200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1950s. This post: #190-181. 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…

190

HONEYCOMB

Jimmie Rodgers

In 1957, Jimmie Rodgers made the Pop, R&B and Country charts with his single "Honeycomb". The song was penned by Bob Merrill, who wrote several hits for a range of artists.

189

ROCK- A -BILLY

Guy Mitchell

Guy Mitchell enjoyed chart success in the early years of the Rock 'N' Roll era. "Rock- A -Billy" gave the American singer a domestic Top 10 and climbed to #1 in the UK in 1957.

188

I'M GONNA LOVE YOU TOO

Buddy Holly

Buddy Holly's 1957 single "I'm Gonna Love You Too" was covered by the group Blondie on its 1978 album 'Parallel Lines'.

187

WHAT DO YOU WANT?

Adam Faith

One of the first British pop stars, Adam Faith finally broke through with the single "What Do You Want?" in 1959. The disc enjoyed 3 weeks at the top in the UK.

186

CRAZY MAN, CRAZY

Bill Haley & His Comets

In 1953, 2 years prior to the break-out success of "Rock Around The Clock", Bill Haley & His Comets peaked at #15 in America with "Crazy Man, Crazy".

185

WITCH DOCTOR

David Seville

Novelty single "Witch Doctor" saw David Seville apply recording techniques to create The Chipmunks by speeding up vocals. The disc shot to the top of the US chart in 1958.

184

DADDY DADDY

Ruth Brown

Ruth Brown was Atlantic Records' biggest success during the 1950s. The label was referred to as the "house that Ruth built". "Daddy Daddy" was issued in 1952 and reached #3 on the R&B chart.

183

DO YOU WANT TO DANCE?

Bobby Freeman

Known also as "Do You Wanna Dance?", Bobby Freeman's self-penned "Do You Want To Dance?" reached #5 Pop and #2 R&B in America in 1958.

182

WIN YOUR LOVE FOR ME

Sam Cooke

Sam Cooke is one of the most influential singers. His soulful vocals inspired countless performers in his wake. "Win Your Love For Me" reached #4 on the US R&B chart in 1958 and climbed to #22 Pop.

181

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

Shirley & Lee

Shirley Goodman and Leonard Lee were born 10 days apart and scored an R&B #1 with the 1956 single "Let The Good Times Roll" while still in their teens.

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