27 Best Songs From 1951

I Get Ideas by Tony Martin

Song Year: 1951

This popular song has been recorded by several musicians, but the most famous rendition comes from the world-renowned singer Tony Martin.

Martin recorded “I Get Ideas” in April of 1951 for RCA Victor Records. The song debuted on the Billboard charts in May and spent 30 weeks there. It went on to peak at number 3.

Other notable renditions of the song come from Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, and Desi Arnaz. Arnaz sang the song during an episode of I Love Lucy in 1955.

Cold, Cold Heart by Tony Bennett

Song Year: 1951

This country-pop song was originally recorded by Hank Williams. Tony Bennett recorded a pop version of the song for Columbia Records in 1951 with a Percy Faith orchestral arrangement.

It landed on the Billboard charts by the summer and spent 27 weeks there, peaking at the number 1 spot.

As recently as 2012, Tony Bennett recorded a new rendition of “Cold, Cold Heart” alongside Vicentico, an Argentinian singer.

On Top of Old Smoky by The Weavers

Song Year: 1951

“On Top of Old Smoky” is a classic American folksong. An early version of the song was recorded by English folklorist Cecil Sharp.

The Weavers recorded a pop version of “On Top of Old Smoky” in February of 1951 that went on to sell more than a million copies. The Weavers were a popular folk-singing group in the 50s and their rendition peaked at number 2 on the Billboard charts.

Moanin’ at Midnight by The Howlin’ Wolf

Song Year: 1951

This Howlin’ Wolf song is considered a blues classic. Recorded in July of 1951 for Chess Records, “Moanin’ at Midnight” was Howlin’ Wolf’s debut single.

It spent time on the Billboard R&B chart and the single’s B-side spawned another hit “How Many More Years.” Ike Turner and Willie Johnson play backing piano and guitar on the track.

The Loveliest Night of the Year by Mario Lanza

Song Year: 1951

Lanza’s second song on the list was first published by Juventino Rosas in 1888 as “Sobre las Olas” (“Over the Waves”). It was a waltz that Irving Aaronson adapted for the film The Great Caruso in 1950.

Lanza recorded his version of the song in 1951 and that rendition peaked at number 3 on the American Billboard charts.

The instrumental versions of “The Loveliest Night of the Year” are associated with animated cartoons, trapeze acts, and magicians on stage.

3 O’Clock Blues by B.B King

Song Year: 1951

“3 O'Clock Blues” was originally recorded by Lowell Fulson in 1946. B.B. King recorded his version in 1951 and it became his first popular hit song. The song helped to heighten King’s profile and launch his career.

King recorded “3 O’Clock Blues in September of 1951 in Memphis. RPM Records released the song n December and it went on to spend 17 weeks on the Billboard charts, peaking at number 1.

King included a version of the song on his debut album Singin’ the Blues in 1956.

Aba Daba Honeymoon by Debbie Reynolds & Carleton Carpenter

Song Year: 1951

This popular song was originally written in 1914 by Arthur Fields and Walter Donovan. Comic duo Collins & Harlan recorded the first rendition that same year.

A version of the old song featured in the 1950 film Two Weeks with Love, performed by Debbie Reynolds and Carleton Carpenter.

They recorded the single in 1950 and it peaked at number 3 on the Billboard charts in 1951.

I’m In the Mood by John Lee Hooker

Song Year: 1951

John Lee Hooker recorded the blues hit “I’m In the Mood” in 1951. It is said to be one of the highest-selling blues records ever released.

Hooker recorded the song in August 1051 in a Detroit studio. He claimed the song was inspired by “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller.

Since Hooker’s recording, the song has been covered by Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, John Hammond Jr., and Jack Bruce.

Train Kept A-Rollin by Tiny Bradshaw

Song Year: 1951

American Jazz musician Tiny Bradshaw released this jump blues hit in 1051. The mid-tempo tune has a boogie-woogie bass line and scat singing. There’s even a saxophone solo by Red Prysock.

Bradshaw based the lyrics on a 1942 song called “Cow-Cow Boogie about a singing cowboy. It is Bradshaw’s best-known hit single.

I Apologize by Billy Eckstine

Song Year: 1951

Ed Nelson, Al Hoffman, and Al Goodhart wrote and published “I Apologize” in 1931.

It has been recorded by several well-known artists, but the most popular version comes from Bill Eckstine. He recorded the tune for MGM Records in 1951 and it spent 19 weeks on the Billboard bestseller charts, peaking at the 8th spot.

Tony Martin and Champ Butler recorded versions of the song that same year and Dinah Washington recorded another version in 1952.