3 One-Hit Wonders From the 1950s That Should Be Covered Today

Don’t tell your parents (or grandparents), but the 1950s were a long time ago. But while black and white TVs will likely never come back, there are some things from that decade that could be good to revisit. Starting, of course, with the music. Even though the 1950s were a strange time in the world, the era produced some excellent songs.

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Here below, we wanted to dive into three examples. This is a trio of one-hit wonders from the decade that are not only excellent but should be revisited and re-recorded by modern artists today. Indeed, these are three one-hit wonders from the 1950s that should be covered today.

[RELATED: The One-Hit Wonder Band That Came From Talking Heads]

“Earth Angel” by The Penguins (Single, 1954)

A beautiful doo-wop song, there is just something so classic about this 1954 love song from the Penguins. You’d think Lady Gaga or some other big-voiced singer would want to take this on, crooning it in some dazzling gown and getting a room once again in the palm of her hand. What if The Weeknd put it in his repertoire? We would be like sparrows pecking for crumbs from his palm. Originally released on an indie label, this song hit no. 8 on the Billboard pop charts.

“Short Shorts” by The Royal Teens (Single, 1958)

A song we all know and love today, it remains amazing that this song hasn’t been covered by someone like Miley Cyrus or sampled and put into a rap song by someone like Lil Nas X or Meg Thee Stallion. Not only is it catchy, but it’s familiar, one of those songs we seem to learn at birth and carry with us for the rest of time. But to put your own 2025 spin on it? That would be something the masses would for sure flock to. There’s a reason it hit no. 3 on the Billboard pop charts.

“Alone (Why Must I Be Alone)” by Shepherd Sisters (Single, 1957)

One of those early rock songs that immediately just gets your toes tapping, and then the harmonies from the Shepherd Sisters come in. Instantly, you feel as if you’re in the bedroom of a single gal, dreaming of what life would be like if she had that special someone in her life. The recording of this track, which hit no. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100, sounds so supremely classic. It should be its own Pro Tools setting. But we could see rock artists or pop stars cover this track—we’re looking at you, Ariana Grande!

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