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0126 Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley 27/01/1956 Elvis’ first US No 1 Pop Hit (reaching No 2 in the UK), the song was inspired by a newspaper report about a lonely man who died by suicide, leaving behind the note, "I walk a lonely street." Its haunting atmosphere, echoing production and Presley's powerful vocal created a sound unlike anything heard before. "Heartbreak Hotel" is a landmark recording that confirmed Elvis as THE face of rock and roll.

0125 I’ve Got You Under My Skin - Frank Sinatra 15/01/1956 Originally written by Cole Porter for the 1936 musical Born to Dance, this became one of Sinatra's signature recordings on his album Songs for Swingin' Lovers!. The brilliant arrangement by Nelson Riddle, featuring a dramatic trombone solo by Milt Bernhart, builds from quiet intimacy to a thrilling climax. Sinatra's impeccable phrasing and effortless swing transformed the standard into one of the finest vocal recordings of all time.

0124 See You Later Alligator - Bill Haley & His Comets 15/01/1956 How do you follow up “Rock Around the Clock”? Well, this song's playful lyrics, catchy refrain and driving rock and roll rhythm made it another instant favourite at the time. It’s an energetic recording, full of bounce and enduring cheer.

0123 Why Do Fools Fall in Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers 10/01/1956 Fronted by the 13-year-old Lymon, this song’s youthful energy, infectious harmonies and catchy melody captured the excitement of teenage romance like few records before (or maybe even since). The song became an international success (including an UK No 1) and influenced countless vocal groups that followed.

0122 Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins 01/01/1956 The defining record of rockabilly. Inspired by a soldier fiercely protecting his prized shoes at a dance, it has an infectiously twanging guitar and youthful attitude - no wonder that it the first country record to cross over to the pop and R&B charts in the US so successfully. Although later recorded by Elvis, Perkins' original remains is the cornerstone.

0121 Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash 15/12/1955 One of The Man in Black’s first breakthroughs, helping to establish his distinctive outlaw image. Self-penned, the song tells the story of a prison inmate haunted by regret as he hears a train passing beyond the prison walls. Its unforgettable opening line and driving rhythm became Cash trademarks. The song reached legendary status after his live performance at Folsom State Prison in 1968, cementing its place as one of country music's greatest classics.

0120 The Great Pretender - The Platters 03/11/1955 Later covered by Freddie Mercury, "The Great Pretender" became one of The Platters' biggest international succeses. Written by Buck Ram, it is about someone hiding heartbreak behind a smile, combining poignant lyrics with the group's rich harmonies and the typical soaring lead voice of Tony Williams. Elegant and emotional, it remains one of the definitive love songs of all time.

0119 Tutti Frutti - Little Richard 01/11/1955 This announced the arrival of Little Richard as one of rock and roll's most electrifying pioneers. Co-written with Dorothy LaBostrie, the song's pounding piano, explosive vocals and unforgettable opening cry captured the excitement of a new musical era. Although some of the original lyrics were toned down before recording, none of the song's energy was lost. Its influence on future artists is immeasurable.

0118 Come Rain or Come Rain Shine - Billie Holiday 15/10/1955 One of the great American standards after originally being written for the1946 musical St. Louis Woman, Holiday's interpretation is typically moving. She has such fragile yet expressive voice that brings extraordinary depth to a song about unwavering love through good times and bad. Holiday's unique phrasing and emotional honesty transforms every lyric into lived experience, making this version a timeless example of her incomparable artistry.

0117 Rock Island Line - Lonnie Donegan 01/10/1955 The “King of Skiffle" sparked a musical craze across Britain with this track, based on an old American folk song popularised by Lead Belly. Donegan’s energetic version featured acoustic guitar, washboard and tea-chest bass and became Britain's first international pop hit, inspiring thousands of young musicians to form skiffle groups. Among those influenced were future members of The Beatles, but we’re getting slightly ahead of ourselves here…

0116 Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford 17/09/1955 This classic tells of the harsh life of a coal miner trapped by debt, summed up in the unforgettable line, "I owe my soul to the company store." Ford's deep, resonant voice and sparse, finger-snapping arrangement gave the song enormous impact. It remains one of the most powerful and socially significant popular songs of the decade.

0115 Rose Marie - Slim Whitman 15/09/1955 This song originated in the 1924 operetta Rose-Marie, with lyrics co-written Oscar Hammerstein. Whitman's distinctive high yodel and smooth tenor transformed it into a country-pop classic, sending it to No. 1 in the UK for a then record-breaking 11 consecutive weeks.

0114 Love Is a Many Splendoured Thing - The Four Aces 15/09/1955 Another Oscar winner, this contains smooth harmonies and a polished vocal style that perfectly captures the sweeping romance of the lyrics. It’s a defining love song of the period and more generally an enduring favourite from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

0113 Mystery Train - Elvis Presley 20/08/1955 Originally written and recorded by Junior Parker, Elvis transformed this blues number into a haunting rockabilly masterpiece, driven by Scotty Moore's wonderful echoing guitar and a relentless train-like rhythm. The song perfectly captures the excitement and mystery of America's railroads while showcasing the fresh sound that would very soon make Presley the biggest star in rock and roll.

0112 Love and Marriage - Frank Sinatra 15/08/1955 Released for the television production Our Town, this has became one of Sinatra's best-known recordings. It’s a clever ditty that compares love and marriage to other pairs of things that simply belong together. The song won the Emmy Award for Best Musical Contribution and later found a whole new audience as the theme tune to the sitcom Married... with Children. Sinatra's playful delivery and impeccable timing makes it a really charming recording.

0111 Memories Are Made of This - Dean Martin 01/08/1955 This timeless song the song celebrates life's milestones, from falling in love to raising a family, with warmth and gentle optimism. Martin's relaxed baritone and effortless charm made it an instant favourite, sending it to No. 1 in both the US and the UK. Its uplifting message and memorable melody have ensured its place as one of the most enduring tracks of the Fifties.

0110 Maybellene - Chuck Berry 21/07/1955 Berry's first hit and one of the records that defined the birth of rock and roll. Adapted from the country song Ida Red, Berry transformed it into a thrilling tale of a high-speed car chase, driven by his distinctive guitar riffs and energetic storytelling. The song became a major crossover success and introduced a fresh style that blended country, rhythm and blues and teenage excitement. Its influence on rock music is immeasurable, making it one of the most important recordings of all time.

0109 Cry Me a River - Julie London 15/07/1955 London's effortless, intimate, smoky vocal, accompanied by a sparse jazz arrangement featuring guitarist Barney Kessel, creates an atmosphere of pure sophistication. The recording is simply an enduring classic and also helped to establish the cool jazz style of the Fifties more generally.

0108 Pretty Thing - Bo Diddley 15/07/1955 Typically influential, this combines raw guitar riffs, infectious rhythm and swaggering vocals that helped define the sound of early rock and roll. Its distinctive groove inspired countless musicians drawing on Diddley's pioneering style. The rhythmic blueprint for countless rock songs that followed was established here.

0107 Dreamboat - Alma Cogan 02/07/1955 Cogan was known as the “Girl with the Giggle in her Voice”, and this reached No 1 in the UK. It’s a light-hearted celebration of teenage romance. Cogan gives a bright, playful delivery of a song that’s cheerful, catchy and full of endless charm.

0106 Something’s Gotta Give - Sammy Davis Jr 30/06/1955 Of course, Davis was integral to the Rat Pack and here his effortless swing, impeccable timing and charismatic delivery brings the song to life, showcasing the versatility that made him one of the greatest all-round entertainers of all time. It’s an example of how sophisticated pop and jazz could comfortably meet in this period.

0105 Ain’t That a Shame - Fats Domino 18/05/1955 This effortlessly blends New Orleans rhythm and blues with an irresistible melody, driven by Domino's warm vocals and distinctive piano style. A cover version by Pat Boone later became a huge hit, but obviously this original (co-composed with Dave Bartholomew) is the benchmark and a rock and roll classic.

0104 I Want to Be Loved - Muddy Waters 15/05/1955 Written by the legendary Willie Dixon, this is one of the finest Chicago blues recordings. It combines a driving shuffle rhythm with Waters' commanding vocals and expressive slide guitar. Its simple plea for love is delivered with irresistible confidence and swagger. The song's powerful groove and memorable riff helped cement Muddy Waters' legendary status.

0103 Only You - The Platters 15/05/1955 The breakthrough hit for maybe the definitive doo-woo group, this showcases the rich harmonies of The Platters and the unforgettable lead vocal of Tony Williams. Its heartfelt and timeless lyrics and elegant arrangement helped it cross over from the R&B charts to mainstream pop, launching the group to international fame.

0102 In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning - Frank Sinatra 25/04/1955 This haunting ballad captures the loneliness and regret that linger after a love has ended. Sinatra's intimate, understated performance, beautifully supported by Nelson Riddle's subtle orchestration, helped establish its parent LP as one of the first great concept albums. It’s a masterpiece of emotional storytelling and one of the finest torch songs ever recorded.