200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1950s. This post: #30-21. 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…

30

ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC

Chuck Berry

In 1957, Chuck Berry served up an anthem for the new genre. "Rock And Roll Music" peaked at #8 Pop and R&B. The hit single was covered by The Beatles and The Beach Boys.

29

WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE

Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers

Doo wop group Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers dropped "Why Do Fools Fall In Love" in 1956. The single reached #1 R&B and #6 Pop in America. It also topped the British chart. The group's output featured Lymon's falsetto. Tragedy ensued once he left The Teenagers for a solo career the following year. Lymon started taking drugs, drinking and, although he was a minor, having sex with much older women. In 1968, Lymon was found dead with a syringe nearby. The Teenagers influenced The Jackson 5.

28

BE-BOP-A-LULA

Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps

Its lyrics were simplistic, but Gene Vincent's vocal execution added a sexual energy to "Be-Bop-A-Lula". The 1956 disc made the Top 10 on the Pop, R&B and Country charts. Vincent influenced The Beatles, Cliff Richard, Jimmy Page, The Clash, Jeff Beck and many others.

27

WALKING AFTER MIDNIGHT

Patsy Cline

Revered as one of the most significant women of country music, Patsy Cline first charted with "Walkin' After Midnight" in 1957. The debut single peaked at #2 Country and reached #12 on the Pop Top 40. Since then, Cline has been a huge influence on country and western singers such as Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, K.D. Lang, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.

26

I GOT A WOMAN

Ray Charles

Ray Charles created "I Got A Woman" with his bandleader Renald Richard while touring in 1954. Brother Ray had first made the R&B Chart with "Mess Around" the previous year, but "I Got A Woman" (aka "I've Got A Woman") was his first to reach the top. Charles fused gospel with rhythm and blues and began creating the bedrock for soul music.

25

I WALK THE LINE

Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash revolutionized country music. His signature tune "I Walk The Line" marked a radically fresh new attitude and approach to the genre. This release gave Cash his first Country Chart #1. The disc is also noteworthy because it was his first crossover hit, reaching #17 on the Pop Top 40.

24

I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU

The Flamingos

Originally recorded in 1934, a remake of "I Only Have Eyes For You"  by The Flamingos remains one of the heavenly doo wop tracks. The vocal group's remake was issued in 1959, reaching #11 Pop and #3 R&B.

23

ROLL OVER BEETHOVEN

Chuck Berry

In 1956 Chuck Berry declared rock 'n' roll the sound of the times. He was literally casting aside classical music and the stale pop records of the previous generation. Berry was reflecting the conviction held by teenagers that rock 'n' roll had arrived. More importantly, they were convinced it was here to stay. "Roll Over Beethoven" was issued on Chess, climbing to #2 R&B and #29 Pop.

22

WAKE UP LITTLE SUSIE

Everly Brothers

Boudleaux & Felice Bryant penned "Wake Up Little Susie", the sophomore release by The Everly Brothers. In 1957, the duo improved on the success of its debut chart entry. The second single managed to top the Pop, R&B and Country charts. Internationally too, it fared better than its predecessor, reaching #1 in Canada, #2 in Britain and #3 in Australia.

21

SINCERELY

The Moonglows

 

Although DJ Alan Freed has a songwriting credit on "Sincerely", the ballad was penned by Harvey Fuqua, the pivotal member of The Moonglows. He created the performance style known as 'blow harmony'. The group ushered in the harmony- doo wop sub-genre. "Sincerely" was issued in 1954 and became the first single to make the R&B Chart for The Moonglows. The disc reached #1 and also cracked the Pop Top 20.

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