Category: Monthly

Another year comes to an end in our journey through musical history. It’s Christmas time in 1958, so let’s hear what’s in the charts…

Songs of the month

“16 Candles” – Crests*
“A Letter To An Angel” – Jimmy Clanton
“A Lover’s Question” – Clyde Mcphatter
“Beep Beep” – Playmates
“Bimbombey” – Jimmie Rodgers*
“Call Me” – Johnny Mathis
“Cannonball” – Duane Eddy
“Chantilly Lace” – Big Bopper
“Donna” – Ritchie Valens*
“Forget Me Not” – Kalin Twins
“Goodbye Baby” – Jack Scott*
“Gotta Travel On” – Billy Grammer*
“Hideaway” – Four Esquires
“I Got A Feeling” – Ricky Nelson
“I Got Stung” – Elvis Presley
“I Need You” – Donnie Owens*
“I’ll Wait For You” – Frankie Avalon
“It’s All In The Game” – Tommy Edwards
“It’s Only Make Believe” – Conway Twitty
“Lonely Teardrops” – Jackie Wilson*
“Lonesome Town” – Ricky Nelson
“Love Is All We Need” – Tommy Edwards
“Love You Most Of All” – Sam Cooke*
“Manhattan Spiritual” – Reg Owen Orchestra*
“My Happiness” – Connie Francis*
“Need You” – Donnie Owens
“One Night” – Elvis Presley
“Philadelphia Usa” – Nu Tornados*
“Poor Boy” – Royaltones
“Problems” – Everly Brothers
“Queen Of The Hop” – Bobby Darin
“Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” – Platters*
“Tea For Two Cha Cha” – Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
“That Old Black Magic” – Louis Prima And Keely Smith*
“The Chipmunk Song” – Chipmunks*
“The Day The Rains Came” – Jane Morgan
“The End” – Earl Grant
“The Little Drummer Boy” – Harry Simeon Chorale*
“The World Outside” – Four Coins*
“To Know Him Is To Love Him” – Teddy Bears
“Tom Dooley” – Kingston Trio
“Topsy Ii” – Cozy Cole
“Walking Along” – Diamonds
“Whole Lotta Loving” – Fats Domino*

* = New to the chart this week.

You can listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.

This month in history

On December the 5th Subscriber Trunk Dialling (STD – allowing direct dialing of numbers outside an area code) is inaugurated in the UK by Queen Elizabeth II when she speaks to the Lord Provost in a call from Bristol to Edinburgh. A film of that below.

And in more telecommunications first, on December 19 we had the 1st radio broadcast from space, when US President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Christmas message, “to all mankind, America’s wish for peace on Earth and goodwill to men everywhere”, was beamed off a satellite.

And in politics, on December 21st Charles de Gaulle wins 7 year term as 1st President of the 5th Republic of France. Another great film from British Pathé below.

What’d Sadie think?

“To Know Him Is To Love Him” by Teddy Bears is number 1 for 3 weeks before “The Chipmunk Song” by the Chipmunks takes the spot for the last 2 weeks of the month.

Loved ’em

It’s about the 3rd time (1942, then 1955 has prominent versions) out for “That Old Black Magic”, this time as a great duet by Louis Prima And Keely Smith.

And a new Xmas tune for 1958. The classic “The Little Drummer Boy” by the Harry Simeone Chorale. Or was it new? As the story goes, after being introduced to an obscure song by producer and credited song co-author Henry Onorati, titled “Carol of the Drum” (originally composed by Katherine Kennicott Davis in 1941), Simeone changed the title to “The Little Drummer Boy” and recorded it under that title for his album “Sing We Now of Christmas”. He received joint authorship-and-composition credit for the album, although he did not actually write or compose the song.

Actually two new tunes. With “The Chipmunk Song” by errr the Chipmunks. Sadie’s favourite cartoon currently is the most recent “Alvin and the Chipmunks” series. Despite being over 60 years old and the first official outing for the Chipmunks this has all the signatures, such as Dave yelling, “AAAAAAllllllviiin!!”.

Then a bunch of great croons…

• “Donna” – Ritchie Valens
• “Goodbye Baby” – Jack Scott
• “Lonely Teardrops” – Jackie Wilson
• “Love You Most Of All” – Sam Cooke

Liked ’em

And the best of the rest:

• “16 Candles” – Crests
• “Bimbombey” – Jimmie Rodgers
• “I Need You” – Donnie Owens
• “Manhattan Spiritual” – Reg Owen Orchestra
• “My Happiness” – Connie Francis
• “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” – Platters
• “The World Outside” – Four Coins
• “Whole Lotta Loving” – Fats Domino

Leave ’em

• “Gotta Travel On” – Billy Grammer
• “Philadelphia Usa” – Nu Tornados

Now go listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.

We’re nearing the end of another year in our tour through time. It’ll be the ’60s before we know it! Before then let’s listen to what November, 1958 sounds like…

Songs of the month

“A Letter To An Angel” – Jimmy Clanton*
“A Lover’s Question” – Clyde Mcphatter*
“Beep Beep” – Playmates*
“Bird Dog” – Everly Brothers
“Call Me” – Johnny Mathis
“Cannonball” – Duane Eddy*
“Chantilly Lace” – Big Bopper
“Fallin’” – Connie Francis*
“Firefly” – Tony Bennett
“Forget Me Not” – Kalin Twins
“Hideaway” – Four Esquires*
“How The Time Flies” – Jerry Wallace
“I Got A Feeling” – Ricky Nelson
“I Got Stung” – Elvis Presley*
“I’ll Wait For You” – Frankie Avalon*
“It’s All In The Game” – Tommy Edwards
“It’s Only Make Believe” – Conway Twitty
“Little Star” – Elegants
“Lonesome Town” – Ricky Nelson
“Love Is All We Need” – Tommy Edwards*
“Mexican Hat Rock” – Applejacks
“Near You” – Roger Williams
“Need You” – Donnie Owens*
“Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu” – Domenico Modugno
“One Night” – Elvis Presley*
“Poor Boy” – Royaltones*
“Problems” – Everly Brothers*
“Pussy Cat” – Ames Brothers
“Queen Of The Hop” – Bobby Darin*
“Rockin’ Robin” – Bobby Day
“Susie Darlin’” – Robin Luke
“Tea For Two Cha Cha” – Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
“Tears On My Pillow” – Little Anthony And The Imperials
“The Day The Rains Came” – Jane Morgan
“The Day The Rains Came” – Raymond Lefevre*
“The End” – Earl Grant
“The Ten Commandments Of Love” – Harvey And The Moonglows
“There Goes My Heart” – Joni James*
“To Know Him Is To Love Him” – Teddy Bears
“Tom Dooley” – Kingston Trio
“Topsy Ii” – Cozy Cole*
“Walking Along” – Diamonds*
“With Your Love” – Jack Scott*
“You Cheated” – Shields

* = New to the chart this week.

You can listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.

This month in history

On November 4, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was crowned as Pope John XXIII.

And then, speaking of muppets, on November 20th puppeteers Jim and Jane Henson establish Muppets, Inc. They had been making films for three years prior, but until 1968 the majority of its work was was in advertising; appearances on late-night talk shows; and short “meeting films” primarily for enterprise use. In 1968 it began working on the new show, “Sesame Street”…

And finally this month the new UNESCO building, World Heritage Centre, was inaugurated in Paris.

What’d Sadie think?

A mixed lot at the top this month. “It’s All In The Game” by Tommy Edwards for a week then “It’s Only Make Believe” by Conway Twitty sandwiches “Tom Dooley” by the Kingston Trio in the 2nd and last week.

Loved ’em

• “A Lover’s Question” – Clyde Mcphatter
• “Beep Beep” – Playmates
• “Cannonball” – Duane Eddy
• “Fallin’” – Connie Francis
• “Problems” – Everly Brothers
• “Topsy Ii” – Cozy Cole

Liked ’em

• “A Letter To An Angel” – Jimmy Clanton
• “I Got Stung” – Elvis Presley
• “I’ll Wait For You” – Frankie Avalon
• “Love Is All We Need” – Tommy Edwards
• “Need You” – Donnie Owens
• “One Night” – Elvis Presley
• “Queen Of The Hop” – Bobby Darin
• “The Day The Rains Came” – Raymond Lefevre
• “There Goes My Heart” – Joni James
• “Walking Along” – Diamonds
• “With Your Love” – Jack Scott

Leave ’em

• “Hideaway” – Four Esquires
• “Poor Boy” – Royaltones

Now go listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.

As the spring sun seems to be persisting in September, 1958 we find ourselves turning our ears back to October, 1958 to hear what it sounded like…

Songs of the month

“Are You Really Mine” – Jimmie Rodgers
“Bird Dog” – Everly Brothers
“Born Too Late” – Poni-Tails
“Call Me” – Johnny Mathis*
“Carol” – Chuck Berry
“Chantilly Lace” – Big Bopper
“Devoted To You” – Everly Brothers
“Firefly” – Tony Bennett
“For My Good Fortune” – Pat Boone*
“Forget Me Not” – Kalin Twins*
“How The Time Flies” – Jerry Wallace
“I Got A Feeling” – Ricky Nelson*
“It’s All In The Game” – Tommy Edwards
“It’s Only Make Believe” – Conway Twitty*
“Itchy Twitchy Feeling” – Bobby Hendricks*
“Just A Dream” – Jimmy Clanton And His Rockets
“Little Star” – Elegants
“Lonesome Town” – Ricky Nelson*
“Mexican Hat Rock” – Applejacks*
“My True Love” – Jack Scott
“Near You” – Roger Williams
“Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu” – Domenico Modugno
“No One Knows” – Dion And The Belmonts
“Patricia” – Prez Prado
“Promise Me Love” – Andy Williams
“Pussy Cat” – Ames Brothers*
“Rockin’ Robin” – Bobby Day
“Somebody Touched Me” – Buddy Knox And The Rhythm Orchids
“Stupid Cupid” – Connie Francis
“Summertime Blues” – Eddie Cochran
“Susie Darlin’” – Robin Luke
“Tea For Two Cha Cha” – Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
“Tears On My Pillow” – Little Anthony And The Imperials
“Ten Commandments Of Love” – Harvey And The Moonglows*
“The Day The Rains Came” – Jane Morgan*
“The End” – Earl Grant
“The Secret” – Gordon Macrae*
“This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin’” – Ruth Brown*
“To Know Him Is To Love Him” – Teddy Bears*
“Tom Dooley” – Kingston Trio*
“Topsy I” – Cozy Cole*
“Treasure Of Your Love” – Eileen Rodgers*
“You Cheated” – Shields

* = New to the chart this week.

You can listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.

This month in history

On October 16th, (a personal favourite) composer Benjamin Britten’s “Nocturne,” premieres. Watch a more recent live performance below.

On the 18th, “Tennis for Two”, a game invented by William Higinbotham and considered to be the first video computer game, visible on an oscilloscope was introduced at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, at Brookhaven, New York in the United States, at the annual Visitors’ Day Exhibit.

I tried to find some QEII relevant news to acknowledge that her majesty passed away this week here in 2022, but the closest I could find was that in October the 1st women were appointed to the British House of Lords. It actually looks like the first three life peers were appointed between August and October. Anyway RIP Queenie.

On October the 23rd The Smurfs first appear in the story “Johan and Pirlouit” by Belgium cartoonist Peyo.

In this story, Johan and Pirlouit meet our little blue buddies, The Smurfs, for the very first time. The Smurfs are three apples tall and live during the medieval era. Peyo has stated that the Smurfs were inspired by the trolls of Nordic fairy tales, and that the Smurfs’ blue pallor was selected because it was a color he thought children would like.

What’d Sadie think?

It’s the whole month at the top for “It’s All In The Game” by Tommy Edwards. Which I assume isn’t the inspiration for Electronic Art’s famous, “It’s in the Game!” slogan, but I do hear it every time I read the title.

Loved ’em

• “Call Me” – Johnny Mathis
• “It’s Only Make Believe” – Conway Twitty
• “Itchy Twitchy Feeling” – Bobby Hendricks
• “Lonesome Town” – Ricky Nelson
• “To Know Him Is To Love Him” – Teddy Bears
• “This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin’” – Ruth Brown
• “Topsy I” – Cozy Cole

Liked ’em

• “For My Good Fortune” – Pat Boone
• “Forget Me Not” – Kalin Twins
• “Ten Commandments Of Love” – Harvey And the Moonglows
• “The Day The Rains Came” – Jane Morgan
• “Tom Dooley” – Kingston Trio
• “Treasure Of Your Love” – Eileen Rodgers
• “I Got A Feeling” – Ricky Nelson
• “Pussy Cat” – Ames Brothers
• “The Secret” – Gordon Macrae

Leave ’em

• “Mexican Hat Rock” – Applejacks

It wasn’t a favourite of the week, but a live performance from the year of release is too rare not to share so here’s Ricky Nelson performing, “I got a feeling”.

Now go listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.

It’s September in 2022 and also in our journey through time in 1958. Which means we have been at this for two whole years! We kicked it off on 29 August, 2020 and now here we are at issue 105!

We failed to post last week as we were travelling to see family, so here is a link to the August, 1958 playlist which you can listen to before you hear what September sounds like…

Songs of the month

“Are You Really Mine” – Jimmie Rodgers
“Bird Dog” – Everly Brothers
“Born To Late” – Poni-Tail
“Carol” – Chuck Berry*
“Chantilly Lace” – Big Bopper
“Devoted To You” – Everly Brothers
“Down The Aisle Of Love” – Quin-Tones*
“Everybody Loves A Lover” – Doris Day
“Fever” – Peggy Lee
“Firefly” – Tony Bennett*
“Ginger Bread” – Frankie Avalon
“Hard Headed Woman” – Elvis Presley
“How The Time Flies” – Jerry Wallace*
“If Dreams Came True” – Pat Boone
“It’s All In The Game” – Tommy Edwards*
“Just A Dream” – Jimmy Clanton And His Rockets
“La Paloma” – Billy Vaughn Orchestra*
“Lazy Summer Night” – Four Preps*
“Left Right Out Of Your Heart” – Patti Page
“Little Star” – Elegants
“Moon Talk” – Perry Como*
“My True Love” – Jack Scott
“Near You” – Roger Williams*
“Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu” – Domenico Modugno
“No One Knows” – Dion And The Belmonts*
“Patricia” – Prez Prado
“Poor Little Fool” – Ricky Nelson
“Promise Me Love” – Andy Williams*
“Ramrod” – Duane Eddy*
“Rebel Rouser” – Duane Eddy
“Rockin’ Robin” – Bobby Day
“She Was Only Seventeen” – Marty Robbins*
“Somebody Touched Me” – Buddy Knox With The Rhythm Orchids
“Splish Splash” – Bobby Darin
“Stupid Cupid” – Connie Francis
“Summertime Blues” – Eddie Cochran
“Summertime Summertime” – Jamies*
“Susi Darlin’” – Robin Luke
“Tea For Two Cha Cha” – Tommy Dorsey Orchestra*
“Tears On My Pillow” – Little Anthony And The Imperials
“The End” – Earl Grant*
“The Ways Of A Woman In Love” – Johnny Cash*
“Volare” – Dean Martin
“Western Movies” – Olympics
“When” – Kalin Twins
“Willie And The Hand Jive” – Johnny Otis Show
“You Cheated” – Shields*

* = New to the chart this week.

You can listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.

This month in history

On September 5 “The Huckleberry Hound Show” by Hanna-Barbera featuring Yogi Bear premiered on US TV. The first episode is below boo-boo!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DozqxTYCkzI

Meanwhile, we wouldn’t be here writing this if it wasn’t for Jack Kilby who, on September 12th, demonstrated his first integrated circuit (IC) to his supervisor.

And lastly, something I thought was a typo… September saw the beginning of the first “Cod War” between the United Kingdom and Iceland as Iceland’s new 12-mile fishing limits went into effect. Eleven British fishing trawlers ignored the ban, carrying out their operations within six miles of Iceland, the former limit, and four Royal Navy frigates entered the area to prevent the seizure of the British fishing boats by the Gæslan, Iceland’s Coast Guard.

What’d Sadie think?

Number one for the whole month was “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu” by Domenico Modugno. Interesting as the Dean Martin version is also on the charts and I had assumed it would have been the more successful as he was a more well known artist.

Loved ’em

• “It’s All In The Game” – Tommy Edwards
• “No One Knows” – Dion And The Belmonts
• “Near You” – Roger Williams
• “Ramrod” – Duane Eddy
• “She Was Only Seventeen” – Marty Robbins
• “Tea For Two Cha Cha” – Tommy Dorsey Orchestra

Liked ’em

• “Carol” – Chuck Berry
• “Down The Aisle Of Love” – Quin-Tones
• “Firefly” – Tony Bennett
• “How The Time Flies” – Jerry Wallace
• “Lazy Summer Night” – Four Preps
• “Moon Talk” – Perry Como
• “La Paloma” – Billy Vaughn Orchestra
• “Promise Me Love” – Andy Williams
• “The Ways Of A Woman In Love” – Johnny Cash
• “The End” – Earl Grant

Leave ’em

• “Summertime Summertime” – Jamies
• “You Cheated” – Shields

Now go listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.

A quick post this time as we actually got a week behind due to travelling to visit family. let’s jump straight into hear what August, 1958 sounds like…

Songs of the month

“A Certain Smile” – Johnny Mathis
“Angel Baby” – Dean Martin*
“Are You Really Mine” – Jimmie Rodgers*
“Bird Dog” – Everly Brothers*
“Born To Late” – Poni-Tails*
“Chantilly Lace” – Big Bopper*
“Devoted To You” – Everly Brothers*
“Do You Want To Dance” – Bobby Freeman
“Early In The Morning” – Rinky-Dinks*
“Enchanted Island” – Four Lads*
“Endless Sleep” – Jody Reynolds
“Everybody Loves A Lover” – Doris Day*
“Fever” – Peggy Lee
“For Your Precious Love” – Jerry Butler And The Impressions
“Ginger Bread” – Frankie Avalon
“Guess Things Happen That Way” – Johnny Cash
“Hard Headed Woman” – Elvis Presley
“If Dreams Came True” – Pat Boone
“Just A Dream” – Jimmy Clanton
“Left Right Out Of Your Heart” – Patti Page
“Little Star” – Elegants
“My True Love” – Jack Scott
“Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu” – Domenico Modugno*
“One Summer Night” – Danleers
“Patricia” – Prez Prado
“Poor Little Fool” – Ricky Nelson
“Rebel Rouser” – Duane Eddy
“Rockin Robin” – Bobby Day*
“Secretly” – Jimmie Rodgers
“Somebody Touched Me” – Buddy Knox & Rhythm Orchids*
“Splish Splash” – Bobby Darin
“Stupid Cupid” – Connie Francis*
“Summertime Blues” – Eddie Cochran*
“Susie Darlin’” – Robin Luke*
“Tears On My Pillow” – Little Anthony And The Imperials*
“The Purple People Eater” – Sheb Wooley
“Think It Over” – Crickets*
“Volare” – Dean Martin*
“Western Movies” – Olympics*
“What Am I Living For” – Chuck Willis
“When” – Kalin Twins
“Willie And The Hand Jive” – Johnny Otis Show
“Yakety Yak” – Coasters

* = New to the chart this week.

You can listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.

This month in history

On August 25 Momofuku Ando markets the first package of precooked instant noodles. You can watch the history below.

And on August 29 George Harrison joins The Quarrymen, who later become The Beatles. A fictionalised clip of that, from a film, below.

What’d Sadie think?

“Poor Little Fool” by Ricky Nelson spends two weeks at number 1 before new song “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu” by Domenico Modugno then “Little Star” by the Elegants have their time in the sun.

Loved ’em

Some classics this month!

• “Bird Dog” – Everly Brothers
• “Chantilly Lace” – Big Bopper
• “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu” – Domenico Modugno
• “Volare” – Dean Martin
• “Rockin Robin” – Bobby Day
• “Somebody Touched Me” – Buddy Knox & Rhythm Orchids
• “Stupid Cupid” – Connie Francis
• “Summertime Blues” – Eddie Cochran
• “Tears On My Pillow” – Little Anthony And The Imperials

Liked ’em

• “Angel Baby” – Dean Martin
• “Are You Really Mine” – Jimmie Rodgers
• “Devoted To You” – Everly Brothers
• “Early In The Morning” – Rinky-Dink
• “Everybody Loves A Lover” – Doris Day
• “Think It Over” – Crickets
• “Western Movies” – Olympics

Leave ’em

• “Enchanted Island” – Four Lads
• “Susie Darlin’” – Robin Luke

Now go listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.

A day late this week because Sadie was away for the weekend. But most importantly… happy birthday darling Sadie! Yes, our little girl is two today. We started this a couple of weeks after she was born, which means we’ve nearly been at this for 24 months! Time really flies with a child, but even more so when you’re listening to music history at 4x speed. So after 2 years at it, it’s the middle of summer in the USA in July, 1958 on our charts. Let’s see what they were listening to by the pool…

Songs of the month

“A Certain Smile” – Johnny Mathis*
“All I Have To Do Is Dream” – Everly Brothers
“Big Man” – Four Preps
“Do You Want To Dance” – Bobby Freeman
“Don’t Ask Me Why” – Elvis Presley*
“Endless Sleep” – Jody Reynolds
“Fever” – Peggy Lee*
“For Your Precious Love” – Jerry Butler And The Impressions*
“Ginger Bread” – Frankie Avalon*
“Guess Things Happen That Way” – Johnny Cash
“Hard Headed Woman” – Elvis Presley
“High School Confidential” – Jerry Lee Lewis
“I Wonder Why” – Dion And The Belmonts
“If Dreams Came True” – Pat Boone*
“Jeannie Lee” – Jan And Arnie
“Johnny B. Goode” – Chuck Berry
“Just A Dream” – Jimmy Clanton*
“Left Right Out Of Your Heart” – Patti Page*
“Leroy” – Jack Scott
“Little Star” – Elegants*
“Looking Back” – Nat King Cole
“My True Love” – Jack Scott*
“No Chemise Please” – Gerry Granahan
“Oh Lonesome Me” – Don Gibson
“One Summer Night” – Danleers*
“Padre” – Toni Arden
“Patricia” – Prez Prado
“Poor Little Fool” – Ricky Nelson*
“Rebel Rouser” – Duane Eddy*
“Return To Me” – Dean Martin
“Secretly” – Jimmie Rodgers
“Splish Splash” – Bobby Darin
“Sugar Moon” – Pat Boone
“The Purple People Eater” – Sheb Wooley
“Twilight Time” – Platters
“Wear My Ring Around Your Neck” – Elvis Presley
“What Am I Living For” – Chuck Willis
“When” – Kalin Twins
“Willie And The Hand Jive” – Johnny Otis*
“Witch Doctor” – David Seville
“Yakety Yak” – Coasters

* = New to the chart this week.

You can listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.

This month in history

On the 2nd of July, the world’s largest hotel at the time, the 1,065-room Stardust Resort and Casino, opened in the United States in Las Vegas – home to many a crooner who will be in the charts over the coming years.

And on the 12th “The Quarrymen”, a group of Liverpool musicians (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, with drummer Colin Hanton and keyboardist John Lowe) paid 17 shillings and 6 pence to make their first professional recording, a 78 rpm disc of their performance of “In Spite of All the Danger” (an original song by McCartney and Harrison) and a cover version of Buddy Holly’s “That’ll Be the Day”. Lennon, McCartney and Harrison (without Hanton and Lowe) would later rename the group “The Beatles”…

Then on the 14th over in Japan the first anime and first color television show, Mogura no Abanchūru (“Mole’s Adventure”), was telecast on Nippon TV (NTV).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF09NF3ywts

What’d Sadie think?

“The Purple People Eater” was number 1 for 2 weeks then “Yakety Yak” got a week at the top before “Patricia” by Prez Prado rounded out the month.

After I said just last week how infrequently we can’t find songs I was going to say we were missing 2 this week… but on further investigation it turns out there is an error in the charts I have where a song was misattributed to the wrong artist. Something I need to keep an eye on.

Loved ’em

“A Certain Smile” by Johnny Mathis is a lovely tune written for the 1958 film of the same name, based on the novel, also titled the same, by Françoise Sagan.

“Fever” was an R&B Chart hit in 1956, but this great cover by Peggy Lee became the most widely known version of and the singer’s signature song.

“Left Right Out Of Your Heart” is a typically fun Patti Page number.

“One Summer Night” was the debut, and biggest hit, for the Danleers – a lovely piece of doo-wop.

“Poor Little Fool” is a finger-snapping tune by Ricky Nelson with a fascinating origin. Written by 16 year old Sharon Sheeley. Working as a model she had apparently met Elvis Presley, and he encouraged her to write.

It was based on her disappointment following a short-lived relationship with Don Everly of The Everly Brothers. Sheeley sought Ricky Nelson to record the tune. She drove to his house, and claimed her car had broken down. He came to her aid, and she sprang the song on him. Her version was at a much faster tempo than his recording.

The awesomely named “Rebel Rouser” was Duane Eddy’s first gold disc and if it doesn’t have you stomping, clapping or clicking you’re not listening hard enough.

“Willie And The Hand Jive” is a great number by singer songwriter Johnny Otis. Apparently the tune was partly inspired by the music sung by a chain gang Otis heard while he was touring. The lyrics are about a man who became famous for doing a dance with his hands, but evidently the song has been accused of glorifying masturbation… How ’50s.

Liked ’em

And then there’s the best of the rest…

• “Don’t Ask Me Why” – Elvis Presley
• “For Your Precious Love” – Jerry Butler And The Impressions
• “If Dreams Came True” – Pat Boone
• “Just A Dream” – Jimmy Clanton
• “Little Star” – Elegants
• “My True Love” – Jack Scott
• “No Chemise Please” – Gerry Granahan

Leave ’em

• “Ginger Bread” – Frankie Avalon

Now go listen to the full playlist on Youtube via this link.