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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.

0077 Smile - Nat King Cole 25/06/1954 The instrumental for “Smile” was composed by Charlie Chaplin for his 1936 film Modern Times, with lyrics added almost twenty years later by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons. Cole's warm, heartfelt recording inevitably transformed it into one of the most inspiring songs of all time. Its simple message of hope in the face of sadness, combined with Cole's rich, reassuring voice, made it an enduring classic.

0076 Rock Around the Clock Bill Haley & His Comets 20/05/1954 The record that brought rock and roll into the mainstream. It became a worldwide sensation after featuring in the 1955 film Blackboard Jungle. The track has a driving beat, infectious energy and memorable guitar solo captured the spirit of a new generation, topping charts around the world. More than any other record, it announced the arrival of rock and roll as a global cultural force.

0075 Sway - Dean Martin 15/05/1954 Originally a Mexican instrumental titled ¿Quién Será?, composed by Pablo Beltrán Ruiz, “Sway” was given English lyrics by Norman Gimbel. Martin's smooth baritone and effortless charm, combined with the song's infectious Latin rhythm, turned it into an international favourite. Sampled by Shaft for a No 2 UK hit in 1999, the song is of one the definitive crossover hits of the Fifties and captures the era's growing fascination with Latin-inspired popular music.

0074 Little Things Mean a Lot - Kitty Kallen 12/04/1954 The biggest hit of Kallen's career and one of the defining love songs of the decade. This gentle but yearning song reminds us that true affection is shown through small, thoughtful gestures rather than grand displays. Kallen's warm, heartfelt voice struck a chord with audiences, sending the record to No. 1 on both sides of the Atlantic. Its sincerity and timeless message have ensured its place as a beloved classic of the period.

0073 I Don’t Care If the Sun Don’t Shine - Elvis Presley 10/04/1954 The King has entered the building. This beautifully showcases the young Presley's energetic blend of country, blues and rockabilly. Written by Mack David, the song had previously been recorded by several country artists, but Presley's lively vocal and infectious rhythm gave it a fresh, youthful edge. Though overshadowed by his bigger hits, it captures the raw excitement of his early Sun sessions and hints at the revolutionary sound that would soon change popular music forever.

0072 Sh-Boom - The Chords 15/03/1954 “Sh-Boom" became one of the first great doo-wop hits and one of the earliest rock and roll classics. It has infectious harmonies, playful nonsense syllables and upbeat rhythm that capture the youthful spirit of the new musical era. Although a pop cover by The Crew-Cuts reached a wider mainstream audience, I prefer The Chords' original and I think it’s the more influential version, helping to bring rhythm and blues vocal groups into the spotlight and paving the way for the explosion of rock and roll that followed.

0071 I Get a Kick Out of You - Frank Sinatra 07/03/1954 Written by Cole Porter for the 1934 musical Anything Goes, "I Get a Kick out of You" became one Sinatra's finest recordings when he included it on his acclaimed album Songs for Young Lovers. Sinatra's relaxed confidence, impeccable phrasing and subtle swing brought fresh sophistication to Porter's witty lyrics about finding true excitement only in love. His interpretation helped redefine the Great American Songbook for new generations and is one of the definitive versions of this enduring standard.

0070 Shake, Rattle & Roll - Big Joe Turner 17/02/1954 A landmark in the birth of rock and roll. Written by Jesse Stone (under the pseudonym Charles Calhoun), the song combines driving rhythm and blues with witty, often suggestive lyrics. Turner's booming voice and infectious energy made it an R&B classic, while a cleaned-up cover by Bill Haley introduced it to an even wider audience. Together, the two versions helped bring rhythm and blues into the rock and roll mainstream, but it’s the original that makes The Ultimate Jukebox.

0069 Secret Love - Doris Day 05/02/1954 Released for the musical western Calamity Jane, this became one of Doris Day's signature songs. It’s a heartfelt ballad that celebrates the joy of finally revealing a long-hidden love. It showcasing Day's pure, expressive voice at its finest and became a huge UK No 1. "Secret Love" is one of the most beloved love song of the 1950s for many and something of an LGBT anthem!

0068 Tempus Fugit - Miles Davis 19/01/1954 Originally composed by Bud Powell, "Tempus Fugit" is a demanding bebop classic that Miles Davis recorded during his remarkable run of mid-1950s sessions. Despite the tune's rapid pace and intricate harmonies, Davis brings his trademark cool, lyrical approach, favouring melodic invention over sheer virtuosity. His restrained style provides a striking contrast to the fiery bebop tradition, highlighting the musical direction that would soon make him one of jazz's greatest innovators. It’s a fascinating meeting of bebop brilliance and Miles Davis's unmistakable voice.

0067 Hoochie Coochie Man - Muddy Waters 15/11/1953 “Hoochie Coochie Man”’s powerful stop-time rhythm, boastful lyrics and electrifying guitar helped establish the classic Chicago blues sound. Waters' commanding vocal and swaggering performance makes it an instant blues standard, influencing generations of musicians from rock to heavy metal. It has been covered by endless artists and is one of the most important and enduring blues recordings ever made.

0066 Swedish Rhapsody - Mantovani 15/11/1953 Despite its title, the melody for “Swedish Rhapsody“ was composed by the Austrian musician Hugo Alfvén and adapted into a light orchestral favourite. Mantovani's famous "cascading strings" gave the piece its lush, romantic sound, helping it become a worldwide bestseller during the easy-listening boom of the time. Elegant, melodic and instantly recognisable, it’s one of the best examples of the richly orchestrated style that made Mantovani one of the world's best-selling recording artists of the period.

0065 Such a Night - Johnnie Ray 15/11/1953 This UK No 1 tells the story of an unforgettable romantic encounter, delivered with Ray's trademark emotional intensity and dramatic vocal style. His passionate performance helped make the record an international success and reinforced his reputation as one of the most expressive singers of the era. The song was later revived by Elvis Presley, but Ray's original is the classic rendition.

0064 Pretend - Nat King Cole 10/11/1953 This beautiful song tells of two lovers trying to recapture a romance by pretending nothing has changed. Cole's smooth, velvety voice and effortless phrasing give the bittersweet lyrics warmth and sincerity, making the heartbreak all the more affecting. Reaching No 2 in the UK, "Pretend" is one of the defining recordings of Cole's remarkable career.

0063 Stranger in Paradise - Tony Bennett 02/11/1953 Originally from the Broadway musical Kismet, Bennett appears again with a song that adapts a soaring melody by the Russian composer Alexander Borodin from his Polovtsian Dances. Bennett's rich, expressive voice perfectly captured the song's sense of wonder and romance, helping it become an international bestseller. Blending classical inspiration with popular music, it is a fine and enduring ballad.

0062 Answer Me - David Whitfield 22/10/1953 Adapted from the German song Mütterlein, with English lyrics by Carl Sigman, “Answer Me” is a heartfelt plea for reconciliation after a broken relationship. Whitfield's soaring operatic tenor brought drama and emotion to the recording, helping it top the UK charts and making him one of Britain's biggest singing stars of the mid 1950s. Although recorded by several artists (including Frankie Laine) Whitfield's powerful and deeply moving interpretation is my favourite version.

0061 Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt 05/10/1953 This song playfully presents a Christmas wish list filled with luxurious gifts, delivered with Kitt's unmistakable purring voice and mischievous charm. Its flirtatious humour was unusually daring for its time, helping it stand out from more traditional festive songs. Frequently covered by later artists, including Kylie Minogue, "Santa Baby" is one of the most popular and enduring Christmas recordings to this day.

0060 Rags to Riches - Tony Bennett 15/09/1953 “Rags to Riches" became one of Tony Bennett's first major hits , helping to establish him as one of America's leading vocalists. The song (written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross) compares the joy of finding true love to rising from poverty to wealth. Bennett's powerful, expressive voice and dramatic delivery turned it into an international success, becoming one of his signature recordings. Its popularity has endured through films, television and countless cover versions, remaining a classic of the golden age of popular song.

No I mean other hits attributed to the specific moniker “Various Artists”