Tag Archives: Rock and Roll

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.

4th Class Results! Two Quintessential 1950s Tracks are in the Hall of Songs!

Once again, two songs were voted into the Hall of Songs! But which two tracks from our 25-song ballot made it in?

Congratulations to “Johnny B. Goode” by Chuck Berry and “Good Golly, Miss Molly” by Little Richard; they’ve been inducted to the Hall of Songs!

Here are the full results:

Johnny B. Goode / Chuck Berry – 75% (1st round)
Good Golly, Miss Molly / Little Richard – 70% (1st round)

Continuing to the next round of voting

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%

1955-58 Veterans Committee Meeting

We’ve added three songs to our Hall of Songs nominee list.

Those songs are “Twenty Flight Rock” by Eddie Cochran (1957), “Don’t Let Go” by Roy Hamilton (1958), and “Yakety Yak” by The Coasters (1958). In this episode we discuss those songs as we let them enter the voting process starting with the fifth class (May 30, 2021). We also talk about the voting so far, how we feel about the tunes in the Hall of Songs, and what performances have surprised us so far.

Here is the current list of nominees:

Come back on May 30, 2021, for our episode on 1959. Then, we’ll start voting for the fifth class of the Hall of Songs.

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.

3rd Class Results! Two Songs Make the Hall of Songs!

The third round of voting is complete, and thanks to a new golden vote rule, two new tunes have entered the Hall!

The newest inductees are: “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis and “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke. Congratulations!

Here are the full results:

Great Balls of Fire / Jerry Lee Lewis – 74.50% (1st round)
You Send Me / Sam Cooke – 66.67% (1st round)

Continuing to the next round of voting

Jailhouse Rock / Elvis Presley – 54.90% (1st round)
Wake Up Little Susie / The Everly Brothers – 54.90% (1st round)
Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On / Jerry Lee Lewis – 49.01% (1st round)
Hound Dog / Elvis Presley – 49.01% (2nd round)
Bye Bye Love / The Everly Brothers – 47.05% (1st round)
All Shook Up / Elvis Presley – 45.09% (1st round)
That’ll Be the Day / The Crickets – 43.13% (1st round)
Peggy Sue / Buddy Holly – 43.13% (1st round)
Roll Over Beethoven / Chuck Berry – 39.21% (2nd round)
Don’t Be Cruel / Elvis Presley – 37.25% (2nd round)
Not Fade Away / The Crickets – 37.25% (1st round)
The Great Pretender / The Platters – 35.29% (3rd round)
Tutti Frutti / Little Richard – 35.29% (3rd round)

Eliminated from the ballot

That’s All Right / Elvis Presley – 33.33%
Lucille / Little Richard – 31.37%
Ain’t That a Shame / Fats Domino – 29.41%
Rock and Roll Music / Chuck Berry – 29.41%
Your Cheatin’ Heart / Hank Williams – 29.41%
Blue Suede Shoes / Carl Perkins – 29.41%
Blueberry Hill / Fats Domino – 27.45%
I Walk the Line / Johnny Cash – 27.45%
Maybellene / Chuck Berry – 25.49%
In the Still of the Night / The Five Satins – 25.49%

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.

2nd Class Results! Which 1956 Song is in the Hall of Songs?

After our second round of voting, we have a new song in the Hall of Songs? Which one got in?

Inductee No. 2 is “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley. Congratulations!

And here are the full results:

Heartbreak Hotel / Elvis Presley – 67.74%

Continuing to the next round of voting

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%

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.