I went to a different website this week:
www.musicoutfitters.com/…
I decided to look at more than the top ten. I will post the top ten songs of 1956, first, then give you a few bonus songs, that I feel are worth a listen.
So, here we go: Number one:
I like the bass. It sounds like the big wooden string bass, not an electric one. Nice tune. Nice work.
Next:
If I wanted to pick on a hit song, and call it too simple, and too short, I could pick on this one. I know, most hit songs are pretty short and simple, but…..
Next:
That one, I had never heard before, but I remember at least two other songs by Nelson Riddle, from the 1960’s. One, was, A Holiday For Strings, which, if I recall correctly, was the theme song for the Red Skelton Show, and nelson Riddle and his Orchestra, was on the show, each week.
The other song I recall by Nelson Riddle, was this one:
I love the key changes in that one. Some of you, my readers, educated me on the circle of fifths, as explored by Bach, so much, and used by many others, of course. Seems to me, that Nelson Riddle was great, at bringing elements of classical, and jazz, and pop music, all together. I can’t get enough of that Route 66 song.
Next:
Wow, that singing, is so great, I cannot find any flaw, in that singing skill, and passion. Wow.
Next:
More of a Western song, than a rock and roll song, but who cares. Wistful song about a wandering man. Like a short Western movie, in a song.
Next:
One strange thing about living for 67 years, is that I have heard so many things, but what do I know about them? This melody is truly familiar, like an old friend, like Yankee Doodle, but I never knew the title, until now. I never heard of a song, called, The Poor People of Paris. I would remember it, if anyone told me that was the title to this song. So, the song, the melody, is an old friend. The title is surprising news, to me.
Next:
Wow. The voice of Doris Day was so incredibly sharp, clear, precise. Wow.
Next:
Simple song, but the drum solo truly brings it together. Nice.
Next:
You can look up the Rat Pack, to see all the members, but two of them were Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin. Sinatra was called, Chairman of the Board, and was held by many to be the top man, but Dean Martin, was, truly, a much better crooner. Crooner, I tell you. Truly much better.
Next:
This one is a cute little novelty song, but I don’t know how it got to the top ten.
Which brings me to the bonus songs, that were not in the top ten list, but I feel they are worth putting out here. I already posted one that was not in the top ten, for 1956, the Route 66 Theme Song, by Nelson Riddle.
Here is another one:
That video has two songs, by Little Richard, Long Tall Sally, and, Tutti Fruiti.
Solid classics of Rock.
The video looks like it was all lip syncing and instrument syncing, but who cares.
Another one:
Too corny? Too silly? But I cannot find any flaw, in the singing voices. Nice.
Here is one that is truly a part of me:
I never had to work as hard as the fictional man in the song, but I did work at bottom level jobs, for 40 years, and, unloading a truck at Walmart, when I was in my late fifties, I think I felt like the man in the song. I actually walked away, from unloading a truck when there was only three or four of us doing a job, that called for at least seven or eight workers. The boss was angry at me, but I simply could not push myself any more, that day.
One more:
Now THAT, is classic rock. You may have heard Elvis’ recording of that one. Not a big difference between the voice of Carl Perkins and that of Elvis Presley.
I truly enjoy the lyrics:
You can burn my house, steal my car
Drink my liquor from an old fruit-jar
Do anything that you want to do
But uh-uh baby, lay off of my shoes
Don't you step on my blue suede shoes
You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes
I do not have any fancy shoes, or fancy clothing of any kind, but, I have noticed, as I observed the thousands of customers flowing in to the Walmart, where I worked for 12 years, I noticed that older men, those who appeared to be older than sixty, I noticed that each one had developed his own unique look, his own unique style. At the age of 67, I have done that, as well. I buzz cut the top of my head, but my beard and mustache have grown wild, for 3 years or so. I have dark rimmed glasses. Nowadays, when I go out, I wear a new reflective safety vest, over my cotton, button up shirt, light green, with collar. I wear grey sleep pants, similar to sweat pants. My shoes are plain black, but high quality New Balance brand, with Dr Scholl’s insoles, with arch supports under them, to help with an old injury, from about 1975. I have no pain in my feet, nowadays, because I pamper them. I walk every day, sometimes two miles. No foot pain.
My wife, Tonia, who died six months ago, always encouraged me, to pamper myself, buy new socks, new underwear, what ever make me feel comfortable.
Well, maybe I have belabored my point too much. What do you think, about your personal style and comfort?
Anyway, happy listening.
And, hugs.