Best Rock n Roll of the 1950s: Nos. 3-6

The Top 10 songs (plus one) of the 1950s as rated by LomaAlta from the Desert Highlands, Baxter Dogg from Along the Great Divide, and Cash Box. Description.

This post contains top hits numbers 3 – 6 of the best Rock n Roll songs of the 1950’s. Subsequent posts will include numbers 7-10 of the 1950’s and then we will start with the 1960’s.

Video performances of these songs are in the links at the end of the descriptive paragraphs.

Somewhere during the 60’s Rock n Roll became just “Rock”. But remember the 1950’s is when it all started, a significant cultural development that was new and unique. Rock n Roll spread American culture around the world and along the way became Rock.


All I Have To Do Is Dream
The Everly Brothers--1953, Rank: 3
The Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame lists this song among the “500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll”. Like Bill Haley, the Everly Brothers were influenced by their Country and Bluegrass background. But this song and others by the Everly Brothers helped lay the foundation for the broad appeal of Rock-n-Roll.
Here

There Goes My Baby
The Drifters--1959, Rank: 4
Another important element of Rock-n-Roll is the contribution of groups like The Drifters whose background was in Rhythm and Blues. In the case of The Drifters there was a gospel influence as well. “There Goes My Baby” is the first song recorded by The Drifters after Ben E. King replaced Clyde McPhatter as lead singer. Here


Wake Up Little Susie
The Everly Brothers--1957, Rank: 5
This song reflects the norms of a far more innocent time. A teenage couple falls asleep at a movie and busts curfew. Their friends will think it is scandalous, and their parents will be furious. They’re in trouble—deep! Groups as diverse as The Grateful Dead and Simon and Garfunkel have covered this song. Simon and Garfunkel have cited the Everly Brothers as strong influences on their own music. Here


Heartbreak Hotel
Elvis Presley-- 1956, Rank: 6
This is the song that “introduced” Elvis to a television audience and was his first #1 hit. This song influenced future generations of performers and has been covered by another long list of acts. This diverse list ranges from Homer & Jethro to Paul McCartney and includes The Animals and Merle Haggard. Paul McCartney once described “Heartbreak Hotel” as the perfect Rock-n-Roll song. Here