31 Best Songs From 1956

12. “Hound Dog” By Elvis Presley

Song Year: 1956

The year of Elvis, “Hound Dog” was another major hit for Presley. Originally recorded by Big Mama Thornton, the song was successful in 1952 and shaped the sound of rock and roll in the 1950s.

Presley improved on Thornton’s version and brought “Hound Dog” into the mainstream. Selling over 10 million copies, “Hound Dog” dominated the charts and spent 11 weeks at the top of the chart. This record latest 36 years.

13. “The Poor People of Paris” By Les Baxter

Song Year: 1956

This instrumental tune from Les Baxter found success in the United States and spent 4 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts. 

Baxter’s arrangement included strings, brass, snapping, whistlers, and light percussion. After its initial release, “The Poor People of Paris” found success again after Lawrence Welk recorded a version. Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, and several others gave vocal renditions of the song in later years.

14. “I Almost Lost My Mind” By Pat Boone

Song Year: 1956

Originally recorded in 1950, Joe Hunter hit the R&B charts with his rendition of the song in the same year. Pat Boone rerecorded “I Almost Lost My Mind” in 1956. It went on to become the most popular and best-selling version of the tune.

Other notable versions of “I Almost Lost My Mind” include recordings by Chubby Checker, Nat King Cole, and Fats Domino.

15. “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” By Elvis Presley

Song Year: 1956

Elvis was the King of love songs as well. “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You,” made countless women weak in the knees every time he sang the song.

Released in May of 1956, the song was Presley’s second number 1 country song and reached number 3 on the Billboard Top 100. While not as big a hit as his other songs released in the same year, “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” is still one of the best songs from 1956.

16. “Love Me Tender” By Elvis Presley

Song Year: 1956

The theme song to Presley’s first film, “Love Me Tender” is a love song dedicated to a soldier’s mother and bride after his return from the Civil War. 

The ballad was an instant smash hit after Presley performed the song on “The Ed Sullivan Show” while promoting his film. Since then “Love Me Tender” has had an everlasting legacy and is featured in countless films and shows.

17. “Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom)” By Perry Como

Song Year: 1956

Written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning, “Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom),” found success in 1956 once Perry Como recorded his version of the song. Como’s version of the song peaked at number 1 on Billboard’s pop music charts in 1956.

While the lyrics are nonsensical, the song is about a man’s love for his woman. He’s excited and having a hard time explaining his feelings.

18. “Canadian Sunset” By Eddie Haywood & Hugo Winterhalter

Song Year: 1956

Originally released with lyrics in 1956, “Canadian Sunset” found success after Haywood and Winterhalter recorded an instrumental version of the song. The instrumental version of “Canadian Sunset” peaked at number 2 on the Billboards charts in 1956.

Since its release, “Canadian Sunset” is now known as an essential jazz standard. Cover versions by Wes Montgomery, Dean Martin, Etta Jones, and Earl Klugh also found success in later years.

19. “Green Door” By Jim Lowe

Song Year: 1956

It’s been almost 70 years and we still don’t know what’s behind the “Green Door.” Recorded by Jim Lowe in 1956, “Green Door” is a story about a guy trying to get into an exclusive club with a green door.

The honky-tonk song reached number 1 on the Billboard Charts. The song had a lasting cultural impact. Recently “Green Door” was included in Quentin Tarantino’s film “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”

20. “No, Not Much” By The Four Lads

Song Year: 1956

The Four Lads pour their hearts out as they profess their love during “No, Not Much.” Written by Robert Allen and Al Stillman, The Four Lads’ version peaked at number 2 on the US Disk Jokey charts in 1956.

Other popular versions of “No, Not Much” includes recordings by Bing Crosby and Robert Palmer.

21. “Honky Tonk” By Bill Doggett

Song Year: 1956

This instrumental by Bill Doggett became his most influential and popular piece. “Honky Tonk” reached number 2 on the Billboard pop charts and was the biggest R&B song of 1956.

The song resurfaced in the 1970s after James Brown released a version with his band The J.B.s in 1972.