You’ll have to listen to this bonus episode of Hall of Songs to hear what happened with our latest round of voting.
Okay. Don’t scroll if you want to be spoiled.
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Alright. Let’s move on.
Continuing to the next round of voting
What’d I Say / Ray Charles – 60.41% (1st round) Mack the Knife / Bobby Darin – 56.25% (1st round) Wake Up Little Susie / The Everly Brothers – 52.08% (3rd round) Shout / The Isley Brothers – 52.08% (1st round) Jailhouse Rock / Elvis Presley – 47.91% (3rd round) Tutti Frutti / Little Richard – 45.83% (5th round) Roll Over Beethoven / Chuck Berry – 45.83% (4th round) That’ll Be the Day / The Crickets – 45.83% (3rd round) Dream Lover / Bobby Darin – 45.83% (1st round) I Only Have Eyes For You / The Flamingos – 45.83% (1st round) Hound Dog / Elvis Presley – 43.75% (4th round) La Bamba / Ritchie Valens – 43.75% (2nd round) Lonely Teardrops / Jackie Wilson – 43.75% (2nd round) There Goes My Baby / The Drifters – 41.66 (1st round) The Great Pretender / The Platters – 37.5% (5th round) Bye Bye Love / The Everly Brothers – 37.5% (3rd round)
Eliminated from the ballot
Summertime Blues / Eddie Cochran – 33.33% (2nd round) Money (That’s What I Want) / Barrett Strong – 33.33% (1st round) El Paso / Marty Robbins – 25% (1st round) Yakety Yak / The Coasters – 22.91% (1st round) Twenty Flight Rock / Eddie Cochran – 20.83% (1st round) Don’t Let Go / Roy Hamilton – 20.83% (1st round) White Lightning / George Jones – 20.83% (1st round) Stagger Lee / Lloyd Price – 18.75% (2nd round) Peter Gunn / Ray Anthony – 18.75% (1st round) Come Softly to Me / The Fleetwoods – 16.66% (1st round)
Tutti Frutti / Little Richard – 60% (4th round) Roll Over Beethoven / Chuck Berry – 55% (3rd round) La Bamba / Ritchie Valens – 52.5% (1st round) Lonely Teardrops / Jackie Wilson – 52.5% (1st round) Jailhouse Rock / Elvis Presley – 45% (2nd round) Stagger Lee / Lloyd Price – 45% (1st round) That’ll Be the Day / The Crickets – 42.5% (2nd round) Summertime Blues / Eddie Cochran – 42.5% (1st round) The Great Pretender / The Platters – 40% (4th round) Hound Dog / Elvis Presley – 40% (3rd round) Bye Bye Love / The Everly Brothers – 40% (2nd round) Wake Up Little Susie / The Everly Brothers – 37.5% (2nd round)
Eliminated from the ballot
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree / Brenda Lee – 30% Don’t Be Cruel / Elvis Presley – 25% Not Fade Away / The Crickets – 25% Tequila / The Champs – 25% All I Have to Do is Dream / The Everly Brothers – 25% Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Jerry Lee Lewis – 22.5% Peggy Sue / Buddy Holly – 20% All Shook Up / Elvis Presley – 15% It’s Only Make Believe / Conway Twitty – 15% Rebel-‘Rouser / Duane Eddy – 10% Rumble / Link Wray – 5%
By 1958, it’s clear that teenagers have the power to set trends in America, and the biggest trend is the musical style known largely as rock and roll. From established artists like Little Richard and Chuck Berry to newcomers like Eddie Cochran and Link Wray, rock and roll is king, and the sound is now pushing into previously uncharted territory. The results are some of our 12 nominees from this year for the Hall of Songs.
Our nominees from this year include quintessential rock and roll classics like “Johnny B. Goode” and “Good Golly, Miss Molly,” plus crossover smashes like Jackie Wilson’s “Lonely Teardrops” and Lloyd Price’s “Stagger Lee.” Elsewhere, there were innovations in guitar and production with songs like “Rumble” and “Rebel-Rouser.”
While American listeners bought all the rock and roll they could handle, a gaggle of D-list songwriters attempted to get a piece of the pie with novelty songs that sounded like the hottest hits of the day.
But while the novelty songs try to take advantage of the popular new style of music, the songs throughout our 1958 nomination list actually show how the genres are splitting into their own subgenres. It’s clearly a time when popular music is branching out into new and interesting territories. Listen to our newest episode to get a sense of that period.
After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1958, plus tunes from 1957, 1956, and 1955, are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back in 12 days to find out which song or songs get in!
Our 1958 nominees:
“Good Golly, Miss Molly” as performed by Little Richard
Written by John Marascalco and Robert Blackwell; recorded October 1956; released January 1958
“Tequila” as performed by The Champs
Written by Chuck Rio; recorded December 1957; released January 1958
“Rumble” as performed by Link Wray
Written by Milt Grant and Link Wray; recorded January 1958; released March 1958
“Johnny B. Goode” as performed by Chuck Berry
Written by Chuck Berry; recorded January 1958; released March 1958
“All I Have to Do is Dream” as performed by The Everly Brothers
Written by Boudleaux Bryant; recorded March 1958; released April 1958
“Rebel-‘Rouser” as performed by Duane Eddy
Written by Duane Eddy and Lee Hazlewood; recorded spring 1958; released May 1958
“Summertime Blues” as performed by Eddie Cochran
Written by Eddie Cochran and Jerry Capeheart; recorded March 1958; released July 1958
“It’s Only Make Believe” as performed by Conway Twitty
Written by Conway Twitty and Jack Nance; recorded May 1958; released July 1958
“La Bamba” as performed by Ritchie Valens
Written by Ritchie Valens from traditional; recorded summer 1958; released October 1958
“Stagger Lee” as performed by Lloyd Price
Written by Lloyd Price and Harold Logan; recorded September 1958; released November 1958
“Lonely Teardrops” as performed by Jackie Wilson
Written by Berry Gordy, Roquel Davis and Gwendolyn Gordy; recorded summer 1958; released November 1958
“Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” as performed by Brenda Lee
Written by Johnny Marks; recorded October 1958; released December 1958
Listen to the full episode for more, and then vote for the songs that you think are the greatest of all-time. Scroll down or click here to vote. Then, come back on May 30, 2021, for our discussion on 1959.
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.
Don’t Be Cruel / Elvis Presley – 61.29% (2nd round) Hound Dog / Elvis Presley – 56.45% (2nd round) Roll Over Beethoven / Chuck Berry – 51.61% (2nd round) I Walk the Line / Johnny Cash – 50% (2nd round) Blueberry Hill / Fats Domino – 48.38% (2nd round) The Great Pretender / The Platters – 43.54% (3rd round) That’s All Right / Elvis Presley – 41.93% (3rd round) Tutti Frutti / Little Richard – 41.93% (3rd round) Maybellene / Chuck Berry – 41.93% (3rd round) Your Cheatin’ Heart / Hank Williams – 40.32% (3rd round) Ain’t That a Shame / Fats Domino – 40.32% (3rd round) Blue Suede Shoes / Carl Perkins – 38.70% (2nd round) In the Still of the Night / The Five Satins – 35.48% (2nd round)
Eliminated from the ballot
Shake, Rattle and Roll / Big Joe Turner – 33.87% Long Tall Sally / Little Richard – 24.19% I Put a Spell on You – ‘Screamin’ Jay’ Hawkins – 22.58% Why Do Fools Fall in Love – Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers – 20.96% Earth Angel – The Penguins – 17.74% Mr. Sandman – The Chordettes – 17.74% Hey, Good Lookin’ – Hank Williams – 14.51% Hound Dog – Big Mama Thornton – 14.51% Be-Bop-a-Lula – Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps – 14.51% Cold, Cold Heart – Hank Williams – 12.90% Mess Around – Ray Charles – 12.90% Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley – 12.90% Sh’Boom – The Chords – 11.29% I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man – Muddy Waters – 11.29% Mannish Boy – Muddy Waters – 11.29% How High the Moon – Les Paul and Mary Ford – 3.22%
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.
