200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1950s. This post: #120-111. 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…

120

TWILIGHT TIME

The Platters

The Platters' 1958 cover of “Twilight Time” resulted in another #1 in America and reached #3 in Britain for the highly successful vocal group.

119

(MAMA) HE TREATS YOUR DAUGHTER MEAN

Ruth Brown

In 1953, Ruth Brown's third R&B chart #1 "(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean" was also her first entry on the Pop listing.

118

I'LL COME RUNNING BACK TO YOU

Sam Cooke

Smooth as silk, Sam Cooke's delivery on "I'll Come Running Back To You" is another example of the singer / songwriter's vocal skill. It topped the US R&B Chart and made the Pop Top 20 in 1957.

117

RUMBLE

Link Wray

Link Wray was an influential guitarist. He fused country with rockabilly and is best remembered for his 1958 instrumental "Rumble". The disc reached the Top 20 in the United States. Wray went on to inspire guitarists such as Jeff Beck and Pete Townshend.

116

EVERY DAY

Buddy Holly

Buddy Holly's "Everyday" was on the flip side of his hit "Peggy Sue". The 1957 disc's percussion was created by drummer Jerry Allison of The Crickets slapping his knees. Producer Norman Petty's wife Vi is heard on the celesta.

115

AT THE HOP

Danny And The Juniors

With elements of doo wop and rock 'n' roll, "At The Hop" proved catchy enough to top the Pop and R&B charts in America. The Danny & The Juniors 1957 single also peaked at #3 in the UK.

114

A TEENAGER IN LOVE

Dion & The Belmonts

Dion began as lead singer of a group consisting of friends named The Belmonts. Before launching a solo career in 1960, the doo wop outfit scored its biggest hit in 1959 with "A Teeger In Love". The single peaked at #5 in America and was Dion's first UK chart entry.

113

EVERYDAY I HAVE THE BLUES

B.B. King

Many of rock's legendary guitarists were influenced by the blues recordings of B.B. King. "Every Day I Have The Blues" was issued in 1955.

112

SPEEDOO

The Cadillacs

Doo wop group The Cadillacs issued "Speedoo" in 1955. The single reached #3 R&B and #17 Pop in the U.S.A.

111

ROLLIN' STONE

Muddy Waters

The 1950 recording of "Rollin' Stone" is where Mick Jagger and his bandmates took their moniker. Muddy Waters proved to be a highly influential guitarist in blues and rock music.

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