Song of the day: Bill Haley & His Comets- See You Later Alligator

In 1955, Robert Charles Guidry, better known as Bobby Charles, recorded the song Later Alligator. It was a blues song with a melody which came from the song Later For You Baby by Guitar Slim. Bill Haley & his Comets took the song, made it more of an uptempo song and recorded it in New York in 1955. The song was featured in their movie Rock Around The Clock in 1956, and therefore the song also reached number 6 in the US. The song would be the last big hit for Bill Haley. Enjoy

Bill Haley & His Comets- See You Later Alligator

Song of the day: Muddy Waters- Mannish Boy

For the origins of this song, we have to go back to the song Hoochie Coochie Man, which was written by Willie Dixon and sung by Muddy Waters. The song got a reply by Bo Diddley, called I’m Your Man. Both the first and the second song got the melody line which was used in Mannish Boy by Muddy Waters. No need explaining that this song was a reply to the song by Diddley. The song was recorded in 1955, and reached number 5 in the R&B chart of the US. Enjoy

Muddy Waters- Mannish Boy

Song of the day: Fats Domino- Ain’t That A Shame

This song originally was released in 1955 by Fats Domino, who scored a big hit with it. He sold millions of copies, and reached number 10 in the pop chart. Pat Boone re-recorded the song, and brought it to the white audience. After that, his version was forgotten about, since the version by Fats Domino also reached the white audience. However, I knew this version before the one of Fats, and still think this is also a great song. Enjoy

Pat Boone- Ain’t That A Shame

Song of the day: Chuck Berry- Maybellene

Little Richard was one of the first rock ‘n rollers, together with this man: Chuck Berry. In 1955, he made a song out of an old fiddle tune and told the story of a broken romance, together with a race between hot rods. These two would later be big themes in the rock ‘n roll. Berry brought this song, together with a blues song, to a producer. This man had little interest in the blues song, but liked this. His choice was right: the song would be number 5 in the US pop charts! Enjoy

Chuck Berry- Maybellene

Song of the day: Little Richard- Tutti Frutti

This the breakthrough single of Little Richard, which he wrote with Dorothy LaBostrie in 1955! The song includes a drum rhythm which Little Richard sings, and together with the fast rhythm, this would be the model for rock ‘n roll. In a way, this was the basis for rock ‘n roll! It was born out of frustration during a recording session, and after a little adjustment, this was perfect for a record. And so pop music started! Enjoy

Little Richard- Tutti Frutti

Song of the day: Sarah Vaughan- Whatever Lola Wants

A golden oldie today! And when I say old, I mean really old. The original of this song dates from 1955! It was written for a musical, Damn Yankees. In the same year, Sarah Vaughan, a jazz singer, took the song and recorded it. She did it with success, or that’s how I see it: just listen to the start of the song! A few horns blowing, and then the sound of Sarah Vaughan! Superb and beautiful. Enjoy

Sarah Vaughan- Whatever Lola Wants