Favorite Songs From Your Highschool Days

Rock and roll emerged in the middle of the decade as the teen music of choice. Pat Boone, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard and Buddy Holly were some of the favorites. Elvis Presley was the musical superstar of the period in rock, gospel, and romantic balladeering. Bill Haley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Cash were rockabilly musicians. Doo Wop was another popular genre at the time.

Here is the list of Billboard's Top 5 songs of 1959.

1. Johnny Horton
The Battle Of New Orleans
2. Bobby Darin
Mack The Knife
3. Lloyd Price
Personality
4. Frankie Avalon
Venus
5. Paul Anka
Lonely Boy

The 60's was the time of Chubby Checker's "The Twist" and, of course, Elvis was still riding high. More female singers and surf music came onto the airwaves as well. This is also when Beatlemania came into play.

Here is the Top 5 of 1969

1. Archies
Sugar Sugar
2. Fifth Dimension
Aquarius/Let The Sunshine In
3. Temptations
I Can't Get Next To You
4. Rolling Stones
Honky Tonk Woman
5. Sly/The Family Stone
Everyday People

The 70's is a big melting pot of musical diversity. The early 1970s saw the rise of popular soft rock music, with such legendary recording artists as The Carpenters, Elton John, James Taylor, and The Eagles. Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, and Grateful Dead were all popular in this era. Artists from other countries such as Black Sabbath and AC/DC made names for themselves. The highest-selling album was Pink Floyd's Dark Side of The Moon (1973). Many of these artists are still tops among the picky youth of today. They don't make them like they used to.

Here are the top hits from 1979.

1. The Knack
My Sharona
2. Donna Summer
Bad Girls
3. Chic
Le Freak
4. Rod Stewart
Da Ya Think I'm Sexy
5. Peaches & Herb
Reunited

Music in the 1980s was characterized by unheard of electronic sounds accomplished through the use of synthesizers and keyboards. This made a dramatic change in music. MTV was launched and music videos began to have a huge effect on the record industry. Pop artists such as Madonna and Michael Jackson really took advantage of this new trend and rose to the top.

Tease up your hair and look at the Top 5 of '89.

1. Chicago
Look Away
2. Bobby Brown
My Prerogative
3. Poison
Every Rose Has Its Thorn
4. Paula Abdul
Straight Up
5. Janet Jackson
Miss You Much

The 90's was the golden era for pop divas and boy bands. It also produced as many one-hit-wonders as the 60's. (I'm sure you all remember The Macarena.) It was also when hip-
hop music really started to put toward the forefront. Grunge was also very popular with bands like Nirvana and Soundgarden putting out hits. Let me also throw in Green Day, Weezer, and No Doubt...just a few of my personal faves.

Here is the Top 5 on Billboard in 1999.

1. Cher
Believe
2. TLC
No Scrubs
3. Monica
Angel Of Mine
4. Whitney Houston/Faith Evans/Kelly Price
Heartbreak Hotel
5. Britney Spears
.... Baby One More Time

Music is always changing. Currents artists are always looking for new ways to appeal to audiences. A lot of artists do remakes of old classics. An example would be Lady Marmalade originally done in 1974 by a girl group Labelle. It was redone in 2001 by Christina Aguilera, Pink, Missy Elliot, Mya, and Lil' Kim. Another device artists use nowadays is a synthesizer. It is used to change a voice or cover up a not so good vocalist. Did you know that T-Pain actually has a soprano voice?

Here is the Top 10 on Billboard's Top 100 list today.

1. Flo Rida
Right Round
2. T.I. Featuring Justin Timberlake
Dead And Gone
3. Lady GaGa
Poker
4. Soulja Boy Tell 'em Featuring Sammie
Kiss Me Thru The Phone
5. The All-American Rejects
Gives You Hell
6. Kanye West
Heartless
7. Lady Gaga featuring Colby O'Donis
Just Dance
8. Eminem, Dr. Dre & 50 Cent
Crack A Bottle
9. Taylor Swift
Love Story
10. Kelly Clarkson
My Life Would Suck Without You