1955: The Greatest Songs (Conclusion).

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1955

THE GREATEST SONGS

MCMLV

1955 was a year of great change. Winston Churchill resigned as British Prime Minister. Argentina ousted Juan Peron. Rosa Parks refused to sit at the back of a bus to protest against segregation.

Famous scientists Albert Einstein and Alexander Fleming passed away. Screen idol James Dean died in a car crash at the age of 26.

1955 was a watershed year for popular music. There was a line in the sand drawn up by the older generation and a new demographic: cashed up teenagers. This impacted significantly on pop music trends.

A song released in 1954 was featured in ‘The Blackboard Jungle’ movie. It resonated with teens and was re-released. “Rock Around The Clock” opened the floodgates for rock and roll hits.

Here are 50 songs that were standout recordings during the year…

Listen to all the songs on the Spotify playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6QOezIZqOjqu2jgP3ETuQk?si=6c092cd995a2428c

 

1

 

TUTTI FRUTTI

Little Richard

Little Richard not only helped form the sound of rock and roll, but his electric performances at the piano added showmanship and helped emphasize the thrill of the new music.

 

2

 

MAYBELLENE

Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry was one of the architects of the sound of rock and roll, with numerous groundbreaking early classics of the genre.

 

3

 

LEARNIN’ THE BLUES

Frank Sinatra

 

As rock emerged, established vocalists such as Frank Sinatra began to relinquish their grip on the pop charts.

 

4

 

THE GREAT PRETENDER

The Platters

 

One of the first rock and roll hits to reach number one in America on both the R&B and Pop charts.

 

5

 

FOLSOM PRISON BLUES

Johnny Cash

 

Johnny Cash became one of the fundamental country acts with songs such as this.  

 

6

 

TWEEDLE DEE

LaVern Baker

 

One of the first female R&B singers, along with Etta James, to help expose a white audience to black vocalists.

 

7

 

ONLY YOU (AND YOU ALONE)

The Platters

 

The Platters became one of the first black groups to consistently cross over onto the Pop chart.  

 

8

 

MR. SANDMAN

The Chordettes

One of the first hits by a girl group in the Rock Era.

 

9

 

I GOT A WOMAN

Ray Charles

 

Ray Charles infused rock and roll with soul and gospel influences.

 

10

 

AIN’T THAT A SHAME

Fats Domino

Before Pat Boone recorded a sanitised version for the mass white audience, this R&B / rock original version helped make Fats Domino one of the key artists of rock and roll’s seminal years.

 

 

11 SINCERELY The Moonglows

12 BO DIDDLEY Bo Diddley

13 EVERY DAY I HAVE THE BLUES B.B. King

14 EARTH ANGEL The Crew Cuts

15 I’M A MAN Bo Diddley

16 CRY ME A RIVER Julie London

17 SAME OLD SATURDAY NIGHT Frank Sinatra

18 ALL BY MYSELF Fats Domino

19 DARLING, JE VOUS AIME BEAUCOUP Nat King Cole

20 MYSTERY TRAIN Elvis Presley

 

21 LOVE AND MARRIAGE Frank Sinatra

22 A FOOL FOR YOU Ray Charles

23 THE CHICKEN AND THE HAWK (UP, UP, AND AWAY)

Big Joe Turner

24 (LOVE IS) THE TENDER TRAP Frank Sinatra

25 RAZZLE DAZZLE Bill Haley & His Comets

26 BLACKJACK Ray Charles

27 W.O.M.A.N. Etta James

28 MY ONE SIN (IN LIFE) Nat King Cole

29 ADORABLE The Drifters

30 WALLFLOWER (ROLL WITH ME HENRY) Etta James

 

31 BIRTH OF THE BOOGIE Bill Haley & His Comets

32 SOMEONE YOU LOVE Nat King Cole

33 SPEEDOO The Cadillacs   

34 THAT OLD BLACK MAGIC Sammy Davis Jr.

35 DON’T YOU KNOW Fats Domino

36 I FORGOT TO REMEMBER TO FORGET Elvis Presley

37 A BLOSSOM FELL Nat King Cole

38 I NEED YOU ALL THE TIME The Platters

39 MAMBO ROCK Bill Haley & His Comets

40 POOR ME Fats Domino

 

41 EVERYONE’S LAUGHING Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters

42 SIXTEEN TONS Tennessee Ernie Ford

43 UNCHAINED MELODY Al Hibbler

44 BURN THAT CANDLE Bill Haley & His Comets

45 THIS LITTLE GIRL OF MINE Ray Charles

46 LET ME GO, LOVER! Teresa Brewer

47 CHERRY PINK AND APPLE BLOSSOM WHITE

Perez Prado

48 SOFTLY SOFTLY Ruby Murray

49 GREENBACKS Ray Charles

50 AUTUMN LEAVES Roger Williams