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

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