The 21 Most Popular Songs From the 1950s

You can’t talk about music from this era without including Little Richard, a famed artist from Macon, Georgia. The track, "Tutti Frutti," was written by Richard and Dorothy LaBostrie and recorded in 1955. The song was Richard's first major hit. It was just over a week, and the record sold 200,000 copies, eventually landing the #2 slot on the Billboard Rhythm and Blues chart. Richard’s musical influence helped define the rock-and-roll genre, according to the Library of Congress.

You read that right, Hound Dog by Big Mama Thornton. Although the song found greater success popularized by Elvis, Big Mama Thornton was the first person to record the music written for her in 1952. It was her biggest hit, selling over 500,000 copies.

What can we say about the man from Tupelo, Mississippi, with an enormous talent and voice? "Heartbreak Hotel" sold over a million copies in just a few weeks and has gone down in history as one of Elvis’ best songs.

Like many songs, it sometimes takes a great cover artist or band to make us fall in love all over again. Although written several years prior (and with some success), the popular song came to life in the ‘50s with The Flamingos, who added that “doo-wop” vibe to the track.

Younger generations were able to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous and talented Patsy Cline through her trending TikTok song, “Crazy.” However, before that song, Patsy was already a knockout, having delivered classics like “Walking Before Midnight,” released in 1957.

Ray Charles recorded “I Got A Woman” in November 1954. With its catchy lyrics and upbeat tempo, it should come as no surprise that the song was a hit record, climbing to No. 1 on the R&B chart in January 1955. Decades later, the song has been sampled by numerous R&B, rap, and hip hop artists.

Younger generations may have been introduced to Tony Bennett through Lady Gaga. But this powerhouse was around long before that, leaving an indelible mark on the music industry. His first major hit song, "Because of You", reached No. 1 on the Billboard charts and stayed there for ten weeks, a true story of the underdog finally winning.

I agree–this may seem like a strange entry for a round-up of the best music, but let’s also give credit where credit is due. That credit belongs to Marius Constant, a composer from France, credited with writing several pieces of music that were pieced together to form the theme song for "The Twilight Zone."

I can only imagine the fun that went into writing and recording this classic because it immediately sparks joy. While the Isley Brothers gave us an exceptionally great song in the ‘50s, the song didn’t chart until some time later.

Ironically enough, when Patti debuted her album, “Tennessee Waltz” was a B-side track. However, it quickly gained traction and popularity, letting producers, executives, and the sorts know that it was not to be skipped. "Tennessee Waltz" held its place on the Billboard pop charts for an astonishing 30-week run. But that’s not all. It had the number one spot for nine consecutive weeks.

"Lady Sings The Blues" is so much more than a song. It was the turning point in Billie’s career, jazz music, and the anthem to her life. Billie’s talent broke barriers in the music world, and this song is just one of many that proves how amazing she was.

We all can use a little Disney magic, even in the 1950s. Although her primary role with Disney was as a voice actor, she’s the voice and talent behind that magical moment in the Cinderella story where her fairy godmother turns that plain old orange pumpkin into a white carriage. How’s this for a bit more of that spellbinding Disney magic? In 1951, “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo” was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

This is one of those songs that I can’t believe has been around since before I was born. It’s such a classic, and growing up, it was featured in many films, like Beetlejuice—another masterpiece. Harry recorded “Day O” in 1956 as a testament to the struggles Black people faced doing grueling day-to-day work.

Just hearing the title of this ‘50s classic makes me smile, break out into song, and open up the United app to search for flights to Europe. "That’s Amore" shares what Martin believes to be the best parts about being Italian, and I’m pretty sure anyone who's spent time in a Tuscan Village or on the Italian coast would agree–That’s Amore!

The ‘50s were a time when we witnessed a lot of crossover in music. Just as jazz was blending with the sounds of pop, 1959 gave us Dinah Washington and her biggest hit. This song, which won her a Grammy, continues to be a beloved favorite among music critics and fans, a testament to its enduring popularity and cultural impact.

Judy Garland, a National Treasure, possessed a talent that defies description. She breathed life into every aspect of this song, from her voice to her on-stage charisma, and each performance held the audience spellbound. Her rendition was so popular that it inspired other artists, including Ray Charles and Ella Fitzgerald, to create their own versions.

Nina Simone, a singer and songwriter with a voice that is truly one of a kind, recorded a rendition of this song in 1957. Her unique sound, beyond mesmerizing, found its way onto the charts nearly 30 years after its release, a surprising and intriguing turn of events. This success was largely attributed to a 1987 UK perfume commercial, a testament to the enduring power of Simone's music and the impact of a well-placed advertisement.

This is another unconventional entry, as it’s a Christmas song, but hey, we love the holidays! Although the music was not recorded or released in the 1950s, it reached the charts as a number 1 song in January 1950, spending a single week in the top spot.

For literal decades, the famed painting, the Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci, has been a timeless inspiration, referenced in songs, poetry, and more. But the reference goes back to the great Nat King Cole. In fact, he’s the first to do so in music, as the song won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1950!

"Que Sera, Sera" became widely loved around the world, thanks in large part to Doris Day's memorable 1956 performance in Alfred Hitchcock's The Man Who Knew Too Much, which earned an Academy Award for best song. It was eventually chosen as the theme song for The Doris Day Show.