(vanity) TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS ('50S) ROUND 1

me | 4/25/20 | me

[the OlLine Rebel]

OK, FREEPERS, LET'S START THIS CONTEST FOR THE GREATEST SONG OF THE '50S!

The baseline for the contest is the top 7 hits of each year of the '50s, as compiled by BILLBOARD. This is NOT based on personal preferences, biases, prejudices, or counter-culture fringe-element reactionaries.

Round 1 involves listing all 10 #7 candidate songs in order of preference.

(The remaining rounds are handled as play-off brackets, starting with 32 pairs of songs to compare.)

ROUND 1 We begin by using the #7 songs of each year, which we'll pare from 10 songs to 4 (to set up play-off brackets for the rest of the contest). NO equivocating, ties, or omissions.

year song act 1950 "Third Man Theme" Guy Lombardo 1951 "Cold, Cold Heart" Tony Bennett 1952 "Wish You Were Here" Eddie Fisher 1953 "April in Portugal" Les Baxter 1954 "(Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely" The Four Knights [also titled as “I Get So Lonely (When I Dream About You)”] 1955 "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing" The Four Aces 1956 "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" Doris Day 1957 "Singing the Blues" Guy Mitchell 1958 "Catch a Falling Star" / "Magic Moments" Perry Como 1959 "The Three Bells" The Browns

For the 1st time ever, I’m going to make it a little easier on you all – please see my playlist:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Lnx_IGaigbPsHOh_ZtV2d1GBCwuYYGf

ROUND 1 DUE DATE: Sunday May 3 @6:00pm EST

[truthluva]

My list for Round 1:

1. 1955 “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” The Four Aces
2. 1956 “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” Doris Day
3. 1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como
4. 1951 “Cold, Cold Heart” Tony Bennett
5. 1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell
6. 1959 “The Three Bells” The Browns
7. 1954 “(Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely” The Four Knights [also titled as “I Get So Lonely (When I Dream About You)”]
8. 1953 “April in Portugal” Les Baxter
9. 1952 “Wish You Were Here” Eddie Fisher
10. 1950 “Third Man Theme” Guy Lombardo

[Falconspeed]

#1 The Four Knights 1954.

Thanks for the playlist.

[Fiji Hill]

I like this version of "The Three Bells." It reminds me of my father, who, like the song's protagonist, was born in a community at the bottom of a valley (in Colorado, not Switzerland, where the song takes place) and died during a starry night. The song's dynamics seek to evoke emotions of joy grief, and hope.

Les Trois Cloches (the three bells)--Les Compagnons de la Chanson (the companions of song) with Edith Piaf (1946)

[Tanniker Smith]

This is a toughie because ... well, I don’t know most of this, and those that I do know ... weeeeelllll...

Okay, I’ll give it a shot. The last four could’ve been in any order. Left them by date for no reason.

1951 “Cold, Cold Heart” Tony Bennett

1956 “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” Doris Day

1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como

1954 “(Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely” The Four Knights [also titled as “I Get So Lonely (When I Dream About You)”]

1952 “Wish You Were Here” Eddie Fisher

1950 “Third Man Theme” Guy Lombardo

1953 “April in Portugal” Les Baxter

1955 “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” The Four Aces

1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell

1959 “The Three Bells” The Browns

[Fiji Hill]

What an awful representation of 50’s music. You need a new hobby.

I dissent--this is a great representation of '50's music, It may be heavy on pop standards, but that's to be expected because the source is the Billboard Hot 100, a tough chart for rhythm and blues and country-western acts to crack. However, we'll be seeing some rock and roll very shortly

[Fiji Hill]

The Jamies - 1958

That sounds like a madrigal--like something from 1558.

[Savage Beast]

1. 1951"Cold, Cold Heart" Tony Bennett
2. 1950 "Third Man Theme" Guy Lombardo
3. 1958 "Catch a Falling Star" / "Magic Moments" Perry Como
4. 1955 "Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing" The Four
5. 1957 “Singing the Blues" Guy Mitchell
6. 1959 "The Three Bells" The Browns
7. 1954 "(Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely" The Four Knights [also titled as “I Get So Lonely (When I Dream About You)”]
8. 1953 "April in Portugal" Les Baxter
9. 1956 "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" Doris Day
10. 1952"Wish You Were Here" Eddie Fisher

[Fiji Hill]

Your list includes a tune I had never heard before—the Guy Lombardo version of the Third Man Theme.

[Cboldt]

Thanks for providing the playlist!

1956 “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” Doris Day
1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como
1950 “Third Man Theme” Guy Lombardo
1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell
1954 “(Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely” The Four Knights
1953 “April in Portugal” Les Baxter
1959 “The Three Bells” The Browns
1955 “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” The Four Aces
1951 “Cold, Cold Heart” Tony Bennett
1952 “Wish You Were Here” Eddie Fisher

[nomorelurker]

BFL

[jjotto]

You are correct. A lot of ‘50s music was very well done but derivative. That’s why there was enthusiasm for newer rock ‘n’ roll and more niche music like the new cool jazz.

[Albion Wilde]

Thank you for the archive... very helpful. Here are my picks:

Catch a Falling Star
Que Sera, Sera
Third Man Theme
April in Portugal
Wish You Were Here
Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing
Singing the Blues
I Get So Lonely
The Three Bells
Cold, Cold Heart

[the OlLine Rebel]

Actually I’m surprised how little there is of RR in the late ‘50s. I mean, I know it got hot and this is only the top 7 of the whole year, but I’d still think more made it up there.

I guess music sales weren’t completely dominated by teeny-boppers with nothing else to do yet.

[a fool in paradise]

That’s why the YouTuber. If they are new songs to you, they are new songs

[the OlLine Rebel]

You know the rules.

It’s what was most popular. Sorry that doesn’t fit your taste.

[a fool in paradise]

I will check back in hopefully soon, I know some of the songs but not all by name. And I am streaming a concert right now which I am semi-enjoying. Some performers better than other. So rather than chase down another rabbit hole I will stay with the thing I’m with for now.

[be-baw]

Rock & Roll, and R&B...that’s where you find the truly great songs of the 50’s.

[pookie18]

Singing The Blues
The Three Bells
Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing
Catch A Falling Star
Que Sera, Sera
Cold, Cold Heart
April in Portugal
Third Man Theme
I Get So Lonely
Wish You Were Here

[Fiji Hill]

These are my top Five tunes of the 1950's. The only ones that charted were #1 and #4, which is the only one to have made the Top 10.

1. Bewitched--Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra (1950)

2. Stalin Kicked the Bucket--Ray Anderson (1953)

3. Good Golly, Miss Molly--The Playboys (1955)

4. Born to Be With You--The Chordettes (1956)

5. Follow the Rock--The Baybops (1958)

[ozaukeemom]

1955 “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” The Four Aces
1959 “The Three Bells” The Browns
1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como
1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell
1956 “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” Doris Day
1954 “(Oh Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely” The Four Knights
1952 “Wish You Were Here” Eddie Fisher
1951 “Cold, Cold Heart” Tony Bennett
1950 “Third Man Theme” Guy Lombardo
1953 “April in Portugal” Les Baxter