Top 10 Decade Defining Songs: 1950s

We begin with a song that was originally written in the 1940s and had been covered by the great Louis Armstrong before it really hit the big time. The 1956 Fats Domino version was so successful; it generated quite the ‘domino effect’. Elvis later recorded it as well as Led Zeppelin and Elton John. But it’s Domino that had the smooth sound, catchy hook and carefree rhythm that set a standard for the fifties and beyond.

A classic example of revolutionary rockabilly music, “Summertime Blues” sees Eddie Cochran combine a southern bluegrass style with the modern rock sound. It’s simple, fairly straightforward, and downright effective! A big hit with teenage fans – who were an emerging, strong demographic for pop music back then – the track was written in response to the upbeat summer songs that were popular at the time, highlighting instead the season’s hardship. Almost anti-authority, its message was fresh and fun!

The standout track of an iconic, tragically short career, “Peggy Sue” underwent a name-change before she commandeered the radio airwaves. Originally titled “Cindy Lou”, the love interest was altered to fall in line with Crickets drummer Jerry Allison’s girlfriend at the time. A tune that can be split exactly down the middle, Holly’s guitar really takes center stage at the midway point, but the love-struck lyrics continue throughout. It’s effortlessly cool, and eternally played!

Released late in ‘55, this was a track that altered the entire music industry; its fast pace and raunchy lyrics frightened and fascinated listeners enough to pay attention. Richard had originally sung, “Tutti Frutti, good booty,” but cleaned it up for a conservative market – however, he refused to drop an otherwise anarchic vocal character! He sang in a manner that people dared not speak, and unsurprisingly, the public loved it! And they loved Little Richard too.

Having been raised in a religious household, Jerry Lee Lewis had understandable concerns about recording this rock ‘n’ roll classic. The title can be seen as blasphemous, and the sexual innuendo was consistent and controversial. We’re glad he stepped outside his comfort-zone though, because “Great Balls of Fire” scorched onto the charts, and has yet to burn out of our memories. It thrilled a fifties audience like little had before it; it lived up to its lyrics and quickly became great.

That a track sung entirely in Spanish should make our top ten is a testament to the effect it had over the fifties music that followed it. Ritchie Valens was 17 when he recorded this version of a traditional Mexican folk song, realizing the fun and frenzied sound that rock music had become. He’d be one of three musicians, including Buddy Holly and J. P. Richardson that would die in a plane crash the following year – a huge and horrible loss for music!