200 MOST ESSENTIAL SONGS OF THE 1950s. This post: #20-11. Concludes next weekend. 
A new countdown begins 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…

20

BLUE SUEDE SHOES

Carl Perkins

Rockabilly's most famous song is "Blue Suede Shoes". Written by Carl Perkins, the track was recorded by him at the Sun Records studio, with Sam Phillips at the helm. The single became rock 'n' roll's first crossover hit: reaching #1 on the Pop, R&B and Country charts in 1956. Perkins' guitar skill thrilled the public. Elvis Presley's remake the same year exposed the rock classic to an even wider audience.

19

SHOUT

The Isley Brothers

"Shout" was unleashed soon after Ray Charles mixed gospel with secular music. The Isley Brothers' song is built around the "call and response" of the church with the excitement of R&B. The siblings released the disc in 1959. After 6 singles had flopped, "Shout" finally saw the brothers on the US Hot 100.

18

SUMMERTIME BLUES

Eddie Cochran

"Summertime Blues" involves the perennial frustrations concerning teens: being broke, too young and pestered by parents. The disc made the US Top 10 and UK Top 20. Youth all over the world can still relate to its themes.

17

JOHNNY B. GOODE

Chuck Berry

Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones recounted that "Johnny B. Goode" was the first rock 'n' roll song to make him take notice. It has inspired countless other aspiring rockers. Chuck Berry released the track on Chess Records in 1958. It lives on as one of rock 'n' roll's anthems. His self-penned hit climbed to #8 Pop and #2 Pop.

16

TEARDROPS FROM MY EYES

Ruth Brown

It was no easy task becoming the leading female R&B vocalist of the 1950s. The industry was misogynistic. Brown wasn't just a woman, but African-American too. Born Ruth Weston, she ran away from home during her teens to tour with trumpeter Jimmy Brown. They married. Inspired by Billie Holiday and Dinah Washington, she signed with Atlantic in the late 1940s. The label was new and with Brown, established itself as one of the most important labels for R&B. Atlantic became known as the "house that Ruth built". "Teardrops From My Eyes" was issued in 1950 and became the first of her R&B Chart #1s. She inspired singers such as Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin and Tina Turner.

15

THE GREAT PRETENDER

The Platters

In 1955, African-American artists rarely made the same amount of money as white rockers. In many cases, pale remakes of R&B hits resulted in profits going to the inferior cover versions. Rhythm and blues (or "race records" as they were referred to at the time) had to crossover to be more lucrative for its exponents. The Platters filled the niché. Classy and well produced, the vocal group was safe enough for the white audience. Tony Williams showcased his vocal prowess on  "The Great Pretender". Released in 1955 as the follow-up for The Platters' first R&B #1, "Only You", the new single repeated its success as well as topping the Pop Chart. The disc also made the British Top 5 and #1 in Australia. This disc opened the floodgates.

14

THERE GOES MY BABY

The Drifters

The Platters' consistent worldwide chart success led The Drifters to change course with a new line-up and approach to R&B. Ben E. King was now lead vocalist. "There Goes My Baby" featured groundbreaking production standards. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller produced the single, adding strings and orchestration. The start of the track pays homage to the group's doo wop past, before the strings come in and lift the track to lofty heights. In 1959, the single climbed to #1 R&B and peaked at #2 Pop. The Drifters scored more crossover success in the 1960s.

13

SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL

Big Joe Turner

Forget the tamer version by Bill Haley & His Comets. That recording may have accrued greater sales, but Big Joe Turner's original is the bridge between rhythm & blues and rock 'n' roll. Issued in 1954, the first version is raw and its lyrics reveal the true meaning of the song. Haley may have been imploring you to dance, but Turner leaves one in no doubt that his intentions are carnal. Big Joe's version reached #1 R&B.

12

THAT'S ALL RIGHT

Elvis Presley

A young unknown walked into the Sun studios in Memphis to record some tracks for fun. He piqued the interest of label boss Sam Phillips. The latter teamed him with session players Scotty Moore and Bill Black.  They jammed together to see what transpired. "That's All Right" was recorded. It became Elvis Presley's debut single when issued on Sun Records in 1954. Phillips had long been looking for a white singer with the ability to sing like an African-American. Presley was the one. The disc became a local hit. Presley had arrived.

11

ROCKET 88

Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats

Regarded by many commentators as the first genuine rock 'n' roll recording, "Rocket 88" topped the R&B Chart as early as 1951. Saxophonist Jackie Brenston performed the lead vocal. Ike Turner played piano on the track. Although this was technically his group, Brenston's role resulted in the disc being credited to the latter and his group The Delta Cats. Similarly, Turner claimed to have written the song, but the label gives credit to Brenston.

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