Top 100 Instrumentals of the 50s

Biggest Instrumental Hits of the 50's
Biggest Instrumental Hits of the 50’s

The decade of the fifties is considered the evolution of Rock N’ Roll. New artists came on the scene such as Elvis Presley, Connie Francis, Pat Boone, Ray Anthony, Roger Williams, Duane Eddy to name a few. The instrumental saw an increase in the number of songs on the charts as many new artists came on the scene trying to make a name for themselves. In the decade, there were a total of 452 instrumental songs on the charts. Only the decade of the Sixties had more. You should find the listing of the top 100 instrumentals of the 50’s very enlightening and full of surprises.

You can check the other top 100 instrumental charts of the 1940’s, 1960’s & 1970’s. Check them out now!

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National Headlines & Trends

Below are some of the headlines and fads that made history in this decade.

  • In 1950, The Korean conflict begins. Truman orders the development of the hydrogen bomb. Saturday morning children programming begins.
  • In 1951, The 22nd amendment limiting the number of terms a president may serve, is ratified. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg sentenced to death for treason. Color television is introduced in the United States.
  • In 1952, In England, King George dies and Elizabeth II becomes queen. U.S. explodes first thermonuclear bomb. 56 million watch Richard Nixon’s famous “Checker’s Speech” on TV. The Today Show debuts on NBC.
  • In 1953, Joseph Stalin dies. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Republican inaugurated president after 20 years of democratic rule. The first issue of TV Guide hits the newsstands with over 1.5 million subscribers. In film, “The Robe” is first to be filmed in CinemaScope. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg are executed.
  • In 1954, In the senate, senator McCarthy condemned for misconduct. The Supreme Court bans racial segregation in schools. The world series is broadcast in color for the first time. Bill Haley and the Comets begin writing hit songs.
  • In 1955, President Dwight Eisenhower suffers a heart attack, but recovers. Dr. Jonas Salk’s polio vaccine is given to millions of American youngsters ending the decade’s biggest health scare. TV’s Adventures of Davy Crockett sets off a nations craze for coonskin caps.
  • In 1956, Dwight Eisenhower rolls easily to a second term. Short shorts for girls are a hot fashion trend. Grace Kelly marries Prince Rainer of Monaco. Elvis Presley is the year’s most heated topic of conversation.
  • In 1957, Federal troops are called out to enforce school desegregation in Arkansas. Jimmy Hoffa becomes head of the Teamsters Union. Baby-sitting has become an accepted profession do to the baby boom. Frisbees are the year’s hottest fad.
  • In 1958,  The United States launches its first earth satellite, Explorer I. Democrats gain control of congress due to the an economic recession. Hula hoops are the hottest fad of the decade. Credit cards are introduced by BankAmericard and American Express.
  • In 1959, It is a year of scandals on rigged television quiz shows. Alaska and Hawaii become the 49th and 50th states in the union. Barbie is introduced. The bikini is on it’s way to becoming American’s most popular feminine swimwear.
Rock Instrumentals The Fifties
Rock Instrumentals The Fifties Cover

Fifties Music Trivia Facts

Below is some very interesting facts about the instrumentals on the chart.

  • There were a total of 13 songs that reached the #1 position.
  • There were a total of 452 instrumental songs that charted in the decade.
  • The top artist for the decade was Les Paul with 7 songs on the chart.
  • The year of 1953 had the most songs on the chart with 18.
  • The year of 1954 had the least number of songs on the chart with 3.
  • The record with longevity on this chart is Blue Tango #5, by Leroy Anderson with 38.
  • To make the top 100 chart, a song had to peak in the top twenty at position #17 or higher.
  • There are a total of 63 different artists that have a song on the chart.
  • To make the top 40, a song had to peak at the #6 position or higher.
  • To make the top 10, a song had to peak at the #1 position.
  • The year of 1956 has the most songs in the top 10 with 3.

Music Charts Used To Compile the Rankings

In order to compile the ranking of the songs, the following resources were used:

  • Juke Box Charts (15-30 Positions)
  • Best Selling Records (15-30 Positions)
  • Disc Jockey Charts (15-30 Positions)
  • Best Sellers in Stores (25-30 Positions)
  • Most Played By Jockeys (20-25 Positions)
  • Most Played in Juke Boxes (20 Positions)
  • Top 100 (100 Positions)
  • Hot 100 (100 Positions)
  • “Pop Memories 1890-1954” by Joel Whitburn
  • “Pop Annual 1955-2011 8th Edition” by Joel Whitburn
Instrumental Gold - The Fifties
Instrumental Gold – The Fifties

The Top 100 Instrumentals

Below are the top 100 instrumentals which will include the Rank, Title/Artist/Peak Position #/No of weeks at the Peak Position ()/Year of Release:

Rank   Title/Artist/Peak Position #/ Peak Weeks () / Year

  1. The Third Man Theme / Anton Karas #1 (11) 1950
  2. The Third Man Theme / Guy Lombardo #1 (11) 1950
  3. Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White / Perez Prado #1 (10) 1955
  4. The Poor People Of Paris / Les Baxter #1 (6) 1956
  5. Blue Tango / Leroy Anderson #1 (5) 1951
  6. Tequila / The Champs #1 (5) 1958
  7. Autumn Leaves / Roger Williams #1 (4) 1955
  8. Lisbon Antigua / Nelson Riddle #1 (4) 1956
  9. Moonglow (Theme From Picnic) / Morris Stoloff #1 (3) 1956
  10. Sleep Walk / Santo & Johnny #1 (2) 1959
  11. Patricia / Perez Prado #1 (1) 1958
  12. Delicado / Percy Faith #1 (1) 1952
  13. The Happy Organ / Dave “Baby” Cortez #1 (1) 1959
  14. The Crazy Otto / Johnny Maddox #2 (7) 1955
  15. Ebb Tide / Frank Chacksfield #2 (4) 1953
  16. Honky Tonk (Parts I & II) / Bill Doggett #2 (3) 1956
  17. April In Portugal / Les Baxter #2 (3) 1953
  18. Canadian Sunset / Hugo Winterhalter #2 (2) 1956
  19. Melody Of Love / Billy Vaughn #2 (1) 1955
  20. Raunchy / Bill Justis #2 (1) 1957
  21. Dragnet / Ray Anthony #2 (1) 1953
  22. Topsy II / Cozy Cole #3 (3) 1958
  23. Oh! / Pee Wee Hunt #3 (1) 1953
  24. Ruby / Richard Hayman #3 (1) 1953
  25. Skokiaan / Ralph Materie #3 (1) 1954
  26. Teen Beat / Sandy Nelson #4 (2) 1959
  27. Quiet  Village / Martin Denny #4 (2) 1959
  28. Down Yonder / Del Wood #4 (1) 1951
  29. Moonglow (Theme From Picnic) / George Cates #4 (1) 1956
  30. The High & The Mighty / Les Baxter #4 (1) 1954
  31. Raunchy / Ernie Freeman #4 (1) 1957
  32. In The Mood / Ernie Fields #4 (1) 1959
  33. Sail Along Silvery Moon / Billy Vaughn #5 (3) 1958
  34. Guitar Boogie Shuffle / The Virtues #5 (2) 1959
  35. Meet Mr. Callahan / Les Paul #5 (1) 1952
  36. Harbor Lights / Ralph Flanagan #5 (1) 1950
  37. Limelight / Frank Chacksfield #5 (1) 1953
  38. Red River Rock / Johnny & The Hurricanes #5 (1) 1959
  39. Petite Fleur (Little Flower) / Chris Barber #5 (1) 1959
  40. The Happy Whistler / Don Robertson #6 (3) 1956
  41. Rebel-Rouser / Duane Eddy #6 (2) 1958
  42. Blue Tango / Hugo Winterhalter #6 (1) 1952
  43. Oh, My Papa / Eddie Calvert #6 (1) 1953
  44. Caravan / Ralph Materie #6 (1) 1953
  45. Pretend / Ralph Materie #6 (1) 1953
  46. Tea For Two Cha Cha / Tommy Dorsey #7 (2) 1958
  47. Whispering / Les Paul #7 (1) 1951
  48. Hot Toddy / Ralph Flanagan #7 (1) 1953
  49. Ruby / Les Baxter #7 (1) 1953
  50. Moritat / Dick Hyman Trio #8 (2) 1956
  51. Song For A Summer Night / Mitch Miller #8 (2) 1956
  52. Melody Of Love / David Carroll #8 (1) 1955
  53. Peter Gunn / Ray Anthony #8 (1) 1959
  54. Bewitched / Harmonicats #8 (1) 1950
  55. Bewitched / Jan August #8 (1) 1950
  56. The Moulin Rouge Theme / Mantovani #8 (1) 1953
  57. Lady Of Spain / Les Paul #8 (1) 1952
  58. The Velvet Glove / Hugo Winterhalter #8 (1) 1953
  59. Only You / Franck Pourcel #9 (2) 1959
  60. Blue Tango / Guy Lombardo #9 (1) 1952
  61. Nola / Les Paul #9 (1) 1950
  62. Vanessa / Hugo Winterhalter #9 (1) 1952
  63. Forty Miles Of Bad Road / Daune Eddy #9 (1) 1959
  64. Near You / Roger Williams #10 (3) 1958
  65. Manhattan Spiritual / Reg Owen #10 (2) 1959
  66. Raunchy / Billy Vaughn #10 (1) 1957
  67. Blue Tango / Les Baxter #10 (1) 1950
  68. Shish-Kebab / Ralph Materie #10 (1) 1957
  69. Jingle Bells / Les Paul #10 (1) 1951
  70. The Three Penny Opera / Richard Hayman & Jan August #11 (2) 1956
  71. Harbor Lights / Ken Griffin #11 (1) 1950
  72. Soft Summer Breeze / Eddie Heywood #11 (1) 1956
  73. La Vie En Rose / Paul Weston #12 (1) 1950
  74. Around The World / Mantovani #12 (1) 1957
  75. The Syncopated Clock / Leroy Anderson #12 (1) 1951
  76. Josephine / Les Paul #12 (1) 1951
  77. April In Portugal / Richard Hayman #12 (1) 1953
  78. Doddletown Fifers / Sauter-Finegan #12 (1) 1952
  79. When The White Lilacs Bloom Again / Halmut Zacharias #12 (1) 1956
  80. Johnson Rag / Jimmy Dorsey #13 (1) 1950
  81. The Hot Canary / Florian Zabach #13 (1) 1951
  82. Around The World / Victor Young #13 (1) 1957
  83. Limelight / Richard Hayman #13 (1) 1953
  84. Down Yonder / Joe “Fingers” Carr #14 (1) 1951
  85. Bongo Rock / Preston Epps #14 (1) 1959
  86. Carioca / Les Paul #14 (1) 1952
  87. The Man With The Golden Arm / Richard Maltby #14 (1) 1956
  88. The Story Of Three Loves / Richard Hayman #14 (1) 1953
  89. Almost Paradise / Roger Williams #15 (1) 1957
  90. Cannonball / Duane Eddy #15 (1) 1958
  91. The Enchanted Sea / The Islanders #15 (1) 1959
  92. Blues / Ralph Flanagan #15 (1) 1951
  93. Dipsy Doodle / Johnny Maddox #15 (1) 1953
  94. Mexican Hat Rock / The Applejacks #16 (2) 1958
  95. Rumble / Link Wray #16 (1) 1958
  96. The Man With The Golden Arm / Elmer Bernstein #16 (1) 1956
  97. Woo-Hoo / Rock-A-Teens #16 (1) 1959
  98. In The Mood / Johnny Maddox #16 (1) 1953
  99. Off Shore / Richard Hayman #16 (1) 1954
  100. Poor Boy / The Royaltones #17 (1) 1958

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