Top 10 Decade Defining Songs: 1950s

Lift your skirts and loosen your ties, it's time to let your hair down and let your dancing speed up. Velma, who do you love? Welcome to watchmojo.com and today we're counting down our picks for the top ten

songs

that defined the

1950s

for In this list we've looked at a combination of the

decade

s' most commercially successful

songs

, as well as the most influential records and tracks that best reflect the period. I found my three Blueberry Hill Fats Domino #10s. We begin with a song that was originally written in the 1940s and had been covered by the great Louis Armstrong before he really hit the big time that room stood still in baby blue Fats Domino's 1956 version was so successful that it generated a domino effect that later Elvis recorded it, as well as Led Zeppelin and Elton.

John, but it is Domino that had the smooth, catchy sound and carefree rhythm that set a standard for the 50s and beyond number nine summer blues Eddie Cochran a classic example of revolutionary rockabilly music summer blues sees Eddie Cochran combine a southern bluegrass style with modern rock sounds sometimes i'm a guy with there's nothing just summer is simple, quite direct and downright effective, a big hit with teenage fans who were a strong emerging demographic for pop music in At the time, the song was written in response to the optimistic summer. songs that were popular at the time I thought of a problem through the United Nations highlighting instead the difficulties of the season about to help you son but you are too young too bold almost anti-authority his message was fresh and fun Oh beautiful summer, did you know? a number eight view Peggy Sue Buddy Holly, the standout song of an iconic and tragically short career Peggy Sue underwent a name change before taking over the airwaves' wide audience, but originally titled Cindy Lou, the love interest was reworked to align himself with the Crickets drummer.

Jerry Allison's girlfriend at the time I loved it I love a melody that can be split exactly in half Hollies' guitar really takes center stage at the midpoint, plus the lovestruck lyrics continue throughout, it's great effortlessly and eternally plays the number seven tutti-frutti a little richer. Released in late '55, this was a song that disrupted the entire music industry, its bold, fast-paced lyrics scared and fascinated listeners enough to pay attention. Yes, good work through the web. Richard had originally sung Tutti Fruiti Good Booty, but argued for a conservative market. he refused to drop an anarchic vocal character, yes in fact I don't know what to do, he sang in a way that people didn't dare to speak and as expected the audience loved it, they love Little Richard: bamboo under six big balls of fire Jerry Lee Lewis you broke one wheel but water three oh kindness and grace are great having been raised in a religious home Jerry Lee Lewis had understandable concerns about recording this rock and roll classic love is for madness funny big balls of fire baby the title can be seen as blasphemous and the sexual innuendo was consistent and controversial, but we're glad that it stepped out of its comfort zone because big balls of fire burned up the charts and are still not extinguished from our memories moved a

1950s

audience in a way that little had done before.

He was up to the task. his lyrics and quickly became a big rage is green balls of fire number five 'la Bumba ritchie valens that a song completely in Spanish should be in our top 10 is a testament to the effect it had on the 50s music that Ritchie followed Valens was 17 when he recorded this version of a traditional Mexican song and realized what a fun, frenetic sound rock music had become. He would be one of three musicians, including Buddy Holly and JP Richardson, who would die in a plane crash the following year. A huge and horrible loss. for song number four, I walk down the line Johnny Cash fresh off the success with Folsom Prison Blues.

I'm trapped in Folsom Prison and time keeps moving. This number was Cash's pledge of loyalty to a new wife. I keep a close watch. I keep my eyes. The whole time my son knew we would be traveling a lot and he wanted to assure her that it would be good because you are mine. I walk through life and that they would eventually divorce amid fair speculation. the toe-tapping rhythms and ringing vocal tones are as good now as they were then the girls screamed, the boys said and Cash walked the line to stardom one two three o'clock four o'clock Rock five six seven o'clock number three rock around the clock Bill Haley and his comments at the time of this song's release the style of rock and roll music was so little known that the album Sleep described it as a novelty.

However, Foxtrot turned out to be no gimmick and has since become known as one of the first rock songs after its inclusion in the film Blackboard Jungle, topped the US charts and became one of the best-selling singles of the year. 1950s UK while Haley and her Kites rocked 24 hours a day and all the while walking at a party. jailhouse rock number two Elvis Presley the man was John the man John started swinging we should have her locked up Jam playing a song from his film of the same name jailhouse rock enjoyed worldwide success and along with the previous hound dog quickly became The standard-bearer for the rock revolution, Elvis was a performer perhaps unrivaled in history, with a raw voice, cheeky charm and dance moves that made you blush.

I want to boogie, affectionately nicknamed King Elvis and his prison rock marked the beginning of his rise to the throne, he who anyone don't be square I can't find a partner uses a wooden chair for many he was the face of the 50s and this number scorching blues soundtrack before we reveal our number one pick here are some honorable mentions King Kandra make this change in me number one Johnny be good Chuck Berry autobiographical and brimming with attitude Johnny be good perfectly captures the mood of the

decade

as if we had a map at least in 1958 Barry had about five years of music behind him and he translated it all into this simple and uplifting story, johnny me, johnny was a kind of dream, he was a superhero who has no limits , the record is bold, relatable and liberating, its kicks and jumps up and down, it's an increase in heart rate, a release of emotion and a timeless legacy, right?

According to our list, what is your 50 favorite songs? For more top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com.