Mom and I have just finished listening to the 1959 Hits Archive on the45prof YouTubechannel. He writes:
Arranged in song-title order, this is one of the45prof’s three* differently-structured playlists of 1959 popular music, as reflected in record sales, jukebox play & radio exposure, and assembled for this collection with the invaluable chart reference help of Joel Whitburn’s ‘Record Research’ publications. These are primarily the ‘hit version’ mono commercial recordings which achieved their greatest popularity during the calendar year 1959 (some of the titles began their national chart run prior to the end of 1958). Note that though the original 45rpm single record label scans are displayed for reference, the actual music you hear may originate from 45, LP, CD, or other digital sources. Most tracks in this playlist were freshly posted to YouTube by yours truly, with the exception of any which do not include “1959 HITS ARCHIVE” in the video’s name. Because my own attempted uploads of those particular titles are currently blocked from view in the U.S., or because I have received direct notice from specific label rights holders regarding potential copyright issues, I have substituted other existing YouTube posts which have been permitted to remain accessible.
1959 seemed to be a year of celebrating everything QUIRKY, ODD, PECULIAR, and NOVEL. In other words, 1959 is VERY taste-specific. Not that it's impossible--absolutely--to find songs worthy of listening to. Instead of LOVING or love, love, loving a dozen or so songs and finding new-to-me gems, I mainly just found a few solidly good songs that I've known for most of my life. (There are exceptions, of course).
Billboard Year-End Hot 100 Singles 1959
Billboard Hot 100 Number One Singles (23 from 1959)
Billboard Hot 100 Top-Ten Singles from 1959
Of the 330 songs, I'd say about 30 were truly outstanding and memorable--for the right reasons.
Highlights:
Alvin's Harmonica -- David Seville & The Chipmunks
As Time Goes By by Johnny Nash
The Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton (not to be confused with The Battle of Kookamonga by Homer and Jethro)
The Class by Chubby Checker imitating Fats Domino, The Coasters, Elvis Presley, and the Chipmunks
Come Softly to Me by Fleetwoods
Donna by Ritchie Valens
Don't You Know by Della Reese
Dream Lover by Bobby Darin
Everybody Loves to Cha Cha Cha by Sam Cooke
Gidget by Jimmy Darren
Guess Who by Jesse Belvin
Here Comes Summer by Jerry Keller
I Only Have Eyes For You by The Flamingos
I'll Be Seeing You by Tommy Edwards
It Doesn't Matter Anymore by Buddy Holly (his last released single)
It's Just A Matter of Time by Brook Benton
It's Late by Ricky Nelson
La Bamba by Ritchie Valens
Lonely Teardrops by Jackie Wilson
Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin
Manhattan Spiritual by Reg Owen
Never Be Anyone Else But You by Ricky Nelson
Personality by Lloyd Price
Put Your Head On My Shoulder by Paul Anka
Ragtime Cowboy Joe by David Seville and the Chipmunks
Sea Cruise by Frankie Ford
Seven Little Girls Sitting in the Backseat by Paul Evans. Is it so bad it's good????
She Say by Diamonds
Shout Isley Brothers
16 Candles by Crests
Smoke Gets In Your Eyes by The Platters
There Goes My Baby by The Drifters
What Is Love? The Playmates
When the Saints Go Marching IN Fats Domino
Where Were You On Our Wedding Day by Lloyd Price
You Made Me Love YOu by Nat King Cole
REJECTS
Ambrose (Part Five) Linda Laurie
Blah, blah, blah by Nichola Paone
Danny Boy by Conway Twitty
Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb by Edward Byrnes
Like I Love You by Edward Byrnes
Little Space Girl by Jesse Lee Turner
Lonely Guitar by Annette
Mona Lisa by Conway Twitty
The Mummy by Bob McFadden
Uh! Oh! by Nutty Squirrels part one; part two
Woo Hoo by Rock-a-Teens
© 2020 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
No comments:
Post a Comment