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0101 Baby, Let’s Play House - Elvis Presley 10/04/1955 One of Presley's first major regional successes and his first record to appear on the country charts. Originally written and recorded by Arthur Gunter, Elvis transformed the blues song into an exciting rockabilly classic with his energetic vocals, Scotty Moore's sparkling guitar and Bill Black's driving bass. The record captured the youthful excitement of his early sessions with Sun and played a key role in establishing the icon as a rising star.

Football / football adjacent songs (no sign of Hey Jude :( ) #2 Three Lions #3 Wonderwall #5 Dai Dai #24 Waka Waka #38 Mr Brightside #71 Vindaloo #96 Sweet Caroline

0100 Earth Angel - The Crew-Cuts 15/03/1955 Originally recorded by The Penguins a year earlier, "Earth Angel" became one of the defining songs of the doo-wop era when The Crew-Cuts released their own polished pop version, helping introduce the record to a wider mainstream audience. With its tender lyrics, close harmonies and timeless melody the track became a classic love song for a new, emerging group in society - “teenagers”.

0099 Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley 15/03/1955 Built around the famous "Bo Diddley beat"—a driving rhythm inspired by African and Afro-Cuban music—this record is one of the foundations of rock and roll. Diddley’s distinctive guitar style, powerful vocals and innovative use of rhythm inspired infinite artists, from Buddy Holly to The Rolling Stones. This helped redefine the possibilities of popular music and I think it’s one of rock's most influential recordings.

0098 Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado 15/04/1955 Originally composed by French songwriter Louiguy, this instrumental gained worldwide fame through Prado's vibrant mambo arrangement, featuring the unforgettable trumpet solo by Billy Regis. The infectious Latin rhythm and colourful orchestration captured the ongoing mambo craze, making it a Transatlantic No. 1.

0097 Flip, Flop and Fly - Big Joe Turner 28/01/1955 Turner co-wrote this with Jesse Stone and it’s driven by an infectious boogie-woogie rhythm, booming vocals and a carefree spirit that perfectly captures the excitement of early rock and roll. Its energetic beat and memorable refrain made it a favourite with both R&B and rock audiences - one of the defining recordings of the transition from rhythm and blues to rock and roll.

0096 Learnin’ the Blues - Frank Sinatra 24/01/1955 One of Sinatra's biggest chart successes, this song captures the familiar heartache of lost love with wit, warmth and a touch of swing. Ol Blue Eyes’ relaxed phrasing and effortless sense of timing, backed by Nelson Riddle's superb arrangement, turned it into a No. 2 hit in the UK. Blending sophisticated orchestration with conversational storytelling, the recording perfectly shows why Sinatra is regarded as the greatest interpreter of American popular song.

0095 Embraceable You - Sarah Vaughan 16/01/1955 Written by the Gershwins for the 1930 musical Girl Crazy, this became one of the great standards of the American Songbook. Vaughan's subsequent recording is a masterclass in vocal artistry, combining her remarkable range, flawless technique and deep emotional warmth. Rather than overwhelming the song, Vaughan lets its beautiful melody breathe, creating an intimate and elegant performance.

0094 Ramblin’ Man - Hank Williams 06/01/1955 Released posthumously, this reflects one of Williams’ most enduring themes: the restless life of a wanderer who can never settle down. The song's simple melody and heartfelt lyrics capture both the freedom and loneliness of life on the road and his honest, unadorned delivery gives the song an authenticity that has resonated with generations of country artists. It’s a typically fine example of Williams' gift for expressing profound emotions through seemingly simple songs.

0093 I Got a Woman - Ray Charles 15/12/1954 Quite simply, the record that launched soul music. Ray Charles transformed the gospel song It Must Be Jesus into a joyful rhythm and blues celebration of love, blending sacred musical styles with secular lyrics in such a groundbreaking way. His exuberant vocals, driving piano and infectious energy created a sound unlike anything heard before. The song became Charles' first No. 1 R&B hit in the US.

0092 Pledging My Love - Johnny Ace 15/12/1954 Recorded shortly before his death, this song is a heartfelt promise of lifelong devotion, delivered with Ace's smooth, intimate vocal style. It’s a lasting tribute to his remarkable talent and has been covered by artists ranging from Elvis Presley to Johnny Kidd. I feel it’s one of the great rhythm and blues tracks of the time.

0091 Almost Like Being in Love - Lester Young 15/12/1954 Originally written for the musical Brigadoon, this soon became a favourite jazz standard. Young's recording is a masterclass in understated swing, his warm tenor saxophone gliding effortlessly through the melody with lyrical grace. Known as "Pres," Young influenced generations of jazz musicians, including Charlie Parker, and this elegant interpretation perfectly captures the relaxed, melodic style that made him one of jazz's most admired soloists.

0090 The Sun’s Gonna Shine Again - Ray Charles 15/11/1954 This marked an important step in Ray Charles's development as a songwriter. Blending blues, gospel and rhythm and blues, it expresses hope and resilience after heartbreak—a theme that would become central to much of his music. Charles' heartfelt vocal and expressive piano playing gives the song a quiet optimism that shines through its melancholy. It foreshadows the groundbreaking soul recordings that soon established Charles as one of music’s greatest innovators.

0089 Hernando’s Hideaway - Johnston Brothers 15/11/1954 Written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross for the Broadway musical The Pajama Game, this song evokes the atmosphere of a mysterious tango nightclub where "everyone is welcome." The Johnston Brothers' smooth harmonies and polished style helped make it reach No 1 in the UK. With its distinctive tango rhythm and memorable melody, it’s a wonderful reminder of the musical theatre boom.

0088 Mr Sandman - The Chordettes 20/10/1954 This playful song asks the mythical Sandman to bring the perfect sweetheart in a dream. Its close harmonies, catchy "bum-bum-bum-bum" refrain and light-hearted charm made it an instant success, topping the charts in the US and becoming one of the defining recordings of the era. It’s featured in countless films, television programmes and advertisement and is one of the most instantly recognisable and enduring pop songs of its time.

0087 Mambo Italiano - Rosemary Clooney 15/10/1954 Another UK No 1 for Clooney, this song playfully mixes English with humorous Italian phrases while celebrating the mambo dance craze that swept America in the Fifties. Clooney's lively, tongue-in-cheek performance and infectious rhythm made it an international success, showcasing her versatility beyond traditional ballads. Packed with charm, wit and irresistible energy, it’s one of the period’s most recognisable novelty songs and a perennial favourite.

0086 The Man That Got Away - Judy Garland 29/09/1954 Written for the film A Star Is Born, this powerful torch song expresses the heartbreak of losing the love of a lifetime. Garland's emotionally charged delivery and extraordinary vocal range make the performance unforgettable. One of the finest songs ever written for a Hollywood musical, it’s a landmark in both film and pop music.

0085 Idle Gossip - Sarah Vaughan 15/09/1954 "Idle Gossip" showcases Sarah Vaughan at her most playful and sophisticated. The song pokes fun at rumours and hearsay, with Vaughan's effortless phrasing, rich tone and remarkable vocal control bringing wit as well as warmth to the performance. Vaughan had an unrivalled ability to combine technical brilliance with genuine emotional expression and this is a delightful reminder of her versatility and enduring artistry.

0084 If I Give My Heart to You - Doris Day 01/09/1954 A gentle and sincere declaration of love, asking for trust and lasting commitment in return. Day's clear, warm voice and effortless sincerity made this tune an instant favourite, particularly in the US. I think it has a graceful melody and timeless sentiment and is a classic love song.

0083 Three Coins in the Fountain - Frank Sinatra 15/08/1954 Released as part of the soundtrack of the film for the same name, winning the Best Song Oscar, and topping the UK Charts, this is one of Sinatra’s most elegant recordings. It celebrates hope, romance and the legend that tossing coins into Rome's Trevi Fountain will bring love and good fortune. Sinatra's warm, effortless delivery makes it a really memorable ballad.

0082 Never Let Me Go - Johnny Ace 15/08/1954 One of Ace's most enduring performances, this heartfelt ballad showcases Ace's smooth, intimate vocal style as he pleads for lasting love and devotion. Its emotional sincerity and understated arrangement made it a favourite with rhythm and blues audiences. Tragically, Ace died soon after at the age of just 25, giving the song added poignancy. It’s a perfect example of the type of romantic R&B ballad that would help to shape the emerging soul sound.

0081 This Ole House - Rosemary Clooney 15/08/1954 This track uses an old, empty house as a moving metaphor for the body at the end of life and the hope of a home beyond. Clooney's warm, lively performance brought a surprisingly uplifting feel to its spiritual message, helping it top the charts in both the United States and Britain. The song later enjoyed another major revival through Shakin' Stevens's 1981 version.

0080 But Not for Me - Chet Baker 31/07/1954 Written by brothers George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin for the 1930 musical Girl Crazy, "But Not for Me" became a jazz standard through countless interpretations, but it’s Chet Baker's recording, from his acclaimed album Chet Baker Sings, that is the most celebrated and my personal favourite. His cool, intimate voice and lyrical trumpet style bring a quiet vulnerability to the song, transforming it into a deeply personal reflection on unrequited love. In my opinion, it’s one of the defining recordings of the West Coast jazz movement.

0079 That’s All Right - Elvis Presley 19/07/1954 Widely regarded as the record that launched Elvis Presley's career, this helped ignite the rock and roll revolution. Originally written and recorded by blues singer Arthur Crudup, Elvis transformed it with an energetic blend of blues, country and rockabilly during a spontaneous session at Sun Records with producers Sam Phillips immediately recognising its magic. The song's fresh, exciting sound announced the arrival of a new musical era and marked the true beginning of one of the most influential careers in music.

0078 If I Can’t Have You - The Flamingos 15/07/1954 This was an early American hit for The Flamingos, one of the finest vocal harmony groups of the time. The song's tender lyrics of unrequited love are matched by the group's smooth, sophisticated harmonies and expressive lead vocal. It helped establish The Flamingos' reputation for elegance and vocal precision and shows their rich, emotional doo-wop style that flourished during rock and roll's formative years.