200 Greatest Rock N’ Roll Songs Of The 50s And 60s

Top 200 Rock N' Roll Songs of the 50s and 60s

Rock N’ Roll is a popular music genre that has influenced and shaped rock music and spawned numerous music genres. This article brings to life the best rock n roll songs of the 50s and 60s.
Image Credit - https://pixabay.com/en/elvis-presley-music-musician-elvis-1482026/

Some of the earliest rock n roll styles came into being the late 40s in the United States.However, it was the dawn of the 50s that gave new direction to rock n roll.Rock n roll came into its own deriving from a range of musical styles such as jazz, jump blues, boogie woogie, rhythm & blues and country.In the 1934 movie Transatlantic Merry-Go Round a song Rock n Roll by the Boswell Sisters was included.

The Rock N Roll Story

Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s song Rock Me which came out in 1942 is considered by music purists as beginning of rock n roll.While shades of rock n roll were evident in few blues records in the 20s and 30s, rock n roll as a genre came into being in 1954.While the early rock n roll styles incorporated heavy use of piano or saxophone as the main instrument, by the middle 50s the guitar took over as the lead instrument in different forms of rock n roll.

Typically rock n roll is a blues shuffle rhythm with backbeat accents provided by snare drum.

The classic rock n roll format of the late 50s and 60s comprised of rhythm guitar, lead guitar double bass or electric bass (after the mid-50s) and drums.Rock n roll songs became a phenomenon in the 50s and appealed to teens in particular.While rock n roll was an African American movement, white American musicians took a liking to the rock n roll format and joined the musical revolution.Gradually, beyond being a simplistic musical style, the term rock n roll started being associated with fashion, lifestyle, and attitude.

The classic rock n’ roll sound which emerged from rhythm &blues became known for the distinctive shuffle licks.The African musical tradition led to the birth of Rock n Roll, and ever since the genre has become the biggest musical entities worldwide.By the early 60s ‘Rock N Roll’ became a religion of sorts among youth from different parts of the world.Rock n roll songs become symbolic of rebellion in the 60s.While rock n roll got a bad name in secular circles in the 50s calling it the devil’s music, the rock n roll movement that was huge in America, became a rage in different parts of the world.

American Rock n Roll gained became exceedingly popular with the British youth who adopted the rock n roll sound and culture to develop new musical styles and sub cultures.

200 Greatest Rock N Roll Songs of the 50s and 60s

  1. Johnny B Goode - Chuck Berry
  2. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
  3. Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins
  4. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
  5. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
  6. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
  7. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
  8. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
  9. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran
  10. C'mon Everybody - Eddie Cochran
  11. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
  12. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
  13. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
  14. Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival
  15. Leader of the Pack - Shangri-Las
  16. Blue Jean Bop - Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps
  17. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
  18. I Get Around - The Beach Boys
  19. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
  20. Bye Bye Love - Everly Brothers
  21. That'll Be The Day - Buddy Holly & the Crickets
  22. Roll Over Beethoven - Chuck Berry
  23. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
  24. My Girl- Temptations
  25. Be-Bop-A-Lula - Gene Vincent & the Bluecaps
  26. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
  27. Dizzy Miss Lizzy - Larry Williams
  28. The Locomotion - Little Eva
  29. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
  30. Rock And Roll Music - Chuck Berry
  31. In The Still Of The Nite - Five Satins
  32. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
  33. Molina - Creedence Clearwater Revival
  34. The Letter - The Box Tops
  35. The Great Pretender - Platters
  36. Lucille - Little Richard
  37. Eddie Cochran - Twenty Flight Rock
  38. I Walk The Line - Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two
  39. Don't You Just Know It - Huey "Piano" Smith & The Clowns
  40. Proud Mary- Creedence Clearwater Revival
  41. Shake, Rattle And Roll - Joe Turner
  42. Will Love You Tomorrow - The Shirelles
  43. Jumpin’ Jack Flash- The Rolling Stones
  44. The Train Kept-A-Rollin - Johnny Burnette Trio
  45. Fever - Little Willie John
  46. Earth Angel - Penguins
  47. Little Bitty Pretty One - Thurston Harris & The Sharps
  48. At The Hop - Danny & The Juniors
  49. That's All Right - Elvis Presley with Scotty and Bill
  50. Lawdy Miss Clawdy - Lloyd Price
  51. Ain't It A Shame - Fats Domino
  52. School Day - Chuck Berry
  53. Bony Moronie - Larry Williams
  54. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
  55. A Teenager In Love - Dion & The Belmonts
  56. Sweet Little Sixteen - Chuck Berry
  57. Rocking Pneumonia & the Boogie Woogie Flu - Huey "Piano" Smith & the Clowns
  58. Red Cadillac And A Black Moustache - Warren Smith
  59. Willie And The Hand Jive - The Johnny Otis Show
  60. Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie Woogie Flu - Huey "Piano" Smith & The Clowns
  61. I Only Have Eyes For You - Flamingos
  62. There Goes My Baby - Drifters
  63. Rip It Up - Little Richard
  64. Bird Dog - The Everly Brothers
  65. Sh-Boom - Chords
  66. Pledging My Love - Johnny Ace
  67. Reet Petite - Jackie Wilson
  68. Come Go With Me - Del-Vikings
  69. Rocket 88 - Jackie Brenston
  70. I Only Have Eyes For You - The Flamingos
  71. Susie Q - Dale Hawkins
  72. Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite - Spaniels
  73. All Shook Up - Elvis Presley
  74. Money Honey - Drifters featuring Clyde McPhatter
  75. I’m  A Believer - The Monkees
  76. It's Late - Ricky Nelson
  77. Sixty Minute Man - Dominoes
  78. The Fool- Sanford Clark
  79. Wake Up Little Susie- The Everly Brothers
  80. Breathless - Jerry Lee Lewis
  81. Party Doll - Buddy Knox
  82. C.C.Rider - Chuck Willis
  83. For Your Precious Love - Jerry Butler & the Impressions
  84. Jim Dandy - LaVern Baker
  85. Brand New Cadillac - Vince Taylor & The Playboys
  86. I Go Ape - Neil Sedaka
  87. La Bamba - Ritchie Valens
  88. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers
  89. Red River Rock - Johnny & The Hurricanes
  90. You Send Me - Sam Cooke
  91. Hang Up My Rock And Roll Shoes - Chuck Willis
  92. I'm In Love Again - Fats Domino
  93. White Christmas - Drifters featuring Clyde McPhatter
  94. I'm Walkin' - Fats Domino
  95. Money - Barrett Strong
  96. Since I Don't Have You - Skyliners
  97. Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two
  98. Do You Wanna Dance - Bobby Freeman
  99. Work With Me Annie - Hank Ballard & the Midnighters
  100. Let The Good Times Roll - Shirley & Lee
  101. Tears On My Pillow - Little Anthony & The Imperials
  102. Rumble - Link Wray
  103. She She Little Sheila - Gene Vincent
  104. Crying In The Chapel - Sonny Til & the Orioles
  105. Yakety Yak - Coasters
  106. Somethin' Else - Eddie Cochran
  107. Carol - Chuck Berry
  108. Sea Cruise - Frankie Ford
  109. Mack The Knife - Bobby Darin
  110. I Only Have Eyes For You (Dames) - The Flamingos
  111. Only You - Platters
  112. Little Bitty Pretty One - Thurston Harris
  113. At My Front Door - El Dorados
  114. Tweedlee Dee - LaVern Baker
  115. Poison Ivy - Coasters
  116. Jambalaya (On The Bayou) - Hank Williams
  117. Raunchy - Bill Justis
  118. Short Fat Fannie - Larry Williams
  119. Shout - Isley Brothers
  120. Baby Let's Play House - Elvis Presley with Scotty and Bill
  121. Reelin And Rocking - Chuck Berry
  122. Send Me Some Lovin' - Little Richard
  123. Matchbox - Carl Perkins
  124. A Shot Of Rhythm & Blues - Johnny Kidd & The Pirates
  125. Rock-in Robin - Bobby Day
  126. Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley
  127. Story Untold - Nutmegs
  128. Sincerely - Moonglows
  129. What Do You Want - Adam Faith
  130. Blue Monday - Fats Domino
  131. Chantilly Lace - Big Bopper
  132. Please Don't Tease - Cliff Richard
  133. Race With The Devil - Gene Vincent
  134. Lonely Teardrops - Jackie Wilson
  135. Rebel Rouser - Duane Eddy
  136. Only Sixteen - Craig Douglas
  137. Around And Around - Chuck Berry
  138. Sea Of Love - Phil Phillips with the Twilights
  139. Get A Job - Silhouettes
  140. Do You Want To Dance - Bobby Freeman
  141. Little Darlin' - Diamonds
  142. I'm A Man - Bo Diddley
  143. Rave On - Buddy Holly
  144. Three Steps to Heaven - Eddie Cochran
  145. In The Still Of The Night - The Five Satins
  146. Honky Tonk - Bill Doggett
  147. Take Good Care Of My Baby - Bobby Vee
  148. Speedoo - Cadillacs
  149. Don't Treat Me Like A Child - Helen Shapiro
  150. My Babe - Little Walter
  151. Just Like Eddie - Heinz
  152. Poetry In Motion - Johnny Tillotson
  153. Big Girls Don't Cry - The Four Seasons
  154. Keep A 'Knockin' - Little Richard
  155. A Teenager In Love - Dion & the Belmonts
  156. Oh Boy! - Buddy Holly & the Crickets
  157. I've Got A Woman - Ray Charles
  158. It's Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty
  159. Stagger Lee - Lloyd Price
  160. Please Don't Touch - Johnny Kidd & The Pirates
  161. Move It - Cliff Richard
  162. What In The World's Come Over You - Jack Scott feat.The Chantones
  163. Kansas City - Wilbert Harrison
  164. I'm A Moody Guy - Shane Fenton & The Fentones
  165. Stay - Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs
  166. Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay - Danny & the Juniors
  167. Maybe Baby - Buddy Holly & the Crickets
  168. You're So Fine - The Falcons
  169. Shake A Hand - Faye Adams
  170. Rubber Ball - Bobby Vee
  171. Sherry - Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
  172. Teach You To Rock - Tony Crombie & The Rockets
  173. Runaway - Del Shannon
  174. Baby Sittin' - Bobby Angelo & The Tuxedos
  175. Shakin' All Over - Johnny Kidd & The Pirates
  176. Nut Rocker - B.Bumble & The Stingers
  177. Have Mercy Baby - Dominoes
  178. Runaround Sue - Dion
  179. Book Of Love - Monotones
  180. Gee - The Crows
  181. The Cruel Sea - The Dakotas
  182. It Will Stand - The Showmen
  183. Pretty Little Angel Eyes - Curtis Lee
  184. All I Have To Do Is Dream - Everly Brothers
  185. Love Potion No.9 - Clovers
  186. Tear It Up - Johnny Burnette Trio
  187. Saturday Nite At The Duck-Pond - The Cougars
  188. Peter Gunn - Duane Eddy
  189. Ain't Misbehavin' - Tommy Bruce & The Bruisers
  190. Handy Man - Jimmy Jones
  191. See You Later, Alligator - Bill Haley & His Comets
  192. Ready Teddy - Little Richard
  193. Blue Moon - The Marcels
  194. Hats Off To Larry - Del Shannon
  195. Tears On My Pillow - Little Anthony & the Imperials
  196. Let There Be Drums - Sandy Nelson
  197. Tequila - Champs
  198. You Got What It Takes - Mary Johnson
  199. Tower Of Strength - Gene McDaniels
  200. Little Girl of Mine - Cleftones

Article Written by realityspeaks

Thank you for visiting my profile. I am a Freelance Content Writer. I like to learn something new every day. When I’m not at the computer, I’m either reading or on vacation. I dwell in peace, I hope you do too. My Favorite Quote “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new.”- Dalai Lama


Post Your Comment

Related Articles

  • 100 Greatest Classic Songs Of The 80s And 90s
    The 80s and 90s represented a new awakening in music. Dwell in the nostalgia of classic songs of from those magical decades.
  • Top 15 Female Rock Guitar Players

    Female guitarists have made a significant contribution the vast realms of rock. This article breathes light on the best female rock guitar players.

  • 100 Greatest Black Metal Bands
    Black metal is an extreme subgenre in the realms of Heavy Metal. This extreme subgenre showcases varied musical aspects that include shriek/growl vocals, extreme tempo changes, heavily distorted guitars, blast beats and jaw dropping song structure. This article brings to life an in-depth perspective on the best black metal bands.
  • 100 Greatest Symphonic Metal Bands
    The aesthetic energy and colossal musical structure encompassed in classical elements makes Symphonic metal a unique subgenre in heavy metal. This article brings to life an epic list of the best symphonic metal bands.
  • 100 Greatest Extreme Metal Bands
    In present times Extreme metal is the most popular subgenre in Heavy Metal. The musical style is a hard-hitting brutal sound that has come into its own since the 80s. This article showcases a detailed perspective of the best Extreme metal bands.
  • Indias Best Guitar Players

    The guitar world is thriving globally. This space showcases a list of the best guitar players from India.

  • Top 200 Beach Songs You Should Listen To On Your Bluetooth Speakers
    Lazing around on the beach and soaking up the sun while listening to music is the most relaxing feeling. This article puts the spotlight on an epic list of beach songs you should listen to on your Bluetooth speakers.
  • Guitar Tone: Eric Johnson Vs Jeff Beck
    When the topic of discussion is “Guitar players with an amazing tone” two names that pop up instantaneously are Eric Johnson and Jeff Beck. Considered by many guitar enthusiasts as the undisputed kings of guitar tone, both these guys can melt a candle without a flame. This space is a guitar tone showcase of these guitar wizards.
  • 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Drummers
    The various styles and techniques of drummers in the realms of metal make the jaw drop. Dwell in a showcase of the best heavy metal drummers.
  • Famous Guitar Players: Various Genres

    Compiling a list of famous guitar players is by no means easy. With numerous guitar players exhibiting a variety of styles and techniques a list can be endless. However, this article aims at shedding light on guitar players in various genres, each showcasing a unique approach towards the guitar.