Episodes – Page 12

1957: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

It’s a big year in music: From the westward expansion of teen culture to a West Side Story that sets a new tone for Broadway, so much is changing in 1957. Our 12 nominees for the Hall of Songs from this year reflect that.

Elvis Presley is still making big tunes, like “All Shook Up” and third movie theme “Jailhouse Rock.” And what exactly do Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller slip into the lyrics of the latter song?

Presley is joined by other big stars of the mid 1950s like Chuck Berry and Little Richard. Big songs like “Rock and Roll Music” and “Lucille,” respectively, find these stars at the top of their game. And then there are newcomers like Jerry Lee Lewis, the Everly Brothers, and Buddy Holly, each adding something dynamic and fresh to the already established rock ‘n’ roll soud.

1957 is a year when everything expands just a little. Hear more of this expansion in our latest episode, then VOTE for the greatest songs of all-time! Below, choose up to 10 songs to join the Hall of Songs and current inductees “Rock Around the Clock” and “Heartbreak Hotel.”

Our 1957 nominees:

“Lucille” as performed by Little Richard
- Written by Richard Penniman and Albert Collins; recorded July 1956; released February 1957
“All Shook Up” as performed by Elvis Presley
- Written by Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley; recorded January 1957; released March 1957
“Bye Bye Love” as performed by The Everly Brothers
- Written by Felice Bryant and Boudleaux Bryant; recorded March 1957; released March 1957
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” as performed by Jerry Lee Lewis
- Written by Dave Williams and James Faye Hall; recorded February 1957; released April 1957
“That’ll Be the Day” as performed by The Crickets
- Written by Charles Hardin, Jerry Allison, and Norman Petty; recorded February 1957; released May 1957
“Wake Up Little Suzie” as performed by The Everly Brothers
- Written by Felice Bryant and Boudleaux Bryant; recorded August 1957; released September 1957
“You Send Me” as performed by Sam Cooke
- Written by Sam Cooke; recorded June 1957; released September 1957
“Rock and Roll Music” as performed by Chuck Berry
- Written by Chuck Berry; recorded May 1957; released September 1957
“Jailhouse Rock” as performed by Elvis Presley
- Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller; recorded April 1957; released September 1957
“Peggy Sue” as performed by Buddy Holly
- Written by Jerry Allison and Norman Petty; recorded July 1957; released September 1957
“Not Fade Away” as performed by The Crickets
- Written by Charles Hardin and Norman Petty; recorded May 1957; released October 1957
“Great Balls of Fire” as performed by Jerry Lee Lewis
- Written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer; recorded October 1957; released November 1957

Listen to the full episode to learn more, then vote for the songs you think are the greatest of them all. Scroll down or click here to vote. Then, come back on May 16, 2021, for our discussion on 1958.

1956: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

For the first time, a year produces a full slate of 12 nominees for the Hall of Songs. Some of these are among the more ubiquitous tunes of the 1950s.

Of course, 1956 is when Elvis Presley becomes a massive star, the first star of the rock ‘n’ roll era. He registers five No. 1 hits this year, among them “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Hound Dog.” The third of those turns Elvis into a national talking point, his gyrations and sexualized image considered a threat by prudish Americans.

But it wasn’t just Elvis. Rock ‘n’ roll itself was considered a threat to those who claimed to be in great moral standing, and reactions from those folks throughout 1956 demonstrated a need to control the direction of the country. It’s the year “In God we Trust” becomes a national motto, the year when God is inserted in the “Pledge of Allegiance.” Will these moves defeat a style of music giving us such gems as “Long Tall Sally” and “Roll Over Beethoven”?

That’s 1956. Songs that define early rock ‘n’ roll in a climate of change. In the middle is Elvis, the eye of a hurricane who seemingly can’t be stopped.

Our nominees are below. Listen to our newest episode and vote (scroll down on this page) for up to 10 songs to win induction in the Hall of Songs.

Our 1956 nominees:

“Why Do Fools Fall in Love” as performed by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers
- Written by Frankie Lymon, Herman Santiago and Jimmy Merchant; recorded November 1955; released January 1956
“Heartbreak Hotel” as performed by Elvis Presley
- Written by Mae Boren Axton, Thomas Durden and Elvis Presley; recorded January 1956; released January 1956
“Blue Suede Shoes” as performed by Carl Perkins
- Written by Carl Perkins; recorded December 1955; released February 1956
“Long Tall Sally” as performed by Little Richard
- Written by Enotris Johnson, Robert Blackwell and Richard Penniman; recorded February 1956; released March 1956
“In the Still of the Night” as performed by The Five Satins
- Written by Fred Parris; recorded February 1956; released spring 1956
“I Walk the Line” as performed by Johnny Cash
- Written by Johnny Cash; recorded April 1956; released May 1956
“Roll Over Beethoven” as performed by Chuck Berry
- Written by Chuck Berry; recorded April 1956; released May 1956
“Be-Bop-a-Lula” as performed by Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps
- Written by Gene Vincent, Donald Graves and Bill Davis; recorded May 1956; released June 1956
“Don’t Be Cruel” as performed by Elvis Presley
- Written by Otis Blackwell; recorded July 1956; released July 1956
“Hound Dog” as performed by Elvis Presley
- Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller; recorded July 1956; released July 1956
“Blueberry Hill” as performed by Fats Domino
- Written by Vincent Rose, Larry Stock and Al Lewis; recorded summer 1956; released September 1956
“I Put a Spell on You” as performed by “Screamin’ Jay” Hawkins
- Written by Jalacy Hawkins and Herb Slotkin; recorded September 1956; released November 1956

Listen to the full episode to learn more about these songs. Then, vote for the songs you think should be inducted in the Hall of Songs. Scroll down or click here. Finally, come back on May 2, 2021, for our discussion on 1957.

1955: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

A massive year with some big songs. We add 10 nominees to the Hall of Songs pool. Now, it’s your turn to vote.

The film Blackboard Jungle signals that rock ‘n’ roll has arrived. About unruly high school students and the teacher who attempts to save them from destruction, the movie did well in the box office but was more popular for the song that accompanied its opening title card.

“Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets plays at the very beginning of the film. It’s a propulsive way to introduce Americans to the world of mid 1950s youth. This wild sound was what the kids were listening to, and thanks to “Rock Around the Clock” it would become much more popular.

Of course, that’s one narrative. Rock ‘n’ roll had been building and shifting already by 1955. What we hear throughout this episode are songs that seem to perfect their individual genres. Little Richard gives New Orleans R&B some sheen with “Tutti Frutti” while Elvis Presley continues to rule rockabilly with “Mystery Train.” Over in blues, Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters trade slaps and get better from it. All the while, Chuck Berry seemingly creates the first great post-“Rock Around the Clock” song.

This is 1955. Listen, then click here to vote for who you think should make the Hall of Songs.

Our 1955 nominees:

“Bo Diddley” as performed by Bo Diddley
- Written by Ellas McDaniel (as Bo Diddley), recorded March 1955, released April 1955
“I’m a Man” as performed by Bo Diddley
- Written by Ellas McDaniel (as Bo Diddley), recorded March 1955, released April 1955
“Ain’t That a Shame” as performed by Fats Domino
- Written by Antoine Domino (as Fats Domino), Dave Bartholomew, recorded March 1955, released April 1955
“Rock Around the Clock” as performed by Bill Haley & His Comets
- Written by Max C. Freedman, recorded April 1954, released May 1954 and May 1955
“Mannish Boy” as performed by Muddy Waters
- Written by McKinley Morganfield (as Muddy Waters), Mel London, Ellas McDaniel (as Bo Diddley), recorded May 1955, released June 1955
“Maybellene” as performed by Chuck Berry
- Written by Chuck Berry, Russ Fratto, Alan Freed, recorded May 1955, released July 1955
“Mystery Train” as performed by Elvis Presley
- Written by Junior Parker, recorded July 1955, released August 1955
“Tutti Frutti” as performed by Little Richard
- Written by Little Richard, Dorothy LaBostrie, recorded September 1955, released October 1955
“The Great Pretender” as performed by The Platters
- Written by Buck Ram, recorded fall 1955, released November 1955
“Rock Island Line” as performed by Lonnie Donegan
- Traditional song, recorded fall 1955, released late 1955

Check out the full episode to learn more about these songs and why they’re so great, vote now by clicking here, and come back on April 18, 2021, when we discuss our nominees from 1956.

1951-54 Veterans Committee Meeting

Our current list of nominees for the Hall of Songs is at 28 songs. In this bonus episode, we add another.

The “veterans committee” meets, and we discuss “Dust My Broom” by Elmore James (1951) as we add it to the pool. Then we go deep into the list itself, picking out trends we’ve seen between 1951 and ’54, highlighting some of the bigger stories we’ve talked about, and handicapping listener picks for the Hall of Songs.

Here’s the current list of nominees:

Our next episode, unveiling the nominees from 1955, drops on April 4, 2021.

1954: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

We continue to fill up the pool of nominees as we reach 1954. Here is our next set of nominees for the Hall of Songs.

Smack in the middle of 1954, a young man from Memphis records his first single late at night during a session at Sun Records. That single, a cover of Arthur Crudup’s “That’s All Right,” causes a fervor in Memphis and makes a name of its singer, Elvis Presley.

While Elvis’ origin story casts a large shadow over 1954, it’s not just him making noise. In fact, 1954 is the year doo-wop really steps up and becomes a force in pop music. Two hits specifically – “Sh’Boom” and “Mr. Sandman” – prove mightiest as massive hits on the pop charts.

With all this shifting on the charts, that means the era of the big-selling, old-school pop vocalist is beginning to end. The most popular names in pop heading into 1954 are Tony Bennett, Perry Como, and Eddie Fisher, and their fortunes are soon to change. Meanwhile another major vocalist of the last 15 years, Frank Sinatra, is about to see his career take a major shift in a good way.

We talk about all of that and more in our 1954 episode of Hall of Songs.

Our 1954 nominees:

“I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man” as performed by Muddy Waters
- Written by Willie Dixon, recorded January 1954, released January 1954
“Work With Me Annie” as performed by Hank Ballard & His Midnighters
- Written by Hank Ballard, recorded January 1954, released February 1954
“Sh’Boom” as performed by The Chords
- Written by James Keyes, Claude Feaster, Carl Feaster, Floyd F. McRae, recorded March 1954, released spring 1954
“Shake, Rattle and Roll” as performed by Big Joe Turner
- Written by Jesse Stone (as Charles F. Calhoun), recorded February 1954, released April 1954
“That’s All Right” as performed by Elvis Presley
- Written by Arthur Crudup, recorded July 1954, released July 1954
“Earth Angel” as performed by The Penguins
- Written by Curtis Williams, Jesse Belvin, Gaynel Hodge, recorded August 1954, released October 1954
“Hearts of Stone” as performed by The Charms
- Written by Eddie Ray and Rudy Jackson, recorded fall 1954, released fall 1954
“Mr. Sandman” as performed by The Chordettes
- Written by Pat Ballard, recorded fall 1954, released November 1954

Check out the full episode to learn more about these songs and why they’re so great, and come back on April 4, 2021, when we discuss our nominees from 1955.

1953: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

The journey to determine the greatest rock ‘n’ roll songs in history continues as we name our 1953 nominees for Hall of Songs.

1953 is when the rock ‘n’ roll narratives that we’ve come to know begin to take shape. It’s when street-corner doo-wop makes its impact in record stores, when Hank Williams sets a template for the future of country music, and when Bill Haley first gets the kids dancing to his unique version of rockabilly swing. To many, these are the things that make rock ‘n’ roll.

But 1953 is also the year rhythm and blues, or rock ‘n’ roll-style music targeted to Black listeners, takes a giant leap forward with the help of young artists like Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, and Clyde McPhatter. These talents, all part of the fast-growing stable at Ahmet Ertegun’s Atlantic Records, will help create what we know of as soul music, though we feel that all of it is rock ‘n’ roll, a reframing of narratives.

Another icon of rock ‘n’ roll mythology, the Corvette, is first produced in 1953. This all-American sports car will become a symbol of freedom and discovery, perfectly paralleling rock ‘n’ roll’s impact on society. Yup, 1953 is a year when narratives are born; the following nine nominees help tell the story of this critical moment in popular Western music.

Our 1953 nominees:

“Your Cheatin’ Heart” as performed by Hank Williams
- Written by Hank Williams, recorded September 1952, released January 1953
“Hound Dog” as performed by Big Mama Thornton
- Written by Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller, recorded August 1952, released February 1953
“(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean” as performed by Ruth Brown
- Written by Johnny Wallace and Herbert J. Lance, recorded December 1952, released early 1953
“Crazy Man, Crazy” as performed by Bill Haley & His Comets
- Written by Bill Haley and Marshall Lytle, recorded April 1953, released April 1953
“Gee” as performed by The Crows
- Written by William Davis and Viola Watkins, recorded February 1953, released June 1953
“Mess Around” as performed by Ray Charles
- Written by Ahmet Ertegun, recorded May 1953, released June 1953
“Shake a Hand” as performed by Faye Adams
- Written by Joe Morris, recorded early 1953, released mid 1953
“Money Honey” as performed by Clyde McPhatter and the Drifters
- Written by Jesse Stone, recorded August 1953, released September 1953
“The Things That I Used to Do” as performed by Guitar Slim
- Written by Eddie Jones (Guitar Slim), recorded October 1953, released late 1953

Check out the full episode to learn more about these songs and why they’re so great, and come back on March 21, 2021, when we discuss our nominees from 1954.

1952: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

1952! The second stop on our voyage to discover and enshrine the truly elite rock ‘n’ roll songs: The Hall of Songs.

Both politically and culturally, 1952 was a year of change and unrest. Harry Truman decided not to seek a second term and Dwight Eisenhower was elected President. In the United Kingdom, King George VI died and Queen Elizabeth succeeded to the Throne. We’re starting to see a tug-of-war develop as the Greatest Generation makes way (or not) to the Baby Boomer Generation.

Musically, the U.S. charts are still a mess and trying to keep up with the times while the UK charts are born. Greater access to radio means more music and more varied music.

There’s still a transition underway between the “old” sounds of jazz and pop standards and the more raucous rock ‘n’ roll sound that is evident in our six Hall of Songs nominees for 1952. There’s some blues, some jazz, some country and a lot of the “new” rock sound.

1952 Nominee Playlist

Our 1952 nominees:

“Night Train” as performed by Jimmy Forrest
- Written by Oscar Washington, Lewis P. Simpkins and Jimmy Forrest, recorded November 1951, released March 1952
“Rock and Roll Blues” as performed by Anita O’Day
- Written by Anita O’Day, recorded 1950(?), released March 1952
“Have Mercy Baby” as performed by Billy Ward and His Dominoes
- Written by Billy Ward and Rose Marks, recorded January 1952, released April 1952
“Lawdy Miss Clawdy” as performed by Lloyd Price
- Written by Lloyd Price, recorded March 1952, released April 1952
“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” as performed by Kitty Wells
- Written by J. D. “Jay” Miller, recorded May 1952, released June 1952
“Mean Old World” as performed by Little Walter
- Adapted by Little Walter, Originally written by T-Bone Walker and Marl Young, recorded October 1952, released December 1952

Check out the full episode to learn more about these songs and why they’re so great, and come back on March 7, 2021, when we discuss our nominees from 1953.

Bonus! Anita O’Day from Newport:

1951: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

Feb. 7, 2021: It’s 1951! Welcome to our first main timeline episode of Hall of Songs, digging into the songs we’ve nominated for Hall consideration in 1951.

There is no single song that marks the beginning of rock ‘n’ roll. It’s not as if all music was this, and then one day *that* happened and people said, “Oh! That’s different! That’s rock ‘n’ roll!” But we can take a whole bunch of information, scan it through our brains, and decide that 1951 is about the time that rock ‘n’ roll starts to truly take shape.

The six songs from 1951 that we’ve nominated for inclusion in the Hall of Songs seem to reflect this premise. They all sound like both something else and maybe rock ‘n’ roll, all at the same time. The rock may be in the vocal or the lyric sheet of the song, it may be in some innovation put down in the record, or it may just be the feeling the track gives. Either way, to us, these six say “rock ‘n’ roll” in some way.

Our 1951 nominees:

“Cold Cold Heart” as performed by Hank Williams
- Written by Hank Williams (disputed), recorded December 1950, released February 1951
“How High the Moon” as performed by Les Paul and Mary Ford
- Written by Morgan Lewis and Nancy Hamilton, recorded January 1951, released March 1951
“Rocket 88” as performed by Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats
- Written by Jackie Brenston and Ike Turner (disputed), recorded March 1951, released April 1951
“Sixty Minute Man” as performed by Billy Ward and his Dominoes
- Written by Billy Ward and Rose Marks, recorded December 1950, released May 1951
“Hey, Good Lookin'” as performed by Hank Williams
- Written by Hank Williams, recorded March 1951, released June 1951
“I’m in the Mood” as performed by John Lee Hooker
- Written by John Lee Hooker, recorded August 1951, released October 1951

Listen to our 1951 episode to learn more about these songs, and come back on Feb. 21, 2021, when we discuss our nominees from 1952.

Introduction: Welcome to Hall of Songs

Jan. 24, 2021: Welcome to Hall of Songs! Here’s our introduction episode, in which we unveil the concept, discuss just what kinds of songs we’ll be nominating, and establish some parameters … you know, so you don’t have to keep asking us later.

Next episode: On Feb. 7, 2021, we’ll begin with our Hall of Songs nominees in 1951.