Find songs

The song was inspired by the idea of beating overwhelming odds in love.

Inspired by the joy of rock and roll music and dancing.

Inspired by the multiple roles a partner can play in a relationship.

Inspired by the idea of dedicating all one's love to a single person.

Inspired by the comic strip character Alley Oop, created by V.T. Hamlin in 1932.

Originally written in 1927, this version was inspired by memories of past love.

Inspired by a fictional or real love interest named Angela Jones.

The duet was inspired by the chemistry between Washington and Benton, showcasing their playful banter.

Inspired by the folk music revival and the sound of the banjo.

Inspired by Domino's welcoming and hospitable nature.

An instrumental inspired by the beatnik culture of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Written as the theme song for the film of the same name, inspired by the spirit of youth.

An English version of the French song "La Mer," inspired by the vastness of the ocean and longing.

A novelty instrumental inspired by prehistoric themes and the popularity of dinosaurs.

The song was inspired by the idea of leaving the past behind and moving forward in life.

Don Everly wrote the song, reportedly inspired by a girl he dated in high school named Cathy.

Cooke was inspired to write the song after encountering a chain gang of prisoners working on a highway while on tour.

The song uses cherry pie as a metaphor for a sweet, desirable love interest.

Inspired by the joy and energy of rock and roll dance music.

Inspired by the nurturing and comforting aspects of love.

Inspired by the pain and sorrow of heartbreak.

Based on the story "The Soldier's Prayer Book," inspired by finding religious symbolism in everyday objects.

The song was inspired by the duality of personality in a love interest.

Inspired by luxury items as metaphors for a valued love.

Inspired by the idea of a man being unfaithful or "dogging around."

Inspired by the Hully Gully dance craze of the early 1960s.

A novelty version of the Cole Porter classic, inspired by the popularity of The Chipmunks.

Inspired by romantic encounters in natural settings.

Inspired by childhood memories and nursery rhymes.

Inspired by the daydreams and fantasies of young love.

Robbins was inspired to write the song after a trip to El Paso, Texas, combining elements of cowboy ballads and border town romance.

Inspired by the concept of eternal, undying love.

Written by Jack Keller and Howard Greenfield, the song was inspired by the universal experience of heartbreak and disappointment in love.

An instrumental version of the theme from the 1960 film "Exodus," inspired by the movie's epic story.

Inspired by the blues tradition, the song tells the story of a man's love for a woman named Fannie Mae.

Hank Ballard wrote this song and recorded it with the Midnighters for King Records. The 1960 single also appeared on Mr. Rhythm and Blues and crossed from the R&B chart into the pop market. A later recording is a...

The song was inspired by the lingering memories of a past relationship.

Buddy Killen wrote and produced this recording. The Anita Kerr Singers recorded it under the Little Dippers name in 1959, before the single appeared in 1960. The composition also received later recordings by Billy...

Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell wrote the song decades before Ray Charles recorded it for The Genius Hits the Road in 1960. Accounts of the original title's inspiration differ: a frequently repeated family...

The song was inspired by the high-energy rock and roll of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

The song was inspired by the importance of timing in relationships and life.

Inspired by playful, carefree behavior in relationships.

Written by Terry Gilkyson, Rich Dehr, and Frank Miller, the song was inspired by nostalgic memories of home and lost love.

Co-written by Jimmy Jones and Otis Blackwell, the song was inspired by the idea of a man who could fix anything, including broken hearts.

Inspired by a carefree and optimistic outlook on life.

A cover of the 1937 song, inspired by the romantic atmosphere of a harbor at night.

Written by Joe and Audrey Allison, the song was inspired by a phone call Joe made to Audrey when he was away on business.

An answer song to Jim Reeves' "He'll Have to Go," inspired by the perspective of the other woman in the story.

Written by Harlan Howard, the song was inspired by the recurring nature of heartbreak.

Inspired by lullabies and the soothing nature of love.

Berry Gordy produced Marv Johnson's recording, with backing vocals by the Rayber Voices. The writing credit includes Gordy, Mike Ossman, Al Abrams and John O'Den. Issued by United Artists in 1960 and included on More...

The melody began as the Italian song Per tutta la vita, written by Pino Spotti and Alberto Testa and performed at the 1959 Sanremo festival. Kim Gannon supplied English lyrics. Brenda Lee recorded that adaptation...

Written by Dub Albritton and Ronnie Self, the song was inspired by teenage heartbreak and regret.

The song was inspired by the idealized image of a perfect girlfriend.

Based on the Italian song "O Sole Mio," Elvis's version was inspired by Tony Martin's 1949 rendition called "There's No Tomorrow."

Paul Anka wrote and performed the song, issued as a single in 1959. Its narrator faces the end of a relationship, and the recording places that sadness against orchestral and choral backing. This describes the...

Inspired by the growing popularity of bikinis and the shyness some felt about wearing them.

The song was inspired by playful terms of endearment in relationships.

The composition is credited to Lloyd Price and Harold Logan. Its repertoire history extends beyond Price: Billy Eckstine included it on the 1960 live album No Cover, No Minimum. That parallel recording provides...

Originally a French song "Je t'appartiens," the English version was inspired by the theme of eternal love.

Carl Spencer and Henry Glover wrote the song released by Billy Bland on Old Town in 1960. Its R&B recording crossed into the pop chart, and other performers later adapted the composition, including Ernest Tubb and...

The song was a humorous response to the many "death discs" popular at the time, inspired by a more optimistic outlook.

Inspired by the dreamy, ephemeral nature of life and love.

Clint Ballard Jr. and Fred Tobias wrote the song recorded by Bobby Rydell. It appeared on the other side of his 1960 Wild One single, and both sides received attention. These paired songs retain separate identities...

Inspired by the sorrows of young love and heartbreak.

The song was inspired by youthful romance and the innocence of first love.

The song was inspired by the feelings of loneliness and heartbreak common in country music.

Inspired by the feelings of isolation and loneliness experienced by teenagers.

The song was inspired by the loneliness felt when separated from a loved one.

The song was inspired by the intensity of romantic love.

Inspired by the special bond between a child and their mother.

Inspired by a girl named Marina whom Granata met while working as a coal miner in Belgium.

Inspired by and created for the 1960 thriller film "Midnight Lace" starring Doris Day.

Inspired by the sound of mission bells and their association with romance.

Inspired by the pursuit of financial success and its importance in relationships.

The song was inspired by the magnitude of romantic feelings.

The novelty song was inspired by the Battle of Little Bighorn and General Custer's defeat.

A cover of Jimmie Rodgers' 1930 song, inspired by the life of mule drivers in the early 20th century.

The song was inspired by the conflict between heart and mind in matters of love.

Inspired by nostalgia for one's hometown and childhood memories.

Inspired by finding contentment and happiness in one's own small part of the world.

Inspired by love for a Marine, possibly during the early days of U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Inspired by the depth and strength of romantic love.

Inspired by the enduring and powerful nature of love, compared to a flowing river.

An instrumental version of the theme from the 1960 Greek film "Never on Sunday."

The title track of Sinatra's album, inspired by a relaxed approach to romance.

The song was inspired by the romantic atmosphere of nighttime and the passion it can inspire.

Written for the John Wayne film of the same name, the song was inspired by the Alaskan gold rush.

Inspired by Italian love songs and Funicello's Italian heritage.

Orbison and co-writer Joe Melson were inspired by Orbison's own feelings of loneliness and heartbreak.

Written by Fred Spielman and Janice Torre, the song was inspired by the idea of fake love being as fragile as paper flowers.

The song was inspired by the struggle to resist temptation in love.

Written by Paul Kaufman and Mike Anthony, the song was inspired by the grace and beauty of a woman's movement.

Inspired by the captivating nature of a woman's eyes.

Anka wrote the song about his crush on Annette Funicello when he was 17 years old.

An instrumental inspired by the military wake-up call, given a rock and roll twist.

Inspired by the concept of an older person dating someone much younger.

An instrumental inspired by the sound of a goose honk, given a rock and roll treatment.

Written by J.P. Richardson (The Big Bopper), the song was inspired by Native American folklore and Romeo and Juliet-style forbidden love.

Inspired by the life of sailors and their connection to the sea.

Inspired by a summer romance, possibly named after a girl called Sandy.

Written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, the song was inspired by Pomus's experience at his own wedding, where he couldn't dance with his bride due to his polio.

Inspired by the popular dance moves of the time.

Inspired by the experience of trying on clothes in a store, with a humorous twist.

The song was inspired by the 1960 British war film of the same name, which depicted the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck during World War II.

The song was inspired by the many reasons one might fall in love, particularly aimed at teenage audiences.

Inspired by the pain of watching a once-strong relationship fall apart.

Not to be confused with the Led Zeppelin song, this was inspired by the euphoria of being in love.

Williams wrote the song at age 15, inspired by a real-life date that ended too soon.

The song was inspired by the gradual process of falling in love.

Written by Aaron Schroeder and J. Leslie McFarland, the song was inspired by Elvis's return to civilian life after his military service.

Written by Ronnie Self, the song was inspired by flirtatious teenage conversations.

Inspired by the lively atmosphere of high school in the early 1960s.

Inspired by the power of sweet talk in romance.

Inspired by gossiping and talking about a love interest.

Written by Mark's sister Jean and her husband Red Surrey, the song was inspired by the teen tragedy song trend of the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Inspired by the popular activity of hayrides among teenagers in rural areas.

Jeff Barry and Ben Raleigh created a teenage-tragedy narrative in which a young man enters a stock-car race to earn money for a wedding ring and dies in a crash. Ray Peterson recorded the song with Hugo and Luigi...

Jerry Reed wrote this lively rockabilly song, and Owen Bradley produced Brenda Lee's Nashville recording. It shared a 1960 single with the contrasting ballad I'm Sorry. Both sides attracted chart attention, but the...

Wayne Shanklin wrote and produced the recording. Its unusual sound came from a studio experiment: engineer Larry Levine ran a second tape at a slightly different speed while trying to strengthen the mix. The...

Nat Simon and Charles Tobias wrote the composition in 1946. It looks back nostalgically at the lamplighter who once lit and extinguished street lamps. The Browns revived it in a country-pop setting with Chet Atkins...

The song was originally recorded by Hank Ballard in 1959 but gained popularity when Chubby Checker covered it. The inspiration came from the dance move of the same name.

The original version of the song, inspired by the dance move Ballard saw people doing.

Inspired by the story of St. Bernadette and the apparitions at Lourdes, France.

Inspired by the Watusi dance, which was becoming popular in the early 1960s.

Inspired by the duality of a clown's life - happy on the outside, potentially sad on the inside.

Composed by Max Steiner for the 1959 film "A Summer Place," the theme was inspired by the movie's romantic storyline.

Charles Williams originally composed this music as Jealous Lover for the 1949 film The Romantic Age. Ferrante and Teicher's later recording used the title Theme from The Apartment, with Don Costa arranging and...

Inspired by the passage of time and the enduring nature of love, compared to a flowing river.

An instrumental inspired by and written for the character Tracy Lorne from the TV show "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis."

Holly wrote the song as a wedding gift for his wife, Maria Elena, inspired by their relationship.

A novelty song inspired by the success of Alvin and the Chipmunks, featuring scat singing.

A cover of Domenico Modugno's 1958 hit, inspired by the feeling of flying through a blue sky.

The instrumental was originally written by jazz guitarist Johnny Smith and later covered by Chet Atkins, inspiring The Ventures' rock version.

Written by Bobby Charles, the song was inspired by Domino's connection to New Orleans.

Inspired by Fender's own experiences with heartbreak and regret.

Originally written in 1922, this version was inspired by the vibrant music scene of New Orleans.

The song was inspired by the fear of losing a loved one and the changes that occur in relationships.

Written by Phil Everly, the song was inspired by the search for true love.

Originally from the 1937 musical "Babes in Arms," the song was inspired by the concept of déjà vu.

The instrumental was inspired by tropical beach settings.

The song was inspired by the questioning nature of love and relationships.

The song was inspired by the rebellious spirit of youth in the early 1960s.

Co-written by Cooke, Lou Adler, and Herb Alpert, the song was inspired by the simple joys of young love.

A cover of the 1925 song, inspired by the timeless nature of declaring one's love.

The song was inspired by admiration for a loved one's qualities.

Inspired by the all-encompassing nature of true love.

Reginald Hall brought the song to Joe Jones after Fats Domino declined it. Jones added it to his club act and later recorded it, with Sylvia Robinson involved in the New York session. The lyric complains about an...

Written by the Sherman Brothers, the song was inspired by teenage romance.

Jerry Livingston and Mack David wrote the ballad recorded by Ricky Nelson for Imperial. In 1960 it was paired with Right by My Side. The documented writing and release credits distinguish the composition from...