The Best Songs of 1959 - Nos. 9 to 6

9. Since I Don’t Have You – The Skyliners



This much-loved doo-wop classic made it to number twelve on the pop charts. It was a great break-up song with some terrific falsetto work. It’s been successfully covered by several artists.

8. Come Softly To Me – The Fleetwoods



This was a number one hit with an unlikely start. A guy and a couple of girls in a high school in Olympia, WA write and perform a song which catches on locally, gets recorded with no musical accompaniment other than an acoustic guitar and the guy shaking his car keys and the thing winds up hitting number one on the pop charts. It is a sweet little song.
A quick comment on the video – That guy looks like he was drawn by Steve Ditko. :-)

7. Sea Cruise – Frankie Ford



This was a fun little song that made the top twenty. Frankie Ford is a New Orleans singer and he’s still down there and still performing.

6. Sleep Walk – Santo & Johnny



A couple of guitar-playing brothers from Brooklyn recorded this number one hit. I think it may be my all-time favorite instrumental. This song sounds beautiful.


Comments and opinions are encouraged and appreciated.