The eighty-fourth song: Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
The rockabilly sound still seems to define a lot of early rock. The larger reliance on piano over guitars still feels noticeable here and while there's a lot of energy in the song, it isn't quite rocking out yet. Part of the appeal is allegedly in the performance, making this song more popular once it aired on TV, and that comes across in places, but makes it oddly subdued in places here.
The eighty-fifth song: That'll Be the Day - Buddy Holly & The Crickets
It's been a while since we got what seems best described as pop rock. The guitars and drums are there, but there's a bit more of a focus in this song on harmonic vocals, more reminiscent of Beatles songs. It sounds good and happy though, decent enough if a bit dated now.
The eighty-sixth song: Little Darlin' - The Diamonds
Back to doo wop, this feels like a bit of throwback to earlier songs. It sounds incredibly good, though, well produced and performed. It's quite over the top, in the way it uses the louder instruments and in how large the delivery of the vocals comes across.
The eighty-seventh song: Great Balls of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
Surely this must have one of the more well known openings in music? This already feels a bit more rocky than the previous song, with a lot of excitement, and he sounds pretty seductive even when you just hear him sing these lyrics.
The eighty-eighth song: When I Fall in Love - Nat King Cole
A ballad, to come down from all these rock songs and fun times.It's a sweet, smooth song, making me sway subconciously. It sounds good and draws me into its own world, convincingyou and again communicating the slow fall into love so completely.
The eighty-ninth song: You Send Me - Sam Cooke
I just saw Sam Cooke described as the inventor of soul - showing off my ignorance of music that I didn't really know that. This song sounds really good, Sam Cooke has a great voice, and the arrangement makes good use of all elements. The whole thing sounds a bit more upbeat than I was expecting, but it also sounds different from what came before. It's smoother than rock, quieter than pop, but happier than blues. Something new is emerging - not quite there yet from what we know now, but music is clearly changing.