The Best Country Music of the 50s

The best country music of the 50s was a golden era for the genre. Here are our picks for the top 10 country songs of the 1950s.

Introduction

The 50s was a time when country music began to make a comeback after being overshadowed by other genres in the early part of the decade. The beginning of television also played a huge role in country music’s resurgence, as viewers were exposed to the music of artists like Hank Williams and Patsy Cline. The popularity of rock and roll also helped to promote country music, as many performers began to experiment with the new sound.

The 50s was also a time of great change for country music, as artists began to experiment with different sounds and styles. This led to the development of subgenres like honky-tonk and Western swing, which would go on to have a profound impact on country music in the years to come. Here are some of the best country songs of the 50s.

The Best Country Music of the 50s

The 50s was a great decade for country music. There were a lot of great artists and bands that emerged during this time. Some of the best country music of the 50s includes songs like “Crazy” by Patsy Cline, “I Walk the Line” by Johnny Cash, and “Your Cheatin’ Heart” by Hank Williams.

Hank Williams

Hank Williams was one of the most popular country music singers of the 1950s. He was known for his simple, heart-wrenching songs about love and loss. Some of his most famous songs include “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” and “Cold, Cold Heart.” Williams died tragically at the age of 29, but his music continues to live on.

Patsy Cline

Patsy Cline was one of the most popular and influential vocalists of the 20th century. She helped to shape the sound of country music with her emotive style and powerful voice. Cline had a string of hits in the 1950s, including “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and “Crazy.” Her recordings are still popular today, and she is considered one of the greatest performers in country music history.

Jimmie Rodgers

Jimmie Rodgers is often called the “Father of Country Music.” He was the first truly famous country musician, and his music helped spread country music throughout the United States. Rodgers was born in Meridian, Mississippi, in 1897. He began playing guitar when he was a teenager, and he soon developed his own style of guitar playing, which became known as “slide guitar.” In 1927, Rodgers moved to New York City, where he made his first recordings. These recordings were very popular, and they helped make Rodgers a national star. Rodgers continued to make hit records throughout the 1920s and 1930s. He died of tuberculosis in 1933, at the age of 35.

The Carter Family

The Carter Family was a traditional country music group that performed and recorded between 1927 and 1956. The group consisted of Alvin Pleasant “A.P.” Carter (1891–1960), his wife Sara Dougherty Carter (1898–1979), and Maybelle Addington Carter (1909–1978). Maybelle was A.P.’s cousin and her guitar playing, as well as her vocal contributions, were crucial to the group’s sound. The trio first recorded together in 1927 and continued to record hit songs throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.

The Carter Family’s recordings were hugely influential on the development of country music and they are often credited as being among the first country music artists. Some of their most famous recordings include “Wildwood Flower”, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken”, and “Keep on the Sunny Side”.

Bill Monroe

Monroe’s music was a type of bluegrass that he helped create. His songs were about mountain life and included laments about people who had died or were leaving the mountains. As described by Tony Russell in Country Music: 100 Essential CDs, “His gift for writing sad songs about dying was second to none.” In addition to his signature instrument, the mandolin, Monroe played the guitar, fiddle, banjo, and harmonica.

Conclusion

So there you have it, the best country music of the 50s! We hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane, and maybe even found a new favorite song or artist. If you’re interested in learning more about country music history, be sure to check out our list of the best country music of the 70s. Thanks for reading!