Top 100 Hits of the 50s: The Era of Modern Music

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The 1950s was a very important year for the entire music industry and not to forget it is the year that marked the birth of rock ‘n’ roll which would later change the popular culture. The music of the 1950s reflects optimism, rebellion, and innovation deeply as the world was recovering from the hardships of World War II. This is a new era when a significant number of legendary artists hit the road to fame. The top 100 hits of the 50s include great songs that won hearts with groundbreaking melodies, heartfelt ballads, and infectious rhythms.

But 1950 top songs are not just about rock ‘n’ roll, there are more. From doo-wop to ballads, crooners to R&B, the ’50s songs span across this modern music. The music of the 50s created legends and shaped the trends of the next generations. Simply put, the music of this decade heavily influenced the entire modern history of music.

Top Artists of the 1950s

The 1950s is the golden age of music. This year and the continuing decade gave us numerous great artists across several fields of musical genres. Among the singers of the top 100 hits of the 50s, Elvis Presley dominates the chart. He is the ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ who gave us hits like “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and Love Me Tender.” As an artist, he has a unique talent for blending rhythm and blues, country and rock, and creating magic.

Among the top artists of the 50s, Chuck Berry is a frontline and a pioneer of rock guitar. Because of his storytelling and legendary musical performances, his songs “Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” and “Sweet Little Sixteen.” dominated the chart of the 100 best songs of the 1950s. His music became the blueprint for rock, inspiring countless musicians in the years to come.

Buddy Holly, is another legend from the 50s whose approach to songwriting and production remains a legacy. With tracks like “That’ll Be the Day” and “Peggy Sue.” the world felt his energy and his creative ability to combine rock and pop.

During the 50s, female artists also had a great breakthrough. Artists like Patti Page, Ruth Brown, and LaVern Baker emerged as powerful voices. With songs like “Tennessee Waltz,” “Mr. Sandman” and “Lollipop.” they brought harmony and bridged the gap between rhythm, blues, and mainstream pop.

Doo-wop was a popular genre in the 50s and the groups like The Platters and The Penguins made their name in the top 100 hits of the 50s. On the other hand, Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis also made their voices heard with piano-driven rock.

Top Musical Trends of the 100 Best Songs of the 1950s

The top 100 hits of the 50s carry the major trends of that era. Thus, these songs defy the innovation and convergence of the musical style as well. If you look at the list of the Billboard top 100 songs of the 50s, rock ‘n’ roll was on the rise. The rise in the 50s made it a mainstream genre among the top 100 songs of the 1960s.

Another trend of the 50s was the practice of blending rhythm and blues, country, and gospel into a high-energy sound. This musical juncture created the vibes of rebellious youth. Back then chart-topping songs like “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley & His Comets first ignited the rock ‘n’ roll genre. However, Elvis Presley and Chuck Berry are the two legendary artists who pushed the genre into the mainstream musical scene.

The billboard’s top 100 hits of the 1950s carried on the trend of Doo-wop as well. It was actually a major trend that was characterized by smooth vocal harmonies and romantic lyrics. Songs like “Sh-Boom” and “Twilight Time” complement perfectly to the charm of the genre very well. 

Along with all these, Ballads and crooners also gained traction among the 1950s top 100. Talking about the other trends, R&B was profound, jazz was also creating strides with soulful, and emotional sound.

Here is the list of the top 100 hits of the 1950s, explore them and set your mood.

The List of the Top 100 Hits of the 50s

  1. Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & His Comets (Rock Around the Clock)
  2. Hound Dog by Elvis Presley (Elvis’ Golden Records)
  3. Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry (Berry Is on Top)
  4. Tutti Frutti by Little Richard (Here’s Little Richard)
  5. Blue Suede Shoes by Carl Perkins (Dance Album of Carl Perkins)
  6. Earth Angel by The Penguins (Earth Angel)
  7. Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley (Jailhouse Rock EP)
  8. Maybellene by Chuck Berry (After School Session)
  9. Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly (The “Chirping” Crickets)
  10. Shake, Rattle and Roll by Big Joe Turner (Shake, Rattle and Roll)
  11. Sh-Boom by The Chords (Sh-Boom)
  12. Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis Presley (Elvis’ Golden Records)
  13. La Bamba by Ritchie Valens (Ritchie Valens)
  14. Why Do Fools Fall in Love by Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers (Why Do Fools Fall in Love)
  15. Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis (Great Balls of Fire)
  16. Love Me Tender by Elvis Presley (Love Me Tender)
  17. Long Tall Sally by Little Richard (Here’s Little Richard)
  18. Ain’t That a Shame by Fats Domino (Rock and Rollin’ with Fats Domino)
  19. That’ll Be the Day by Buddy Holly (The “Chirping” Crickets)
  20. All I Have to Do Is Dream by The Everly Brothers (The Everly Brothers)
  21. Good Golly Miss Molly by Little Richard (Here’s Little Richard)
  22. Rockin’ Robin by Bobby Day (Rockin’ Robin)
  23. At the Hop by Danny & The Juniors (At the Hop)
  24. Bye Bye Love by The Everly Brothers (The Everly Brothers)
  25. You Send Me by Sam Cooke (Sam Cooke)
  26. Stagger Lee by Lloyd Price (Stagger Lee)
  27. Roll Over Beethoven by Chuck Berry (Berry Is on Top)
  28. Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran (The Eddie Cochran Memorial Album)
  29. Be-Bop-A-Lula by Gene Vincent (Bluejean Bop)
  30. Only You by The Platters (The Platters)
  31. Tequila by The Champs (Go, Champs, Go!)
  32. Yakety Yak by The Coasters (Yakety Yak)
  33. Mona Lisa by Nat King Cole (Mona Lisa)
  34. Venus by Frankie Avalon (Venus)
  35. Come Go with Me by The Del-Vikings (Come Go with Me)
  36. Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford (Sixteen Tons)
  37. Don’t Be Cruel by Elvis Presley (Elvis’ Golden Records)
  38. Chantilly Lace by The Big Bopper (Chantilly Lace)
  39. Since I Met You Baby by Ivory Joe Hunter (Since I Met You Baby)
  40. Lucille by Little Richard (Here’s Little Richard)
  41. The Great Pretender by The Platters (The Platters)
  42. Rave On by Buddy Holly (The Buddy Holly Story)
  43. Twilight Time by The Platters (The Platters)
  44. Raining in My Heart by Buddy Holly (The Buddy Holly Story)
  45. Fever by Peggy Lee (Fever)
  46. Sea Cruise by Frankie Ford (Sea Cruise)
  47. Rebel Rouser by Duane Eddy (Have ‘Twangy’ Guitar Will Travel)
  48. Sugartime by The McGuire Sisters (Sugartime)
  49. Cry by Johnnie Ray (Cry)
  50. Blueberry Hill by Fats Domino (Blueberry Hill)
  51. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On by Jerry Lee Lewis (Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On)
  52. I’m Walkin’ by Fats Domino (Rock and Rollin’ with Fats Domino)
  53. Lonely Teardrops by Jackie Wilson (Lonely Teardrops)
  54. Wake Up, Little Susie by The Everly Brothers (The Everly Brothers)
  55. El Paso by Marty Robbins (Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs)
  56. Love and Marriage by Frank Sinatra (Songs for Swingin’ Lovers!)
  57. School Days by Chuck Berry (After School Session)
  58. Sweet Little Sixteen by Chuck Berry (Berry Is on Top)
  59. Lollipop by The Chordettes (Lollipop)
  60. Kisses Sweeter Than Wine by Jimmie Rodgers (Kisses Sweeter Than Wine)
  61. C’mon Everybody by Eddie Cochran (The Eddie Cochran Memorial Album)
  62. Sincerely by The Moonglows (Sincerely)
  63. Young Love by Sonny James (Young Love)
  64. Shout by The Isley Brothers (Shout)
  65. Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing by The Four Aces (Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing)
  66. I Walk the Line by Johnny Cash (Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar)
  67. Jim Dandy by LaVern Baker (Jim Dandy)
  68. Kaw-Liga by Hank Williams (Kaw-Liga)
  69. I Got a Woman by Ray Charles (Ray Charles)
  70. Hawaiian Wedding Song by Andy Williams (Hawaiian Wedding Song)
  71. It’s Only Make Believe by Conway Twitty (It’s Only Make Believe)
  72. Danny Boy by Patti Page (Danny Boy)
  73. Honky Tonk by Bill Doggett (Honky Tonk)
  74. Memories Are Made of This by Dean Martin (Memories Are Made of This)
  75. Butterfly by Andy Williams (Butterfly)
  76. Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots by The Cheers (Black Denim Trousers)
  77. Purple People Eater by Sheb Wooley (Purple People Eater)
  78. Hot Rod Lincoln by Charlie Ryan (Hot Rod Lincoln)
  79. Love Me by Elvis Presley (Elvis)
  80. I’m in Love Again by Fats Domino (Rock and Rollin’ with Fats Domino)
  81. Problems by The Everly Brothers (The Everly Brothers)
  82. Red River Rock by Johnny and the Hurricanes (Red River Rock)
  83. Personality by Lloyd Price (Personality)
  84. Bimbo by Jim Reeves (Bimbo)
  85. That’s Amore by Dean Martin (That’s Amore)
  86. Tennessee Waltz by Patti Page (Tennessee Waltz)
  87. Till I Waltz Again with You by Teresa Brewer (Till I Waltz Again with You)
  88. Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad by Wanda Jackson (Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad)
  89. Rock and Roll Music by Chuck Berry (Berry Is on Top)
  90. Oh Boy! by Buddy Holly (The “Chirping” Crickets)
  91. A Teenager in Love by Dion and The Belmonts (A Teenager in Love)
  92. This Land Is Your Land by Woody Guthrie (This Land Is Your Land)
  93. Lotta Lovin’ by Gene Vincent (Lotta Lovin’)
  94. Splish Splash by Bobby Darin (Splish Splash)
  95. High School Confidential by Jerry Lee Lewis (High School Confidential)
  96. Mr. Sandman by The Chordettes (Mr. Sandman)
  97. Little Darlin’ by The Diamonds (Little Darlin’)
  98. Peter Gunn Theme by Henry Mancini (The Music from Peter Gunn)
  99. So Rare by Jimmy Dorsey (So Rare)
  100. Banana Boat Song (Day-O) by Harry Belafonte (Calypso)

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