Forgotten Songs Of The 50s
On The Acoustic

"Ain't That a Shame" is a famous rock and roll song written by Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew. Fats Domino recorded the song in 1955, and it became really popular. It reached number 1 on the R&B chart and number 10 on the pop chart.

The song is about feeling sad and disappointed because of a breakup. Fats Domino included it in his first album, "Rock and Rollin' with Fats Domino," released in 1956. The song's success helped Fats Domino become well-known in the rock and roll genre.

An interesting fact is that the original title was "Ain't It a Shame," but it was changed to "Ain't That a Shame" for the single release. Many artists have covered the song, but Fats Domino's version is the most famous. The song is a classic in rock and roll history and played a big role in Fats Domino's success.

Blueberry Hill was recorded 6 times in 1940, the same year it was published. The Glenn Miller Orchestra had the biggest hit with the song that year reaching #2 in the US.

Fats Domino had a #1 on the R&B charts and a #2 Pop Hit when he released his version in 1956. Even Russian President Putin covered the song on Dec 10th 2010 in a benefit show for sick kids.

You'll find the Fats Domino track on his album "This Is Fats Domino".

Come On Let's Go hails from 1958 and was written by Ritchie Valens himself.

It peaked at #42 on Billboard and was one of four singles from his debut album "Ritchie Valens".

Donna was recorded in Dec of 1958 as the A-side for a single which was to include La Bamba as the B-Side. The song peaked at #2 and his highest charting single of the 3 he managed to release before his death. The other was Come On let's Go.

This song appears on an album entitled "Ritchie Valens".

Everybody's Tryin' To Be My Baby was written in 1936 by Rex Griffin but often given credit to Carl Perkins who recorded the song in 1957 and covered by The Beatles in 1964.

To my knowledge the song was released as a single in 1957 but I'm not sure if it charted. The track is from the album "Dance Album Of Carl Perkins".

Gee was the only hit from this group who formed in 1951 and released this song in 1953. Many considered this song to be the first rock and roll song.

The song reached #14 on the Pop charts and #2 on the R&B charts.

Hallelujah I Love Her So is a song originally written and recorded by Ray Charles, in 1959. Cochran's rendition features his signature rockabilly style, with a prominent guitar riff and driving rhythm section but was never released as a single.

The song showcases Cochran's smooth vocals and impressive guitar skills, with a solo that incorporates bluesy bends and fast runs up and down the fretboard. The track was released as a single and performed moderately well on the charts, cementing Cochran's reputation as a skilled interpreter of other artists' songs.

Today, Eddie Cochran's recording of "Hallelujah I Love Her So" remains a beloved classic of the rock 'n' roll genre. You can find this song on the "Eddie Cochran Memorial Album". 

I Remember is a touching ballad that Eddie Cochran recorded in 1959, just a year before his untimely death.

The song is notable for its tender lyrics, which reflect on past memories of love and loss. Cochran's emotive vocals are backed by a simple arrangement featuring acoustic guitar, bass, and drums, which allows the poignant lyrics to take center stage.

Although "I Remember" was not a major commercial success at the time of its release, it has since become a fan favorite and is widely regarded as one of Cochran's most heartfelt recordings. The song showcases a more sensitive side of the rock 'n' roll icon, and stands as a testament to his enduring talent as a songwriter and performer.

I Remember was the B-side to the single Teenage Heaven which was released in 1959 but the track never appeared on any albums.

Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie is a high-energy rock 'n' roll song that Eddie Cochran recorded in 1958. The track features a driving rhythm section and a catchy guitar riff that is instantly recognizable. Cochran's vocals are infused with a sense of playful energy, and his lyrics tell the story of a girl who has caught his eye.

The song was actually called Johnny Johnny Johnny and was written for the female group The Georgettes, but they never recorded the song. So Eddie Cochran changed the words and recorded as a single.

The song's infectious melody and lively instrumentation helped make it one of Cochran's most popular recordings, and it remains a beloved classic of the rock 'n' roll genre. "Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie" showcases Cochran's talent for crafting memorable hooks and his ability to infuse his music with a sense of fun and excitement, making it a perfect example of his unique brand of rock 'n' roll.

Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie peaked at #98 in the US and  after his death it was released again in the UK in 1961 and reached #33. It can be found on an album called "Legendary Masters Series". The Stray Cats also covered this number.

Johnny B Goode was written in 1955 but not recorded and released until 1958. Chuck Berry said later on the song was a reflection of his early days and changed the lyrics country boy from colored boy to ensure the song received radio play. The opening riff was lifted from a song from 1946 entitled "Ain't That Just Like A Woman".

The song has become one of the most recognized and influential rock and roll songs of all time.

The song tells the story of a young, talented guitar player named Johnny B. Goode who comes from humble beginnings but dreams of making it big in the music industry. The lyrics describe Johnny's journey to fame and fortune, as well as his incredible guitar skills, which are showcased in the song's iconic guitar riff.

"Johnny B. Goode" has been covered by many artists over the years and has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and commercials. It has also been included on several "greatest songs of all time" lists, including Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, where it ranked at number 7.

The song's enduring popularity and influence can be attributed to its catchy melody, relatable lyrics, and iconic guitar riff, which has been emulated by countless musicians in the years since its release.

Hey Joe was copyrighted by Billy Roberts in 1962. Later the song was covered by many artists and groups including The Leaves in 1965 and Jimi Hendrix in 1966.

To my knowledge this song was a single release and never appeared on a Billy Roberts album.

I'm Walkin became a #1 hit on the R&B chart by Fats Domino in 1957. Others covered the song including Ricky Nelson, Nancy Sinatra and Tom Petty.

The song hails from the album "Here Stands Fats Domino".

Just Dropped In was considered a psychedelic rock song written Mickey Newbury. Jerry Lee Lewis first recorded the song in May of 1967. But it was Kenny Rogers and The First Edition who released their version later that year and scored a #5 hit.

I don't believe Jerry Lee Lewis released his version as a single but it can be found on the album "Soul My Way".

Let's Twist Again was released in 1961 and probably his best know song, reaching #8 on Billboard and #3 on the Cash Box charts. The song won a Grammy in 1962. He also recorded the song in German and Italian.

The song was #1 in the UK, Holland and Belgium. The song is found on the album of the same name.

Rock Around The Clock was not written by Bill Haley but by Max Freedman and James Myers in 1952.  Bill Haley recorded the song in 1954 and it took only two takes combined to make the final version.

And because of a delay arriving at the studio to record the song, Sammy Davis Jr's studio time was delayed while he waited in the hallway as Bill Haley recorded this song. Bill Haley had a #1 with this song and can be found on his album of the same name.

Roll Over Beethoven is a rock and roll song written by Chuck Berry, which was released in 1956. The song became a hit, reaching number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and helping to establish Berry as a major force in the emerging rock and roll genre.

The song's lyrics describe a desire to leave classical music behind in favor of rock and roll, with Berry urging the titular composer, Ludwig van Beethoven, to "roll over" in his grave and make way for the new music. The song features Berry's signature guitar style and a driving rhythm section, which helped to establish it as an early rock and roll classic.

"Roll Over Beethoven" has since become a staple of rock and roll music, and has been covered by many artists over the years, including The Beatles and Electric Light Orchestra. The song's lyrics and infectious melody have also been referenced in popular culture, appearing in films, television shows, and commercials.

Overall, "Roll Over Beethoven" is a classic example of Chuck Berry's influential contribution to the development of rock and roll music, and remains a beloved and enduring classic of the genre.

Runaway was a song written by a guy named Charles Westover, (who changed his name to Del Shannon), and a keyboard player named Max Crook. Max had built a keyboard with a unique sound and he called it a Musitron. 

When their manager persuaded them to record the song they had no idea it would peak at #1 on Billboard in the US and three weeks later top the charts in the UK. The song can be found on the 1961 album "Runaway With Del Shannon".

Sweet Little 16 was recorded and released in Jan of 1958 and managed a #2 on the Billboard chart. Berry surpassed this with a number one eventually, but not until 1972 with My -Ding-A-Ling. The song became a massive hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and helping to solidify Berry's status as one of the biggest stars in rock and roll music.

The lyrics of "Sweet Little Sixteen" describe a young girl who loves rock and roll music and attends concerts and dances to see her favorite bands. The song's upbeat rhythm, catchy melody, and sing-along chorus helped to make it an instant classic and one of Berry's most enduring hits.

"Sweet Little Sixteen" has been covered by numerous artists over the years, including The Beatles and The Beach Boys. The song has also been referenced in popular culture, appearing in films, television shows, and commercials.

Despite its enduring popularity, "Sweet Little Sixteen" has also been the subject of controversy due to accusations of plagiarism. In 1959, the song's melody was the subject of a lawsuit by the publishers of a song called "Sweet Little Sixteen" by a group called The Crests. The case was settled out of court, and Berry was required to give the publishers partial songwriting credit and royalties.

Overall, "Sweet Little Sixteen" is a classic example of Chuck Berry's contribution to the development of rock and roll music, and remains a beloved and influential song in the genre's history.

This song is from his album One Dozen Berrys.

Take Good Care Of My Baby was co-written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin but made famous by Bobby Vee in 1961. Vee had a #1 hit with this song.

It can be found on the album of the same name.

The Blues Don't Mean A Thing was one written and recorded by Melvin Endsley but the only reference to the song is on a rockabilly album called The Last Great Rockabilly Saturday Night.

Most of the artists listed on the album cover are not well known. Endsley himself had a successful career as a writer, penning over 400 songs, but his commercial success as a singer was limited.

Promised Land a.k.a The Promised Land follows the melody of an old American folk song called The Wabash Cannonball. He had just gotten released from prison when this song was released in Dec 1964 and reached #41 on Billboard a month later.  In fact, Berry used a prison atlas to chart the travels listed in the song.

The song tells the story of a man who is traveling from Norfolk, Virginia to the "promised land" of Los Angeles, California. The lyrics describe the man's journey, his encounters with various people and places along the way, and his excitement at finally reaching his destination.

"Promised Land" features Berry's signature guitar style and a driving rhythm section, which help to convey the excitement and energy of the song's narrative. The song also showcases Berry's ability to craft vivid and memorable lyrics that capture the spirit of the American experience.

The song was a hit for Berry, reaching number 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has since become a favorite of rock and roll fans, and has been covered by many artists over the years, including Elvis Presley and The Grateful Dead.

Overall, "Promised Land" is a classic example of Chuck Berry's influential contribution to the development of rock and roll music, and remains a beloved and enduring classic of the genre.

This song hails from the 1964 album "St Louis To Liverpool". Download the Chuck Berry Promised Land lyrics below.

Twenty Flight Rock was a single release by Eddie Cochran back in 1957 but the song never charted. Eddie also appeared in the film "The Girl Can't Help It" with Jane Mansfield, where he performed the song in that movie.

The number is a classic rock 'n' roll song that Eddie Cochran recorded and features Cochran's distinctive vocals, telling the story of a young man who lives on the twentieth floor of an apartment building. The song's lyrics are filled with vivid imagery and wry humor, and its catchy melody and memorable chorus helped make it one of Cochran's most enduring recordings.

Twenty Flight Rock also gained notoriety for its role in the history of rock 'n' roll, as it was famously performed by a young Paul McCartney during his audition for John Lennon and the Quarrymen, which led to his eventual inclusion in the Beatles. Today, "Twenty Flight Rock" remains a beloved classic of the rock 'n' roll genre, and a testament to Cochran's enduring influence on popular music.

The song was written by a lady named Nelda Fairchild and can be found on the album "Never To Be Forgotten", which was released after Eddie's death in 1960.

We Belong Together is a song from 1958 and first recorded by the duo "Robert & Johnny" and was a #12 R&B hit for them. Ritchie Valens recorded the song in 1959 and had success with the song.

Los Lobos, who formed in LA in 1973, were chosen to record a version of the song in 1987 for the movie about Ritchie Valens life called "La Bamba".

Whole Lotta Shakin was first recorded by Big Maybelle in 1955, but the 1957 version by Jerry Lee Lewis is the one most people know best because he radically changed the vibe.

He said he'd knew it would be a hit when he cut the song at Sun Studios in Feb 1957. It hit #3 on Billboard and #1 on the R&B Charts.

This track can be found on the "Original Hits Vol 1" album from 1969. 

You Never Can Tell was released in 1964 on his album "St. Louis to Liverpool". The song is known for its upbeat rhythm, catchy melody, and clever lyrics, which tell the story of a young couple who get married and start a new life together.

The song features Berry's signature guitar style, as well as a prominent piano riff played by Johnnie Johnson, his longtime collaborator. The combination of guitar and piano creates a lively and energetic sound that perfectly captures the spirit of the song.

"You Never Can Tell" was a hit for Berry, reaching number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song has since become one of his most beloved and enduring classics, and has been covered by many artists over the years, including Emmylou Harris, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Seger.

The song is also famous for its appearance in the 1994 movie "Pulp Fiction", where it plays during the iconic dance scene between Uma Thurman and John Travolta. The scene helped to introduce a new generation of fans to Berry's music and cemented the song's place in popular culture.

Overall, "You Never Can Tell" is a classic example of Chuck Berry's influential contribution to the development of rock and roll music, and remains a beloved and enduring classic of the genre.