Best 50s Guitar Songs
Learn Classic Hits on Acoustic

Rock Around The Clock was not written by Bill Haley but by Max Freedman and James Myers in 1952.  Bill Haley recorded the song in 1954 and it took only two takes combined to make the final version.

And because of a delay arriving at the studio to record the song, Sammy Davis Jr's studio time was delayed while he waited in the hallway as Bill Haley recorded this song. Bill Haley had a #1 with this song and can be found on his album of the same name.

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Rockin' Robin was a big hit song in 1958. It was written by Leon René, using the name Jimmie Thomas, and sung by Bobby Day. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was number one on the R&B sales chart for a week.

Michael Jackson also recorded a version of the song in 1972, which did well too.

Take Good Care Of My Baby was co-written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin but made famous by Bobby Vee in 1961. Vee had a #1 hit with this song.

It can be found on the album of the same name.

The Night Has A Thousand Eyes is the name of the album and the single released back in Feb of 1963. The single peaked at #3 in both the US and the UK.

Party Doll is a rock 'n' roll song from 1957, written by Buddy Knox and Jimmy Bowen. Buddy Knox, a teenager from Happy, Texas, wrote it behind a haystack on his family farm in 1948. He recorded it in Clovis, New Mexico, with his friends Jimmy Bowen and Don Lanier.

Knox's sister and some friends sang backup vocals, and a girl from Clovis High School played the cymbal. The song became popular in Amarillo and later spread across the U.S. after Roulette Records picked it up. It reached number one on the Top 100 chart in March 1957.

Everybody's Tryin' To Be My Baby was written in 1936 by Rex Griffin but often given credit to Carl Perkins who recorded the song in 1957 and covered by The Beatles in 1964.

To my knowledge the song was released as a single in 1957 but I'm not sure if it charted. The track is from the album "Dance Album Of Carl Perkins".

Let's Twist Again was released in 1961 and probably his best know song, reaching #8 on Billboard and #3 on the Cash Box charts. The song won a Grammy in 1962. He also recorded the song in German and Italian.

The song was #1 in the UK, Holland and Belgium. The song is found on the album of the same name.

Runaway was a song written by a guy named Charles Westover, (who changed his name to Del Shannon), and a keyboard player named Max Crook. Max had built a keyboard with a unique sound and he called it a Musitron. 

When their manager persuaded them to record the song they had no idea it would peak at #1 on Billboard in the US and three weeks later top the charts in the UK. The song can be found on the 1961 album "Runaway With Del Shannon".

Hallelujah I Love Her So is a song originally written and recorded by Ray Charles, in 1959. Cochran's rendition features his signature rockabilly style, with a prominent guitar riff and driving rhythm section but was never released as a single.

The song showcases Cochran's smooth vocals and impressive guitar skills, with a solo that incorporates bluesy bends and fast runs up and down the fretboard. The track was released as a single and performed moderately well on the charts, cementing Cochran's reputation as a skilled interpreter of other artists' songs.

I Remember is a touching ballad that Eddie Cochran recorded in 1959, just a year before his untimely death.

The song is notable for its tender lyrics, which reflect on past memories of love and loss. Cochran's emotive vocals are backed by a simple arrangement featuring acoustic guitar, bass, and drums, which allows the poignant lyrics to take center stage.

Although "I Remember" was not a major commercial success at the time of its release, it has since become a fan favorite and is widely regarded as one of Cochran's most heartfelt recordings.

Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie is a high-energy rock 'n' roll song that Eddie Cochran recorded in 1958. The track features a driving rhythm section and a catchy guitar riff that is instantly recognizable. Cochran's vocals are infused with a sense of playful energy, and his lyrics tell the story of a girl who has caught his eye.

Jeannie Jeannie Jeannie peaked at #98 in the US and  after his death it was released again in the UK in 1961 and reached #33. It can be found on an album called "Legendary Masters Series". The Stray Cats also covered this number.

Twenty Flight Rock was a single release by Eddie Cochran back in 1957 but the song never charted. Eddie also appeared in the film "The Girl Can't Help It" with Jane Mansfield, where he performed the song in that movie.

Twenty Flight Rock also gained notoriety for its role in the history of rock 'n' roll, as it was famously performed by a young Paul McCartney during his audition for John Lennon and the Quarrymen, which led to his eventual inclusion in the Beatles.

The song was written by a lady named Nelda Fairchild and can be found on the album "Never To Be Forgotten", which was released after Eddie's death in 1960.

Ain't That a Shame is a famous rock and roll song written by Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew. Fats Domino recorded the song in 1955, and it became really popular. It reached number 1 on the R&B chart and number 10 on the pop chart.

The song is about feeling sad and disappointed because of a breakup. Fats Domino included it in his first album, "Rock and Rollin' with Fats Domino," released in 1956. The song's success helped Fats Domino become well-known in the rock and roll genre.

An interesting fact is that the original title was "Ain't It a Shame," but it was changed to "Ain't That a Shame" for the single release.

Blueberry Hill was recorded 6 times in 1940, the same year it was published. The Glenn Miller Orchestra had the biggest hit with the song that year reaching #2 in the US.

Fats Domino had a #1 on the R&B charts and a #2 Pop Hit when he released his version in 1956. Even Russian President Putin covered the song on Dec 10th 2010 in a benefit show for sick kids.

I'm Walkin became a #1 hit on the R&B chart by Fats Domino in 1957. Others covered the song including Ricky Nelson, Nancy Sinatra and Tom Petty.

The song hails from the album "Here Stands Fats Domino".

Venus was a single by Frankie Avalon and first released in 1959 and then again in 1976. The original version top the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1959 where the 2nd released made it to #46 and had a bit of a disco vibe to it. Frankie is quoted as saying that he preferred the original version.

Just Dropped In was considered a psychedelic rock song written Mickey Newbury. Jerry Lee Lewis first recorded the song in May of 1967. But it was Kenny Rogers and The First Edition who released their version later that year and scored a #5 hit.

I don't believe Jerry Lee Lewis released his version as a single but it can be found on the album "Soul My Way".

Whole Lotta Shakin was first recorded by Big Maybelle in 1955, but the 1957 version by Jerry Lee Lewis is the one most people know best because he radically changed the vibe.

He said he'd knew it would be a hit when he cut the song at Sun Studios in Feb 1957. It hit #3 on Billboard and #1 on the R&B Charts.

This track can be found on the "Original Hits Vol 1" album from 1969. 

Honeycomb is a song recorded by Jimmie Rodgers, but it was released in 1957.  The song was written by Bob Merrill.  The song was a major hit and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1957. The success of "Honeycomb" contributed to Jimmie Rodgers' prominence in the music scene during that time.

In the song "Honeycomb," the term "honeycomb" is used metaphorically to describe the sweetness of love.  The song was never released on an album.

7th Son is not a song by Johnny Rivers. The song "The Seventh Son," is actually a blues song written by Willie Dixon and recorded by various artists. It was first released by Willie Mabon in 1955 and has since been covered by numerous musicians, including Johnny Rivers.

Johnny Rivers included a rendition of "The Seventh Son" on his album "Meanwhile Back at the Whisky à Go Go," released in 1965. However, it's important to note that the song did not chart as a single for Johnny Rivers.

"The Seventh Son" is a blues standard that revolves around the superstition of the seventh son of a seventh son possessing special powers and abilities.

500 Miles is featured on Johnny Rivers' album "Johnny Rivers Rocks The Folk," released in 1965. The album showcased Rivers' folk-influenced style and included covers of various popular folk songs.

The song "500 Miles" was written by Hedy West, an American folk singer-songwriter. Her original version of the song was recorded and released in 1961.

Johnny Rivers' rendition of "500 Miles" did not chart as a single. However, the song gained popularity among folk music enthusiasts and fans of Johnny Rivers' music

Baby I Need Your Lovin is a popular song written by Holland-Dozier-Holland, a renowned songwriting and production team. The song was originally recorded and released by The Four Tops in 1964. Johnny Rivers included his own version of the song on his album "In Action!" in 1964.

Johnny Rivers' rendition of "Baby I Need Your Lovin'" did not chart as a single. However, it showcased Rivers' talent for covering and interpreting songs with his distinctive style.

Memphis Tennessee was written by Chuck Berry, a legendary American rock and roll musician, and it was first released by Berry himself in 1959. Johnny Rivers included his own version of "Memphis" on his album "Johnny Rivers at the Whisky à Go Go," which was released in 1964.

Johnny Rivers' rendition of "Memphis" became a major hit for him. It reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1964 and solidified Rivers' popularity during that time.

The song showcases Rivers' energetic vocal delivery and his ability to infuse his own style into a classic rock and roll track.

Poor Side of Town was written by Johnny Rivers himself, along with producer Lou Adler. It was released as a single in 1966 and also included on Johnny Rivers' album of the same name, "Poor Side of Town."

The song achieved significant success on the charts, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. It became Johnny Rivers' biggest hit and is often regarded as one of his signature songs.

"Poor Side of Town" is a poignant ballad that tells the story of a person who finds themselves in a place of poverty and despair.

Secret Agent Man was written by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri. It was recorded by Johnny Rivers and released as a single in 1966. The song was also included on his album "...And I Know You Wanna Dance."

"Secret Agent Man" achieved chart success, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966. It became one of Johnny Rivers' biggest hits and has since become an iconic spy-themed song.

The song is about a fictional secret agent who undertakes dangerous missions while living a double life.

Slow Dancing was written by Johnny Rivers and Hal David. It was released as a single in 1977 and also included on Johnny Rivers' album "Outside Help."

While "Slow Dancing" did not reach the same chart success as some of Rivers' earlier hits, it still managed to make a modest impact, peaking at number 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977.

The song "Slow Dancing" is about the intimate and tender experience of slow dancing with a loved one.

Summer Rain was written by James Hendricks and performed by Johnny Rivers. It was released as a single in 1967 and later included on his album "Rewind" released the same year.

The song achieved significant chart success, peaking at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1968. It remains one of Johnny Rivers' notable hits.

"Summer Rain" tells a nostalgic story of a summer romance. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a brief but intense love affair that takes place during a summer season.

The Tracks of My Tears was originally written by Smokey Robinson, Warren "Pete" Moore, and Marv Tarplin, and it was first recorded and released by The Miracles in 1965. Johnny Rivers covered the song for his album "Rewind," released in 1967.

While Johnny Rivers' version of "The Tracks of My Tears" is highly regarded, it did not achieve significant chart success as a single. However, the song has become a beloved classic and is recognized as one of Smokey Robinson's signature compositions.

"The Tracks of My Tears" is a soulful and introspective ballad that explores the theme of hidden sorrow behind a seemingly cheerful facade.

We Belong Together is a song from 1958 and first recorded by the duo "Robert & Johnny" and was a #12 R&B hit for them. Ritchie Valens recorded the song in 1959 and had success with the song.

Los Lobos, who formed in LA in 1973, were chosen to record a version of the song in 1987 for the movie about Ritchie Valens life called "La Bamba".

The Blues Don't Mean A Thing was one written and recorded by Melvin Endsley but the only reference to the song is on a rockabilly album called The Last Great Rockabilly Saturday Night.

Most of the artists listed on the album cover are not well known. Endsley himself had a successful career as a writer, penning over 400 songs, but his commercial success as a singer was limited.

Shama Lama Ding Dong is a fun song from the 1978 movie National Lampoon's Animal House. Mark Davis wrote it, and it was performed by a fictional band called Otis Day and the Knights. Although DeWayne Jessie played Otis Day in the film, the vocals were actually sung by Lloyd G. Williams, with Melvin Britt and Sidney Juston doing backing vocals.

The song was popular and won an award in 1995. John Mellencamp covered it in 1987, and it's also played by the band Goose. It's been recorded by different groups like the University of California Men's Octet and the Dartmouth Aires.

Come On Let's Go hails from 1958 and was written by Ritchie Valens himself.

It peaked at #42 on Billboard and was one of four singles from his debut album "Ritchie Valens".

Donna was recorded in Dec of 1958 as the A-side for a single which was to include La Bamba as the B-Side. The song peaked at #2 and his highest charting single of the 3 he managed to release before his death. The other was Come On let's Go.

This song appears on an album entitled "Ritchie Valens".

Gee was the only hit from this group who formed in 1951 and released this song in 1953. Many considered this song to be the first rock and roll song.

The song reached #14 on the Pop charts and #2 on the R&B charts.

To Know Him Is to Love Him is a famous song by The Teddy Bears, written by Phil Spector. Spector got the idea from the words on his father's tombstone. The song was a big hit in 1958, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number two on the UK's New Musical Express chart.

Even though The Teddy Bears didn't have a whole album with this song, it's still remembered as one of the greats of early rock and roll. Other artists like Peter & Gordon, Bobby Vinton, and Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris also had hits with it later on.