(VANITY) TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS ('50S) - ROUND 2

me | 5/3/20 | me

[the OlLine Rebel]

ROUND 2 of the greatest hits of the '50s begins!

Due date: Sunday, May 10 @6:00 pm (Eastern)

This Round takes the top 6 songs of each year of the '50s per BILLBOARD, along with the best 4 #7s as voted in Round 1, and pairs them in play-off brackets.

Round 1: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3838848/posts

[octex]

‘50-1 Goodnight Irene
‘50-3 Third Man Theme
‘50-2 Mona Lisa
‘51-5 Be My Love
‘51-1 Too Young
‘51-3 How High The Moon
‘52-2 Wheel of Fortune
‘52-4 You Belong to Me
‘52-1 Blue Tango
‘53-4 I’m Walking Behind You
‘53-2 Vaya Con Dios
‘54-5 Make Love to Me
‘53-6 Till I Waltz Again With You
‘54-3 Hey There
‘54-1 Little Things Mean a Lot
‘55-2 Rock Around The Clock
‘55-7 Love is a Many-Splendored Thing
‘55-3 The Yellow Rose of Texas
‘56-4 My Prayer
‘56-2 Don’t Be Cruel
‘56-7 Que Sera Sera
‘56-5 The Wayward Wind
‘57-2 Love Letters in the Sand
‘57-7 Singing The Blues
‘57-3 Little Darlin’
‘58-1 Volare...
‘58-2 All I Have To Do Is Dream
‘57-4 Young Love
‘59-6 Dream Lover
‘59-4 Venus
‘59-4 Lonely Boy
‘59-3 Personality

[OrioleFan]

ROUND 2 PAIRS/BRACKETS (rank/year/title/act)

1 1950 “Goodnight Irene” Gordon Jenkins & The Weavers
4 1950 “Sam’s Song” Gary & Bing Crosby
2 1950 “Mona Lisa” Nat King Cole
2 1951 “Because of You” Tony Bennett
1 1951 “Too Young” Nat King Cole
3 1951 “How High the Moon” Les Paul & Mary Ford
5 1952 “Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart” Vera Lynn
4 1952 “You Belong to Me” Jo Stafford
6 1952 “Half as Much” Rosemary Clooney
3 1953 “(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?” Patti Page
2 1953 “Vaya con Dios” Les Paul & Mary Ford
5 1954 “Make Love to Me” Jo Stafford
1 1953 “The Song from Moulin Rouge” Percy Faith
3 1954 “Hey There” Rosemary Clooney
1 1954 “Little Things Mean a Lot” Kitty Kallen
2 1955 “Rock Around the Clock” Bill Haley & His Comets
7 1955 “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” The Four Aces
5 1955 “Unchained Melody” Les Baxter
4 1956 “My Prayer” The Platters
2 1956 “Don’t Be Cruel” Elvis Presley
1 1956 “Heartbreak Hotel” Elvis Presley
3 1956 “Lisbon Antigua” Nelson Riddle
2 1957 “Love Letters in the Sand” Pat Boone
7 1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell
3 1957 “Little Darlin’” The Diamonds
7 1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como
2 1958 “All I Have to Do Is Dream” / “Claudette” The Everly Brothers
4 1958 “Witch Doctor” David Seville
6 1959 “Dream Lover” Bobby Darin
4 1959 “Venus” Frankie Avalon
2 1959 “Mack the Knife” Bobby Darin
3 1959 “Personality” Lloyd Price

[WXRGina]

Thanks, Reb!

6 1950 “Music, Music, Music” Teresa Brewer

4 1950 “Sam’s Song” Gary & Bing Crosby

2 1950 “Mona Lisa” Nat King Cole

2 1951 “Because of You” Tony Bennett

1 1951 “Too Young” Nat King Cole

3 1951 “How High the Moon” Les Paul & Mary Ford

2 1952 “Wheel of Fortune” Kay Starr

4 1952 “You Belong to Me” Jo Stafford

6 1952 “Half as Much” Rosemary Clooney

4 1953 “I’m Walking Behind You” Eddie Fisher

2 1953 “Vaya con Dios” Les Paul & Mary Ford

2 1954 “Wanted” Perry Como

1 1953 “The Song from Moulin Rouge” Percy Faith

4 1954 “Sh-Boom” The Crew-Cuts

1 1954 “Little Things Mean a Lot” Kitty Kallen

2 1955 “Rock Around the Clock” Bill Haley & His Comets

1 1955 “Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White” Perez Prado

5 1955 “Unchained Melody” Les Baxter

4 1956 “My Prayer” The Platters

6 1956 “The Poor People of Paris” Les Baxter

1 1956 “Heartbreak Hotel” Elvis Presley

3 1956 “Lisbon Antigua” Nelson Riddle

2 1957 “Love Letters in the Sand” Pat Boone

7 1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell

5 1957 “So Rare” Jimmy Dorsey

7 1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como

2 1958 “All I Have to Do Is Dream” / “Claudette” The Everly Brothers

4 1957 “Young Love” Tab Hunter

6 1959 “Dream Lover” Bobby Darin

4 1959 “Venus” Frankie Avalon

2 1959 “Mack the Knife” Bobby Darin

3 1959 “Personality” Lloyd Price

[Fast Moving Angel]

1 1950 “Goodnight Irene” Gordon Jenkins & The Weavers

3 1950 “Third Man Theme” Anton

2 1950 “Mona Lisa” Nat King Cole

2 1951 “Because of You” Tony Bennett

6 1951 “On Top of Old Smoky” The Weavers

3 1951 “How High the Moon” Les Paul & Mary Ford

2 1952 “Wheel of Fortune” Kay Starr

4 1952 “You Belong to Me” Jo Stafford

1 1952 “Blue Tango” Leroy Anderson

3 1953 “(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?” Patti Page

2 1953 “Vaya con Dios” Les Paul & Mary Ford

2 1954 “Wanted” Perry Como

6 1953 “Till I Waltz Again with You” Teresa Brewer

4 1954 “Sh-Boom” The Crew-Cuts

1 1954 “Little Things Mean a Lot” Kitty

6 1955 “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” Bill Hayes

1 1955 “Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White” Perez Prado

5 1955 “Unchained Melody” Les Baxter

4 1955 “Autumn Leaves” Roger Williams

2 1956 “Don’t Be Cruel” Elvis Presley

1 1956 “Heartbreak Hotel” Elvis Presley

5 1956 “The Wayward Wind” Gogi Grant

6 1957 “Don’t Forbid Me” Pat Boone

7 1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell

3 1957 “Little Darlin’” The Diamonds

7 1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como

2 1958 “All I Have to Do Is Dream” / “Claudette” The Everly Brothers

4 1958 “Witch Doctor” David Seville

1 1959 “The Battle of New Orleans” Johnny Horton

4 1959 “Venus” Frankie Avalon

2 1959 “Mack the Knife” Bobby Darin

3 1959 “Personality” Lloyd Price

[the OlLine Rebel]

Hard to believe. Buddy only appeared once in ‘58 at #50 for “Peggy Sue”. But then, the charts weren’t solidified and only went to 50 (and 30 a bit earlier).

[Nifster]

Goodnight Irene
Third Man Theme
Mona Lisa
Be My Love
Too Young
Come on-a My House
Wheel of fortune
You belong to me
Half as much
Doggie in the window
Vaya con Dios
Make Love To Me
Till I waltz again with you
Hey There
Oh my PaPa
Rock around the clock
Love is a many slpendored thing
Yellow rose of Texas
My Prayer
Don’t be cruel
Heartbreak hotel
Wayward wind
Love letters in the sand
All shook up
Little darlin
Catch a falling star
All I have to do is dream
Young love
Battle of New Orleans
Venus
Mack the Knife
Personality

[Bethaneidh]

So many hard choices, way better than the last set.

[Bethaneidh]

I generally favored the more complex and engaging tunes, and rejected dopey ones when possible.

1 1950 “Goodnight Irene” Gordon Jenkins & The Weavers

A tragic song. He fell for a lass maybe 1/3 his age. Her family disapproved, as did most of the town, so he had to go into hiding. Still, I wonder what happened to Irene.

3 1950 “Third Man Theme” Anton Karas

5 1950 “Simple Melody” Gary & Bing Crosby

5 1951 “Be My Love” Mario Lanza

1 1951 “Too Young” Nat King Cole

3 1951 “How High the Moon” Les Paul & Mary Ford

5 1952 “Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart” Vera Lynn

3 1952 “Cry” Johnnie Ray & The Four Lads

1 1952 “Blue Tango” Leroy Anderson

4 1953 “I’m Walking Behind You” Eddie Fisher

2 1953 “Vaya con Dios” Les Paul & Mary Ford

2 1954 “Wanted” Perry Como

1 1953 “The Song from Moulin Rouge” Percy Faith

3 1954 “Hey There” Rosemary Clooney

6 1954 “Oh! My Pa-Pa” Eddie Fisher

6 1955 “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” Bill Hayes

7 1955 “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” The Four Aces

5 1955 “Unchained Melody” Les Baxter

4 1955 “Autumn Leaves” Roger Williams

6 1956 “The Poor People of Paris” Les Baxter

1 1956 “Heartbreak Hotel” Elvis Presley

5 1956 “The Wayward Wind” Gogi Grant

2 1957 “Love Letters in the Sand” Pat Boone

7 1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell

5 1957 “So Rare” Jimmy Dorsey

7 1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como

6 1958 “Sail Along, Silv’ry Moon” / “Raunchy” Billy Vaughn

4 1958 “Witch Doctor” David Seville

1 1959 “The Battle of New Orleans” Johnny Horton

5 1958 “Patricia” Perez Prado

2 1959 “Mack the Knife” Bobby Darin

3 1958 “Don’t” / “I Beg of You” Elvis Presley

[mschalock]

ROUND 2 PAIRS/BRACKETS (rank/year/title/act)
1 1950 “Goodnight Irene” Gordon Jenkins & The Weavers
3 1950 “Third Man Theme” Anton Karas
2 1950 “Mona Lisa” Nat King Cole
2 1951 “Because of You” Tony Bennett
1 1951 “Too Young” Nat King Cole
4 1951 “Come on-a My House” Rosemary Clooney
2 1952 “Wheel of Fortune” Kay Starr
3 1952 “Cry” Johnnie Ray & The Four Lads
1 1952 “Blue Tango” Leroy Anderson
3 1953 “(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?” Patti Page
2 1953 “Vaya con Dios” Les Paul & Mary Ford
5 1954 “Make Love to Me” Jo Stafford
1 1953 “The Song from Moulin Rouge” Percy Faith
4 1954 “Sh-Boom” The Crew-Cuts
1 1954 “Little Things Mean a Lot” Kitty Kallen
2 1955 “Rock Around the Clock” Bill Haley & His Comets
1 1955 “Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White” Perez Prado
5 1955 “Unchained Melody” Les Baxter
4 1956 “My Prayer” The Platters
2 1956 “Don’t Be Cruel” Elvis Presley
1 1956 “Heartbreak Hotel” Elvis Presley
5 1956 “The Wayward Wind” Gogi Grant
2 1957 “Love Letters in the Sand” Pat Boone
1 1957 “All Shook Up” Elvis Presley
3 1957 “Little Darlin’” The Diamonds
7 1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como
2 1958 “All I Have to Do Is Dream” / “Claudette” The Everly Brothers
4 1958 “Witch Doctor” David Seville
6 1959 “Dream Lover” Bobby Darin
4 1959 “Venus” Frankie Avalon
2 1959 “Mack the Knife” Bobby Darin
3 1959 “Personality” Lloyd Price

[GOPsterinMA]

Please remove me from this list. Thanks.

[buckalfa]

Round 2 Picks

6 1950 “Music, Music, Music” Teresa Brewer

3 1950 “Third Man Theme” Anton Karas

2 1950 “Mona Lisa” Nat King Cole

2 1951 “Because of You” Tony Bennett

1 1951 “Too Young” Nat King Cole

4 1951 “Come on-a My House” Rosemary Clooney

2 1952 “Wheel of Fortune” Kay Starr

3 1952 “Cry” Johnnie Ray & The Four Lads

6 1952 “Half as Much” Rosemary Clooney

3 1953 “(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?”Patti Page

5 1953 “You, You, You” Ames Brothers

2 1954 “Wanted” Perry Como

1 1953 “The Song from Moulin Rouge” Percy Faith

4 1954 “Sh-Boom” The Crew-Cuts

6 1954 “Oh! My Pa-Pa” Eddie Fisher

2 1955 “Rock Around the Clock” Bill Haley & His Comets

7 1955 “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” The Four Aces

3 1955 “The Yellow Rose of Texas” Mitch Miller

4 1956 “My Prayer” The Platters

2 1956 “Don’t Be Cruel” Elvis Presley

7 1956 “Que Sera Sera” Doris Day

5 1956 “The Wayward Wind” Gogi Grant

2 1957 “Love Letters in the Sand” Pat Boone

7 1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell

3 1957 “Little Darlin’” The Diamonds

7 1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como

2 1958 “All I Have to Do Is Dream” / “Claudette” The Everly Brothers

4 1957 “Young Love” Tab Hunter

6 1959 “Dream Lover” Bobby Darin

4 1959 “Venus” Frankie Avalon

2 1959 “Mack the Knife” Bobby Darin

3 1959 “Personality” Lloyd Price

[Tanniker Smith]

Stab in the dark, mostly:

6 1950 “Music, Music, Music” Teresa Brewer

4 1950 “Sam’s Song” Gary & Bing Crosby

2 1950 “Mona Lisa” Nat King Cole

2 1951 “Because of You” Tony Bennett

6 1951 “On Top of Old Smoky” The Weavers

4 1951 “Come on-a My House” Rosemary Clooney

2 1952 “Wheel of Fortune” Kay Starr

4 1952 “You Belong to Me” Jo Stafford

1 1952 “Blue Tango” Leroy Anderson

4 1953 “I’m Walking Behind You” Eddie Fisher

5 1953 “You, You, You” Ames Brothers

2 1954 “Wanted” Perry Como

1 1953 “The Song from Moulin Rouge” Percy Faith

3 1954 “Hey There” Rosemary Clooney

6 1954 “Oh! My Pa-Pa” Eddie Fisher

6 1955 “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” Bill Hayes — Seriously? of all the pairs to put together!!!

1 1955 “Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White” Perez Prado

3 1955 “The Yellow Rose of Texas” Mitch Miller

4 1956 “My Prayer” The Platters

2 1956 “Don’t Be Cruel” Elvis Presley

1 1956 “Heartbreak Hotel” Elvis Presley

5 1956 “The Wayward Wind” Gogi Grant

2 1957 “Love Letters in the Sand” Pat Boone

1 1957 “All Shook Up” Elvis Presley

3 1957 “Little Darlin’” The Diamonds

7 1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como

2 1958 “All I Have to Do Is Dream” / “Claudette” The Everly Brothers

4 1958 “Witch Doctor” David Seville

6 1959 “Dream Lover” Bobby Darin

4 1959 “Venus” Frankie Avalon

2 1959 “Mack the Knife” Bobby Darin

3 1958 “Don’t” / “I Beg of You” Elvis Presley

[Fiji Hill]

“Goodnight Irene” Gordon Jenkins & The Weavers

A tragic song. He fell for a lass maybe 1/3 his age. Her family disapproved, as did most of the town, so he had to go into hiding. Still, I wonder what happened to Irene.

Huddie (pronounced "Hugh-dee") Leadbetter, who wrote the song, says that Irene is 18. He sings, "I'll get you in my dreams" instead of "I'll see you in my dreams" as sung by the Weavers, Leadbetter's CPUSA comrades. In either case, poor Irene is in a dysfunctional relationship.

[certrtwngnut]

6 1950 music-music-music teresa brewer
3 1950 third man theme anton karas
2 1950 mona lisa nat king cole
5 1951 be my love mario lanza
1 1951 too young nat king cole
3 1951 how high the moon les paul/mary ford
2 1952 wheel of fortune kay starr
3 1952 cry johnnie ray
6 1952 half as much rosemary clooney
4 1953 i’m walking behind you eddie fisher
5 1953 you,you,you the ames brothers
2 1954 wanted perry como
6 1953 till i waltz again with you teresa brewer
4 1954 sh-boom the crew cuts
6 1954 oh my papa eddie fisher
2 1955 rock around the clock bill haley and the comets
1 1955 cherry pink and apple blossom white perez prado
6 1955 unchained melody les baxter
4 1956 my prayer the platters
2 1956 don’t be cruel elvis presley

[certrtwngnut]

In my last post 6 in 1955 should read 5. Sorry for the error.
1 1956 heartbreak hotel elvis presley
3 1956 lisbon antigua nelson riddle
2 1957 love letters in the sand pat boone
1 1957 all shook up elvis presley
3 1957 little darlin the diamonds
1 1958 volare domenico modugno
2 1958 all i have to do is dream the everly brothers
4 1957 young love tab hunter
6 1959 dream lover bobby darin
4 1959 venus frankie avalon
2 1959 mack the knife bobby darin
3 1959 personality lloyd price
Thank You

[the OlLine Rebel]

It’s also basically a depressing song. Lovely melody, but “jump in the river and drown” is a bit much.

[Fiji Hill]

It’s also basically a depressing song. Lovely melody, but “jump in the river and drown” is a bit much.

Fats Domino's suicide song Going to the River (1953) is on a similar theme--and it might have been inspired by "Irene."

[truthluva]

Here are my picks for round 2:

6 1950 “Music, Music, Music” Teresa Brewer
4 1950 “Sam’s Song” Gary & Bing Crosby
2 1950 “Mona Lisa” Nat King Cole
2 1951 “Because of You” Tony Bennett
6 1951 “On Top of Old Smoky” The Weavers
4 1951 “Come on-a My House” Rosemary Clooney
5 1952 “Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart” Vera Lynn
4 1952 “You Belong to Me” Jo Stafford
6 1952 “Half as Much” Rosemary Clooney
3 1953 “(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?” Patti Page
5 1953 “You, You, You” Ames Brothers
2 1954 “Wanted” Perry Como
1 1953 “The Song from Moulin Rouge” Percy Faith
4 1954 “Sh-Boom” The Crew-Cuts
6 1954 “Oh! My Pa-Pa” Eddie Fisher
2 1955 “Rock Around the Clock” Bill Haley & His Comets
7 1955 “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” The Four Aces
3 1955 “The Yellow Rose of Texas” Mitch Miller
4 1956 “My Prayer” The Platters
2 1956 “Don’t Be Cruel” Elvis Presley
1 1956 “Heartbreak Hotel” Elvis Presley
5 1956 “The Wayward Wind” Gogi Grant
2 1957 “Love Letters in the Sand” Pat Boone
1 1957 “All Shook Up” Elvis Presley
3 1957 “Little Darlin’” The Diamonds
7 1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como
2 1958 “All I Have to Do Is Dream” / “Claudette” The Everly Brothers
4 1957 “Young Love” Tab Hunter
1 1959 “The Battle of New Orleans” Johnny Horton
4 1959 “Venus” Frankie Avalon
2 1959 “Mack the Knife” Bobby Darin
3 1958 “Don’t” / “I Beg of You” Elvis Presley

[rocksblues]

Here is my list. Was a real job!

6 1950 “Music, Music, Music” Teresa Brewer
3 1950 “Third Man Theme” Anton Karas
2 1950 “Mona Lisa” Nat King Cole
5 1951 “Be My Love” Mario Lanza
1 1951 “Too Young” Nat King Cole
4 1951 “Come on-a My House” Rosemary Clooney
2 1952 “Wheel of Fortune” Kay Starr
4 1952 “You Belong to Me” Jo Stafford
1 1952 “Blue Tango” Leroy Anderson
3 1953 “(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?” Patti Page
2 1953 “Vaya con Dios” Les Paul & Mary Ford
5 1954 “Make Love to Me” Jo Stafford
1 1953 “The Song from Moulin Rouge” Percy Faith
4 1954 “Sh-Boom” The Crew-Cuts
6 1954 “Oh! My Pa-Pa” Eddie Fisher
2 1955 “Rock Around the Clock” Bill Haley & His Comets
1 1955 “Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White” Perez Prado
3 1955 “The Yellow Rose of Texas” Mitch Miller
4 1956 “My Prayer” The Platters
2 1956 “Don’t Be Cruel” Elvis Presley
1 1956 “Heartbreak Hotel” Elvis Presley
5 1956 “The Wayward Wind” Gogi Grant
2 1957 “Love Letters in the Sand” Pat Boone
7 1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell
3 1957 “Little Darlin’” The Diamonds
7 1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como
2 1958 “All I Have to Do Is Dream” / “Claudette” The Everly Brothers
4 1957 “Young Love” Tab Hunter
1 1959 “The Battle of New Orleans” Johnny Horton
4 1959 “Venus” Frankie Avalon
2 1959 “Mack the Knife” Bobby Darin
3 1959 “Personality” Lloyd Price

[Don W]

Music Music Music Teresa Brewer

Third Man Theme Anton Karas

Mona Lisa Nat King Cole

Be My Love Mario Lanza

On Top of Old Smoky The Weavers

Come on-a My House Rosemary Clooney

Auf Weidersehen Sweetheart Vera Lynn

You Belong to Me Jo Stafford

Blue Tango Leroy Anderson

I’m Walking Behind You Eddie Fisher

Wanted Perry Como

Vaya Con Dios Les Paul and Mary Ford

The Song From Moulin Rouge Percy Faith

Sh-Boom The Crew-Cuts

“Oh! My Pa-Pa” Eddie Fisher

“The Ballad of Davy Crockett” Bill Hayes

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

“The Yellow Rose of Texas” Mitch Miller

“Autumn Leaves” Roger Williams

“The Poor People of Paris” Les Baxter

“Que Sera Sera” Doris Day

“The Wayward Wind” Gogi Grant

“Love Letters in the Sand” Pat Boone

“All Shook Up” Elvis Presley

“So Rare” Jimmy Dorsey

“Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu)” Domenico Modugno

“All I Have to Do Is Dream” / “Claudette” The Everly Brothers

“Witch Doctor” David Seville

“Dream Lover” Bobby Darin

“Patricia” Perez Prado

“Mack the Knife” Bobby Darin

“Personality” Lloyd Price

There were actually a couple I had not heard before, but after a serious youtube, spotify and various other sites search, I was able to actually form a preference. I love this, it gets me out of the symphonic metal/Neue Deutsche Haerte (sorry no umlaut on this keyboard)/hard rock groove I have been in for the last couple of years