27 Best Songs From 1957

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Newer music fans are often surprised by how many hits came in 1957. These are more than just memorable songs; they are staples that changed the course of American music forever.

From Elvis to Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee to Little Richard, many of the greatest musicians released some really good music this year. Here are some of the best songs from 1957.

1. “Blueberry Hill” by Fats Domino

When that piano and the drums kick in, what a feeling. Fats Domino was the best-selling rhythm and blues musician of 1957, and there was a reason. He was a phenomenal musician. Born in New Orleans in 1928, Domino would release his first single, “The Fat Man”, in 1949. Many historians consider it the first rock and roll song ever. And the single sold over one million copies which was a huge deal.

Rock and roll music was long established when “Blueberry Hill” arrived in 1957. The song was originally recorded in 1940, and Louis Armstrong’s 1949 version was already popular. But it wasn’t until Fats injected “Blueberry Hill” with rock and roll that the song became an American staple.

2. “All Shook Up” by Elvis Presley

They call him the king, but Elvis Presley was humbler than his larger-than-life personality let on. Elvis skyrocketed to fame because of his suggestive hip-shaking that drove girls crazy and their parents into a rage. The funny thing is Presley started the leg shimmy because of nerves and stage fright. What a fun way to get people all shaken up.

3. “School Days” by Chuck Berry

Chuck Berry, the father of rock and roll and the man who took rhythm and blues and turned it on its head. Berry once joked that not only did he invent rock and roll, but he also invented teenagers. There might be some truth to that. “School Days” is just another sign of Chuck Berry’s greatness. And to think, “Johnny B. Goode” still won’t be released for another year.

4. “You Send Me” by Sam Cooke

“You Send Me” introduced the world to Sam Cooke. This debut single topped the Billboard Rhythm & Blues charts in 1957. More importantly, it reached number one on the Hot 100 that year. That was an impressive feat for a black artist at the time and a testament to Cooke’s importance to American music. Rolling Stone magazine also named it among its 500 Greatest Songs.

5. “Whole Lotta Shaking Going On” by Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis was truly the last man standing, as his 2006 comeback album would declare. Believe it or not, this rock & roll legend lived until 2022. Surprisingly, the “killer” outlived every other rocker from his era. Good thing this song that would propel Lewis into the spotlight will live forever in American music history. No one could bang on the ivories better than old Jerry Lee. 

6. “Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard

Little Richard’s father kicked him out of the house as a teenager for not living up to his expectations. Music fans are happy that he did because all expectations since have been exceeded time and again.

Tutti Frutti was originally released in late 1955 – but when Elvis covered it a year later, Little Richard’s version broke again into the Billboard charts. An interesting fact claims that the original lyrics needed to be changed for radio play due to explicit content. Who would have thought that gangsta rap would have nothing on Little Richard?

7. “Diana” by Paul Anka

This teenage anthem was a chart-topper for the Canadian American singer and actor. Anka admitted in his autobiography that he wrote the song for a gal from his church for whom he developed a crush. Anka re-recorded a Latin version of the song with Ricky Martin in 1995.

Anko has also written some very famous songs for some very famous people. The star has written for Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson. And Anka even wrote the original Tonight Show theme for Johnny Carson.

8. “Peggy Sue” by Buddy Holly

Any music fan knows the story of Buddy Holly and that tragic plane crash when he was just 21 years old. Although forever memorialized for that, Holly is also remembered for his classic song “Peggy Sue.” Originally titled “Cindy Lou” after his niece, Holly changed the lyrics to reflect a fellow Crickets bandmate’s girlfriend at the time, Peggy Sue Gerron.

Holly would record a follow-up alone in a hotel room called “Peggy Sue Got Married” which was released after his death. “Peggy Sue” reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

9. “At the Hop” by Danny & The Juniors

“At the Hop” had it all: rock and roll, 12-bar blues, boogie-woogie. In a nutshell, it drove the teenagers wild. The song was such a massive hit for Danny & The Juniors that it hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. It was even somehow a top ten country song and reached number three in the UK. “At the Hop” is such an iconic hit that Sha Na Na covered it at the legendary Woodstock music festival in 1969.

10. “Wake Up Little Susie” by The Everly Brothers

It is shocking how many classic songs were released in 1957. “Wake Up Little Susie” was a number-one pop hit for The Everly Brothers. Surprisingly, some radio stations refused to play this hit due to its “suggestive language.” The song lyrics explain that the artist and Susie had fallen asleep while watching an extremely boring movie and were six hours past curfew. And that means gossipers will imply the two were being a bit too naughty.

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