27 Best Songs From 1954

“That’s Amore” by Dean Martin

“That’s Amore” is as fast-paced as it is whimsical. And improbable though it seems, Dean Martin made it one of the best songs of 1954.

It became one of Martin’s signature pieces, but it first appeared as part of the comedy film The Caddy. Later it made a surprising appearance on the noir-styled television show Veronica Mars as the musical cue for a scene that was anything but comedic.

“Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes

Written by Pat Ballard in 1954, “Mr. Sandman” enjoyed immediate popularity. The Chordettes weren’t the first group to record the song that year, but their version is the best known.

Ballard’s song isn’t just catchy, it’s clever. The titular sandman refers to the folkloric bringer of dreams. But the dreams the speaker wants aren’t only the kind you have while asleep. There’s also an allusion to dreamy or romantic people.

Listen to how the pronouns linked to Mr. Sandman’s dreams change depending on who’s singing.

“Don’t You Know” by Ray Charles

Yet another excellent song from 1954 is Ray Charles’ “Don’t You Know.” Charles wrote and performed the piece himself. When it debuted in August 1954, the combination of the lyrics’ poetry and the zesty, propulsive vocals made it immediately popular.

Like many songs that became triumphs for the composers behind them, “Don’t You Know” began life as a musical riff during a practice session. You wouldn’t know that to listen to it.

“Teach Me Tonight” by Dinah Washington

Gene de Paul and Sammy Cahn collaborated on the music and lyrics of “Teach Me Tonight.”

When Dinah Washington sang it in 1954, no one suspected it would become one of the go-to examples of good music from 1954. But its themes of love, learning, and yearning resonated, and it became extremely successful.

Washington wasn’t the only artist to have success with the song. Others include:

• Sarah Vaughan
• Jo Stafford
• Diana Krall

“Blue Moon of Kentucky” by Elvis Presley

Talking about good music from 1954 is challenging if you only mention Elvis Presley once. That’s not because the year was short of musical hits but because Presley had so many of them.

“Blue Moon of Kentucky” featured on the other side of “That’s All Right” and enjoyed an equal degree of success. That’s unsurprising; By that point in Presley’s career, many felt he couldn’t produce a wrong note.

“Lovey Dovey” by The Clovers

Eddie Curtis and Ahmet Ertegun of “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” fame came back together to write “Lovey Dovey.” It was a popular song in 1954, and the version performed by The Clovers is best known of all.

It’s a playful exploration of love and has inspired many cover versions, including recordings by:

• Clyde McPhatter
• Buddy Knox
• Dick Dale

 “Rock Island Line” by Lonnie Donegan

 Finally, folk music played a critical part in the discourse surrounding good music in 1954.

“Rock Island Line,” with its story about a train that is impossibly in two places at once, goes back to 1929 and tells the story of a real if less improbable railway.

John Lomax rescued the song from obscurity while visiting an Arkansas prison and passed it on to Lead Belly, who made it famous.

By 1954, many artists wanted to do a version of the song, often changing the lyrics. The most memorable of these revised versions came from Lonnie Donegan.

Top Songs From 1954, Final Thoughts

The best songs of 1954 encompass many different genres and artists. Elvis Presley was one of the most popular singers, but he wasn’t the only successful musician that year.

It’s difficult to discuss 1954 without also mentioning The Drifters, Kitty Kallen, and Rosemary Clooney. Even that only scratches the surface.

So, call up a playlist, get comfortable, and start listening. You’ll find there’s lots of good music to emerge from 1954.