1952 Music: Popular Music, Songs and Artists

1952 Popular Music, Songs and Artists

Bill Haley and the Saddlemen

Rock the Joint
Before Bill Haley became known as Bill Haley and the Comets, he performed with his group, Bill Haley and the Saddlemen. In 1952, they recorded Rock the Joint, a song previously recorded by Jimmie Preston. Although Haley’s version didn’t chart on Billboard, it became foundational in his rock and roll transition.

Don Howard

Oh Happy Day
This is not the Oh Happy Day familiar to churchgoers. Written and performed by Don Howard, the song debuted at a high school dance where enthusiastic students requested it be performed 13 times in one night. Recorded at a local studio, the track became a regional hit before climbing to No. 4 on the Billboard charts nationally. Time magazine dubbed it the “Mystery Hit,” describing it as “the rarest kind of hit—unplanned and unplugged.”

Frank Sinatra

I Get a Kick Out of You
This song, with its iconic line “I get no kick from cocaine,” is considered one of the earliest to reference drug use critically. Written by Cole Porter for the 1934 Broadway musical Anything Goes, the song was originally sung by Ethel Merman. It became one of three standout hits from the show, alongside You’re the Top and Anything Goes. Frank Sinatra’s 1953 rendition cemented the song as a jazz and pop standard.

Gene Kelly

Singin’ in the Rain
The song Singin’ in the Rain originated in the early days of sound cinema, appearing in the 1929 MGM musical The Hollywood Revue of 1929. Judy Garland and others recorded it over the years, but its iconic status was secured in the 1952 film Singin’ in the Rain. Starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor, the movie is considered one of the greatest musicals ever made. Gene Kelly’s unforgettable performance of the title song, complete with a joyous dance in the rain, remains one of cinema’s most celebrated moments.

The Four Aces

Heart and Soul
Published in 1938 with music by Hoagy Carmichael and lyrics by Frank Loesser, Heart and Soul is often one of the first songs taught to beginner pianists. The Four Aces recorded it in 1952, and their version peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard charts.

Hank Williams

Jambalaya (On the Bayou)
A tribute to the famous Cajun dish, Jambalaya (On the Bayou) was written and released by Hank Williams in 1952. The song topped the country music charts and crossed over into pop, inspiring countless covers. The Carpenters included a version on their Now and Then album, which reached No. 12 in the UK.

Karen Chandler

Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me
Written by Harry Noble in 1952, Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me is considered an early pop-rock era hit. Karen Chandler’s recording reached No. 7 on the charts, making it her only charting single and a memorable part of early 1950s pop music.

The Mills Brothers

Glow Worm
Originally titled Das Glühwürmchen, this song was part of Paul Lincke’s 1902 operetta Lysistrata. When translated into English, it became Glow Worm. Johnny Mercer later expanded the lyrics, and the Mills Brothers recorded it in 1952, turning it into a chart-topping hit.

Johnny Ray

Walkin’ My Baby Back Home
Written in 1930 by Roy Turk (lyrics) and Fred E. Ahlert (music), Walkin’ My Baby Back Home charted in 1931. Nat King Cole popularized it with a hit version in 1951, and Johnny Ray followed with another successful rendition in 1952. In 1953, the song became the title of a movie starring Donald O’Connor.

Top Artists and Songs of 1952

Al Martino
Here In My Heart, Now, Take My Heart
Arthur Godfrey
Slow Poke
Bell Sisters
Wheel of Fortune, Bermuda
Bill Haley and His Comets (the Saddlemen)
Rock The Joint
Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman
Zing a Little Zong
Bing Crosby
Isle of Innisfree
Bobby Wayne
Wheel of Fortune
Buddy Morrow
Night Train
Dean Martin
You Belong To Me
Don Howard
Oh Happy day
Don Cornell
I’ll Walk Alone, I Am Yours
Doris Day and Frankie Laine
Sugarbush
Doris Day
A Guy Is A Guy, My Love and Devotion
Eddie Fisher
I Wish You Were Here, Lady of Spain, Anytime, Outside of Heaven, Tell Me Why, Everything I Have Is Yours
Eddie Howard
Auf Wiederseh’n Sweetheart
Four Aces
Heart and Soul
Frank Sinatra
I Get A Kick Out Of You
Frankie Laine
High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me)
Gene Kelly
Singing In The Rain
Georgia Gibbs
Ring of Fire
Guy Mitchell
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Hank Williams
Jambalaya (On The Bayou)
Helen O’Connell
Slow Poke
Hugo Winterhalter
Blue Tango
Jimmy Forrest
Night Train
Jo Stafford
You Belong To Me, Jambalaya (On The Bayou), A-Round the Corner, Keep It a Secret
Johnny Ray
Please Mister Sun, Walkin’ My Baby Back Home
Johnny Standley
It’s In The Book
Joni James
Why Don’t You Believe In Me?
Karen Chandler
Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me
Kay Starr
Wheel of Fortune, Comes A-Long a-Love
Leroy Anderson
Blue Tango
Les Paul and Mary Ford
Tiger Rag
Little Walter
Juke
Lloyd Price
Lawdy Miss Clawdy
Louis Armstrong
It Takes two To tango
Mario Lanza
Because You’re Mine
Mills Brothers
The Glow Worm
Nat ‘King’ Cole
Unforgettable, Walkin’ My Baby Back Home, Somewhere Along The Way, Because You’re Mine, Faith Can Move Mountains
Patti Page
I Went To Your Wedding, Why Don’t You Believe Me?, You Belong To Me
Pearl Bailey
It Takes Two To Tango
Pee Wee King
Slow Poke
Peggy Lee
Lover
Percy Faith
Delicado
Perry Como
Please Mr. Sun, Maybe
Ray Anthony
Bunny Hop, At last
Red Foley
Don’t Let The Stars Get In Your Eyes
Rosemary Clooney
Half As Much, Blues In The Night, otch-A-Me (Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccina)
Ruth Brown
5-10-15 Hours
Slim Whitman
Indian Love Call
Tex Ritter
High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me)
The Dominoes
Have Mercy Baby
The Gaylords
Tell Me Your Mine
The Hilltoppers
Trying
The Weavers
Around The Corner
Tony Bennett
Here In My Heart
Tony Martin
Kiss of Fire
Vera Lynn
Auf Wiederdseh’n Sweetheart, Homing Waltz, Forget Me Not