Fashion
This item of clothing, associated with greasers, remains somewhat popular today.
What is a leather jacket?
"Hound Dog" - Elvis Presley (1956)
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
You ain't nothin' but a hound dog
Cryin' all the time
Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit
And you ain't no friend of mine
Well, they said you was high-classed
Well, that was just a lie
Yeah, they said you was high-classed
Well, that was just a lie
Yeah, you ain't never caught a rabbit
And you ain't no friend of mine
Music critic Joe Queenan has described the song as "A charming, if goofy, parody of popular Neapolitan organ-grinder music," and observed it "was one of many songs from the early Fifties that helped rehabilitate Italy's image as a land of magic and romance that had somehow been lured from its festive moorings by the glum fascist Benito Mussolini.
What is "That's Amore"? (1953)
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie
That's amore
When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine
That's amore
Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling
And you'll sing "Vita bella"
Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay
Like a gay tarantella
When the stars make you drool just like a pasta e fasule
That's amore
When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet
You're in love
When you walk in a dream but you know you're not dreaming, signore
Scusa mi, but you see, back in old Napoli
That's amore
"I was dancin' with my darlin' to the __________"
What is "Tennessee Waltz"?
1950/Patti Page
I was dancing with my darling
to the Tennessee Waltz
When an old friend I happened to see
I Introduced her to my loved one
and while they were dancing
My friend stole my sweetheart from me
I remember the night and the Tennessee Waltz
Now I know just how much I have lost
Yes, I lost my little darling the
night they were playing
The beautiful Tennessee Waltz
On February 3, 1959, American rock and roll musicians Ritchie Valens, "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson, and this artist were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa, together with pilot Roger Peterson.
Who is "Buddy Holly"?
"Everyday" - Buddy Holly (1957)
Every day, it's a-getting closer
Going faster than a rollercoaster
Love like yours will surely come my way
A-hey, a-hey-hey
Every day, it's a-getting faster
Everyone said, "Go ahead and ask her"
Love like yours will surely come my way
A-hey, a-hey-hey
Every day seems a little longer
Every way, love's a little stronger
Come what may
Do you ever long for true love from me
Every day, it's a-getting closer
Going faster than a rollercoaster
Love like yours will surely come my way
A-hey, a-hey-hey
This lifesaving device used to regulate heartbeat with electrical pulses was invented in 1956.
What is a Pacemaker?
"Cold Cold Heart" - Hank Williams (1952)
I tried so hard my dear to show
that you're my every dream
Yet you're afraid each thing I do
is just some evil scheme
A memory from your lonesome past
keeps us so far apart
Why can't I free your doubtful mind
and melt your cold-cold heart?
Worn by teenage girls and famous actresses, these whimsical skirts had their heyday during the 1950s.
What are "poodle skirts"?
Sam Cooke's cover of this 1955 song by the Platters is believed to have inspired Chrissie Hynde to name her band "The Pretenders".
What is "The Great Pretender"?
Oh-oh, yes, I'm the great pretender
Pretending that I'm doing well
My need is such I pretend too much
I'm lonely, but no one can tell
Yes, I'm the great pretender
Just laughin' and gay like a clown
I seem to be what I'm not, you see
I'm wearing my heart like a crown
Pretending that you're still around
In 1950, Eileen Barton had this number one hit for ten weeks. The main part of the title was "If I Knew You Were..."
What is "Comin' I'd a Baked a Cake"?
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
Baked a cake, baked a cake
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
How-ja do, how-ja do, how-ja do?
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
Hired a band, goodness sake
If I knew you were comin' I'd've baked a cake
How-ja do, how-ja do, how-ja do?
This country artist famously played in Folsom Prison.
Who is "Johnny Cash"
"I Walk the Line" - Johnny Cash (1956)
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine, I walk the line
Invented in 1952 and released to the public in 1955, when over 7 million youths received one, marking another turning point for global health.
What is "the polio vaccine"
"Sweet Violets" - Dinah Shore (1951)
There once was a farmer who took a young miss
In back of the barn where he gave her a lecture
On horses and chickens and eggs
And told her that she had such beautiful
Manners that suited a girl of her charms
A girl that he wanted to take in his
Washing and ironing and then if she did
They could get married and raise lots of
Sweet violets
Sweeter than the roses
Covered all over from head to toe
Covered all over with sweet violets
You don't have to be anywhere near a horse to wear these.
What are "saddle shoes"?
This tune, by doo-wop group The Penguins, became the first independent label release to appear on Billboard's national pop charts, where it peaked within the top 10
What is "Earth Angel"
Earth angel, Earth angel, will you be mine?
My darling dear, love you all the time.
I'm just a fool, a fool in love with you.
Earth angel, Earth angel, the one I adore
Love you for ever, and ever more.
I'm just a fool, a fool in love with you.
I fell for you, and I knew
The vision of your love's loveliness.
I hope and I pray, that some day
I'll be the vision of your hap, happiness.
Earth angel, Earth angel, please be mine.
My darling dear, love you all the time.
I'm just a fool, a fool in love with you.
"Tra la la, twiddle dee dee dee there's peace and goodwill, you're welcome as the flowers _________"
What is "on mockingbird hill"? (1951)
When the sun in the mornin' peeps over the hill
And kisses the roses 'round my windowsill
Then my heart fills with gladness when I hear the trill
Of those birds in the treetops on Mockin'bird Hill
Tra-la-la, tweedlee dee dee it gives me a thrill
To wake up in the morning to the mockin' bird's trill
Tra-la-la, tweedlee dee dee
There's peace and goodwill
You're welcome as the flowers on Mockin'bird Hill
This blonde American sweetheart sang "Que Sera Sera" in Alfred Hitchcock's 1956 film "The Man Who Knew Too Much".
Who is "Doris Day"?
In the 1950's, Margaret Sanger recruited fertility expert Gregory Pincus to develop this product, first available to women in 1960.
What is the birth control pill?
"Wake Up Little Susie" - The Everly Brothers (1957)
Wake up, little Susie, wake up
Wake up, little Susie, wake up
We've both been sound asleep
Wake up, little Susie and weep
The movie's over, it's four o'clock
And we're in trouble deep
Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie
Well, what are we gonna tell your mama?
What are we gonna tell your pa'?
What are we gonna tell our friends when they say
"Ooh, la, la"?
Wake up, little Susie
Wake up, little Susie
We gotta go home
Carl Perkins penned a rock'n'roll standard in 1955 that Elvis went on to make famous - about these.
What is "Blue Suede Shoes"
Well, it's one for the money two for the show
Three to get ready now go, cat, go
But don't you step on my blue suede shoes
Well you can do anything but
Lay off of my blue suede shoes
Well, you can knock me down, step in my face
Slander my name all over the place
Do anything that you want to do
But uh-uh honey, lay off of my shoes
Don't you step on my blue suede shoes
You can do anything but lay off of my blue suede shoes
The last number one hit of 1954 and the "no era" era was the song with these lyrics:
"Give him a pair of eyes with a come-hither gleam
Give him a lonely heart like Pagliacci
And lots of wavy hair like Liberace"
What is "Mr. Sandman" (The Chordettes)
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
Make him the cutest that I’ve ever seen
Give him two lips like roses and clover
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over
Sandman, I’m so alone
Don’t have nobody to call my own
Please turn on your magic beam
Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
"You had your way, now you must pay, I'm glad that you're ____________ now.
What is "sorry"?
"Who's Sorry Now" - Connie Francis (1958)
Who's sorry now?
Who's sorry now?
Whose heart is achin' for breakin' each vow?
Who's sad and blue? Who's cryin' too?
Just like I cried over you
Right to the end
Just like a friend
I tried to warn you somehow
You had your way
Now you must pay
I'm glad that you're sorry now
"Happy Trails" is a song by this husband-wife duo, known as the theme song for the 1940s and 1950s radio program and the 1950s television show in which they starred.
Who are Roy Rogers and Dale Evans?
Happy trails to you,
Until we meet again.
Happy trails to you,
Keep smiling until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song, and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you,
Until we meet again.
From 1950 to 1960, the prevalence in American households of this invention increased from 20%-90%.
What is the television?
A piece of outerwear you might give to the girl you are going steady with when she gets cold.
What is a letterman sweater?
Put Your Head on My Shoulder - Paul Anka (1959)
Put your head on my shoulder
Hold me in your arms, baby
Squeeze me oh-so-tight
Show me that you love me too
Put your lips next to mine, dear
Won't you kiss me once, baby?
Just a kiss goodnight, maybe
You and I will fall in love
Erroll Garner was inspired to write this tune on a flight from San Francisco to Chicago which passed through a thunderstorm: as the plane descended into O'Hare, Garner looked through the window to see a rainbow glowing through a haze, and was moved to begin composing on the spot, striking imaginary piano keys on his knees as he hummed the notes he imagined (causing his neighboring passenger to summon a flight attendant to assist the apparently ill Garner)
What is "Misty" (1959)
Look at me, I'm as helpless as a kitten up a tree
And I feel like I'm clingin' to a cloud
I can't understand
I get misty just holding your hand
Walk my way
And a thousand violins begin to play
Or it might be the sound of your hello
That music I hear
I get misty whenever you're near
"ooh ee ooh ah ah ting tang__________________"
What is "walla walla bing bang"
The Witch Doctor - David Seville (1958)
I told the witch doctor I was in love with you
I told the witch doctor I was in love with you
And then the witch doctor he told me what to do
He said that
Ooo eee ooo ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee ooo ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee ooo ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang
Ooo eee ooo ah ah ting tang walla walla bing bang
One of the two songwriters with a nickname denoting their larger size, this musician penned the song "Blueberry Hill", about a real place near St. Louis.
Who is "Fats Domino"?
I found my thrill on Blueberry Hill
On Blueberry Hill, when I found you
The moon stood still on Blueberry Hill
And lingered until my dreams came true
The wind in the willow played
Love's sweet melody
But all of those vows you made
Were never to be
Though we're apart, you're part of me still
For you were my thrill on Blueberry Hill
By 1950, more than three-quarters of records made in the United States went into one of these.
What is a jukebox?
"Music, Music, Music" - Theresa Brewer (1950)
Put another nickel in
In the nickelodeon
All I want is having you
And music, music, music
I'd do anything for you
Anything you'd want me to
All I want is kissin' you
And music, music, music
Closer, my dear, come closer
The nicest part of any melody
Is when you're dancing close to me
So, put another nickel in
In the nickelodeon
All I want is lovin' you
And music, music, music