
The Doggie in the Window Patti Page 1953
Patti Page has sold more than four million copies of this simple and relentlessly thought-provoking lady with a soft puppy tail. Mercury A&R; man Joe Reisman provided the memorable yaps ‘arf-arf’, while the violinist barks more gutturally.
Young at Heart Frank Sinatra 1954
Frank Sinatra was the first performer of this breezy, upbeat ballad, which became another million-selling hit for him. The song is delivered live by the greatest crooner of the decade.
Heart of Stone Fontane Sisters 1954
Otis Williams & Delicia released a recording of their earlier Hearts of Stone but a cover of the Fontanei Sisters concert ‘do, do, wat, fac, fac, wa, da’ hit #1.
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 a youthful, zesty, big-ass, bravura style.
Mr. Sandman Chordettes 1954
Then from thirteen ‘boom-boom-boom-booms’ he asked in a loud voice ‘yes?’ That’s the Chordettes’ biggest hit. Originally written for a male singer, the sensational arrangement of the Chordettas was given a more playful flavor by transferring it to a girl’s song, kept by Mr. Sandman‘s at the top of the charts.
Small Things Mean a Lot Kitty Kallen 1954
Kitty Kallen had a #1 hit with this memorable fifties ballad. Joni James criticized him in 1959.
This Ole House Roris Clooney 1954
50s novelty songs also included her Come-On-A-My-House, Patti Page Doggie in the Window, Perry Como Delaware, and Love. Brothers Now Lady of Shady Lane
Man in the Upper Room Kay Starr 1954
One of the many gospel-wise hits such as Patti Page’s Cross Over the Bridge, Laurie London’s Got the Whole World, and Pat Boone’s It’s a Wonderful Time There.
Teach Me Tonight The Sisters of the Camp 1954
DeCastro Big Sisters hit the big time with their 1954 song Teach Me Tonight More which sold 5 million copies. The style was somewhat similar to that of the popular Andrews sisters at the time, but with a Latin flavor.
Report:
- 50sPopMusic.com
- 25 Best Pop Songs from the Late 1950s
