Best singles of 1951 - Rate Your Music
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Top singles of 1951

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1 2 ... 26 Next
Updated: 4 June
Average Ratings Reviews
The Howlin' Wolf - Moanin' at Midnight / How Many More Years, Cover art
Moanin' at Midnight / How Many More Years
The Howlin' Wolf
3.97 401 401 6 6
August 1951 Single
Chicago Blues
nocturnal raw anxious longing
401 Ratings 6 Reviews 3.97 Average
Luke the Drifter - Ramblin' Man / Pictures From Life's Other Side, Cover art
Ramblin' Man / Pictures From Life's Other Side
Luke the Drifter
3.89 380 380 9 9
December 1951 Single
Country Traditional Country Singer-Songwriter
Country Yodeling Blues
ominous dark lonely desert nocturnal
380 Ratings 9 Reviews 3.89 Average
Elmo James - Dust My Broom / Catfish Blues, Cover art
Dust My Broom / Catfish Blues
Elmo James
3.86 353 353 8 8
November 1951 Single
Electric Blues Chicago Blues
Rock & Roll
energetic rhythmic raw breakup passionate
353 Ratings 8 Reviews 3.86 Average
Les Paul and Mary Ford / Les Paul - How High the Moon / Walkin' and Whistlin' Blues, Cover art
How High the Moon / Walkin' and Whistlin' Blues
Les Paul & Mary Ford / Les Paul
3.79 300 300 8 8
26 March 1951 Single
Standards Rhythm & Blues
Rock & Roll Swing Country
uplifting technical melodic lush energetic
300 Ratings 8 Reviews 3.79 Average
Charles Brown - Black Night / Once There Lived a Fool, Cover art
Black Night / Once There Lived a Fool
Charles Brown
3.86 151 151 4 4
January 1951 Single
Piano Blues Electric Blues
Soul Vocal Jazz Rhythm & Blues
longing nocturnal lonely sombre depressive melancholic cold war
151 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.86 Average
Hank Williams With His Drifting Cowboys - Dear John / Cold, Cold Heart, Cover art
Dear John / Cold, Cold Heart
Hank Williams With His Drifting Cowboys
3.75 224 224 4 4
2 February 1951 Single
Honky Tonk
Traditional Country
Christian longing melancholic melodic passionate
224 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.75 Average
Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys - Hey, Good Lookin' / My Heart Would Know, Cover art
Hey, Good Lookin' / My Heart Would Know
Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys
3.72 320 320 4 4
June 1951 Single
Honky Tonk
longing acoustic romantic mellow playful love passionate melodic
320 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.72 Average
Nat "King" Cole - Unforgettable / My First and My Last Love, Cover art
Unforgettable / My First and My Last Love
Nat "King" Cole
3.71 249 249 3 3
October 1951 Single
Traditional Pop Vocal Jazz
Jazz Pop Easy Listening
lush ballad melodic love romantic passionate orchestral mellow
249 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.71 Average
Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats - Rocket "88" / Come Back Where You Belong, Cover art
Rocket "88" / Come Back Where You Belong
Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats
3.67 341 341 8 8
1 April 1951 Single
Rhythm & Blues Rock & Roll Jump Blues
New Orleans Blues
rhythmic playful boastful energetic melodic
341 Ratings 8 Reviews 3.67 Average
The Dominoes - Sixty-Minute Man / I Can't Escape From You, Cover art
Sixty-Minute Man / I Can't Escape From You
The Dominoes
3.62 203 203 4 4
April 1951 Single
Rhythm & Blues Doo-Wop Beach Music
sexual melodic boastful playful rhythmic
203 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.62 Average
Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys - Howlin' at the Moon / I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You), Cover art
Howlin' at the Moon / I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You)
Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys
3.74 149 149 3 3
May 1951 Single
Honky Tonk
Traditional Country Country Yodeling
humorous melodic playful love energetic
149 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.74 Average
John Lee Hooker - I'm in the Mood / How Can You Do It, Cover art
I'm in the Mood / How Can You Do It
John Lee Hooker
3.82 120 120 3 3
September 1951 Single
Electric Blues
120 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.82 Average
Wynonie Harris - Bloodshot Eyes / Confessin' the Blues, Cover art
Bloodshot Eyes / Confessin' the Blues
Wynonie Harris
3.85 106 106 2 2
July 1951 Single
Jump Blues Rhythm & Blues
Rock & Roll
rhythmic humorous party energetic
106 Ratings 2 Reviews 3.85 Average
Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads - Cry / The Little White Cloud That Cried, Cover art
Cry / The Little White Cloud That Cried
Johnnie Ray & The Four Lads
3.44 155 155 4 4
November 1951 Single
Traditional Pop
bittersweet breakup
155 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.44 Average
B.B. King - 3 O'Clock Blues / That Ain't the Way to Do It, Cover art
3 O'Clock Blues / That Ain't the Way to Do It
B.B. King
3.68 92 92 2 2
November 1951 Single
Electric Blues
Jump Blues
nocturnal passionate
92 Ratings 2 Reviews 3.68 Average
Bud Powell - Un poco loco / It Could Happen to You, Cover art
Un poco loco / It Could Happen to You
Bud Powell
3.73 81 81
July 1951 Single
Bebop
Afro-Cuban Jazz Modal Jazz Post-Bop
81 Ratings 3.73 Average
Hank Williams With His Drifting Cowboys - Lonesome Whistle / Crazy Heart, Cover art
Lonesome Whistle / Crazy Heart
Hank Williams With His Drifting Cowboys
3.59 98 98 1 1
15 September 1951 Single
Traditional Country
Honky Tonk
lonely
98 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.59 Average
The Five Keys - The Glory of Love / Hucklebuck With Jimmy, Cover art
The Glory of Love / Hucklebuck With Jimmy
The Five Keys
3.49 109 109 4 4
July 1951 Single
Doo-Wop
Rhythm & Blues Standards
love melodic vocal group romantic bittersweet optimistic sentimental
109 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.49 Average
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup - Anytime Is the Right Time / My Baby Left Me, Cover art
Anytime Is the Right Time / My Baby Left Me
Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup
3.73 79 79 4 4
January 1951 Single
Rhythm & Blues Electric Blues
79 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.73 Average
The Larks - My Reverie / Let's Say a Prayer, Cover art
My Reverie / Let's Say a Prayer
The Larks
3.60 77 77 1 1
May 1951 Single
Doo-Wop Vocal Group
mellow romantic ballad love vocal group soft
77 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.60 Average
Betty Hutton - Murder, He Says / It's Oh So Quiet!, Cover art
Murder, He Says / It's Oh So Quiet!
Betty Hutton
3.66 69 69 1 1
July 1951 Single
Vocal Jazz Big Band
69 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.66 Average
Muddy Waters and His Guitar - Long Distance Call / Too Young to Know, Cover art
Long Distance Call / Too Young to Know
Muddy Waters and His Guitar
3.47 79 79 1 1
March 1951 Single
Chicago Blues
79 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.47 Average
Nat "King" Cole - Too Young / That's My Girl, Cover art
Too Young / That's My Girl
Nat "King" Cole
3.48 79 79 4 4
March 1951 Single
Traditional Pop
Vocal Jazz
79 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.48 Average
Bill Haley and The Saddlemen - Rocket "88" / Tearstains on My Heart, Cover art
Rocket "88" / Tearstains on My Heart
Bill Haley and The Saddle Men
3.34 82 82 1 1
July 1951 Single
Rock & Roll Country Boogie
Honky Tonk Rockabilly
rhythmic
82 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.34 Average
Roy Hawkins - The Thrill Is Gone / Trouble Makin' Woman, Cover art
The Thrill Is Gone / Trouble Makin' Woman
Roy Hawkins
3.85 48 48 3 3
June 1951 Single
Piano Blues Rhythm & Blues
Chicago Blues
48 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.85 Average
Hank Williams - Baby, We're Really in Love / I'd Still Want You, Cover art
Baby, We're Really in Love / I'd Still Want You
Hank Williams
3.45 77 77 1 1
November 1951 Single
Honky Tonk
Traditional Country
77 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.45 Average
Earl Bostic and His Orchestra - Flamingo / I'm Getting Sentimental Over You, Cover art
Flamingo / I'm Getting Sentimental Over You
Earl Bostic and His Orchestra
3.59 64 64 4 4
October 1951 Single
Rhythm & Blues
Cool Jazz Jump Blues
64 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.59 Average
The Soul Stirrers - Peace in the Valley / Jesus Gave Me Water, Cover art
Peace in the Valley / Jesus Gave Me Water
The Soul Stirrers
3.76 50 50 1 1
May 1951 Single
Traditional Black Gospel
50 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.76 Average
Louis Armstrong - (When We Are Dancing) I Get Ideas / A Kiss to Build a Dream On, Cover art
(When We Are Dancing) I Get Ideas / A Kiss to Build a Dream On
Louis Armstrong
3.67 63 63 3 3
August 1951 Single
Traditional Pop Vocal Jazz
Dixieland
63 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.67 Average
Rosemary Clooney - Come On-a My House / Rose of the Mountain, Cover art
Come On-a My House / Rose of the Mountain
Rosemary Clooney
3.30 81 81 2 2
July 1951 Single
Vocal Jazz Traditional Pop Novelty
Boogie Woogie
energetic
81 Ratings 2 Reviews 3.30 Average
Les Paul and Mary Ford / Les Paul - The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise / Whispering, Cover art
The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise / Whispering
Les Paul & Mary Ford / Les Paul
3.64 59 59 2 2
August 1951 Single
Traditional Pop Space Age Pop
Standards
59 Ratings 2 Reviews 3.64 Average
The Stanley Brothers & The Clinch Mountain Boys - The Lonesome River / I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow, Cover art
The Lonesome River / I'm a Man of Constant Sorrow
The Stanley Brothers & The Clinch Mountain Boys
3.77 46 46 1 1
7 May 1951 Single
Bluegrass
46 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.77 Average
Memphis Slim and the House Rockers - Mother Earth / Really Got the Blues, Cover art
Mother Earth / Really Got the Blues
Memphis Slim and the House Rockers
3.77 46 46 1 1
January 1951 Single
Piano Blues
46 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.77 Average
Roy ("Bald Head") Byrd and His New Orleans Rhythm - Hey Little Girl / Willie Mae, Cover art
Hey Little Girl / Willie Mae
Roy ("Bald Head") Byrd and His New Orleans Rhythm
3.66 49 49 2 2
October 1951 Single
New Orleans Blues
49 Ratings 2 Reviews 3.66 Average
Lord Kitchener - London Is the Place for Me / Festival of Britain, Cover art
London Is the Place for Me / Festival of Britain
Lord Kitchener
3.43 55 55
1951 Single
Calypso
uplifting rhythmic optimistic
55 Ratings 3.43 Average
The Ravens - Lilacs in the Rain / Time Is Marching On, Cover art
Lilacs in the Rain / Time Is Marching On
The Ravens
3.72 47 47 1 1
February 1951 Single
Vocal Group Rhythm & Blues Doo-Wop
vocal group
47 Ratings 1 Reviews 3.72 Average
Sonny Boy Williamson - Crazy About You Baby / Eyesight to the Blind, Cover art
Crazy About You Baby / Eyesight to the Blind
Sonny Boy Williamson
3.81 43 43 4 4
February 1951 Single
Chicago Blues
43 Ratings 4 Reviews 3.81 Average
The Swallows - It Ain't the Meat / Eternally, Cover art
It Ain't the Meat / Eternally
The Swallows
3.58 48 48 2 2
December 1951 Single
Rhythm & Blues Vocal Group
48 Ratings 2 Reviews 3.58 Average
"Peppermint" Harris - I Got Loaded / It's You, Yes, It's You, Cover art
I Got Loaded / It's You, Yes, It's You
"Peppermint" Harris
3.66 45 45 3 3
July 1951 Single
New Orleans R&B Jump Blues
45 Ratings 3 Reviews 3.66 Average
Howling Wolf - Morning at Midnight / Riding in the Moonlight, Cover art
Morning at Midnight / Riding in the Moonlight
Howling Wolf
3.82 41 41 2 2
September 1951 Single
Chicago Blues
41 Ratings 2 Reviews 3.82 Average
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Soundtracks

  • Mario Lanza - The Loveliest Night of the Year / Because, Cover art
    The Loveliest Night of the Year / Because
    1951 Single
    24 Ratings 3 Reviews 2.83 Average
    2.83 24 24 3 3
  • Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel / William Warfield - You Are Love / Ol' Man River, Cover art
    You Are Love / Ol' Man River
    1951 Single
    6 Ratings 4.01 Average
    4.01 6 6
  • Fred Astaire and Jane Powell / Jane Powell - How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Love You, When You Know I've Been a Liar All My Life / Too Late Now, Cover art
    How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Love You, When You Know I've Been a Liar All My Life / Too Late Now
    1951 Single
    12 Ratings 3.02 Average
    3.02 12 12
  • Vocal Gems From Ivor Novello's "Gay's the Word": It's Bound to Be Right on the Night / Gaiety Glad / Bees Are Buzzin'
    1951 Single
    1 Ratings 3.50 Average
    3.50 1 1
  • Cicely Courtneidge - Vocal Gems From Ivor Novello's "Gay's the Word": Vitality / If Only He'd Looked My Way, Cover art
    Vocal Gems From Ivor Novello's "Gay's the Word": Vitality / If Only He'd Looked My Way
    1951 Single
    1 Ratings 3.50 Average
    3.50 1 1
    • See all 7 Include in main chart

    Live

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    La chasse au canard
    1951 Single
    1 Ratings 3.50 Average
    3.50 1 1
  • Jimmy Witherspoon - I Gotta Gal Lives Upon a Hill / Ain't Nobody's Business, Cover art
    I Gotta Gal Lives Upon a Hill / Ain't Nobody's Business
    1951 Single
    1 Ratings 1.50 Average
    1.50 1 1
    • See all 2 Include in main chart
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