Top 100 Best Selling R&B Soul Songs of the Fifties

Below is a list of best selling Soul R&B songs from the Fifties, sorted by the most popular or best selling first. Click "year" to sort by year. Place mouse on to see information about song. Click song title to play song and to read details about the song including lyrics (if available). Click checkbox to add song to playlist. Click checkbox at top of column to add all songs below it to playlist. Click label to list songs from that record label. Following on from the top 100 chart are listings of hundreds of other lesser-known Soul R&B songs from the fifties.

(Songs are sorted in highest US R&B Top 100 and/or UK Top 100 chart position order)

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record label
1 record label: ABC 9972
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #7
written by: traditional, Harold Logan and Lloyd Price
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #456]
 		Lloyd Price Stagger Lee
1959 ABC
2 record label: Mercury 70893
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #4
written by: Georges Boulanger and Jimmy Kennedy
album: The Platters
comments: [ballad]
 		The Platters My Prayer
1956 Mercury
3 record label: Keen 34013
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #29
written by: Sam Cooke
album: Sam Cooke / The Best of Sam Cooke
 		Sam Cooke You Send Me
1957 Keen
4 record label: Fury 1023
chart position: RandB #1, US #1
written by: Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
album: Kansas City
 		Wilbert Harrison Kansas City
1959 Fury
5 record label: Mercury 71289
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #3
written by: Morty Nevins, Al Nevins, Artie Dunn and Buck Ram
 		The Platters Twilight Time
1958 Mercury
6 record label: Atco 6087
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, UK #30
weeksinr&bchart: 21
written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
 		The Coasters Searchin'
1957 Atco
7 record label: Gee 1002
chart position: RandB #1, US #6, UK #1
weeksinr&bchart: 17
written by: Frankie Lymon, Herman Santiago and George Goldner
album: The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #307]
 		Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers Why Do Fools Fall In Love
1956 Gee
8 record label: ABC Paramount 10018
chart position: RandB #1, US #2, UK #9
written by: Harold Logan and Lloyd Price
album: Mr. 'Personality'
 		Lloyd Price Personality
1959 ABC Paramount
9 record label: MGM 12688
chart position: US #1, UK #1
written by: Carl Sigman and Charles Dawes
album: It's All in the Game
comments: [ballad]
 		Tommy Edwards It's All in the Game
1958 MGM
10 record label: Mercury 70753
chart position: RandB #1, US #1
written by: Buck Ram
album: The Platters – Vol. IV
comments: [ballad]
 		The Platters The Great Pretender
1956 Mercury
11 record label: Imperial 107
chart position: RandB #1, US #2, UK #6
written by: Vincent Rose, Al Lewis and Larry Stock
album: This Is Fats Domino!
 		Fats Domino Blueberry Hill
1956 Imperial
12 record label: Mercury 71394
chart position: RandB #1, US #3
written by: Brook Benton, Belford Hendricks and Clyde Otis
album: It's Just a Matter of Time
comments: [ballad]
 		Brook Benton It's Just a Matter of Time
1959 Mercury
13 record label: King 4950
chart position: RandB #1, US #2
weeksinr&bchart: 28
written by: Bill Doggett, Billy Butler, Clifford Scott and Shep Shepherd
album: Everybody Dance the Honky Tonk
comments: [instrumental]
Bill Doggett Honky Tonk (Parts 1 and 2)
1956 King
14 record label: Imperial 5386
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, UK #12
weeksinr&bchart: 20
written by: Fats Domino (as Antoine Domino), Dave Bartholomew
album: Fats Domino Rock and Rollin'
 		Fats Domino I'm in Love Again
1956 Imperial
15 record label: Mercury 70633
chart position: RandB #1, US #5
written by: Buck Ram (as Ande Rand)
 		The Platters Only You (And You Alone)
1956 Mercury
16 record label: Mercury 71383
chart position: RandB #3, US #1, UK #1
written by: Otto Harbach and Jerome Kern
album: Remember When?
comments: [ballad]
 		The Platters Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
1958 Mercury
17 record label: King 4935
chart position: RandB #1, US #24
written by: Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell (as John Davenport)
album: Fever
 		Little Willie John Fever
1956 King
18 record label: Atlantic 2025
chart position: RandB #1, US #2
written by: Benjamin Nelson, Lover Patterson and George Treadwell
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #193]
 		The Drifters There Goes My Baby
1959 Atlantic
19 record label: Imperial 5428
chart position: RandB #1, US #4, UK #19
written by: Fats Domino and Dave Bartholomew
album: Here Stands Fats Domino
 		Fats Domino I'm Walkin'
1957 Imperial
20 record label: Specialty 608
chart position: RandB #1, US #5, UK #21
written by: Larry Williams
album: Here's Larry Williams
 		Larry Williams & His Band Short Fat Fannie
1957 Specialty
21 record label: Atco 6146
chart position: RandB #1, US #7, UK #15
written by: Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
comments: [Double sided hit.]
 		The Coasters Poison Ivy -- I'm a Hog for You
1959 Atco
22 record label: Specialty 5015
chart position: RandB #1, US #6, UK #3
weeksinr&bchart: 16
written by: Enotris Johnson, Robert Blackwell and Little Richard (as Richard Penniman)
album: Here's Little Richard
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #56]
 		Little Richard Long Tall Sally
1956 Specialty
23 record label: Chess 1653
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, UK #24
weeksinr&bchart: 15
written by: Chuck Berry
album: After School Session
 		Chuck Berry School Day
1957 Chess
24 record label: Atlantic 1111
chart position: RandB #1, US #12
written by: Ivory Joe Hunter
album: Ivory Joe Hunter
comments: [ballad]
 		Ivory Joe Hunter Since I Met You Baby
1956 Atlantic
25 record label: Brunswick 55105
chart position: RandB #1, US #7
written by: Berry Gordy and Billy Davis [Roquel Davis] (as Tyran Carlo)
album: Lonely Teardrops
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #308]
 		Jackie Wilson Lonely Teardrops
1959 Brunswick
26 record label: Imperial 5417
chart position: RandB #1, US #5, UK #23
written by: Fats Domino (as Antoine Domino) and Dave Bartholomew
album: This Is Fats Domino!
 		Fats Domino Blue Monday
1957 Imperial
27 record label: Dot 15538
chart position: RandB #2, US #4, US AC #32
written by: Clarence Quick
album: Come Go With The Del Vikings
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #441]
 		The Del-Vikings Come Go with Me
1957 Dot
28 record label: Mercury 71478
chart position: RandB #1, US #16
written by: Brook Benton and Clyde Otis
 		Brook Benton Thank You Pretty Baby
1959 Mercury
29 record label: Specialty 579
chart position: RandB #1, US #17, UK #30
weeksinr&bchart: 17
written by: Robert Blackwell, John Marascalco
album: Here's Little Richard
 		Little Richard Rip It Up
1956 Specialty
30 record label: Atlantic 1144
chart position: RandB #1, US #6
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Laura Webb, Jannie Pought, Reather Dixon, Helen Gathers and Emma Pought
 		The Bobbettes Mr. Lee
1957 Atlantic
31 record label: ABC Paramount 10032
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, UK #23
written by: Harold Logan and Lloyd Price
album: Mr. 'Personality'
comments: Double sided hit.
 		Lloyd Price I'm Gonna Get Married -- Three Little Pigs
1959 ABC Paramount
32 record label: Specialty 561
chart position: RandB #2, US #17, UK #29
weeksinr&bchart: 21
written by: Little Richard (as Richard Penniman), Dorothy LaBostrie
album: Here's Little Richard
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #43]
 		Little Richard Tutti Frutti
1956 Specialty
33 record label: Capitol 3737
chart position: RandB #1, US #6
weeksinr&bchart: 17
written by: Ollie Jones
 		Nat King Cole Send For Me
1957 Capitol
34 record label: Specialty 598
chart position: RandB #1, US #27, UK #10
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Albert Collins, Little Richard
album: Little Richard
 		Little Richard Lucille
1957 Specialty
35 record label: Aladdin 3325
chart position: RandB #1, US #20
weeksinr&bchart: 19
written by: Leonard Lee
album: Let the Good Times Roll
 		Shirley & Lee Let the Good Times Roll
1956 Aladdin
36 record label: Cub 9049
chart position: RandB #3, US #2, UK #3
written by: Otis Blackwell, Jimmy Jones and Charles Merenstein
album: Good Timin'
 		Jimmy Jones Handy Man
1959 Cub
37 record label: RPM 453
chart position: RandB #2, US #14
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Aaron Collins
album: Eddie My Love
comments: [ballad]
 		The Teen Queens Eddie My Love
1956 RPM
38 record label: Checker 872
chart position: RandB #4, US #5
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Margo Sylvia and Gilbert Lopez
comments: [ballad]
 		The Tune Weavers Happy, Happy Birthday Baby
1957 Checker
39 record label: Chess 1581
chart position: RandB #1, US #20
weeksinr&bchart: 20
written by: Harvey Fuqua, Alan Freed
 		The Moonglows Sincerely
1956 Chess
40 record label: Atlantic 1130
chart position: RandB #1, US #12
written by: Chuck Willis
album: King Of The Stroll
 		Chuck Willis C.C. Rider
1957 Atlantic
41 record label: Ember 1005
chart position: RandB #3, US #24
weeksinr&bchart: 17
written by: Fred Parris
album: The Five Satins
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #90]
 		The Five Satins (I Remember) In the Still of the Nite
1956 Ember
42 record label: Alton 254
chart position: RandB #1, US #46
written by: Julius Dixon
comments: [instrumental]
 		The Spacemen The Clouds
1959 Alton
43 record label: Groove 0175
chart position: RandB #1, US #11
written by: Mickey Baker, Sylvia Robinson (as Sylvia Vanderpool) and Bo Diddley (as Ethel Smith)
album: Love Is Strange
 		Mickey & Sylvia Love Is Strange
1957 Groove
44 record label: Atco 6132
chart position: RandB #2, US #2, UK #6
written by: Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller
album: That Is Rock & Roll
 		The Coasters Charlie Brown
1959 Atco
45 record label: Atlantic 1092
chart position: RandB #1, US #16, UK #27
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Joe Shapiro, Lou Stallman
album: Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters
 		Clyde McPhatter Treasure of Love
1956 Atlantic
46 record label: Specialty 606
chart position: RandB #2, US #14, UK #11
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: Enotris Johnson and Little Richard (as Richard Penniman)
album: Here's Little Richard
 		Little Richard Jenny, Jenny
1957 Specialty
47 record label: Gee 1012
chart position: RandB #3, US #13
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Morris Levy
album: The Teenagers Featuring Frankie Lymon
 		Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers I Want You to Be My Girl
1956 Gee
48 record label: Cameo 117
chart position: RandB #3, US #3
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: Bob Crewe and Frank Slay
 		The Rays Silhouettes -- Daddy Cool
1957 Cameo
49 record label: Mercury 70819
chart position: RandB #4, US #4
written by: Buck Ram
album: The Platters – Vol. IV
comments: [ballad]
 		The Platters (You've Got) The Magic Touch
1956 Mercury
50 record label: Atco 6116
chart position: RandB #1, US #1, UK #12
weeksinr&bchart: 14
written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller
album: That Is Rock & Roll
 		The Coasters Yakety Yak
1958 Atco
51 record label: Atlantic 1116
chart position: RandB #1, US #17
written by: Lincoln Chase
album: LaVern Baker
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #343]
 		LaVern Baker & The Gliders Jim Dandy
1956 Atlantic
52 record label: Imperial 5474
chart position: RandB #1, US #4, Country #11
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Bill Justis and Sid Manker
comments: instrumental
 		Ernie Freeman Raunchy
1957 Imperial
53 record label: Atlantic 1085
chart position: RandB #1
written by: Henry Glover
album: Ray Charles
comments: [ballad]
 		Ray Charles Drown in My Own Tears
1956 Atlantic
54 record label: Mercury 70963
chart position: RandB #3, US #17
written by: Sil Austin
album: Golden Saxophone Hits
comments: [Jazz RnB Instrumental]
Sil Austin Slow Walk
1956 Mercury
55 record label: Chess 1654
chart position: RandB #3, US #8
weeksinr&bchart: 16
written by: Rex Garvin
 		Johnnie & Joe Over the Mountain, Across the Sea
1957 Chess
56 record label: Atlantic 1088
chart position: RandB #2, US #41
weeksinr&bchart: 12
written by: J. Mayo Williams, Bo Chatman and Mitchell Parish
album: Rock and Roll
comments: first recorded by Turner in 1941 with the Art Tatum band Decca 8563
 		Joe Turner Corrina, Corrina
1956 Atlantic
57 record label: London 8509
chart position: RandB #2, US #8, UK #21
weeksinr&bchart: 9
written by: Little Richard (as Richard Penniman)
album: Little Richard
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #442]
 		Little Richard Keep-A-Knockin'
1957 London
58 record label: Atlantic 1081
chart position: RandB #2, US #44
weeksinr&bchart: 13
written by: Willis Carroll, Carmen Taylor
album: Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters
 		Clyde McPhatter Seven Days
1956 Atlantic
59 record label: Mercury 71032
chart position: RandB #15, US #11, UK #18
written by: Agnes White, Buck Ram and Peter Tinturin
album: The Platters
comments: [ballad]
 		The Platters I'm Sorry
1957 Mercury
60 record label: King 5000
chart position: RandB #4, US #26
weeksinr&bchart: 8
written by: Sil Austin
album: Wow!
comments: instrumental
 		Bill Doggett Slow Walk
1956 King
61 record label: End 1027
chart position: RandB #4, US #2
written by: Sylvester Bradford and Al Lewis
album: We Are The Imperials Featuring Little Anthony
comments: [ballad]
 		Little Anthony & the Imperials Tears on My Pillow
1958 End
62 record label: Rama 216
chart position: RandB #5, US #53
weeksinr&bchart: 15
written by: James Sheppard and William H. Miller
album: A Thousand Miles Away
comments: [ballad]
 		The Heartbeats A Thousand Miles Away
1956 Rama
63 record label: Columbia 40993
chart position: RandB #12, US #1
weeksinr&bchart: 3
written by: Robert Allen, Al Stillman
album: Johnny's Greatest Hits
comments: [ballad]
 		Johnny Mathis Chances Are
1957 Columbia
64 record label: Imperial 5396
chart position: RandB #2, US #14
written by: Cliff Friend and Dave Franklin
album: Fats Domino Rock and Rollin'
 		Fats Domino When My Dreamboat Comes Home
1956 Imperial
65 record label: Ember 1029
chart position: RandB #1, US #1
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Earl Beal, Raymond Edwards, Richard Lewis and William Horton
 		The Silhouettes Get a Job
1958 Ember
66 record label: Chess 1671
chart position: RandB #6, US #8
written by: Chuck Berry
album: One Dozen Berrys
 		Chuck Berry Rock and Roll Music
1957 Chess
67 record label: Love 5003
chart position: RandB #1, US #3, UK #29
written by: Eddie Durham and Edgar Battle
comments: [instrumental]
 		Cozy Cole Topsy
1958 Love
68 record label: Class 229
chart position: RandB #1, US #2, UK #29
weeksinr&bchart: 15
written by: Jimmie Thomas
album: Rockin' With Robin
 		Bobby Day Rock-in Robin
1958 Class
69 record label: Clock 1009
chart position: RandB #5, US #1
written by: Dave Baby Cortez and Kurt Wood
comments: [instrumental]
 		Dave Baby Cortez The Happy Organ
1959 Clock
70 record label: Chess 1683
chart position: RandB #1, US #2, UK #16
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Chuck Berry
album: One Dozen Berrys
comments: [Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs #272]
 		Chuck Berry Sweet Little Sixteen
1958 Chess
71 record label: MGM 9022
chart position: RandB #14, US #2, UK #28
written by: Artie Zwirn and Garry Giosasi
album: Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home)
 		The Impalas Sorry (I Ran All the Way Home)
1959 MGM
72 record label: Paramount 9792
chart position: RandB #3, US #29
written by: Lloyd Price
album: The Exciting Lloyd Price
 		Lloyd Price Just Because
1957 Paramount
73 record label: Atlantic 2007
chart position: RandB #2, US #6
written by: Al Julia
album: Blues Ballads
 		LaVern Baker I Cried a Tear
1958 Atlantic
74 record label: Mercury 71465
chart position: RandB #1, US #2
written by: Phil Phillips and George Khoury
 		Phil Phillips & the Twilights Sea of Love
1959 Mercury
75 record label: Mercury 71032
chart position: RandB #5, US #16
written by: Paul Robi, Buck Ram (as Jean Miles) and Zola Taylor
 		The Platters He's Mine
1957 Mercury
76 record label: Atlantic 1179
chart position: RandB #1, US #9
written by: Fred Jay and Art Harris
 		Chuck Willis What Am I Living For
1958 Atlantic
77 record label: RCA 47 7591
chart position: RandB #1, US #2
written by: Bobby Worth
album: Della
comments: [ballad]
 		Della Reese Don't You Know
1959 RCA
78 record label: Brunswick 55165
chart position: RandB #3, US #34
written by: Sid Wyche
album: So Much
 		Jackie Wilson Talk That Talk
1959 Brunswick
79 record label: Mercury 71477
chart position: RandB #5, US #7, UK #7
written by: Sherman Edwards and Hal David
album: The Magic Of Sarah Vaughan
comments: [jazz RnB]
 		Sarah Vaughan Broken-Hearted Melody
1959 Mercury
80 record label: London 9013
chart position: RandB #2, US #10, UK #7
written by: Billy Davis [Roquel Davis] (as Tyran Carlo), Gwen Gordy ,Berry Gordy and Marv Johnson
album: Marvelous Marv Johnson
 		Marv Johnson You Got What It Takes
1959 London
81 record label: Mercury 71093
chart position: RandB #7, UK #7, US #24
written by: Buck Ram
album: The Platters – Vol. IV
comments: [ballad]
 		The Platters My Dream
1957 Mercury
82 record label: Coed 506
chart position: RandB #4, US #2
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Luther Dixon and Allyson Khent (as Allyson R. Khent)
album: The Crests Sing All Biggies
 		The Crests Sixteen Candles
1959 Coed
83 record label: Atlantic 1104
chart position: RandB #4, US #97
written by: Dorian Burton and Howard Plummer
album: LaVern Baker
 		LaVern Baker Still
1956 Atlantic
84 record label: Brunswick 55149
chart position: RandB #1, US #37
written by: Jackie Wilson and Norman Henry
album: Lonely Teardrops
 		Jackie Wilson You Better Know It
1959 Brunswick
85 record label: Imperial 5629
chart position: RandB #2, US #8, UK #11
written by: Fats Domino (as Antoine Domino), John Marascalco and Tommy Boyce
album: Sings Million Record Hits
 		Fats Domino Be My Guest
1959 Imperial
86 record label: Aladdin 3398
chart position: RandB #2, US #6
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Bobby Day
album: Little Bitty Pretty One
 		Thurston Harris Little Bitty Pretty One
1957 Aladdin
87 record label: Imperial 5606
chart position: RandB #1, US #8, UK #14
written by: Fats Domino (as Antoine Domino)
album: Lets Play Fats Domino
 		Fats Domino I Want to Walk You Home
1959 Imperial
88 record label: Atco 6087
chart position: RandB #1, US #8
weeksinr&bchart: 17
written by: Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Doc Pomus
album: The Coasters
 		The Coasters Young Blood
1957 Atco
89 record label: Brunswick 55136
chart position: RandB #6, US #20
written by: Berry Gordy (as Berry Gordy Jr.) and Billy Davis [Roquel Davis] (as Tyran Carlo)
album: So Much
 		Jackie Wilson I'll Be Satisfied
1959 Brunswick
90 record label: Big Top 45 3016
chart position: RandB #14, US #3
written by: Eliot Daniel and Larry Morey (traditional)
album: Lavender Blue Moods
comments: [ballad]
 		Sammy Turner Lavender Blue
1959 Big Top
91 record label: Capitol 3939
chart position: RandB #2, US #5
weeksinr&bchart: 16
written by: Brook Benton, Belford Hendricks and Clyde Otis
album: Looking Back
 		Nat King Cole Looking Back
1958 Capitol
92 record label: Vee Jay 226
chart position: RandB #3
weeksinr&bchart: 9
written by: Jimmy Reed
album: I'm Jimmy Reed
comments: [blues]
 		Jimmy Reed You've Got Me Dizzy
1956 Vee Jay
93 record label: Atlantic 1199
chart position: RandB #1, US #6
written by: Brook Benton and Jimmy Williams [Jimmy T. Williams]
album: Clyde
 		Clyde McPhatter A Lover's Question
1958 Atlantic
94 record label: Josie 835
chart position: RandB #2, US #5
written by: Bobby Freeman
album: Do You Wanna Dance?
 		Bobby Freeman Do You Wanna Dance?
1958 Josie
95 record label: Argo 5290
chart position: RandB #3, US #5
weeksinr&bchart: 11
written by: Warren Davis, George Malone and Charles Patrick
 		The Monotones The Book of Love
1958 Argo
96 record label: Mercury 71512
chart position: RandB #1, US #6
written by: Bobby Stevenson
album: I Love You In So Many Ways
 		Brook Benton So Many Ways
1959 Mercury
97 record label: Atlantic 2031
chart position: RandB #1, US #6
written by: Ray Charles
album: What'd I Say
 		Ray Charles What'd I Say (Part I)
1959 Atlantic
98 record label: Flash 115
chart position: RandB #2, US #79
weeksinr&bchart: 4
written by: Gus Jenkins
comments: [instrumental]
 		Gus Jenkins Tricky
1956 Flash
99 record label: Mercury 71435
chart position: RandB #4, US #8
written by: Grever and Adams
album: What a Diff'rence a Day Makes!
comments: [jazz RnB]
 		Dinah Washington What a Diff'rence a Day Makes
1959 Mercury
100 record label: Checker 885
chart position: RandB #5, US #7
written by: Jimmy McCracklin and Bob Garlic
album: Jimmy McCracklin Sings
 		Jimmy McCracklin The Walk
1958 Checker


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