1953 in Music

Elvis Presley begins recording in 1953. At the same time, Frank Sinatra moves to Capitol Records. Bill Haley scores the first rock hit on the Billboard charts and The Platters form. Hank Williams Sr. recorded the most important and timeless song of the year.  Most of the other major events occurred in Opera.

Your Cheatin’ Heart by Hank Williams: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS4LCoh0VGQ

#1 song of the year: Dean Martin “That’s Amore”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69O4PXzAQ5Y

Other hits:

Vaya Con Dios by Les Paul and Mary Ford: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqZ0Sdz_V40

Don’t Let Stars Get in Your Eyes by Perry Como: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmkg_E2evbg

I’m Walking Behind You by Eddie Fisher: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vTTjjCQz-w

Rags to Riches by Tony Bennett: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y22tIJ6toPY

Hey Joe by Frankie Laine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0z6BbTpsaY

Three Coins in a Fountain by Frank Sinatra: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VYWvEkDBtw

And the first rock hit:

Crazy Man, Crazy by Bill Haley and the Comets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBWF2m6K7sQ

1951 in Music

Frankie Layne signs a mega-record deal and Dinah Shore begins her show.   Not much else exciting happens….kinda boring…

#1 for the year:

Cry by Johnny Ray:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iob-_shdLQ0

Although the most timeless song of 1951 was:

Unforgettable by Nat King Cole: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkVuQGgx7d8

And the other hits:

Too Young  by Nat King Cole:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaFtsqU2V6U

How High the Moon by Les Paul and Mary Ford: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOzB7I2y7Ic

Be My Love by Mario Lanza: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o8SZng55T0

If by Perry Como: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wc3brhdDESU

Jezebel by Frankie Laine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHvn1VH7q0E

Rose, Rose, I Love You by Frankie Laine:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpEGTSed1lI

Because of You by Tony Bennett: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-4zvArJDGg

And for Christmas:

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas by Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmc9gfowJmk

 

1948 in Music

1948 witnessed several important technical innovations in the recording industry. Columbia Records introduced the 33 1/3 LP, which could hold 25 minutes a side as opposed to four minutes on the standard 78. Patti Page becomes the first person to use multi-track overdubbing. Perry Como televised his first television Christmas special.

Songs of 1948:

Twelfth Street Rag by Pee Wee Hunt

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SstMe2Th6Rg

I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover by Art Mooney

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY-_8XOrvTs

Nature Boy by Nat King Cole

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iq0XJCJ1Srw

Buttons and Bows by Dinah Shore

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9MLDhAOMXo

The Woody Woodpecker Song by Kay Kyser

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc0Uytp0R3c

1946 in Music

Big Band music helped Americans through World War II.  The jazz scene dramatically changed the following year. Charlie Parker released “Ko-Ko” ushering in a revolution in jazz. The genre became less viable commercially and more artist driven. As a result, people gravitated toward pop and away from jazz. It was a defining moment that helped lead to rock n roll because pop was boring and Jazz unlistenable. On a side note,  B.B. King, Bill Haley, and Chet Atkins all began their careers in 1946.

Ko-Ko by Charlie Parker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_ZajJd-1kY

Prisoner of Love by Perry Como:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbNPg_Rp0ws

Five Minutes More by Frank Sinatra:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvWEigjXVsI

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! By Vaughn Monroe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kbb3skLR0Bo

To Each His Own by the Ink Spots:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pRarUQD3L8

The Christmas Song by Nat King Cole:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jODKhUoFxzA

1945 in Music

World War II ended in 1945. Hitler shot himself and partisans executed Mussolini. The Allied side witnessed changes as well. Churchill lost re-election and Roosevelt died leaving Stalin the only member of the Big Three to last the war. The war left most of the world in shambles and Americans wanted simply to return to normalcy.
In music, Bing Crosby was named male singer of the year for the ninth straight year. Charlie Parker records his first album as a lead. The recording also features Miles Davis.
The top hits of 1945:
Sentimental Journey by Les Brown and Doris Day:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7umIJj8UBo
Rum and Coca Cola by the Andrews Sisters:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGxL2uNr7bk
Till the End of Time by Perry Como:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSJ-oT2ZBa0
Billie's Bounce by Charlie Parker:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72UeP0o68JA