1950s Top Thirteen – 56, 57

A definite move away from crooners as Rock ‘n’ Roll dominates the charts. A couple of these have made it into my top 13 because of their association with favourite movies: True Love from High Society (1956, with Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly), Jailhouse Rock (1957) and On The Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady (1964 with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison). Also, That’ll Be the Day (1973, starring David Essex and Ringo Starr) gave me Wake Up Little Susie & Great Balls Of Fire. And finally, Dirty Dancing wouldn’t be the same without Baby and Johnny lip-syncing to Love Is Strange, or the moody Still of the Night (not to be confused with the phenomenal Whitesnake version – same title, different song).

1. Doris Day - Whatever Will Be Will Be (Que Sera Sera) - 07-56 – Columbia
2. Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel - 03-56 –RCA
3. Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers - Why Do Fools Fall In Love? - 02-56 – Gee
4. The Everly Brothers - Wake Up Little Susie - 10-57 – Cadence
5. Mickey & Sylvia - Love Is Strange - 02-57 – Groove
6. Bing Crosby & Grace Kelly - True Love - 10-56 – Capitol
7. Vic Damone - On The Street Where You Live - 06-56 – Columbia
8. Jimmie Rodgers - Kisses Sweeter Than Wine - 12-57 – Roulette
9. Johnny Mathis - The Twelfth Of Never/Chances Are - 09-57 – Columbia
10. Fats Domino - Blueberry Hill - 10-56 - Imperial
11. Carl Perkins - Blue Suede Shoes - 03-56 – Sun
12. Buddy Holly - Peggy Sue - 12-57 – Coral
13. Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line - 11-56 – Sun

And the ones not quite cool enough to make the grade
The Five Satins - In The Still Of The Night - 09-1956 - Ember
Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls Of Fire - 12-57 – Sun
Bill Haley & His Comets - See You Later, Alligator - 01-56 - Decca
Little Richard - Long Tall Sally - 04-56 - Specialty
Johnnie Ray - Just Walking In The Rain - 09-56 - Columbia
Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock - 10-57 - RCA
Billy Williams - I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter - 07-57 - Coral