(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

[the OlLine Rebel]

Hi Don - please note I linked my YouTube “playlist” of EVERY song on this list! Stupid FR doesn’t seem to automatically create links in the OP (so there, you’d have to copy the link), but it did create a link in the later reply posting with the list of songs.

[the OlLine Rebel]

Hello Phil - did you forget to put in a choice for “Hey There/Sh-Boom”?

[the OlLine Rebel]

Hi chuck - seems you stopped after “Vaya con Dios” (ha ha) - did you mean to only choose up to that point? Not vote on all those other pairs?

[upchuck]

Sorry. Here’s the rest, I hope.

—>2 1954 “Wanted” Perry Como
5 1954 “Make Love to Me” Jo Stafford

—>1 1953 “The Song from Moulin Rouge” Percy Faith
6 1953 “Till I Waltz Again with You” Teresa Brewer

3 1954 “Hey There” Rosemary Clooney
—>4 1954 “Sh-Boom” The Crew-Cuts

—>1 1954 “Little Things Mean a Lot” Kitty Kallen
6 1954 “Oh! My Pa-Pa” Eddie Fisher

—>2 1955 “Rock Around the Clock” Bill Haley & His Comets
6 1955 “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” Bill Hayes

1 1955 “Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White” Perez Prado
—>7 1955 “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” The Four Aces

3 1955 “The Yellow Rose of Texas” Mitch Miller
—>5 1955 “Unchained Melody” Les Baxter

—>4 1955 “Autumn Leaves” Roger Williams
4 1956 “My Prayer” The Platters

—>2 1956 “Don’t Be Cruel” Elvis Presley
6 1956 “The Poor People of Paris” Les Baxter

—>1 1956 “Heartbreak Hotel” Elvis Presley
7 1956 “Que Sera Sera” Doris Day

—>3 1956 “Lisbon Antigua” Nelson Riddle
5 1956 “The Wayward Wind” Gogi Grant

—>2 1957 “Love Letters in the Sand” Pat Boone
6 1957 “Don’t Forbid Me” Pat Boone

1 1957 “All Shook Up” Elvis Presley
—>7 1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell

3 1957 “Little Darlin’” The Diamonds
—>5 1957 “So Rare” Jimmy Dorsey

1 1958 “Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu)” Domenico Modugno
—>7 1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como

2 1958 “All I Have to Do Is Dream” / “Claudette” The Everly Brothers
—>6 1958 “Sail Along, Silv’ry Moon” / “Raunchy” Billy Vaughn

—>4 1957 “Young Love” Tab Hunter
4 1958 “Witch Doctor” David Seville

—>1 1959 “The Battle of New Orleans” Johnny Horton
6 1959 “Dream Lover” Bobby Darin

—>5 1958 “Patricia” Perez Prado
4 1959 “Venus” Frankie Avalon

—>2 1959 “Mack the Knife” Bobby Darin
5 1959 “Lonely Boy” Paul Anka

3 1958 “Don’t” / “I Beg of You” Elvis Presley
—>3 1959 “Personality” Lloyd Price

[workerbee]

1 1950 “Goodnight Irene” Gordon Jenkins & The Weavers

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

5 1952 “Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart” Vera Lynn

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

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 1955 “Autumn Leaves” Roger Williams

6 1956 “The Poor People of Paris” Les Baxter

1 1956 “Heartbreak Hotel” Elvis Presley

3 1956 “Lisbon Antigua” Nelson Riddle

6 1957 “Don’t Forbid Me” Pat Boone

1 1957 “All Shook Up” Elvis Presley

5 1957 “So Rare” Jimmy Dorsey

1 1958 “Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu)” Domenico Modugno

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

[the OlLine Rebel]

Thank you!

[CAluvdubya]

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

5 1953 “You, You, You” Ames Brothers

5 1954 “Make Love to Me” Jo Stafford

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

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 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

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 (Nel blu dipinto di blu)” Domenico Modugno

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

[Bethaneidh]

He may have lied to stay alive. Still, all parties are deceased by now. But it’s amazing how many think it’s a “sweet love song”.

[Family Guy]

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

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

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 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

7 1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell

5 1957 “So Rare” Jimmy Dorsey

1 1958 “Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu)” Domenico Modugno

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

I have to say I’m disappointed that The Three Bells didn’t make it to this list.

[fieldmarshaldj]

Next time, you probably should break down the number of songs. Took nearly 4 hours to listen to them all individually to judge them. (note like before, I gave them star ratings as well to help me judge)

---

——>1 1950 “Goodnight Irene” Gordon Jenkins & The Weavers (***)
6 1950 “Music, Music, Music” Teresa Brewer (**1/2)

——>3 1950 “Third Man Theme” Anton Karas (***)
4 1950 “Sam’s Song” Gary & Bing Crosby (**1/2)

——>2 1950 “Mona Lisa” Nat King Cole (****)
5 1950 “Simple Melody” Gary & Bing Crosby (**)

2 1951 “Because of You” Tony Bennett (***1/4)
——>5 1951 “Be My Love” Mario Lanza (***1/2)

——>1 1951 “Too Young” Nat King Cole (****)
6 1951 “On Top of Old Smoky” The Weavers (**)

——>3 1951 “How High the Moon” Les Paul & Mary Ford (***1/4) (the Pat Suzuki version is sublime, though)
4 1951 “Come on-a My House” Rosemary Clooney (**1/2)

——>2 1952 “Wheel of Fortune” Kay Starr (***1/2)
5 1952 “Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart” Vera Lynn (***)

3 1952 “Cry” Johnnie Ray & The Four Lads (***)
——>4 1952 “You Belong to Me” Jo Stafford (***1/2)

——>1 1952 “Blue Tango” Leroy Anderson (***1/2)
6 1952 “Half as Much” Rosemary Clooney (***)

3 1953 “(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?” Patti Page (**1/2) (great voice, but hate the song)
——>4 1953 “I’m Walking Behind You” Eddie Fisher (***)

——>2 1953 “Vaya con Dios” Les Paul & Mary Ford (***1/4)
5 1953 “You, You, You” Ames Brothers (***)

——>2 1954 “Wanted” Perry Como (***)
5 1954 “Make Love to Me” Jo Stafford (**3/4)

——>1 1953 “The Song from Moulin Rouge” Percy Faith (***1/2)
6 1953 “Till I Waltz Again with You” Teresa Brewer (***)

——>3 1954 “Hey There” Rosemary Clooney (***1/4)
4 1954 “Sh-Boom” The Crew-Cuts (***1/4)

——>1 1954 “Little Things Mean a Lot” Kitty Kallen (***1/4)
6 1954 “Oh! My Pa-Pa” Eddie Fisher (***1/4)

——>2 1955 “Rock Around the Clock” Bill Haley & His Comets (****)
6 1955 “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” Bill Hayes (**)

——>1 1955 “Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White” Perez Prado (****)
7 1955 “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” The Four Aces (***1/2)

3 1955 “The Yellow Rose of Texas” Mitch Miller (***1/2)
——>5 1955 “Unchained Melody” Les Baxter (***3/4)

4 1955 “Autumn Leaves” Roger Williams (***1/4)
——>4 1956 “My Prayer” The Platters (***1/2)

——>2 1956 “Don’t Be Cruel” Elvis Presley (***1/2)
6 1956 “The Poor People of Paris” Les Baxter (***1/2)

——>1 1956 “Heartbreak Hotel” Elvis Presley (****)
7 1956 “Que Sera Sera” Doris Day (***)

3 1956 “Lisbon Antigua” Nelson Riddle (***1/4)
——>5 1956 “The Wayward Wind” Gogi Grant (***1/4)

——>2 1957 “Love Letters in the Sand” Pat Boone (***)
6 1957 “Don’t Forbid Me” Pat Boone (**)

——>1 1957 “All Shook Up” Elvis Presley (***1/2)
7 1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell (***)

——>3 1957 “Little Darlin’” The Diamonds (***1/4)
5 1957 “So Rare” Jimmy Dorsey (***1/4)

——>1 1958 “Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu)” Domenico Modugno (***1/2)
7 1958 “Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” Perry Como (***1/2)

——>2 1958 “All I Have to Do Is Dream” (****)/ “Claudette” The Everly Brothers (***)
6 1958 “Sail Along, Silv’ry Moon” (***1/2) / “Raunchy” (***) Billy Vaughn

4 1957 “Young Love” Tab Hunter (***)
——>4 1958 “Witch Doctor” David Seville (***)

1 1959 “The Battle of New Orleans” Johnny Horton (***)
——>6 1959 “Dream Lover” Bobby Darin (***1/2)

——>5 1958 “Patricia” Perez Prado (****)
4 1959 “Venus” Frankie Avalon (***1/2)

——>2 1959 “Mack the Knife” Bobby Darin (****)
5 1959 “Lonely Boy” Paul Anka (***)

3 1958 “Don’t” (***)/ “I Beg of You” (***) Elvis Presley
——>3 1959 “Personality” Lloyd Price (***1/2)

[ConservativeStatement]

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

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

6 1951 “On Top of Old Smoky” The Weavers

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

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

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

1 1958 “Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu)” Domenico Modugno

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

[the OlLine Rebel]

I appreciate the input. I wouldn’t mind breaking it up, but OTOH I don’t know how people will react to a survey that’s even longer. Of course I’d like to know because I’m planning a change to the set-up which would require a very long duration.

[Dr. Sivana]

I regret that you made me choose between “How High the Moon” and “Come On Over to My House”. I am sorry that “This Ol’ House” didn’t make this round.

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

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

5 1952 “Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart” Vera Lynn

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

3 1954 “Hey There” Rosemary Clooney

6 1954 “Oh! My Pa-Pa” Eddie Fisher

6 1955 “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” Bill Hayes

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

3 1955 “The Yellow Rose of Texas” Mitch Miller

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

2 1957 “Love Letters in the Sand” Pat Boone

7 1957 “Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell

3 1957 “Little Darlin’” The Diamonds

1 1958 “Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu)” Domenico Modugno

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

[the OlLine Rebel]

:-)

Sorry! How about Pat Boone fighting himself?

This Ol’House - #12 on the year. Not quite cutting it!

[Dr. Sivana]

When I saw “Unchained Melody” on the list, I had a Righteous Brothers flashback ... Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!

[fieldmarshaldj]

Yeah, it’s just the amount of time required to fairly judge these by giving them a listen can be prohibitive. We don’t want it to be down to a dozen or two die-hard folks here participating. :-P

[the OlLine Rebel]

Hence why it’s good to have a week for posting picks!

[the OlLine Rebel]

Please note, I’m having to go tend to my mother of course for Mother’s Day, never mind I’m a mom too. So once again, posting winners will be delayed as well as starting a new round.

Also note, it looks like we MAY HAVE TO HAVE A RUN-OFF as a couple are looking tied!

Here are my picks:

“Music, Music, Music”
“Sam’s Song”
“Mona Lisa”
“Be My Love”
“Too Young”
“Come on-a My House”
“Wheel of Fortune”
“You Belong to Me”
“Blue Tango”
“(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?”
“You, You, You” (FOR MY MOM - 1 OF HER FAVORITES EVER)
“Wanted”
“The Song from Moulin Rouge”
“Hey There”
“Oh! My Pa-Pa” (FOR MY DAD, ON HIS PASSING AT THANKSGIVING; AND MY MOM WHO LOVED IT FOR HER DAD)
“Rock Around the Clock”
“Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” (Wow a hard choice)
“The Yellow Rose of Texas”
“My Prayer”
“Don’t Be Cruel”
“Que Sera Sera”
“The Wayward Wind”
“Love Letters in the Sand”
“All Shook Up”
Little Darlin’”
“Catch a Falling Star” / “Magic Moments” (Pretty tough, esp as a coupling)
“All I Have to Do Is Dream” / “Claudette” (will be tough since coupled with a nothing song!)
“Young Love”
“Dream Lover”
“Venus”
“Lonely Boy”
“Personality”

[the OlLine Rebel]

TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS 1950S PING LIST
(This is a temporary ping list....so don’t worry!)

ROUND 2 - MOSTLY OVER

(!!!!RUN-OFF NEEDED!!!!)

Results for Round 2 so far, minus the run-offs:

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

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
1 1953 “The Song from Moulin Rouge” Percy Faith
4 1954 “Sh-Boom” The Crew-Cuts

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
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
1 1958 “Volare (Nel blu dipinto di blu)” Domenico Modugno
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

[the OlLine Rebel]

TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS 1950S PING LIST
(This is a temporary ping list... so don’t worry!)

******RUN-OFF on ROUND 2*****

Results of most contests posted in #59 (http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/3841441/posts?page=59#59)

We had several close calls, and still ended up with 2 ties. So there is a run-off. All are welcome to vote, even if you already did Round 2. Heck, you might change your mind!

Please vote for one song or the other of these 2 pairs; due MONDAY, May 11 @ 7:00pm Eastern:

2 1952 “Wheel of Fortune” Kay Starr
5 1952 “Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart” Vera Lynn

AND

1 1954 “Little Things Mean a Lot” Kitty Kallen
6 1954 “Oh! My Pa-Pa” Eddie Fisher