[the OlLine Rebel]

There will be 32 pairs from the '50s to compare, each one labeled with year and year-end chart position. 32 songs will emerge as the winners of this round. Any ties will have a run-off.

The vote is simply: which of each pair is better? No answer, no vote.

Please vote on as many pairs as possible - no onesies ("I don't like any others in this entire list"), please!

See pairs in my next reply post. My YouTube playlist is https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Lnx_IGaigZqdKm6kRRVXQJGWmstw_4T

[the OlLine Rebel]

TOURNAMENT OF CHART-TOPPERS 1950S PING LIST

(This is a temporary ping list, so don’t worry it won’t last forever!)

Here are the pairs. Please see start of thread for Round 2 rules!

My YouTube covers ALL these songs but is really in order of year/rank, not paired up as these below.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6Lnx_IGaigZqdKm6kRRVXQJGWmstw_4T

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

1 1950 “Goodnight Irene” Gordon Jenkins & The Weavers
6 1950 “Music, Music, Music” Teresa Brewer

3 1950 “Third Man Theme” Anton Karas
4 1950 “Sam’s Song” Gary & Bing Crosby

2 1950 “Mona Lisa” Nat King Cole
5 1950 “Simple Melody” Gary & Bing Crosby

2 1951 “Because of You” Tony Bennett
5 1951 “Be My Love” Mario Lanza

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

2 1952 “Wheel of Fortune” Kay Starr
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 1952 “Blue Tango” Leroy Anderson
6 1952 “Half as Much” Rosemary Clooney

3 1953 “(How Much Is) That Doggie in the Window?” Patti Page
4 1953 “I’m Walking Behind You” Eddie Fisher

2 1953 “Vaya con Dios” Les Paul & Mary Ford
5 1953 “You, You, You” Ames Brothers

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

[John Milner]

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

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

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 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 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

[Fiji Hill]

“Music, Music, Music” Teresa Brewer
“Sam’s Song” Gary & Bing Crosby
“Mona Lisa” Nat King Cole
“Because of You” Tony Bennett
“Too Young” Nat King Cole
“How High the Moon” Les Paul & Mary Ford
“Auf Wiedersehn” Vera Lynn
“You Belong to Me” Jo Stafford
“Blue Tango” Leroy Anderson
“The Doggie in the Window?” Patti Page
“You, You, You” Ames Brothers
“Make Love to Me” Jo Stafford
“The Song from Moulin Rouge” Percy Faith
“Hey There” Rosemary Clooney
“Little Things Mean a Lot” Kitty Kallen
“Rock Around the Clock” Bill Haley & His Comets
“Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” The Four Aces
“Unchained Melody” Les Baxter
“My Prayer” The Platters
“The Poor People of Paris” Les Baxter
“Heartbreak Hotel” Elvis Presley
“Lisbon Antigua” Nelson Riddle
“Don’t Forbid Me” Pat Boone
“Singing the Blues” Guy Mitchell
“So Rare” Jimmy Dorsey
“Nel blu dipinto di blu” Domenico Modugno
“Sail Along, Silv’ry Moon” / “Raunchy” Billy Vaughn
“Witch Doctor” David Seville
“Dream Lover” Bobby Darin
“Patricia” Perez Prado
“Lonely Boy” Paul Anka
“Personality” Lloyd Price

[jocon307]

Here are my choices:

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

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

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

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 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

[pookie18]

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
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
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 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
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
5 1959 “Lonely Boy” Paul Anka
3 1959 “Personality” Lloyd Price

[Phil DiBasquette]

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

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

5 1954 “Make Love to Me” Jo Stafford

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

3 1954 “Hey There” Rosemary Clooney

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

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

[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

[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

[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

[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

[the OlLine Rebel]

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

RUN-OFFS FROM ROUND 2 RESULTS:

"Wheel of Fortune" beats "Auf Wiederseh'n"

and

"Oh! My Pa-Pa" beats "Little Things Mean A Lot"

Thanks to all who helped break the ties!

Round 3 posted separately next.

Interesting tidbits on the survey:

-MOST VOTES - "Mona Lisa”
-FEWEST VOTES - “(Play a) Simple Melody" - its opponent! Simple Melody - just 1 vote!
-Otherwise, all songs got votes
-several pairs were constantly neck&neck to the wire, including of course the run-off pairs (glad we only had 2!)