The cultural impact of rock ‘n’ roll was so dramatic that it completely eclipsed the under-appreciated EASY-POP music of the fifties. Appearing as early as 1948 and still being recorded late into the century, quintessential EASY-POP recordings peaked in the nineteen-fifties. But during this single decade there was an astonishing variety of sparkling singers, infectious arrangements, and catchy lyrics that produced recordings much more innovative than the sum of their parts. No single recording typifies the decade. To capture the gist of the 50s EASY-POP genre you need to synthesize the unique sound by listening to a selection of quintessential recordings. Here are twenty-five archetypical songs and singers that epitomize the EASY-POP sound during the first half of the fifties.
The Tennessee Waltz Patti Page 1950
While they were waltzing, Patti Page’s best friend stole her sweetheart in this recording that sold more than ten million copies. It was one of the biggest hits of all time, second only to Bing Crosby’s White Christmas.
Mona Lisa Nat King Cole 1950
There were 6 top-twenty versions of this Academy Award winning song, but popular, expressive vocalist Nat King Cole with Nelson Riddle’s arrangement had the #1 hit record.
My Heart Cries For You Dinah Shore 1950
Guy Mitchell, Vic Damone, and Dinah Shore all had top-five hits with My Heart Cries For You, one of dozens of country-flavored EASY-POP hits like Tony Bennett’s Cold, Cold Heart, Patti Page’s Detour and Tennessee Waltz, Joni James’ Your Cheatin’ Heart, Sonny James’ Young Love, and Guy Mitchell’s Heartaches by the Number.
Sentimental Me Ames Brothers 1950
The Ames Brothers (actually Ed, Gene, Joe, and Vic Urick) had two #1 hits in 1950, on the flip side of the ballad Sentimental Me, they released their novelty hit Rag Mop.
Anytime Eddie Fisher 1951
Young Eddie Fisher’s first million-selling hit, Anytime, was a 1921 vaudeville tune, successfully revived in 1948 by country star Eddy Arnold. It was recorded during Eddie Fisher’s tour of duty in the US Army Special Services.
My Truly, Truly Fair Guy Mitchell 1951
This early fifties recording features an infectious melody, a buoyant Mitch Miller arrangement, and a spirited, likable singer. It exemplifies the popular male baritones including Frankie Laine, Don Cherry, Steve Lawrence, and Don Cornell.
Mockin’ Bird Hill and How High the Moon Les Paul & Mary Ford 1951
In this multi-track hit recording, Les Paul superimposed several guitar parts behind breezy-voiced Mary Ford’s light-hearted harmony.One of a dozen multi-layered top-ten hits for guitarist Les Paul and vocalist Mary Ford.
I Went to Your Wedding Patti Page 1952
Patti Page released this seminal, plaintive lost-love song and it begat her 1953 Changing Partners, June Valli’s Crying in the Chapel, Teresa Brewer’s A Tear Fell, Caterina Valente’s The Breeze and I, Toni Arden’s Padre, and Joan Weber’s Let Me Go Lover.
Wheel of Fortune Kay Starr 1952
Opening with its instantly recognizable clicking spinning wheel, Kay Starr’s first platinum record stayed at #1 for ten weeks. While the Wheel of Fortune is turning, turning, turning, brassy Kay Starr is yearning for love.
Don’t Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes Perry Como 1952
Dozens of these exhilarating, bouncy hits including his Catch a Falling Star, Tina Marie, and Hot Diggity were recorded by the decade’s most popular singer.
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me Karen Chandler 1952
This teen lover’s lament, Karen Chandler’s debut recording, rose to the top five. The song hit the top ten again when Mel Carter recorded it in 1965.
You Belong To Me Jo Stafford 1952
Whether he’s flying over the ocean in a silver plane or seeing the pyramids along the Nile, Jo Stafford let him know You Belong To Me. Patti Page and Dean Martin also recorded You Belong To Me, but it was Jo Stafford who sold two million copies of her all-time biggest recording in the fall of 1952.
That’s Amore Dean Martin 1953
This fifties classic is one of scores of popular Italian songs from singers like Al Martino, Tony Martin, Jerry Vale, Vic Damone, Julius LaRosa, and the Gaylords.
Ricochet Teresa Brewer 1953
A typical, fast-paced recording with an offbeat lyric. Arrangements were often tailored for the unusual vocal-styles of unique talents like Teresa Brewer, Jaye P. Morgan, Pearl Bailey, Gale Storm, Della Reese, Julie London, and Eartha Kitt.
Rags to Riches Tony Bennett 1953
With a swinging vocal treatment, Tony Bennett epitomizes the unique phrasing, voicing, and intonation also personified by Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, and Bing Crosby.
Have You Heard Joni James 1953
Winsome female singers like Joni James, Connie Francis, Cathy Carr, Debbie Reynolds, and Karen Chandler reflected the feelings of fifties teenage girls.
The Doggie in the Window Patti Page 1953
Patti Page sold more than four million copies of this simple and unpretentious musing of a lady pricing a puppy with a waggily tail. Mercury A&R; man Joe Reisman provided the memorable ‘arf-arf’ yaps, while the violinist provided the more guttural barks.
Young At Heart Frank Sinatra 1954
Frank Sinatra was the first performer to record this breezy, upbeat ballad, which became another million-selling hit for him. The song was delivered in a straightforward way by the greatest crooner of the decade.
Hearts of Stone Fontane Sisters 1954
Otis Williams & the Charms released an earlier recording of Hearts of Stone but the Fontane Sisters’ cover with a chorus of ‘do, do, wat, do, do, wa, da’ scored #1.
I Need You Now Eddie Fisher 1954
Flamboyant bobby sox idols, like Eddie Fisher who had 21 hits in a row, belted out powerful ballads in young, zesty, big-voiced, bravura styles.
Mr. Sandman Chordettes 1954
Beginning with thirteen ‘bum-bum-bum-bums’ then the deep voice asking ‘yes?’ it is the Chordettes’ biggest hit. Originally written for a male singer, the Chordettes’ sensational arrangement plus the saucy flavor imparted by translating it to a girl’s plea, kept Mr. Sandman at the top the charts.
Little Things Mean a Lot Kitty Kallen 1954
Kitty Kallen had a #1 hit with this memorable fifties ballad. Joni James reprised it in 1959.
This Ole House Rosemary Clooney 1954
50s novelty songs also included her Come-On-A-My House, Patti Page’s Doggie in the Window, Perry Como’s Delaware, and the Ames Brothers’ Naughty Lady of Shady Lane.
The Man Upstairs Kay Starr 1954
One of many gospel-flavored hits like Patti Page’s Cross Over the Bridge, Laurie London’s He’s Got the Whole World, and Pat Boone’s Wonderful Time Up There.
Teach Me Tonight DeCastro Sisters 1954
The DeCastro Sisters hit the big time when their 1954 song Teach Me Tonight sold more than 5 million copies. They had a style something like the then-popular Andrews Sisters, but with a Latin flavor.
Reference:
- 50sPopMusic.com
- 25 Best Pop Songs from the late 1950s
