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[Oldies] A collection of nostalgic hit songs from Western music of the 1950s

When you hear “Western music from the 1950s,” what kind of songs come to mind?

Hits from the 1950s and 1960s are sometimes called “oldies,” and perhaps because their retro vibe feels stylish, you’ll often hear them as in-store BGM at cafes and vintage clothing shops.

That said, since it’s music from 70 years ago, you might think it has nothing to do with you… For those who feel that way, this article rounds up and introduces classic 1950s Western songs across genres—rock, soul, blues, and more.

You’ll definitely come across some tunes you’ve heard before, so be sure to check them out!

Playlist

[Oldies] A collection of nostalgic hit songs from Western music of the 1950s
show_chartTitlePlaylistReview
1eastRock Around the ClockBill Haley & His Comets
Rock Around the ClockBill Haley & His Cometsplay_arrow
A pioneering rock ’n’ roll classic
2eastBe Bop A LulaGene Vincent & The Blue Caps
Be Bop A LulaGene Vincent & The Blue Capsplay_arrow
Passionate rockabilly, a love woven into a classic song
3eastTutti FruttiLittle Richard
Tutti FruttiLittle Richardplay_arrow
Legendary rock classic of the 1950s, Little Richard
4eastHound DogBig Mama Thornton
Hound DogBig Mama Thorntonplay_arrow
Hound Dog, a masterpiece of passionate, soulful singing
5eastBlue Suede ShoesCarl Perkins
Blue Suede ShoesCarl Perkinsplay_arrow
A rockabilly innovator who stays true to themselves
6eastSmokestack LightningHowlin’ Wolf
Smokestack LightningHowlin' Wolfplay_arrow
The legendary blues song “Smokestack Lightning”
7eastOnly You, And You AloneTHE PLATTERS
Only You, And You AloneTHE PLATTERSplay_arrow
A gemlike love song that envelops the heart, vowing eternal love
8eastWhole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ OnJERRY LEE LEWIS
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' OnJERRY LEE LEWISplay_arrow
The rockabilly milestone, the passion of youth
9eastThat’ll Be the DayBuddy Holly & The Crickets
That'll Be the DayBuddy Holly & The Cricketsplay_arrow
Buddy Holly's classic, 1950s rock
10eastSummertime BluesEddie Cochran
Summertime BluesEddie Cochranplay_arrow
A 1958 rock ’n’ roll classic, youthful summer
11eastBo DiddleyBo Diddley
Bo DiddleyBo Diddleyplay_arrow
Bo Diddley's groundbreaking debut single
12eastPlease, Please, PleaseJames Brown
Please, Please, PleaseJames Brownplay_arrow
The legend of James Brown, the Godfather of Funk
13eastI Put a Spell on YouScreaming Jay Hawkins
I Put a Spell on YouScreaming Jay Hawkinsplay_arrow
Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’s classic
14eastLet’s Have a PartyWanda Jackson
Let's Have a PartyWanda Jacksonplay_arrow
Wanda Jackson's 'Let’s Have a Party'
15eastWhyFrankie Avalon
WhyFrankie Avalonplay_arrow
A classic of sweet adolescent love songs
16eastLady Sings The BluesBillie Holiday
Lady Sings The BluesBillie Holidayplay_arrow
Billie Holiday’s classic, soul-stirring music
17eastAin’t That a ShameFats Domino
Ain't That a ShameFats Dominoplay_arrow
A masterpiece that sings of the pain of heartbreak, a classic that will go down in music history
18eastMack The KnifeBobby Darin
Mack The KnifeBobby Darinplay_arrow
Expressing a dark world with lively jazz
19eastHappy, Happy BirthdayWanda Jackson
Happy, Happy BirthdayWanda Jacksonplay_arrow
A poignant birthday song by the Rockabilly Queen
20eastI Walk the LineJohnny Cash
I Walk the LineJohnny Cashplay_arrow
Johnny Cash’s love song “I Walk the Line”
21eastWhat’d I SayRay Charles
What'd I SayRay Charlesplay_arrow
Ray Charles’s classic, a masterpiece that will go down in music history.
22eastJohnny B GoodeChuck Berry
Johnny B GoodeChuck Berryplay_arrow
Chuck Berry’s masterpiece, shining brilliantly in the history of music.
23eastRockin’ Around The Christmas TreeBrenda Lee
Rockin' Around The Christmas TreeBrenda Leeplay_arrow
Christmas classics, loved across generations
24eastWake Up Little SusieThe Everly Brothers
Wake Up Little SusieThe Everly Brothersplay_arrow
A classic by the Everly Brothers
25eastWho’s Sorry NowConnie Francis
Who's Sorry NowConnie Francisplay_arrow
An adult love song heals the heart broken by lost love.
26eastOoby DoobyRoy Orbison
Ooby DoobyRoy Orbisonplay_arrow
The passionate music of Roy Orbison
27eastThere Goes My BabyThe Drifters
There Goes My BabyThe Driftersplay_arrow
A timeless, melancholic love song brimming with melody
28eastYou Send MeSam Cooke
You Send MeSam Cookeplay_arrow
Sam Cooke’s legendary love song
29eastHeartbreak HotelElvis Presley
Heartbreak HotelElvis Presleyplay_arrow
Elvis’s classic song “Heartbreak Hotel”
30eastApril LovePat Boone
April LovePat Booneplay_arrow
A classic that sings of spring love: a masterpiece by Pat Boone.
31eastAll I Have To Do Is DreamEverly Brothers
All I Have To Do Is DreamEverly Brothersplay_arrow
The timeless charm of dreamy 1950s classics
32eastJim DandyLaVern Baker
Jim DandyLaVern Bakerplay_arrow
A classic that lifts your spirits with its rhythmic music