In the pre-rock and roll era, often called the Pop Standards era, or the 'Great American Songbook', there was an emphasis on the songwriters and the individual songs themselves.
For that reason we can't give these songs or even artists a ranking - often the same songs were made hits by multiple people in the same year - Oh, My Papa, for example, was a top 20 hit for 3 artists - Eddie Fisher, Eddie Calvert and Ray Anthony in 1954. We have included Signature Songs - the songs that are probably best known by the indiviual singers, when appropriate.
In keeping the Pop Culture Madness standard of highlighting songs and performances that have outlasted others of their era, here are the most known songs of 1954. |
![Buy It!]() | Spaniels
Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight
-Signature Song
Lead singer James "Pookie" Hudson was also the group leader, and this is probably the longest-lasting Doo-Wop/R&B /Pop crossover hit. A 'white' version by the Maguire Sisters charted higher at the time, but the Spaniels version is still the number one 'goodnight' song of all time. |
![Buy It!]() | Bill Haley and his Comets
Shake Rattle and Roll
This is considered the first 'top ten' rock and roll hit, and was released a few months after the moderately successful Rock Around The Clock, which did signifiacntly better when re-released in 1955. |
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![Buy It!]() | Mr Sandman
The Chordettes
-Signature Song
An up-beat, vocally unique song that was a perfect 'getting in the mood' oldies show classic came back huge in 2012's Kia Optima Superbowl commercial, with just a touch of Motley Crew tossed in. |
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![Buy It!]() | The Crew-Cuts
Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream)
-Signature Song
Considered by many to be the first 'rock' song, this Canadian Quartet was backed by Dave Carroll's Orchestra. Dave and the boys also occasionally backed Vic Damome and Rusty Draper. |
![Buy It!]() | Rosemary Clooney
Mambo Italiano
Although not one of Rosemary's biggest hits, it is her longest lasting. |
![Buy It!]() | Al Alberts & Four Aces
Three Coins In The Fountain
Frank Sinatra peaked at number four with 3 Coins, but Al and Company were the only ones to hit the number one spot.The talented boys from Chester (near Philadelphia) PA scored an even bigger hit in 1955 with Love is a Many Splendored Thing. |
![Buy It!]() | Frank Sinatra
Young At Heart
-Signature Song (1950s)
Frank Sinatra is the only artist who could claim four different 'Signature Songs' - All or Nothing At All (1943), My Way (1969, Theme From New York, New York (1980) and Young At Heart (1954). For those keeping track, 50 Cent still has just one - In Da Club (2003) |
![Buy It!]() | Elvis Presley
That's All Right (Mama)
His bigger hits started in in 1956, but the cool kids were down with the King of Rock N Roll in 1954.
BTW - it is pronounced "PRESS-lee" NOT "PREZZ-lee" |
![Buy It!]() | Doris Day
Secret Love
-Signature SongSecret Love won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and was from the film Calamity Jane. Jane was either a friend or Lover for Wild Bill Hickok in the old west.When Doris went into showbiz, she changed her name from 'Doris Kappelhoff' to 'Doris Day.' |
![Buy It!]() | Penguins (Will You Be Mine)
Earth Angel
-Signature SongWritten by the group's own Curtis Williams, it is considered by some to be the first song of the rock and roll era, possibly because it was releases in the last week of December, 1954.Fighting about which song was the first of the rock era aside, we can safely say that they were the first 'one hit wonder' of the rock era.
Earth Angel was actually the "B' side of the single 'Hey Señorita.' |
![Buy It!]() | Eddie Fisher
Oh! My Papa
-Signature Song
This song is either played at weddings, or in a campy, mocking way. Eddie is probably best known today as being the father of actresses Carrie Fisher (with Debbie Reynolds), Joely and and Tricia Leigh Fisher (with Connie Stevens) |
| | More Top Artists and Songs of1954 |
![Buy It!]() | Al Martino
The Story of Tina |
![Buy It!]() | Ames Brothers
The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane |
![Buy It!]() | Andy Griffith
What It Was, Was Football (parts 1 &2) |
![Buy It!]() | Archie Bleyer
Hernado's Hideaway |
![Buy It!]() | Billy Anthony and Eric Jupp
This Ole House |
![Buy It!]() | Billy Eckstine
No One But You |
![Buy It!]() | Bing Crosby
Changing Partners |
![Buy It!]() | Charms
Heart of Stone |
![Buy It!]() | Connee Boswell
If I Give My Heart To You |
![Buy It!]() | David Whitefield
Santo Natale |
![Buy It!]() | David Whitfield and Mantovani
Cara Mia |
![Buy It!]() | De Castro Sisters
Teach Me Tonight |
![Buy It!]() | Dean Martin
Sway |
![Buy It!]() | Dinah Washington
Teach Me Tonight |
![Buy It!]() | Don Cornell
Hold My Hand |
![Buy It!]() | Eddie Fisher
I Need You Now, Oh! My Papa |
![Buy It!]() | Elvis Presley
That's All Right (Mama), Blue Moon of Kentucky, Good Rockin' Tonight |
![Buy It!]() | Fontane Sisters
Hearts of Stone
-Signature Song |
![Buy It!]() | Four Lads
Skokiaan |
![Buy It!]() | Frank Sinatra
Three Coins In The Fountain |
![Buy It!]() | Frank Weir and his Orchestra
Happy Wanderer |
![Buy It!]() | Frankie Laine
Granada, My Friend, Someday, Rain Rain Rain |
![Buy It!]() | Hank Ballard and the Midnighters
Work With Me Annie |
![Buy It!]() | Hilltoppers
Till Then |
![Buy It!]() | Jo Stafford
Make Love To Me! |
![Buy It!]() | Johnnie Ray
Such A Night, Hernado's Hideaway |
![Buy It!]() | Jose Ferrer w Rosemary Clooney
Woman (Uh-Huh) |
![Buy It!]() | Kay Starr
If You Really Love Me (Really Love Me) |
![Buy It!]() | Kitty Kallen
Little Things Mean a Lot |
![Buy It!]() | Lex Baxter and his Orchestra
The High and the Mighty |
![Buy It!]() | Muddy Waters
Hoochie Coochie Man
-Signature Song |
![Buy It!]() | Nat 'King' Cole
Answer Me My Love, Smile, Hajji Baba, Make Her Mine |
![Buy It!]() | Patti Page
Cross Over The Bridge |
![Buy It!]() | Peggy Lee
Let Me Go Lover |
![Buy It!]() | Perry Como
Wanted, Papa Loves Mambo |
![Buy It!]() | Ralph Marterie
Skokiaan |
![Buy It!]() | Ray Charles
I've Got A Woman |
![Buy It!]() | Ronnie Hilton
I Still Believe |
![Buy It!]() | Rosemary Clooney
This Ole House, Hey There, Mambo Italiano |
![Buy It!]() | Roy Hamilton
You'll Never Walk Alone, Ebb Tide |
![Buy It!]() | Sammy Davis, Jr
Hey There |
![Buy It!]() | The Chords
Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream) |
![Buy It!]() | The Gaylords
The Little Shoemaker |
![Buy It!]() | Tony Bennett
There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight |
![Buy It!]() | Tony Martin
Stranger In Paradise |
![Buy It!]() | Vaughn Monroe
They Were Doing the Mambo |
![Buy It!]() | Victor Young
The High and the Mighty |
