29 Best Songs From 1950

“Sentimental Me” By Ames Brothers

Song Year: 1950

Old-fashioned and syrupy sweet, the lush vocal parts take center stage on “Sentimental Me.” A jazz organ and slow beat support the pace, which begs a pair of dancers to sway gently in each others’ arms.

This is the most popular version of this tune, though there were also two others recorded in 1950 by Ray Anthony and the Russ Morgan Orchestra. 

“Bad, Bad Whiskey” By Amos Milburn

Song Year: 1950

As you might guess from this song’s title, “Bad, Bad Whiskey” details how alcohol makes the singer lose his faculties of reason and make some dumb decisions. It’s one of the most famous examples of a jazz subgenre nicknamed “blues in a bottle.”

Maxwell Davis is the composer, though Milburn’s performance catapulted it to the top of the charts. Later, Bob Dylan gave it a shot on his radio program.

“My Foolish Heart” By The Gordon Jenkins Orchestra

Song Year: 1950

Though critics thought it too sappy, “My Foolish Heart” was a ballad that quickly became a jazz standard. It was featured in the film by the same name, which helped drive its rise to prominence.

Besides Gordon Jenkins, Billy Eckstine’s version also spent 19 weeks on the Billboard charts that same year. 

“Go Back To the One You Love” By T-Bone Walker

Song Year: 1950

Though many songs in 1950 were a mixture of genres, “Go Back To the One You Love” is pure bluesy goodness. The instrumental track lets jazz guitar play with piano and bass for a simple but enduring tune.

T-Bone Walker was a foundational figure in more than one blues style, including West Coast and electric blues. His strong voice layers over the instrumental timbres as he tells a woman who cheated on him to follow her heart and leave him alone in his misery.  

“Oh Babe!” By Louis Prima and Keely Smith

Song Year: 1950

Big band jazz was the height of 1940s and ‘50s energy. “Oh Babe!” is no exception, letting each instrument have its chance at a cheeky solo with some call-and-response in the brass.

The lyrics describe the narrator’s object of his affection catching his attention every time she calls out to him. This one is both danceable and singable in the best way. 

“Rollin’ and Tumblin’” By Muddy Waters

Song Year: 1950

This classic of the Delta blues was already a jazz standard over two decades before Muddy Waters made it a hit in 1950. In the 1960s, Cream covered it with a rock twist, giving it a harder edge and introducing the tune to new audiences.

In keeping with the blues tradition, “Rollin’ and Tumblin’” laments the absence of a romantic interest. The twangy guitar sound that Waters gave his version makes it sound more upbeat than the lovelorn lyrics would suggest.

“I Wanna Be Loved” By The Andrews Sisters and The Gordon Jenkins Orchestra

Song Year: 1950

This ballad’s message is that of a mature woman wishing that someone would woo, thrill, and cherish her. The solo voice on the first verse segues to a texture of rich harmonies later in the song, punctuated by strings.

Though the Andrews Sisters made “I Wanna Be Loved” a #1 hit on the charts in 1950, it was a standard that many other artists recorded. Dinah Washington’s was another notable version about a decade later, backed by Quincy Jones’ orchestra.

“Count Every Star” By The Ravens

Song Year: 1950

R&B vocal group The Ravens formed in 1945 and was the first of its kind to feature a bass voice as lead melody. It’s a slow serenade that makes plenty of room for background vocals and a two-count rhythm.

Dick Haymes and Artie Shaw also released a recording of “Count Every Star” in 1950, which reached #10 on the U.S. pop charts. 

“Bon Ton Roula” By Clarence Garlow

Song Year: 1950

Though there was plenty of blues music that climbed the charts in 1950, this one utilizes elements of rhumba and zydeco for a unique flavor that sounds like it’s right out of New Orleans. The Cajun style was so popular that other artists copied this song in subsequent decades of the pop and jazz music industries.

“Bon Ton Roula” loosely translates to “let the good times roll,” using Louisiana Creole and traditional folk dialects in the lyrics.

Top Songs From 1950, Final Thoughts

Those were the best songs from 1950. Though the blues reigned supreme, there was also significant influence from the country and western genre as well as big band jazz. Various cultures came together on the mainstream pop charts, creating a melting pot of sounds that would become more homogenous further into the decade.

There’s no doubt that 1950 was an enriching time for the industry. Whether you’re familiar with the music from this year or just now discovering its appeal, we hope you found some new favorite tunes on our list. Happy listening!