27 Best Songs From 1951

Cry by Johnnie Ray

Song Year: 1951

Churchill Kohlman wrote “Cry” in 1951 and Johnnie Ray recorded it for Columbia Records that same year.

Ray’s rendition reached the top spot on the Billboard charts as did his flip-side single

“The Little White Cloud That Cried.”

Ronnie Dove and Lynn Anderson went on to have hit versions of the song following Ray’s success.

You’re Just In Love by Perry Como & The Fontane Sisters

Song Year: 1951

Irving Berlin first published “You’re Just In Love” in 1950. Ethel Merman and Russell Nype performed the song in a musical comedy Call Me Madam that October.

Perry Como and The Fontane Sisters recorded their version of the song in September of 1950 for RCA Victor. It debuted on the charts in December and remained there for 17 weeks. It peaked at number 5.

Don’t You Lie To Me by Fats Domino

Song Year: 1951

Tampa Red first recorded “Don’t You Lie To Me” in 1940. The song is also referred to as “I Get Evil”. It became a staple song for many blues artists and over time it turned into a blues standard.

Fats Domino recorded his rendition for Imperial Records in 1951. He used Tampa Red lyrics with a full backing band and an accompanying piano.

Another notable legend Chuck Berry went on to record a hit version a decade later in 1961.

The Thing by Phil Harris

Song Year: 1951

Charles Randolph Grean originally wrote this novelty song in 1950. It might come from an English folk song called “The Chandler’s Wife.”

Phill Harris recorded his version of the song for RCA Victor in October of 1950. By November it was on the Billboard charts where it stayed for 14 weeks. It peaked at the number 1 spot. 

Other notable versions were recorded by Danny Kaye, Arthur Godfrey, The Ames Brothers, Ray Charles, and Adam West.

If (They Made me King) by Perry Como

Song Year: 1951

Stanley Damerell, Tolchard Evans, and Robert Hargreaves wrote “If (They Made Me a King)” in 1934.

Perry Como recorded his version of the song in November of 1950 and it would go on to be the most popular rendition, sitting atop the Billboard charts at number 1 for 8 weeks until early 1951.

Other notable artists covered the song around the same time, inducing Dean Martin, Billy Eckstine, and Jo Stafford.

A Kiss To Build a Dream On by Louis Armstrong

Song Year: 1951

Oscar Hammerstein, Bert Kalmar, and Harry Ruby composed the song in 1935. “A Kiss To Build a Dream On” remained unrecorded until Hammerstein adapted the lyrics and Louis Armstrong performed it in 1951.

The song was performed by William Demarest, Mickey Rooney, Kay Brown, Sally Forrest, and Armstrong for the 1951 film The Strip.

“A Kiss To Build a Dream On” was nominated for an Oscar that year but lost to “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening.”

Hey, Good Lookin by Hank Williams

Song Year: 1951

Hank Williams wrote and recorded “Hey, Good Lookin” in 1951.

50 years later the legendary song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. CMT named the song number 19 on their 100 Greatest Country Songs list.

Williams first recorded the song in the spring of 1951 at Castle Studio, along with the B-side recording “My Heart Would Know.”

The song has since been covered by several artists, in country music and beyond.

Top Songs From 1951, Final Thoughts

There were lots of big changes happening politically, socially, and globally in 1951. Music was starting to change too and these songs represented the start of a new decade, a new era.

While there are many more popular songs that dominated the airwaves in 1951, these are the cream of the crop.

So listen to the top songs from 1951 and see what the memorable songs of the era sounded like.