Five songs from the 1950s that were years ahead of their time
Of all the pivotal moments in music history, the 1950s were arguably the most transitional. After all, without the rock ‘n’ roll originators of that era, we likely wouldn’t have seen the rise of the iconic groups of the 1960s—let alone many of the innovative artists shaping music today. From Elvis Presley to Bo Diddley, there really, truly was something for everybody.
That said, aside from the defining names that still infiltrate many corners of modern music discourse, the 1950s were more openly embracing of innovation than they perhaps seem, peering back with the hindsight of the modern age that often overshadows the forward-thinking work that was simmering beneath the surface. Today, rock ‘n’ roll is a catch-all term, but it signified a dispersion of differing genres back then.
For instance, while it’s no secret that Presley wasn’t perhaps as original as many suspected at the time, his artistry drew from several distinctive sounds and communities, converging the different facets to create something that evoked pure and simple excitement. Rhythm and blues, gospel, pop, and even country became Presley’s basis for creative expression, inspiring cultural unification that hadn’t been done before.
Countless others worked towards the same feat, like Little Richard’s redefine of what rock ‘n’ roll meant—his unrelenting energy and enthusiasm still influencing many heard on the airwaves today. The 1950s might seem to pale in comparison to the legends that emerged in the following decades, but, in many ways, it all started here—in the magic that spawned from a small number of adrenaline seekers.
Five 1950s songs that were ahead of their time:
‘Jailhouse Rock’ – Elvis Presley
There are countless reasons why some regard Elvis Presley as ahead of his time, but the most glaring seemed to be his penchant for hinting at things to come. For instance, many of today’s popular figures accrue similar levels of adoration, signalling one of the first examples of an artist inciting what would be today labelled as parasocial relationships between the artist and their audience.
However, on music alone, Presley seemed to also excel more than most. With ‘Jailhouse Rock’, he didn’t just perform with a raw and distinctive fervour, he endeared people to his melodically charming whims, with lyrics that seemed to defy the usual expectations of a simplistic, upbeat pop song. In other words, ‘Jailhouse Rock’ was a storm that still explodes to this day.
‘Tutti Frutti’ – Little Richard’
A song so revolutionary that countless people have written theses on it, Little Richard‘s ‘Tutti Frutti’ was pivotal for many reasons. Not only did it inspire many 1960s legends, it also entirely disrupted the musical space with an unapologetic grace that pushed people to consider how much they were holding back—and for whom.
Little Richard arrived with a distinctive energy and flamboyance that infiltrated the entire backbone of the music industry while revolutionising everything rock ‘n’ roll promised to be about. It was almost primal, inciting the kind of reaction that urged pure escapism with enjoyment and physical movements that were entirely in the moment and against the norm.
‘Bo Diddley’ – Bo Diddley
In today’s saturated musical landscape, it’s almost always impossible to decipher where certain sounds or structures originated. While many came from rhythm and blues, some stemmed from more nuanced practices, like Bo Diddley and his seemingly nonchalant ability to completely change music history forever with songs like 1955’s ‘Bo Diddley’.
The song that introduced the famous Bo Diddley beat, ‘Bo Diddley’ centralised a revolutionary rhythm with elements of forward-thinking guitar waves, inciting a new wave of considered rock ‘n’ roll pacing that didn’t compromise on energy and rawness. It’s unthinkable, really, just how much this song influenced the course of music, with many artists still emulating this rhythm today.
‘Johnny B. Goode’ – Chuck Berry
Since the arrival of social media, it has become increasingly easy to assume that storytelling in music is a considerably new thing. After all, many artists opt for fictional narratives to sell their image and artistic expression, making such conclusions simple. However, this was something many perfected in the decades prior, dating back to Chuck Berry and his tale of ‘Johnny B. Goode’.
In this song, Chuck tells the story of an aspiring country boy who plays guitar “just like ringing a bell”. The boy dreams of one day making it as a star, a sentiment that fed into the general feeling at the time that many rock stars held, wishing that their talent was enough to one day enjoy fame and fortune. It’s a story we still see and consume today, over six decades later.
‘I Put A Spell On You’ – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
Despite emerging in the 1950s, Screamin’ Jay Hawkins had the kind of talent that still astounds by today’s standards. Said to be an early pioneer of shock rock with his dark and kitschy tropes, Hawkins revolutionised the performance element of rock ‘n’ roll, showcasing the different ways music could seem darkly contortionist, yet endearingly so.
‘I Put A Spell On You’ has had the longest shelf life, but it still glimpsed Hawkins’ ability to pioneer aspects of musical creativity few had even thought of, using his voice as an instrument for visceral emotions and nuanced storytelling. Although it often seemed playful, it also pushed boundaries in a more inexplicable way that was miles ahead of its time in 1956.
