If ever there was a time that saw a seismic shift in musical output and fan reaction on both sides of the Atlantic, it was the fifties. From the early years of the decade, when virtually nothing rivalled the Tin Pan Alley-based records from established stars, through to the later years with the arrival of rock & roll and skiffle, there was never such a radical upheaval in the music business. Our selection of 100 hits is drawn from both the American and British charts, though many of them were top sellers in both countries. Those were indeed the days.

• - 1 -

  • 1. Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock
  • 2. Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls of Fire
  • 3. Dean Martin - Memories Are Made of This
  • 4. Sam Cooke - You Send Me
  • 5. The Champs - Tequila
  • 6. Connie Francis - Stupid Cupid
  • 7. The Everly Brothers - Wake Up Little Susie
  • 8. Frank Sinatra - Three Coins In the Fountain
  • 9. Paul Anka - Diana
  • 10. Tennessee Ernie Ford - Sixteen Tons
  • 11. Elvis Presley - Love Me Tender
  • 12. The McGuire Sisters - Sincerely
  • 13. Perry Como - Round and Round
  • 14. Frankie Laine - I Believe
  • 15. Guy Mitchell - Rock-A-Billy

• - 2 -

  • 1. Bill Haley - Rock Around the Clock
  • 2. Larry Williams - Bony Moronie
  • 3. Elvis Presley - (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
  • 4. The Everly Brothers - All I Have To Do is Dream
  • 5. Laurie London - He's Got the Whole World In His Hands
  • 6. Tony Bennett - Stranger In Paradise
  • 7. Russ Conway - Roulette
  • 8. Frankie Vaughan - the Garden of Eden
  • 9. Perry Como - Magic Moments
  • 10. Guy Mitchell - Heartaches By the Number
  • 11. Frankie Avalon - Venus
  • 12. Lonnie Donegan - Gamblin' Man
  • 13. Shirley Bassey - As I Love You
  • 14. Johnnie Ray - Just Walking In the Rain
  • 15. Sheb Wooley - the Purple People Eater

• - 3 -

  • 1. The Everly Brothers - Claudette
  • 2. Elvis Presley - Don't Be Cruel
  • 3. The Platters - Twilight Time
  • 4. Connie Francis - Carolina Moon
  • 5. Frankie Laine - a Woman In Love
  • 6. The Fleetwoods - Come Softly To Me
  • 7. Jerry Keller - Here Comes Summer
  • 8. Danny & the Juniors - At the Hop
  • 9. Johnnie Ray - Yes, Tonight Josephine
  • 10. Dickie Valentine W the Stargazers - the Finger of Suspicion
  • 11. Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel
  • 12. Lonnie Donegan - Puttin' On the Style
  • 13. Pat Boone - I'll Be Home
  • 14. Craig Douglas - Only Sixteen
  • 15. Russ Conway - Side Saddle

• - 4 -

  • 1. Buddy Knox - Party Doll
  • 2. Bobby Darin - Dream Lover
  • 3. David Seville - Witch Doctor
  • 4. The Platters - My Prayer
  • 5. Doris Day - Secret Love
  • 6. The Kalin Twins - When
  • 7. Elvis Presley - All Shook Up
  • 8. Mantovani & His Orchestra - the Moulin Rouge Theme
  • 9. Michael Holliday - the Story of My Life
  • 10. The Dream Weavers - It's Almost Tomorrow
  • 11. Guy Mitchell - Singing the Blues
  • 12. Frankie Laine - Answer Me
  • 13. Alma Cogan - Dreamboat
  • 14. Vic Damone With Percy Faith - On the Street Where You Live
  • 15. Perry Como - Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes