Top 3 Music Albums of 1956
by 
Romanelli 
- Chart updated: 07/16/2026 17:15
- (Created: 09/03/2012 20:14).
- Chart size: 3 albums.
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1956 – RCA VICTOR
Produced By SAM PHILLIPS & STEVE SHOLES
1. Blue Suede Shoes
2. I’m Counting On You
3. I Got A Woman
4. One-Sided Love Affair
5. I Love You Because
6. Just Because
7. Tutti Frutti
8. Tryin’ To Get To You
9. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You)
10. I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’)
11. Blue Moon
12. Money Honey
The historical significance of Elvis Presley’s debut album alone makes this indispensable. It was the first rock and roll album of any importance, and it began the process of the album being just as important, and more, than the single. And then there’s the guy whose pictures and music are on it. Elvis Presley was just becoming a massive star when Col. Tom Parker bought his contract from Sun Records for $35k. He then got him signed to RCA, who decided that an album would be the best way to capitalize on his exploding success. This disc is made up of material that he had recorded for RCA in 1956, and four tracks that came with him from Sun, circa 1954. It soon became the first ever rock & roll album to top the charts, and was also the first to sell a million copies. And even though it’s short (28 minutes short), it stands as the very definition of classic. He may not have invented rock and roll, but this album shows why he was the first to absolutely rule it.
This album isn’t about a few hit singles and some filler. On the contrary. “Heartbreak Hotel” was ruling the charts, yet it’s not included here. What you do get is a sampling of what Elvis was the very best at. His early on choice of material (he was not a songwriter by any stretch) was stellar, pulling from the likes of Ray Charles (“I Got A Woman”) and Rodgers & Hart (“Blue Moon”). He covers songs that were hits for Carl Perkins (“Blue Suede Shoes”) and Little Richard (“Tutti Frutti”). He shows he could rock, and he shows that he was the king of the ladies with powerful ballad work. He snarls on “One Sided Love Affair”, then practically whispers in your ear with “I Love You Because”. This album wasn’t what albums were later on…this is someone at RCA collecting songs that represent every side of the artist, and it works magically…and even though half of the tracks were released as singles, they weren’t his BIGGEST singles. And yet, sixty years later, the album still works. And if that ain’t the very definition of classic, then I don’t know what is. [First added to this chart: 12/05/2024]
Produced By SAM PHILLIPS & STEVE SHOLES
1. Blue Suede Shoes
2. I’m Counting On You
3. I Got A Woman
4. One-Sided Love Affair
5. I Love You Because
6. Just Because
7. Tutti Frutti
8. Tryin’ To Get To You
9. I’m Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Over You)
10. I’ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin’)
11. Blue Moon
12. Money Honey
The historical significance of Elvis Presley’s debut album alone makes this indispensable. It was the first rock and roll album of any importance, and it began the process of the album being just as important, and more, than the single. And then there’s the guy whose pictures and music are on it. Elvis Presley was just becoming a massive star when Col. Tom Parker bought his contract from Sun Records for $35k. He then got him signed to RCA, who decided that an album would be the best way to capitalize on his exploding success. This disc is made up of material that he had recorded for RCA in 1956, and four tracks that came with him from Sun, circa 1954. It soon became the first ever rock & roll album to top the charts, and was also the first to sell a million copies. And even though it’s short (28 minutes short), it stands as the very definition of classic. He may not have invented rock and roll, but this album shows why he was the first to absolutely rule it.
This album isn’t about a few hit singles and some filler. On the contrary. “Heartbreak Hotel” was ruling the charts, yet it’s not included here. What you do get is a sampling of what Elvis was the very best at. His early on choice of material (he was not a songwriter by any stretch) was stellar, pulling from the likes of Ray Charles (“I Got A Woman”) and Rodgers & Hart (“Blue Moon”). He covers songs that were hits for Carl Perkins (“Blue Suede Shoes”) and Little Richard (“Tutti Frutti”). He shows he could rock, and he shows that he was the king of the ladies with powerful ballad work. He snarls on “One Sided Love Affair”, then practically whispers in your ear with “I Love You Because”. This album wasn’t what albums were later on…this is someone at RCA collecting songs that represent every side of the artist, and it works magically…and even though half of the tracks were released as singles, they weren’t his BIGGEST singles. And yet, sixty years later, the album still works. And if that ain’t the very definition of classic, then I don’t know what is. [First added to this chart: 12/05/2024]
Year of Release:
1956
Appears in:
Rank Score:
5,008
Rank in 1956:
Rank in 1950s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
1956 – VERVE
Produced By NORMAN GRANZ
1. Can’t We Be Friends
2. Isn’t It A Lovely Day?
3. Moonlight In Vermont
4. They Can’t Take That Away From Me
5. Under A Blanket Of Blue
6. Tenderly
7. A Foggy Day
8. Stars Fell On Alabama
9. Cheek To Cheek
10. The Nearness Of You
11. April In Paris
Music from heaven is what this is. Two of the greatest performers of their time, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, had recorded together in the late 1940’s, so they were already comfortable together. Between 1956 and 1959, they got together and recorded three studio albums. Ella And Louis was the first of those. The founder of Verve Records, Norman Granz, picked out the songs and brought in the excellent Oscar Peterson Quartet, which included Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and maybe the greatest drummer of all time in Buddy Rich. There was no way that this album could have been anything less than amazing, and amazing it is. All topped off by the greatness of Fitzgerald and Armstrong. This is simply perfection.
These eleven songs were all handpicked for Ella and Louis. Slow to mid tempo, they fit the voices perfectly, with Peterson’s combo playing everything just right. Because it’s from so long ago, it tends to be something of a forgotten gem. But it’s a true classic, out there just waiting to be rediscovered. Even Bjork has said that it’s one of her favorite records. Beautiful jazz and pop vocals from the days when rock and roll was in its infancy. Fitzgerald was indeed the Queen Of Jazz, and lived until 1996. Armstrong passed away in 1971, and was a star from the 1920’s forward. Together, Ella and Louis were magical. Thankfully, Verve had the idea to put them together on record not just once, but three times. If you love this, and you should, there’s another pair of albums just like it waiting for you. [First added to this chart: 01/22/2025]
Produced By NORMAN GRANZ
1. Can’t We Be Friends
2. Isn’t It A Lovely Day?
3. Moonlight In Vermont
4. They Can’t Take That Away From Me
5. Under A Blanket Of Blue
6. Tenderly
7. A Foggy Day
8. Stars Fell On Alabama
9. Cheek To Cheek
10. The Nearness Of You
11. April In Paris
Music from heaven is what this is. Two of the greatest performers of their time, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, had recorded together in the late 1940’s, so they were already comfortable together. Between 1956 and 1959, they got together and recorded three studio albums. Ella And Louis was the first of those. The founder of Verve Records, Norman Granz, picked out the songs and brought in the excellent Oscar Peterson Quartet, which included Peterson on piano, Herb Ellis on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, and maybe the greatest drummer of all time in Buddy Rich. There was no way that this album could have been anything less than amazing, and amazing it is. All topped off by the greatness of Fitzgerald and Armstrong. This is simply perfection.
These eleven songs were all handpicked for Ella and Louis. Slow to mid tempo, they fit the voices perfectly, with Peterson’s combo playing everything just right. Because it’s from so long ago, it tends to be something of a forgotten gem. But it’s a true classic, out there just waiting to be rediscovered. Even Bjork has said that it’s one of her favorite records. Beautiful jazz and pop vocals from the days when rock and roll was in its infancy. Fitzgerald was indeed the Queen Of Jazz, and lived until 1996. Armstrong passed away in 1971, and was a star from the 1920’s forward. Together, Ella and Louis were magical. Thankfully, Verve had the idea to put them together on record not just once, but three times. If you love this, and you should, there’s another pair of albums just like it waiting for you. [First added to this chart: 01/22/2025]
Year of Release:
1956
Appears in:
Rank Score:
1,691
Rank in 1956:
Rank in 1950s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
[First added to this chart: 08/05/2025]
Year of Release:
1956
Appears in:
Rank Score:
2,867
Rank in 1956:
Rank in 1950s:
Overall Rank:
Average Rating:
Comments:
Total albums: 3. Page 1 of 1
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Top 3 Music Albums of 1956 composition
| Artist | Albums | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|||
| Elvis Presley | 1 | 33% | |
| Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong | 1 | 33% | |
| Frank Sinatra | 1 | 33% |
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