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The 1950s poll: the 100 best songs of the 1950s

Welcome my friends to the thread about the best 100 songs of the 1950s according to Acclaimed Music Forum.



The rock & roll era? Of course, rock & roll will define forever the music of the 1950s, but there was a lot of great music on other styles too. The best names of cool jazz, vocal, rhythm & blues, country, chanson, blues, hard bop, big band, doo wop, gospel, bluegrass or even avant-garde are going to pass on parade in front of you right now. Hope you enjoy the show.
Only one thing before launching the parade, the artists with more songs nominated are Hank Williams with 8 songs and Elvis Presley with 7 (Chuck Berry is a distant 3 with 4 songs nominated). Do you want to know who is going to win the battle? Stay tuned till the end and you will find out...


So... lest’s begin with positions 100-81


100. Nat "King" Cole - Mona Lisa

Nat

Points: 264
Biggest fans: Alex D (#33), Henrik (#72), Listyguy (#74)
Position in AM 3000: #149 of the 1950s and #1657 of all time
Position in 1950 poll: #10
Style: Traditional Pop
Written by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston
Recorded by Nat "King" Cole with Orchestra conducted by Lex Baxter on March 11, 1950 at Capitol Studios, Hollywood, California
Released in May of 1950 on Capitol label

Comments: nicolas: "IMO Nat King Cole was much more interesting when he played with his jazz-R&B trio."

You Tube link


99. Webb Pierce - There Stands the Glass

Webb Pierce - There Stands the Glass / I'm Walking the Dog

Points: 281
Biggest fans: nicolas (#41), Alex D (#56), Honorio (#57)
Position in AM 3000: #137 of the 1950s and #1516 of all time
Position in 1953 poll: #7
Style: Honky Tonk
Written by Russ Hull, Mary Jean Shurtz and Audrey Greisham
Recorded by Webb Pierce in 1953 in Nashville, Tenessee
Released in September of 1953 on Decca US label

You Tube link


98. Big Joe Turner - Shake, Rattle and Roll

Big Joe Turner - Shake, Rattle and Roll / You Know I Love You

Points: 284
Biggest fans: Mindrocker (#38 ), Henry (#43), Henrik and nicolas (#65)
Position in AM 3000: #22 of the 1950s and #154 of all time
Position in 1954 poll: #8
Style: Rhythm & Blues
Written by Charles E. Calhoun
Recorded by Big Joe Turner and His Blues Kings on February 15, 1954 in New York
Released in April of 1954 on Atlantic label

You Tube link


97. Nat "King" Cole - Unforgettable

Nat

Points: 302
Biggest fans: Henrik (#25), Henry (#32), Miguel (#59)
Position in AM 3000: not listed
Position in 1951 poll: #8
Style: Traditional Pop
Written by Irving Gordon
Recorded by Nat "King" Cole with Orchestra conducted by Nelson Riddle on August 17, 1951
Released in October of 1951 on Capitol label

You Tube link


96. Harry Belafonte - Banana Boat (Day-O)

Harry Belafonte - Banana Boat (Day-O) / Star-O

Points: 304
Biggest fans: Miguel (#32), Brad (#46), Alex D (#47)
Position in AM 3000: not listed
Position in 1956 poll: #10
Style: Calypso
Written by traditional Jamaican folk song, adapted by Irving Burgie
Recorded by Harry Belafonte on October 20, 1955 at Webster Hall, New York
Released in December of 1956 on RCA Victor label

Comments: nicolas: "Sad that the only calypso song here is this watered-down, Hollywood performance. Not that I blame Mr. Belafonte, he was a good man, but the original was so much better, funnier, full of great social commentary. But far less known. That's the bias of this game."

You Tube link


95. Charlie Parker - Bloomdido

Charlie Parker - Bloomdido / My Melancholy Baby

Points: 316
Biggest fans: sonofsamiam (#28 ), Henry (#39), Charlie Driggs and Honorio (#41)
Position in AM 3000: not listed
Position in 1950 poll: #8
Style: Bebop
Written by Charlie Parker
Recorded by Charlie Parker and His Orchestra (Charlie Parker, alto sax; Dizzy Gillespie, trumpet; Thelonious Monk, piano; Buddy Rich, drums; Curly Russel, bass) on June 6, 1950 in New York
Released in 1950 on Mercury label

You Tube link


94. The Orioles - Crying in the Chapel

The Orioles - Crying in the Chapel / Don't You Think I Ought to Know

Points: 318
Biggest fans: Henry (#21), Alex D (#43), Miguel (#44)
Position in AM 3000: #67 of the 1950s and #669 of all time
Position in 1953 poll: #3
Style: Doo Wop
Written by Artie Glenn
Recorded by The Orioles in June 1953
Released in July 1953 on Jubilee label

You Tube link


93. Hank Williams - Take These Chains from My Heart

Hank Williams - Take These Chains From My Heart / Ramblin' Man

Points: 320
Biggest fans: Miguel (#26), nicolas (#32), sonofsamiam (#53)
Position in AM 3000: not listed
Position in 1953 poll: #6
Style: Honky Tonk
Written by Fred Rose and Hy Heath
Recorded by Hank Williams with his Drifting Cowboys on September 23, 1952 at Castle Studio in Nashville, Tenessee
Released in April 1953 on MGM label

You Tube link


92. Fats Domino - Going to the River

Fats Domino - Going to the River / Mardi Gras in New Orleans

Points: 321
Biggest fans: Brad (#33), Honorio and Listyguy (#50)
Position in AM 3000: not listed
Position in 1953 poll: #8
Style: New Orleans R&B
Written by Dave Bartholomew and Fats Domino
Recorded by Fats Domino in December 1952
Released in April 1953 on Imperial label

You Tube link


91. The Penguins - Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)

The Penguins - Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine) / Hey Senorita

Points: 322
Biggest fans: Henry (#18 ), Listyguy (#25), Charlie Driggs (#56)
Position in AM 3000: #47 of the 1950s and #371 of all time
Position in 1954 poll: #5
Style: Doo Wop
Written by Curtis Williams, Jesse Belvin and Gaynel Hodge
Recorded by The Penguins in October 1954 in Los Angeles, California
Released in 1954 on Doo Tone label

You Tube link


90. Professor Longhair - Tipitina



Points: 324
Biggest fans: Charlie Driggs and Mindrocker (#26), Henry (#41)
Position in AM 3000: #148 of the 1950s and #1654 of all time
Position in 1954 poll: #9
Style: New Orleans R&B
Written by Roy Byrd
Recorded by Professor Longhair and His Blues Scholars in November 1953 in New Orleans, Louisiana
Released in January 1954 on Atlantic label

You Tube link


89. The Chordettes - Mr. Sandman

The Chordettes - Mr. Sandman / I Don't Wanna See You Cryin'

Points: 325
Biggest fans: Listyguy (#31), Miguel (#38 ), Brad (#44)
Position in AM 3000: #136 of the 1950s and #1513 of all time
Position in 1954 poll: #4
Style: Vocal Group
Written by Pat Ballard
Recorded by The Chordettes with knees played by Archie Bleyer and orchestra conducted by Archie Bleyer in 1954
Released in October 1954 on Cadence label

You Tube link


88. John Cage - 4'33"



Points: 329
Biggest fans: Honorio (#23), Charlie Driggs (#25), sonofsamiam (#54)
Position in AM 3000: #144 of the 1950s and #1580 of all time
Position in 1952 poll: #9
Style: Minimalism
Written by John Cage
Premiered by David Tudor on August 29, 1952 at Woodstock, New York

Comments: nicolas: "Insufficient"

You Tube link


87. Édith Piaf - Padam Padam...

Édith Piaf - Padam Padam... / La chanson de Catherine

Points: 333
Biggest fans: Honorio (#25), sonofsamiam (#36), Brad (#37)
Position in AM 3000: not listed
Position in 1951 poll: #8
Style: Chanson
Written by Henri Contet and Norbert Glanzberg
Recorded by Édith Piaf with orchestra conducted by Robert Chauvigny in 1951
Released in 1951 on Columbia label

You Tube link


86. Ray Charles - Mess Around

Ray Charles - Mess Around / Funny (But I Still Love You)

Points: 336
Biggest fans: Mindrocker (#27), sonofsamiam (#37), Charlie Driggs (#39)
Position in AM 3000: not listed
Position in 1953 poll: #9
Style: Rhythm & Blues
Written by A. Nugetre (Ahmet Ertegün)
Recorded by Ray Charles and His Orchestra on May 10, 1953 in New York
Released in June 1953 on Atlantic label

You Tube link


85. Hank Williams - Hey, Good Lookin'

Hank Williams - Hey, Good Lookin' / My Heart Would Know

Points: 344
Biggest fans: Miguel (#18 ), Charlie Driggs (#30), nicolas (#38 )
Position in AM 3000: #91 of the 1950s and #959 of all time
Position in 1951 poll: #1
Style: Country
Written by Hank Williams
Recorded by Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys on March 16, 1951 at Castle Studio, Nashville, Tenessee
Released in June 1951 on MGM label

You Tube link


84. Jackie Wilson - Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet)

Jackie Wilson - Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet) / By the Light of the Silvery Moon

Points: 347
Biggest fans: Miguel (#1), Alex D (#40), Listyguy (#41)
Position in AM 3000: #57 of the 1950s and #543 of all time
Position in 1957 poll: #9
Style: Rhythm & Blues
Written by Berry Gordy and Tyran Carlo
Recorded by Jackie Wilson in 1957
Released in October 1957 on Brunswick label

You Tube link


83. Jimmy Forrest - Night Train

Jimmy Forrest - Night Train / Bolo Blues

Points: 348
Biggest fans: Charlie Driggs (#9), sonofsamiam (#51), Mindrocker (#52)
Position in AM 3000: #108 of the 1950s and #1152 of all time
Position in 1952 poll: #5
Style: Rhythm & Blues
Written by Oscar Washington, Lewis P. Simpkins and Jimmy Forrest
Recorded by Jimmy Forest, tenor and All Star Combo on November 27, 1952
Released in March 1952 on United label

You Tube link


82. Hank Williams - Jambalaya (On the Bayou)

Hank Williams - Jambalaya (On the Bayou) / Window Shopping

Points: 348
Biggest fans: nicolas (#11), Miguel (#28 ), Honorio (#31)
Position in AM 3000: bubbling under
Position in 1952 poll: #2
Style: Country
Written by Hank Williams and Moon Mullican
Recorded by Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys on June 13, 1952 at Castle Studio, Nashville, Tenessee
Released on July 19, 1952 on MGM label

Comments: nicolas: "I love Hank's happy songs. Springsteen once said that country music was made of humor and gravity, and Hank was country music."

You Tube link


81. Pérez Prado - Mambo No. 5

Pérez Prado - Mambo No. 5 / Mambo Jambo

Points: 350
Biggest fans: Alex D (#27), Miguel (#33), Charlie Driggs (#36)
Position in AM 3000: bubbling under
Position in 1950 poll: #7
Style: Mambo
Written by Dámaso Pérez Prado
Recorded by the Pérez Prado Orchestra on December 12, 1949 in Mexico City
Released in 1950 on RCA Victor label

You Tube link

Re: The 1950s poll: the 100 best songs of the 1950s

Honorio
91. The Penguins - Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)

The Penguins - Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine) / Hey Senorita

Points: 322
Biggest fans: Henry (#18 ), Listyguy (#25), Charlie Driggs (#56)
Position in AM 3000: #47 of the 1950s and #371 of all time
Position in 1954 poll: #5
Style: Doo Wop
Written by Curtis Williams, Jesse Belvin and Gaynel Hodge
Recorded by The Penguins in October 1954 in Los Angeles, California
Released in 1954 on Doo Tone label

You Tube link

89. The Chordettes - Mr. Sandman

The Chordettes - Mr. Sandman / I Don't Wanna See You Cryin'

Points: 325
Biggest fans: Listyguy (#31), Miguel (#38 ), Brad (#44)
Position in AM 3000: #136 of the 1950s and #1513 of all time
Position in 1954 poll: #4
Style: Vocal Group
Written by Pat Ballard
Recorded by The Chordettes with knees played by Archie Bleyer and orchestra conducted by Archie Bleyer in 1954
Released in October 1954 on Cadence label

You Tube link


Back to the Future

Re: The 1950s poll: the 100 best songs of the 1950s

I almost forgot this still needed to be revealed. I think Nicolas' comment on "4'33" might be the best-possible one-word description of that piece.

Re: The 1950s poll: the 100 best songs of the 1950s

Honorio, I think there is something wrong with my ballot. You have me voting for "Crying in the Chapel" which I didn't rank and my votes for "Mr. Sandman" and "Mess Around" haven't appeared!

Re: The 1950s poll: the 100 best songs of the 1950s

Jackson
I almost forgot this still needed to be revealed. I think Nicolas' comment on "4'33" might be the best-possible one-word description of that piece.


Thanks man

Or I just could have written : ...

Re: The 1950s poll: the 100 best songs of the 1950s

Alex D
Honorio, I think there is something wrong with my ballot. You have me voting for "Crying in the Chapel" which I didn't rank and my votes for "Mr. Sandman" and "Mess Around" haven't appeared!


Uh, oh, this is completely embarrasing but I’m afraid you’re right. I made a big mistake with your list, I copied and paste when the spreadsheet was ranked by points and not in alphabetical order so all your votes went to the wrong places.
Since this mistake changes the whole list I would prefer to begin again with the list in another thread and let this wrong thread unused and dissappeared amidst the flood of threads. So let’s pretend this never happened and sorry for the inconvenience and apologies to the people that already made comments on this thread.

And talking about nicolas comment on "4'33" (and giving the fact that I was the biggest fan of that "song") I must admit that I didn’t understand the joke at first glance but when I realized that you were refering to the qualification of an exam (weren’t you?) I laughed out loud.

Sorry again, I just hope this is going to be the last mistake.

The good thread

Re: The 1950s poll: the 100 best songs of the 1950s

Honorio
Sorry again, I just hope this is going to be the last mistake.


Well, er, no, it was NOT the last mistake.
After double checking every individual list I realized that I made another mistake, this time with Charlie Driggs' song list. He reordered the songs in an ascendent way for every artist and I just didn't notice it. The changes are not so radical as with Alex D list but anyway I prefer to make a third thread instead correcting the previous. I wish the incorrect threads could be deleted (but I think it’s not possible now). Anyway, in Spain we say "a la tercera va la vencida" that I found on the web that it could be translated as "third time lucky" in UK and "three time's the charm" in US. Hope that's true.


The third time lucky thread