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

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