Aww…Monday’s Music Moves Me

Aww Mondays

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Momma’s Favorite

Monday’s Music Moves Me

For her finale of September, our hostess, Mary at Jingle, Jangle, Jungle, has instructed us of select tunes from the year we were in first grade. Hmm…I wasn’t listening to music in the first grade. I was playing baseball, football, cowboys & indians, and all the stuff an eight or nine year old boy finds entertaining, so I was unaware of the revolution in music that was taking place. Yes, I was in the first grade at the dawn of rock ‘n roll.

The 1953-54 school year saw a new musical genre take hold and take over the hearts and minds of teenagers across the country. The crooners and big band vocalists of the 30’s and 40’s were being replaced on the Billboard charts with a younger set of entertainers that appealed to what history would call “The Baby Boomers”. Born in 1946, I am a first wave Boomer. Since I wasn’t into music as a first grader, I had to do a little research to see what were some of the top songs and artists of the day. Ready or not, here we go.

In 1953 only two or three rock ‘n roll songs made the top thirty chart and one could hear a heavy blues influence that would eventually become the basis of the MoTown sound. One group to crack the top 30 in 1953 was The Drifters and the song, “Money Honey”.

Generally credited with the first rock ‘n roll hit single, “Rock Around The Clock” Bill Haley & The Coments as well as others actually covered songs from the blues genre recorded by black artists that could not get air play on many radio stations. While this song did not make the top 30 in 1953, it did make the top 100.

When you think of Rock ‘n Roll you think of The King, Elvis Presley and one tune pops into your head…Hound Dog. Elvis released Hound Dog in 1955 but it was written in 1952 and released as a blues number by Big Mama Thornton in 1953 and was her biggest hit. Honestly, I think I prefer Big Mama.

In 1954 Elvis released another “cover tune” from the country/blues/hillbilly songbook and it became one of his early hits…”That’s All Right”.

It’s time to wrap this set up and like many bands in the late fifties and early sixties, the closing number of their final set of the night it’s time to say, “Good Night Sweetheart”. Have a blessed week.

34 thoughts on “Aww…Monday’s Music Moves Me”

  2. John Holton

    On “Hound Dog,” that’s Buddy Guy on guitar, probably Fred Below on the drums, and really don’t know who’s on piano. Could be Sunnyland Slim, Otis Spann, or Lafayette Leake. There’s a longer version of the video that includes a harmonica jam with Big Mama, Big Walter Horton, John Lee Hooker, and a couple more guys that’s fantastic… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vAlM8KOXqc

    Much of my college years was spent listening to the blues and avoiding studying….

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  3. Alana Mautone (@RamblinGarden)

    Well, you included a doo wop classic with “Good Night, Sweetheart”. I wouldn’t have remembered anything from 1953 when it was happening as I was a baby, but I sure remember doo wop in its later years. Was nice hearing the Big Mama Thorton version of Hound Dog. Guess I’m so used to Elvis’…well, it was certainly an interesting musical era. And, a bit of a challenge for you. Enjoyed your offerings! And the dog picture is so cute.

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    1. DrillerAA

      When you think about it, Hound Dog is really about a guy who disrespects the relationship with his girl. He’s just not holding up his end of the relationship. Had radio been more inclusive of all artists at that time, I am sure the Mama Thornton release would have been bigger than Elvis.

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  9. Marie Moody

    OH BOY, Somebody of my era… woohoo I was in first grade in 56/57 – SENDING YOU HUGS! I have been feeling older than dirt all morning. Dang! Luvin’ your tunes too. HOUND DOG by Mama Thorton was really cool. My brother played that all the time on his phonograph. He also played drums & acoustic, but drums were his preferred instrument and he sang & was a great dancer. He was 6 yrs. older than me. He was so cool. Yes, he’s passed away when he was 44 from a heart attack. 😦 Dr. told him to stay away from greasy foods & junk food.. he didn’t listen the big oaf… I miss him so much & you gave him back to me with your tunes for a bit. Big hugs & thank you so much just for being you!!! You got an Elvis tune too… good now I really don’t feel so bad anymore.. Thanks for being of my era my friend… YOU HAVE ROCKED THE HOUSE! WOO HOO

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  12. Cathy Kennedy

    Driller,

    You are a year younger than my mom. Yep, she was a young one! 🙂 Anywho, you know I don’t think I was doing a lot of mewsic listening to when I was six years old, either. The earliest I recall actually listening to tunes was when I was in grade four because I have fractured distinct memories of watching the big girls dance during lunch break in an empty classroom and thinking, “I want to dance like them someday.”

    I came across Big Mama Thornton singing ‘Hound Dog’ a few years ago. She does a good job but I’m still partial to the King’s cover. ‘Shake, Rattle, and Roll’ is a lively tune that really puts a person in the mood to hit the hop. ‘Good Night Sweetheart’ just makes me feel good. I love those multiple voices performing different parts of the tune, especially the booming bass that really makes the song extra special and quintessential part of 50s style mewsic.

    Age is a relative thing and while our bodies often remind of just how old we are, our minds are slow to catch up and that’s okay. I prefer thinking I’m young because I think if I ever begin to think that I’m old then I will act it, you know? Thanks for sharing these wonderful classics from the days you were back in elementary school and have a boogietastic week, my friend!

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  13. Kim @ Storms and Stardust

    OOHH, I love Bill Haley and his Comets! Elvis as well…I just love a lot of music from that era. Great 4M song selections!
    I noticed you participate in Wordless Wednesday…I used to a long time ago, with another blog, and recently rediscovered it. I can’t wait to hop on board with that as well!
    Kim

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    1. DrillerAA

      Thanks for visiting. Please come back anytime. Right now I am limiting my participation to a couple of days per week. I combine “Aww Mondays” with “Mondays Music Moves Me” in to one post and I have been doing Wordless Wednesday for a very long time. Glad you enjoyed the music.

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    1. DrillerAA

      I thought the dogs were priceless. Junior High and American Bandstand were my true music coming out party. My first recollection of music was when I was probably five or six years old and I would hear country music on my parents radio. I remember what is now referred to as Western Swing. Growing up in Tulsa, I remember Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys had a Saturday morning show live from the Cains ballroom.

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  15. yogiabb

    Those songs have certainly stood the test of time. My wife and I watched the NPR series “Country Music” and were amazed at how complex Country music was and how at a certain level blues, gospel, country, and rock are all intertwined yet separate.

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