Trying to fill your IPod can seem like a chore until you start to discover all the great classics. Here are some of the most popular 50’s music hits that are a must. All diverse in topic, tune and lyrics, these 50’s music hits are basic staples to help you build a musical library:
Rock Around the Clock – “One o’clock, two o’clock, three o’clock rock…”For a song that counts the minutes, this hit sure is timeless. This is one of the most popular 50’s music hits and part of the reason this tune is so easy to hum along with is its simple, 12 bar blues rhythm. Written by Max C. Freedman and Jimmy DeKnight, Rock Around the Clock was one of the 50’s music hits made famous by Bill Haley and His Comets.
Don’t Be Cruel – In the 1950’s, Elvis Presley changed the face of music forever, with his hip shakin’ and race bending music. Written by Otis Blackwell, Don’t Be Cruel was performed in 1956 by Elvis and quickly became a hit that would shape any 1950’s music library. This classic continues to hold its appeal and was covered by Cheap Trick in the late eighties and has been a karaoke favorite for years.
The Purple People Eater – “It was a one-eyed, one-horned, flyin’ purple people eater…” These fun lyrics from this 1950’s music favorite were written and performed by artist Sheb Wooley. The simplicity of this song might lead some to believe that this is one of the 50’s music hits that stemmed from the earlier, chaste period of the decade but The Purple People Eater hit number one in 1958.
Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer – You don’t have to have a red nose to sing along with this holiday favorite! Although it does seem a little funny to think that this holiday classic once appeared as a number one hit in Billboard magazine, Gene Autry made it famous in January of 1950,. Written by Johnny Marks, this reindeer romp can go down in history as a 1950’s music classic.
It takes a lot of talent to write and record a hit song. It requires the perfect lyrics, a catchy melody and that certain something that will help put a song into the popular consciousness and into our Ipods for years to come. It’s interesting to note that some of the most popular, well known 1950’s music has already stayed in our heads and our hearts for sixty years and counting. Use these examples to start exploring 1950’s music hits and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to fill up your musical library.
