3 Classic Rock Songs From the 50s That Make Me Feel Good

You know that feeling you had on the first day of school? Things were fresh, and there was an excitement in the air. An innocence, too. Like, where will this brand-new day take me? Well, in some ways, that’s what rock music from the 1950s sounded like. It was then that the style was just coming into shape. Like someone who’d been asleep, just opening their eyes.

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We wanted to take a look at three songs from the 1950s that showcase that feel-good vibe. While the decade itself was fraught, as all times are, much of the music felt vibrant and exciting. That’s how beginnings can be. Indeed, these are three classic rock songs from the 1950s that just make us feel good today.

“Jailhouse Rock” by Elvis Presley from ‘Jailhouse Rock’ (1957)

Released on the 1957 EP of the same name, this party rock song remains a fan favorite today. It’s about gettin’ down in a jail and partying with all those you want to see free on the other side one day. Elvis was a key figure when it came to the promulgation of classic rock music. As mainstream as apple pie, he helped sell the sound to a new generation. Today, his music remains fun and exciting. Something about his voice in those early years—like a train rushing through America.

“La Bamba” by Ritchie Valens from ‘Ritchie Valens’ (1958)

In 1958, Ritchie Valens released his own rendition of the Mexican folk song, and with it, he had a signature hit. Indeed, his “La Bamba” enlivened audiences then, and it does the same now. Put this song on at a get-together and watch the faces of your companions light up. There is spring and brightness to his voice. Possibility and hope to his demeanor. That’s why it was so sad when Valens and several others died in a plane crash just months after this track was released.

“Everyday” by Buddy Holly from ‘Buddy Holly’ (1958)

Speaking of that fateful night, the plane crash tragedy also claimed the life of young rocker Buddy Holly. In many ways, Holly was 1950s classic rock. He wrote timeless songs that have since inspired generations, including the likes of Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan. His song “Everyday” with that pitter-patter percussion is chef’s kiss. There might not be a rock song, from then or since, that can top it. It’s just that good.

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