Guess the year (50s)
Name the artist based on the album (50s)
Guess the one-hit-wonders
Guess the year (60s)
Name the artist based on the album (60s)
100

Blueberry Hill- Fats Domino 

1956

Info: 
"Blueberry Hill" is a popular American song that was first published in 1940 and recorded by Sammy Kaye on RCA Victor. The song is about a lost love and a wonderful place called Blueberry Hill, and was inspired by a love story that Fats Domino had experienced. Fats Domino's rock and roll version of the song was released in October 1956 and was an immediate hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified as a gold record.

100

Come Fly with Me

Frank Sinatra- 1958

Info: 

  • Release Date: The album was originally released in mono on January 6, 1958 and spent five weeks at #1 on the Billboard album charts. 
  • Reissues: It was reissued in stereo in December 1961 and remastered for expanded reissue in 1987. 
  • Significance: This was Frank Sinatra’s first album with Billy May as arranger and conductor, showcasing a style and sophistication that became a hallmark of his work. 

  • Come Fly with Me is the fourteenth studio album by American singer Frank Sinatra, released in 1958.

  • In 2000 it was voted number 616 in Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums.


100

The Purple People Eater

Sheb Wooley- 1958

Info: 

The premise of the song came from a joke told by the child of a friend of Wooley's, fellow songwriter Don Robertson. Wooley finished composing it within an hour,[6] later describing it as "undoubtedly the worst song he had ever written.” According to Wooley, MGM Records initially rejected the song, saying that it was not the type of music with which they wanted to be identified. An acetate of the song reached MGM Records' New York office. The acetate became popular with the office's young people. Up to 50 people would listen to the song at lunchtime. The front office noticed, reconsidered their decision, and decided to release the song

100

Ain't No Mountain High Enough- Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrel 

1967

Info: 

  • The song was written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.
  • It was first a hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell in 1967.
  • The song was later recorded by Diana Ross, who made it one of her signature hits.
  • It became a hit again in 1970.
100

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart Band Club

The Beatles- 1967

Info: The Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album was meticulously produced and took 129 days and about 700 hours to complete, an eternity in 1967. The Beatles first album, Please Please Me, was recorded in less than 10 hours. The crowd noise was dubbed in from recordings

200

All Shook Up- Elvis Presley 

1957

Info: 

  • Was co-written by Otis Blackwell.
  • Topped the U.S. Billboard Top 100 in 1957.
  • Captures the essence of rock and roll in its early days.
  • Is a testament to the unsettling yet exhilarating effects of falling deeply in love.
200

King Creole

Elvis Presley- 1958

Info: King Creole is the second soundtrack album by American singer and musician Elvis Presley, issued by RCA Victor, LPM 1884 in mono in September 1958, recorded in four days at Radio Recorders in Hollywood. 

It contains songs written and recorded expressly for the 1958 film of the same name starring Presley, and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. 

The album was previously released as an EP album with two volumes, King Creole Vol 1 and King Creole Vol 2. King Creole Vol 1 peaked at #1 for 30 weeks on the EP album charts.

 It followed the film's release by over ten weeks. It was certified Gold on July 15, 1999, by the Recording Industry Association of America.

200

Love Letters in the Sand

Pat Boone- 1957

Info: 

  • The song reflects heartbreak over an unfaithful girlfriend, recalling fond memories of writing love letters in the sand.
  • It became a major hit in 1957, spending 5 weeks at number one on the Billboard Top 100 and ranking as the No. 2 song for that year.
  • The song was featured in Pat Boone's 1957 film "Bernardine", which further popularized the tune.
  • The lyrics explore themes of love, betrayal, and heartbreak, painting a vivid picture of a fleeting romance.
  • The song serves as a reminder of the fragility of love and the enduring impact it leaves behind.
200

The Twist- Chubby Checker

1960

Info: 

  • Chubby Checker's Real Name: His real name is Ernest Evans.
  • First Platinum Record: He had the first platinum record ever with "Let's Twist Again".
  • Iconic Dance: "The Twist" revolutionized dance culture and became a symbol of the dance craze era.
  • Billboard Record: Chubby Checker holds a unique record on the Billboard charts, being the only artist to have 5 albums in the Top 12 all at once.
  • Cultural Impact: "The Twist" transcended generational gaps and became a soundtrack for a more inclusive America during a period of social upheaval. 
200

I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Aretha Franklin- 1967

Info: 

  • Release Date: March 10, 1967.
  • Chart Performance: It reached number 2 on the Billboard album chart and number 1 on the Black Albums chart.
  • Commercial Breakthrough: This album marked Franklin's first top 10 album in the United States, reaching number 2 on the Billboard 2002.
  • Certification: It was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1967
  • Aretha Franklin’s 1967 album I Never Loved a Man The Way I Love You was her 10th studio album; amazingly, her nine previous albums were largely unpopular. It was this one, released under a new recording label, that propelled her to superstardom. I Never Loved a Man The Way I Love You introduced some of Franklin’s most iconic songs, including Respect and the title track

300

(How much) is that Doggie in the Window- Patti Page

1953

Info: "(How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window?" is a novelty tune by Patti Page that became her fourth number-one hit in 1953. The song includes the sound of a dog barking, making it popular with a younger audience. The lyrics express a child's desire to own a dog, symbolizing companionship and love12.

300

Calypso

Harry Belafonte- 1956

Info: Harry Belafonte, also known as the "King of Calypso," was a celebrated singer and activist. 

His 1956 album Calypso became the first LP to sell over 1 million copies. 

Some of his iconic songs include "Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)," "Jamaica Farewell," and "Mary's Boy Child." 

Belafonte was also a passionate advocate for social justice and civil rights.

300

I Got You Babe- Sonny and Cher

1965

Info: 

  • The song was written by Sonny Bono and was the first single from their debut album, Look at Us (1965).
  • In the 1993 film Groundhog Day, Bill Murray's character is awakened to this song every morning at 6:00 a.m.
  • The song has become a cult classic, especially among fans who watch the film every February 2.
300

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme

400

At The Hop- Danny & the Juniors 

1958

Info: "At The Hop" is a 1950s pop song written by Artie Singer, John Medora, and David White and originally released by Danny & the Juniors. The song reached number one on the US charts in 1958 and became one of the top-selling singles of that year. It is ranked the 23rd all-time, best-selling record.

400

That's All

Bobby Darin- 1959

Info:

  • Release Date: The album was released on March 23, 1959.
  • Chart Performance: It debuted on the Billboard Best Selling LPs chart on October 5, 1959, and peaked at number 7, remaining on the chart for 52 weeks. 
  • Notable Tracks: The album includes the hit songs "Mack the Knife" and "Beyond the Sea", which significantly contributed to Darin's career.
  • Musical Style: The album features a mix of pop and jazz standards, focusing on more adult-oriented material compared to his earlier work.
  • Significance: "That's All" is considered one of Darin's most defining albums, marking a shift in his musical style and career.
400

Rhythm of the Rain

The Cascades- 1962

Info: 

"Rhythm of the Rain" is a classic pop song performed by The Cascades, released in November 1962. Written by band member John Claude Gummoe, the song features a gentle melody and wistful lyrics that evoke the sound of falling rain. It became a significant hit, reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spending two weeks at number 1 on the Easy Listening chart

400

Day Dream Believer- The Monkees

1967

Info: 

  • The song was written by Davy Jones in his music room, where he had prints from the artist Andrew Wyeth, whose works include a painting called "Day Dream".
  • Bono of U2 has expressed admiration for the song and even had Davy Jones join him in concert to sing "Daydream Believer".
  • The song is often interpreted as an anthem for the wistful dreamer, reflecting the feelings of longing and nostalgia.
  • "Daydream Believer" was a number one hit in 1967 and later became a country hit twelve years later.
400

Pet Sounds

The Beach Boys- 1966

Info: 

  • Inspiration: The album was inspired by The Beatles' "Rubber Soul".
  • Commercial Success: It wasn't immediately a commercial success, peaking at number 10 on the Billboard Top LPs chart.
  • Solo Project: The album was essentially a solo project by Brian Wilson, disguised as a Beach Boys album.
  • Title Origin: The title "Pet Sounds" was a happy accident, as Brian Wilson was looking for a title that would evoke a sense of nostalgia1.
  • Paul McCartney's Recognition: Paul McCartney considers "God Only Knows" one of the greatest songs ever written.
500

Sixteen Tons- Tennessee Ernie Ford

1955

Info: Sixteen Tons is a song by Tennessee Ernie Ford that talks about a miner working 16-hour days to pay off his debts to the company store. The song is about the hardships of manual labor and living in poverty. It was composed by Merle Travis and has been covered by various artists, including Johnny Cash.

500
Porgy and Bess

Miles Davis- 1959

Info: 

  • The 1950 album featured no black singers, despite the opera being written for a mostly African-American cast.
  • The 1951 album contained more than two-thirds of the opera, marking a significant milestone in recording history.
  • The 1959 album by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald is a suite of selections from the opera, showcasing their interpretations of the music.

These albums highlight the evolution and cultural significance of the Porgy and Bess opera in music history

500

My Boy Lollipop

Millie Small- 1964

Info: 

  • Written in the 1950s: The song was written by Robert Spencer and Johnny Roberts2.
  • First Recorded by Barbie Gaye: It was originally recorded by American singer Barbie Gaye in 1956.
  • Millie Small's Version: Millie Small recorded her version in 1964, which became an international hit and is credited with introducing ska music.
  • Album Context: "My Boy Lollipop" was the first album for Millie Small and her only album for Smash Records.
  • Her Background: Millie Small was born on October 6, 1946, and was one of the few female early ska era singers.
500

Ring of Fire- Johnny Cash

1963

Info: 

  • The song was written by June Carter and her writing partner Merle Kilgore, not Johnny Cash himself.
  • The title and concept for the song came from a letter a friend sent to June Carter after her divorce.
  • June Carter was inspired by a line in a poetry book owned by her uncle, which she incorporated into the song.
  • The song reflects the mutual attraction between Johnny Cash and June Carter, who were married later in life. 
500

Love Child

Diana Ross and the Supremes- 1968

Info: 

  • First Studio LP: "Love Child" was the group's first studio album not to include any songs written or produced by the Holland–Dozier–Holland production team, which had previously overseen most of their releases.
  • Controversial Theme: The album features a song about a child born to unmarried parents, which was a more controversial topic compared to their previous work.
  • Cultural Impact: The album marked a slight image change for the Supremes, as they appeared in more casual clothing and sang about social issues, including the title track.