200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1950s. This post: #140-131. Continues tomorrow.

Caffé Latté presents...

THE 200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE

1950s

Rhythm and blues, country and folk music were coming together to create the first rock and roll records. Cashed up youths started spending their money on the new genre. Radio exposed audiences to exciting new sounds and artists. Labels such as Sun, Atlantic and Chess began to flourish. The 1950s created a revolution with the arrival of rock music.

This countdown looks back on 200 recordings that had a lasting impact at the time, and- in most cases- beyond that decade. At the start of the 1950s, music was targeted to segregated audiences. Rock ‘n’ Roll was dismissed by many as a passing fad. By the end of the decade, rock was established as the dominant genre in popular music. These 200 sons form part of the soundtrack of rebellion…

140

YOU WERE MADE FOR ME

Sam Cooke

Sam Cooke made the transition from gospel as a member of The Soul Stirrers to soul and pop vocalist during the 1950s. He penned the 1958 hit “You Were Made For Me”.

139

HALLELUJAH I LOVE HER SO

Ray Charles

Ray Charles mastered genres as diverse as jazz, gospel. soul and country. He wrote the R&B / jazz-flavoured "Hallelujah I Love Her So" which was a hit on the US R&B Chart in 1956.

138

IT'S ONLY MAKE BELIEVE

Conway Twitty

Conway Twitty fused country and rock music for his British and American #1 single "It's Only Make Believe". The disc was issued in 1958.

137

NOT FADE AWAY

The Crickets

"Not Fade Away" was the B-side for The Crickets' 1957 single "Oh Boy!".

136

KANSAS CITY

Wilbert Harrison

Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller created "Kansas City", which was an R&B and Pop #1 single for Wilbert Harrison in 1959.

135

GREEN DOOR

Jim Lowe

Jim Lowe reached #1 in the United States with "Green Door" in 1956. The song finally reached the top in the UK when covered by Shakin' Stevens in 1981.

134

I'M IN LOVE AGAIN

Fats Domino

Fats Domino created many R&B hits with regular collaborator and producer Dave Bartholomew. Together, they penned "I'm In Love Again", a #3 Pop and R&B #1 single in 1956.

133

LOVE LETTERS IN THE SAND

Pat Boone

Pat Boone is often derided for his watered-down covers of R&B hits recorded by African-Americans. They would watch as white pop artists such as Boone would tone down their songs and score major success. Boone did also notch up many hits in his own right. He was one of the best selling pop singers of the decade. "Love Letters In The Sand" reached #1 in the United States and #2 in the UK in 1957. His performance of the song was featured in his film 'Bernardine'.

132

TWEEDLEE DEE

LaVern Baker

LaVern Baker broke through with "Tweedlee Dee" in 1955. The disc was her first single to crack the Pop and R&B charts, where it peaked at #14 and #4 respectively.

131

IT'S ALL IN THE GAME

Tommy Edwards

The melody of "It's All In The Game" was composed in 1912 by future US Vice-President Charles Dawes. Later, Carl Sigman added lyrics. Tommy Edwards recorded the song in 1951. It made the US Top 20. He re-recorded the song 7 years later. This new version reached #1 on the American Pop and R&B charts as well as making the top in Britain.

Check out the Caffé Latté 1950s playlist on spotify as new songs are added to coincide with each new update on this blog.