War of the Speeds | Early 50s | Late 50s |
The 1950s brought to a head the so-called "war of the speeds" as RCA Victor pitted themselves in competition with Columbia in their race to replace the standard 78-rpm disc. RCA Victor countered the Columbia microgroove record with a new disc and record-playing equipment having a turntable speed of 40 plus rpm. Thus was born the 45-rpm single which certainly didn't defeat Columbia's LP but it nevertheless became the standard of charted hit records for many years to come. Throughout the 1950s it was common for songs to be released in multiple formats from the original 78-rpm disc to 45-rpm and several long-play formats. However, the single double-sided 45-rpm record became the standard of reference for record sales and popular appeal throughout the 1950s and decades to come. Even today, record success is often measured by the popularity of a "single" despite the fact that no one is quite certain what that means because almost all recordings are released in multiple song compilations i.e. a record album or compact disc. During the 1950s Perry Como certainly didn't lack for success in sales of his popular record singles no matter what the format. One performance on his popular television show would virtually guarantee a chart position the following week. During this period, his batting average second to none, he produced over eighty essential tracks which have never been featured within a 1950s comprehensive collection. Most album compilations skip over this important era in Perry's career with scant attention to his undeniable achievement. A few of these recordings pop up here and there in various album compilations but they have never been released in a comprehensive way. Surprisingly, some of them, having charted well, were never released again in any format other than the original single. Chee Chee-Oo Chee ( Sang the Little Bird )
Don't Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes
Dream Along With Me ( I'm On My Way to a Star )
( The ) Girl With The Golden Braids
Hot Diggity ( Dog Ziggity Boom )
I May Never Pass This Way Again
Just Born ( To Be Your Baby )
Kiss Me and Kiss Me and Kiss Me ( Tre Voite Baciami )
Ko-Ko-Mo ( I Love You So )
Look Out the Window ( And See How I'm Standing In The Rain )
Love Makes The World Go 'Round
Mi Casa, Su Casa ( My House Is Your House )
( The ) Rose Tattoo
There Never Was A Night So Beautiful
There's No Boat Like A Rowboat
To Know You ( Is To Love You )
You Came A Long Way from St. Louis
You Alone ( Solo Tu )
You Don't Kno' What Lonesome Is
You'll Always Be My Lifetime Sweetheart
You're Just In Love ( I Wonder Why )
Essential Fifties Singles Index : | top of page | Early 50s | Late 50s |
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