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Chapter 28: How High The Moon

50s pop and novelty

Just as our collective memory of the sunny, simple 50s was built on hidden oppression and repression, these goofy 50s pop songs conceal surprisingly sharp edges. “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend” is a savage capitalist satire, Peggy Lee and Rosemary Clooney try on some questionable accents, and “Baby It’s Cold Outside” is still provocative 70 years later. Meanwhile, Les Paul’s electric guitar experiments were a key antecedent for the mold-shattering rock music to come.
1. Jo Stafford

Make Love to Me*

2. The Big Bopper

Chantilly Lace

3. Dave "Baby" Cortez

The Happy Organ

4. Rosemary Clooney

Come On A My House

5. Margaret Whiting & Johnny Mercer

Baby, It's Cold Outside

6. Peggy Lee

Manana (Is Soon Enough for Me)

7. Etta James

Tough Lover

8. Les Paul & Mary Ford

How High the Moon

9. Mitch Miller

The Yellow Rose of Texas

10. Marilyn Monroe

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend

*Not on Spotify