So we’re still firmly in the years of Mum’s choices, not mine, and because she and Dad met while ballroom dancing, everything is heavily dance influenced. These were the songs I heard mostly in my early years – possibly even from the womb in 1959!
Mambo was king, and I challenge anyone not to strike a Tango pose when Hernando’s Hideaway starts. Or if you prefer your tango Argentinian … The movie Moonstruck affirmed my number 1 from this era. After all:
“When the Moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie …”
1. Dean Martin – That’s Amore – 11-53 – Capitol
2. Archie Bleyer – Hernando’s Hideaway – 06-54 – Cadence
3. Perry Como – Papa Loves Mambo – 10-54 – RCA
4. Rosemary Clooney – Mambo Italiano – 11-54 – Columbia
5. Doris Day – Secret Love – 01-54 – Columbia
6. Dean Martin – Sway – 08-54 – Capitol
7. Frank Sinatra – Young-At-Heart – 02-54 – Capitol
8. Tony Bennett – Stranger In Paradise – 12-53 – Columbia
9. Bill Haley & His Comets – Rock Around The Clock – 05-55 – Decca
10. Hank Williams – Your Cheatin’ Heart – 01-53
11. Sarah Vaughan – Whatever Lola Wants – 05-55 – Mercury
12. The Platters – Only You – 10-55 – Mercury
13. Eartha Kitt – Santa Baby – 12-53 – RCA Victor
And couple that got away …
Chuck Berry – Maybelline – 08-55 – Chess
Frank Sinatra – Three Coins In The Fountain – 06-54 – Capitol
Dean Martin – Memories Are Made Of This – 12-55 – Capitol
Yet again, certain songs seem to catch the imagination of the record publishers (if not the public), resulting in two or three copies of the same song released within a few years of each other.
For example in 53: Crying In the Chapel by Rex Allen/David Glenn/June Valli.
Then in 55: Unchained Melody by Les Baxter & His Orchestra /Roy Hamilton/Al Hibbler and The Ballad Of Davy Crockett by Bill Hayes/Tennessee Ernie Ford/Fess Parker.
And one with a slight name change – and I’m not talking about the singer!
Oh My Papa – Eddie Fisher/Oh, mein Papa – Eddie Calvert
JRo Author 