200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1950s. This post: #70-61. 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…

70

ONLY SIXTEEN

Sam Cooke

Once Sam Cooke wrapped his tonsils around a song, it became the definitive version. "Only Sixteen" was a trans-Atlantic hit for him in 1958. It was covered in the 1959 by Craig Douglas and Dr. Hook in 1975. Neither matched the silky smooth interpretation from Cooke.

69

CORRINE, CORRINA

Big Joe Turner

Big Joe Turner was one of the pioneers that helped usher in rock 'n' roll. His sound consisted of elements of boogie-woogie, jump blues and rock. Recordings such as 1956's "Corrine, Corrina" were influential. It reached #2 on the US R&B Chart.

68

THE WALLFLOWER

 (DANCE WITH ME, HENRY)

Etta James & The Peaches

"The Wallflower (Dance With Me, Henry)" was the female answer record to Hank Ballard's R&B smash "Work With Me, Annie". When Johnny Otis heard Etta James & The Peaches' song, he signed them up to Modern Records. The single was issued in 1955. Its lyrics were risqué for the time, but it enjoyed a month at the top of the R&B Chart. The song was later also known as "Roll With Me, Henry".

67

OH! CAROL

Neil Sedaka

Neil Sedaka had dated Carole Klein and she inspired his hit "Oh! Carol". In 1959, the single was issued and went on to become his first American Top 10 hit. Sedaka would go on to pen several hits for himself and others in the next 2 decades. Klein would also become one of rock's most significant and prolific singer / songwriters- as Carole King.

66

(LET ME BE YOUR) TEDDY BEAR

Elvis Presley

"Teddy Bear" topped the Pop, R&B and Country charts in 1957. The song confirmed the chart dominance of Elvis Presley; this being his 8th US Hot 100 #1 since 1956.

65

MY PRAYER

The Platters

Countless R&B acts had tried to cross over to a white and larger audience, but few managed to achieve the sales that The Platters attracted with singles such as "My Prayer". In 1956, the disc reached #4 in Britain as well as topping the US Pop and R&B charts.

64

GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY

Little Richard

Little Richard released a succession of seminal rock 'n' roll / pop crossover singles. "Good Golly Miss Molly" packed the excitement of the fledgling genre into 2 minutes. In 1958, the disc reached the UK and American Top 10.

63

REET PETITE

Jackie Wilson

Jackie Wilson influenced many that followed in his wake, including James Brown and Michael Jackson. "Reet Petite" was issued in 1957, one of the singles co-written by Berry Gordy Jr. who would soon launch Motown Records.

62

I"M A MAN

Bo Diddley

Bo Diddley was an influential guitarist in the 1950s thanks to tracks that included "I'm A Man". Released in 1955, it was covered by The Yardbirds 10 years later.

61

MONEY HONEY

Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters

"Money Honey" was the first single by The Drifters to chart. Released in 1953, the disc shot to #1 R&B.

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