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1962: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

1962 is a weird year in music. “The Twist” comes back early in the year, and some jazz musicians bring Brazilian bossa nova to America around the holidays. In between, it’s a whole lot of everything on the charts with some impressive leaps forward.

Among our 1962 nominees are three instrumentals, two songs from arguably the first true effort at a cohesive album, and recordings by self-contained groups that could sing and play instruments. You’ve definitely heard of them both.

After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1962, plus tunes from 1961, ’60, ’59, ’58, ’57, and ’55, are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on July 23 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1961 nominees:

  • “You Don’t Know Me” as performed by Ray Charles
    • Written by Cindy Walker and Eddy Arnold; recorded February 1962; released April 1962
  • “I Can’t Stop Loving You” as performed by Ray Charles
    • Written by Don Gibson; recorded February 1962; April 1962
  • “Miserlou” as performed by Dick Dale
    • Written by Nick Roubanis, Fred Wise, Milton Leeds and Chaim Tauber; recorded March 1962; released April 1962
  • “The Loco-Motion” as performed by Little Eva
    • Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King; recorded late 1961; released June 1962
  • “Do You Love Me” as performed by The Contours
    • Written by Berry Gordy Jr.; recorded June 1962; released June 1962
  • “If I Had a Hammer” as performed by Peter, Paul and Mary
    • Written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays; recorded early 1962; released July 1962
  • “Sherry” as performed by The Four Seasons
    • Written by Bob Gaudio; recorded July 1962; released August 1962
  • “Telstar” as performed by The Tornados
    • Written by Joe Meek; recorded July 1962; released August 1962
  • “He’s a Rebel” as credited to by The Crystals
    • Written by Gene Pitney; recorded July 1962; released August 1962
  • “Green Onions” as performed by Booker T. & the M.G.’s
    • Written by Booker T. Jones, Steve Cropper, Lewie Steinberg and Al Jackson Jr.; recorded early 1962; released May and August 1962
  • “Love Me Do” as performed by The Beatles
    • Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; recorded September 1962; released October 1962
  • “You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” as performed by The Miracles
    • Written by Smokey Robinson; recorded October 1962; released November 1962

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 July 25, 2021, for our discussion on 1963.

1961: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

It’s 1961 and we’re twisting again on Hall of Songs! OK, “Let’s Twist Again” is not one of our 12 nominees from this year, BUT we talk about dance crazes before hopping into the new songs on the ballot.

We get to know some new artists for this episode, including Patsy Cline, Del Shannon, Dion, Dick Dale, and Howlin’ Wolf. Plus, we hear once again from established stars like Roy Orbison and Ben E. Keith (formerly of the Drifters), and the newly discharged Elvis Presley. And we travel back to Motown to find a girl group bursting onto the scene with an exciting song about the U.S. mail.

After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1961, plus tunes from 1960, ’59, ’58, ’57, and ’55, are up for a shot to make the Hall of Songs! Vote now and come back on July 9 to find out which song or songs get in!

Our 1961 nominees:

  • “I Fall to Pieces” as performed by Patsy Cline
    • Written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard; recorded November 1960; released January 1961
  • “Runaway” as performed by Del Shannon
    • Written by Del Shannon and Max Crook; recorded January 1961; February 1961
  • “Running Scared” as performed by Roy Orbison
    • Written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson; recorded February 1961; released March 1961
  • “Stand By Me” as performed by Ben E. Keith
    • Written by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller; recorded October 1960; released April 1961
  • “Back Door Man” as performed by Howlin’ Wolf
    • Written by Willie Dixon; recorded June 1960; released spring 1961
  • “Crying” as performed by Roy Orbison
    • Written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson; recorded June 1961; released July 1961
  • “Please Mr. Postman” as performed by The Marvelettes
    • Written by Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Freddie Gorman, Brian Holland, and Robert Bateman; recorded April 1961; released August 1961
  • “Let’s Go Trippin'” as performed by Dick Dale and the Del-Tones
    • Written by Dick Dale; recorded summer 1961; released September 1961
  • “Runaround Sue” as performed by Dion
    • Written by Dion DiMucci and Ernie Maresca; recorded summer 1961; released September 1961
  • “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as performed by Elvis Presley
    • Written by Hugo Peretti, Luigi Creatore, and George David Weiss; recorded March 1961; released October 1961
  • “Crazy” as performed by Patsy Cline
    • Written by Willie Nelson; recorded August 1961; released October 1961
  • “The Wanderer” as performed by Dion
    • Written by Ernie Maresca; recorded October 1961; released November 1961

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 July 11, 2021, for our discussion on 1962.

1960: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

These are the 12 numbers from 1960 that we feel merit possible inclusion in our song hall of fame. We’re talking the most popular track in modern history, indelible treats that combine orchestral sweetness and polished rhythm and blues, and even some tunes you may consider standards.

For this episode we visit the Brill Building in New York City and Hitsville USA in Detroit. We also hear more examples of the burgeoning Nashville Sound. And yes, the seeds of the pop-rock explosion yet to come are sown. Some cool songs await you in this episode.

After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1960, plus tunes from 1959, 1958, 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 1959 nominees:

  • “This Magic Moment” as performed by The Drifters
    • Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman; recorded December 1959; released January 1960
  • “Cathy’s Clown” as performed by The Everly Brothers
    • Written by Don Everly; recorded March 1960; released April 1960
  • “Wonderful World” as performed by Sam Cooke
    • Written by Lou Adler, Herb Alpert, and Sam Cooke; recorded March 1959; released April 1960
  • “Only the Lonely” as performed by Roy Orbison
    • Written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson; recorded spring 1960; released May 1960
  • “Walk, Don’t Run” as performed by The Ventures
    • Written by Johnny Smith; recorded spring 1960; released June 1960
  • “The Twist” as performed by Chubby Checker
    • Written by Hank Ballard; recorded spring 1960; released June 1960
  • “Chain Gang” as performed by Sam Cooke
    • Written by Sam Cooke and Charles Cook Jr.; recorded January 1960; released July 1960
  • “Save the Last Dance For Me” as performed by The Drifters
    • Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman; recorded spring 1960; released August 1960
  • “Georgia on My Mind” as performed by Ray Charles
    • Written by Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell; recorded May 1960; released September 1960
  • “Shop Around” as performed by The Miracles
    • Written by Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy; recorded summer 1960; released September 1960
  • “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” as performed by The Shirelles
    • Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King; recorded fall 1960; released November 1960
  • “At Last” as performed by Etta James
    • Written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren; recorded fall 1960; released November 1960

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 June 27, 2021, for our discussion on 1961.

1959: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

With the hybrid genre of rock and roll fully established as the sound of young America, 1959 is a year when new sounds allow popular music to take massive leaps forward. For example, shot out of a cannon are massive tracks like “What’d I Say,” “Money,” and “Shout,” which herald rhythm and blues as not simply the sound of Black America, but the sound of the future.

1959 is also the year country music begins its great struggle to define itself. The Nashville Sound with its strings, heavenly background vocals, and polished production is about to break through; meanwhile, listeners this year get two different looks at country: “El Paso” showcases a throwback, Western story-song style, and “White Lightning” is a much more modern take on hillbilly drinking. These songs set the stage for the future of white rural music.

After listening, VOTE for the greatest songs of all time! Songs from 1959, plus tunes from 1958, 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 1959 nominees:

  • “Peter Gunn” as performed by Ray Anthony
    • Written by Henry Mancini; recorded January 1959; released January 1959
  • “White Lightning” as performed by George Jones
    • Written by J.P. Richardson; recorded December 1958; released February 1959
  • “Come Softly to Me” as performed by The Fleetwoods
    • Written by Gretchen Christopher, Barbara Ellis, and Gary Troxel; recorded fall 1958; released February 1959
  • “Dream Lover” as performed by Bobby Darin
    • Written by Bobby Darin; recorded March 1959; released April 1959
  • “I Only Have Eyes For You” as performed by The Flamingos
    • Written by Al Dubin and Harry Warren; recorded October 1958; released April 1959
  • “There Goes My Baby” as performed by The Drifters
    • Written by Benjamin Nelson, Lover Patterson, and George Treadwell; recorded March 1959; released April 1959
  • “What’d I Say” as performed by Ray Charles
    • Written by Ray Charles; recorded February 1959; released June 1959
  • “Shout” as performed by The Isley Brothers
    • Written by O’Kelly Isley Jr., Rudolph Isley, and Ronald Isley; recorded July 1959; released August 1959
  • “Money (That’s What I Want)” as performed by Barrett Strong
    • Written by Janie Bradford and Berry Gordy; recorded summer 1959; released August 1959
  • “Mack the Knife” as performed by Bobby Darin
    • Written by Kurt Weill, Bertolt Brecht, and Marc Blitzstein; recorded December 1958; released August 1959
  • “El Paso” as performed by Marty Robbins
    • Written by Marty Robbins; recorded April 1959; released October 1959

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 June 13, 2021, for our discussion on 1960.

1958: Our Nominees for the Hall of Songs

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.