Bing and Gary Crosby

Play a Simple Melody
Written by Irving Berlin, Play a Simple Melody was featured in the movie There’s No Business Like Show Business. The song is actually two melodies in one: a simple, old-fashioned tune juxtaposed with a more complex jazz melody. Initially sung separately, the two melodies eventually overlap, creating a harmonious blend. Gary Crosby, who performed the song with his father Bing Crosby, was one of Bing’s four sons.

Doris Day

Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered
This classic originated in the 1940 Rodgers and Hart musical Pal Joey, which launched Gene Kelly’s Broadway career. Thanks to its enduring appeal, the song charted a decade later in 1950. Over the years, it has been recorded by many legendary artists, including Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and Barbra Streisand.

The Mills Brothers

Daddy’s Little Girl
Daddy’s Little Girl is a timeless tearjerker often used for the father-daughter dance at weddings. Bobby Burke and Horace Gerlach wrote the song and became a sentimental favorite in the mid-20th century, evoking emotions across generations.

Nat King Cole

Mona Lisa
Composed by Ray Evans and Jay Livingston, Mona Lisa was featured in the 1950 film Captain Carey, U.S.A. and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Nat King Cole’s smooth, heartfelt rendition made the song a classic, comparing a woman’s enigmatic nature to the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, which resides in the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Perry Como

A Bushel and a Peck
This cheerful tune originates from the Broadway musical Guys and Dolls (1950), based on stories by Damon Runyon. In the musical, the song is performed by Miss Adelaide as part of her nightclub act. Perry Como’s recording brought the playful number to a wider audience, cementing its popularity.

Gene Autry

Here Comes Peter Cottontail
After his success with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Gene Autry released Here Comes Peter Cottontail in 1950, written by Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins. The song, celebrating Easter traditions, peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard charts. It later inspired the 1971 Easter television special Here Comes Peter Cottontail, which tells how Peter became the Easter Bunny.

Eileen Barton

If I Knew You Were Coming, I’d Have Baked a Cake
Written by Al Hoffman, Bob Merrill, and Clem Watts, this novelty hit was recorded by Eileen Barton in January 1950. Its popularity overwhelmed its initial record label, National Records, which partnered with Mercury Records to meet demand. The song was also recorded as a duet by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope, as well as by Ethel Merman and Ray Bolger.

Teresa Brewer

Music! Music! Music!
Written by Stephen Weiss and Bernie Baum, Music! Music! Music! became a million-seller for Teresa Brewer in 1949. Petula Clark also recorded the song that year, achieving popularity in Australia. In the 1970s, Melanie Safka revived the tune as The Nickel Song, adding a modern twist.

Anton Karas

The Third Man Theme
Composed by Anton Karas in 1949 for the film The Third Man, this instrumental piece topped the Billboard charts for 11 weeks. Its distinctive use of the zither, a rarely heard instrument, contributed to its unique sound and enduring popularity.

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Top Artists and Songs of 1950