27 Best Songs From 1952
The early 1950s was a pivotal era for music, with 1952 being a prime year. In 1952, iconic artists released songs that have gone down in musical history.
Most music lovers will recognize the biggest hits of this year. Read on to learn interesting facts about the best songs from 1952.
Contents
“Blue Tango” by Leroy Anderson
Song year: 1952
Leroy Anderson composed “Blue Tango” in 1951 and released it with lyrics by Mitchell Parish in 1952. It reached number one on the Billboard charts in 1952, making it one of the most recognizable songs of the year.
Several artists have paid homage to the tune with their spin on covers. Bobby Wayne, Oneal Hudson, Calvin Boze, Teddi King, the Mulcays, and Guy Lombardo have all released versions.
Amanda Lear also covered the song with her original lyrics, later releasing a notorious accompanying video that addressed rumors about her gender.
“Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart” by Vera Lynn
Song year: 1952
The German composer Eberhard Storch composed “Auf Wiederseh'n Sweetheart,” but songwriters John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons brought the song to the English market in 1952 with their lyrics.
Vera Lynn stumbled across a group of bargoers singing the song in Switzerland while on vacation. She immediately fell for the tune and decided to record the number with new lyrics. Vera Lynn became the first foreign artist to hit number one on the U.S. Billboard charts with this tune.
“You Belong to Me” by Jo Stafford
Song year: 1952
The opening lyrics of Jo Stafford’s “You Belong to Me” paint pictures of ancient pyramids on the Nile River, adding the right amount of theatrics for the Hollywood single.
Chilton Price, Pee Wee King, and Redd Stewart contributed to the song’s composition. These three were some of the decade’s most successful artists and likely the reason the song topped the Billboard charts in both the United Kingdom and the United States.
Joni James immediately liked the lyrics when she saw the sheet music and released her recording in 1952.
“I Went to Your Wedding” by Patti Page
Song year: 1952
Patti Page sings about unrequited love in “I Went to Your Wedding.” Songwriter Jessie Mae Robinson wrote the lovesick song about a woman who attends a wedding while still in love with her ex-lover: the groom.
It floated around the Billboard charts for 21 weeks, eventually taking the number one spot. Artists Sammy Kaye, Alma Cogan, and Hank Snow later released covers with their unique spins.
The song has more comedic uses in pop culture, including a parody by musician Spike Jones.
“Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” by Jo Stafford
Song year: 1952
Jo Stafford released “Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” in 1952 with Paul Weston and his Orchestra, and the song immediately charmed America with its southern flair before skyrocketing to the top of the charts.
The fun, easy-listening song details the Cajun experience, from food and lifestyle to parties and rhythmic spirit. Lovers of Cajun meals and music will love this tune about Jambalaya, crawfish pie, fruit jars, and gumbo–But it may make them hungry.
“Please, Mr. Sun” by Johnnie Ray and the Four Lads
Song year: 1952
Ray Getzov and Sid Frank wrote “Please, Mr. Sun” for the American singer and pianist Johnnie Ray, with features by the Four Lads and the Jimmy Carroll Orchestra. The song reached Billboard’s top 30 songs for the entirety of 1952.
Several other artists released covers of the pop song, including Perry Como, whose version hit number 12 on the U.S. pop chart in 1952. Other renditions came later in the decade, like Tommy Edwards’ cover in 1959, which charted at number 11.
“Wheel of Fortune” by Kay Starr
Song year: 1952
Johnny Hartman released “Wheel of Fortune” in 1951, but the song did not receive widespread acclaim until Kay Starr covered it in 1952. It reached number one on the U.S. pop charts in the spring of 1952 and later in the year when Dinah Washington recorded a version.
The song became the theme song for Wheel of Fortune, the American game show that started in 1952–The same year Kay Starr and Dinah Washington released their recordings.
“High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin’)” by Frankie Laine
Song year: 1952
Dimitri Tiomkin produced “High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me, Oh My Darlin’)” in 1952 for the film High Noon, a western by Fred Zinnemann starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly. Frankie Laine sings the lyrics about Will Kane, the film’s protagonist.
The song has become synonymous with the iconic film, making the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 most representative songs of American cinema. It won the Oscar for “Best Original Song” in 1952.
“Slow Poke” by King Pee Wee & His Golden West Cowboys
Song year: 1952
King Pee Wee & His Golden West Cowboys released the hit country song “Slow Poke” in 1952. Chilton Price, a good friend of Pee Wee King, wrote the song for and about the country artist because she believed the lyrics applied to his personality.
The tune describes his tardy tendencies and his indifference to time. Price seemed slightly frustrated with his habits when she wrote the song but gave him the song to tea him in good spirits.
“I’ll Walk Alone” by Don Cornell
Song year: 1952
In 1952, Don Cornell released his cover of the hit musical number “I’ll Walk Alone.” The original song comes from the 1944 musical Follow the Boys, for it received an Academy Award nomination for “Best Original Song.”
It lost to “Swinging on a Star” but received plenty of acclaim over the next decade for the original version by Dinah Shore and for Don Cornell’s rendition. Cornell brought the tune back to the top 10 on the Billboard charts in 1952.