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In the pre-rock and roll era, often called the Pop
Standards era, or the 'Great American Songbook', there
was an emphasis on the songwriters and the individual
songs themselves.
For that reason we can't give these songs or even artists
a ranking - often the same songs were made hits by multiple
people in the same year - Oh, My Papa, for example,
was a top 20 hit for 3 artists - Eddie Fisher, Eddie
Calvert and Ray Anthony in 1954. We have included Signature
Songs - the songs that are probably best known by
the indiviual singers, when appropriate.
In keeping the Pop Culture Madness standard of highlighting
songs and performances that have outlasted others of
their era, here are the most known songs of 1954.
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Spaniels
Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight
-Signature Song
Lead singer James "Pookie" Hudson was also the
group leader, and this is probably the longest-lasting
Doo-Wop/R&B /Pop crossover hit. A 'white' version
by the Maguire Sisters charted higher at the time, but
the Spaniels version is still the number one 'goodnight'
song of all time. |
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Bill Haley and his Comets
Shake Rattle and Roll
This is considered the first 'top ten' rock and roll hit,
and was released a few months after the moderately successful
Rock Around The Clock, which did signifiacntly better
when re-released in 1955. |
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Mr Sandman
The Chordettes
-Signature Song
An up-beat, vocally unique song that was a perfect 'getting
in the mood' oldies show classic came back huge in 2012's
Kia Optima Superbowl commercial, with just a touch of
Motley Crew tossed in. |
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The Crew-Cuts
Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream)
-Signature Song
Considered by many to be the first 'rock' song, this Canadian
Quartet was backed by Dave Carroll's Orchestra. Dave and
the boys also occasionally backed Vic Damome and Rusty
Draper. |
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Rosemary Clooney
Mambo Italiano
Although not one of Rosemary's biggest hits, it is her
longest lasting, according to the PCM request line. |
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Al Alberts & Four Aces
Three Coins In The Fountain
Frank Sinatra peaked at number four with 3 Coins, but
Al and Company were the only ones to hit the number one
spot.
The talented boys from Chester (near Philadelphia)
PA scored an even bigger hit in 1955 with Love is
a Many Splendored Thing.
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Frank Sinatra
Young At Heart
-Signature Song (1950s)
Frank Sinatra is the only artist who could claim four
different 'Signature Songs' - All or Nothing At All
(1943), My Way (1969, Theme From New York, New
York (1980) and Young At Heart (1954). For
those keeping track, 50 Cent still has just one - In
Da Club (2003) |
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Elvis Presley
That's All Right (Mama)
His bigger hits started in in 1956, but the cool kids
were down with the King of Rock N Roll in 1954.
BTW - it is pronounced "PRESS-lee" NOT "PREZZ-lee"
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Doris Day
Secret Love
-Signature Song
Secret Love won the Academy Award for Best
Original Song and was from the film Calamity Jane.
Jane was either a friend or Lover for Wild Bill Hickok
in the old west.
When Doris went into showbiz, she changed her name
from 'Doris Kappelhoff' to 'Doris Day.'
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Penguins (Will You Be Mine)
Earth Angel
-Signature Song
Written by the group's own Curtis Williams, it is
considered by some to be the first song of the rock and
roll era, possibly because it was releases in the last
week of December, 1954.
Fighting about which song was the first of the rock
era aside, we can safely say that they were the first
'one hit wonder' of the rock era.
Earth Angel was actually the "B' side
of the single 'Hey Señorita.'
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Eddie Fisher
Oh! My Papa
-Signature Song
This song is either played at weddings, or in a campy,
mocking way. Eddie is probably best known today as being
the father of actresses Carrie Fisher (with Debbie Reynolds),
Joely and and Tricia Leigh Fisher (with Connie Stevens) |
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More Top Artists and Songs of1954
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Al Martino
The Story of Tina |
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Ames Brothers
The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane |
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Andy Griffith
What It Was, Was Football (parts 1 &2) |
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Archie Bleyer
Hernado's Hideaway |
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Billy Anthony and Eric Jupp
This Ole House |
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Billy Eckstine
No One But You |
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Bing Crosby
Changing Partners |
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Charms
Heart of Stone |
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Connee Boswell
If I Give My Heart To You |
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David Whitefield
Santo Natale |
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David Whitfield and Mantovani
Cara Mia |
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De Castro Sisters
Teach Me Tonight |
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Dean Martin
Sway |
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Dinah Washington
Teach Me Tonight |
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Don Cornell
Hold My Hand |
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Eddie Fisher
I Need You Now, Oh! My Papa |
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Elvis Presley
That's All Right (Mama), Blue Moon of Kentucky, Good Rockin'
Tonight |
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Fontane Sisters
Hearts of Stone
-Signature Song |
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Four Lads
Skokiaan |
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Frank Sinatra
Three Coins In The Fountain |
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Frank Weir and his Orchestra
Happy Wanderer |
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Frankie Laine
Granada, My Friend, Someday, Rain Rain Rain |
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Hank Ballard and the Midnighters
Work With Me Annie |
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Hilltoppers
Till Then |
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Jo Stafford
Make Love To Me! |
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Johnnie Ray
Such A Night, Hernado's Hideaway |
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Jose Ferrer w Rosemary Clooney
Woman (Uh-Huh) |
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Kay Starr
If You Really Love Me (Really Love Me) |
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Kitty Kallen
Little Things Mean a Lot |
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Lex Baxter and his Orchestra
The High and the Mighty |
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Muddy Waters
Hoochie Coochie Man
-Signature Song |
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Nat 'King' Cole
Answer Me My Love, Smile, Hajji Baba, Make Her Mine |
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Patti Page
Cross Over The Bridge |
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Peggy Lee
Let Me Go Lover |
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Perry Como
Wanted, Papa Loves Mambo |
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Ralph Marterie
Skokiaan |
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Ray Charles
I've Got A Woman |
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Ronnie Hilton
I Still Believe |
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Rosemary Clooney
This Ole House, Hey There, Mambo Italiano |
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Roy Hamilton
You'll Never Walk Alone, Ebb Tide |
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Sammy Davis, Jr
Hey There |
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The Chords
Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream) |
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The Gaylords
The Little Shoemaker |
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Tony Bennett
There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight |
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Tony Martin
Stranger In Paradise |
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Vaughn Monroe
They Were Doing the Mambo |
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Victor Young
The High and the Mighty |
