The Best Songs of 1957 - Nos. 10 to 6

10. Bye Bye Love – The Everly Brothers



Another song about a guy whose girl is leaving him behind, but with those Everly harmonies, the saddest story can sound amazingly sweet. This one was a number two hit on the pop charts and made it to number one on both the country and the R&B charts.

9. Maybe – The Chantels



The Chantels were among the first of the girl groups that were so dominant in the early sixties. This beautiful song made it to number 15 on the pop charts and number two on the R&B charts. Arlene Smith was an amazing singer and this song is one of the finest examples of both the doo-wop and girl group genres.

8. Little Darlin’ – The Diamonds



This is among the most fun of doo-wop songs. The Canadian quartet, the Diamonds, really tore into this song, playing on all the various doo-wop clichés. The song made it to number two on both the pop and R&B charts. It was originally recorded by the Gladiolas, but this is a rare case of the white group’s remake outshining the original.

7. You Send Me – Sam Cooke



This gorgeous love song has become a standard of the soul genre. It was the first pop hit for the incomparable Sam Cooke and what a hit it was. It spent six weeks at number one on the R&B charts and three weeks at number one on the pop charts.

6. Great Balls Of Fire – Jerry Lee Lewis



This is the ultimate Jerry Lee Lewis song. Jerry Lee’s piano work on this track is absolutely legendary. This ode to pure, unadulterated lust is one of the great sex songs in rock history.