Vote + to improve this toplist's ranking

Most Important 20th Century American Musical Works

20 items ranked

Rated 2 points - posted 2 years ago by arollison in category Music.

Click on up and down arrows to affect item's ranking

1.

"Blue Suede Shoes" Elvis Presley

This song was the first million-selling song. It was a triple-play crossover and moved from the top of the country charts to the rhythm & blues, and then pop charts.

31 points - added 2 years ago by arollison -

2.

"Body and Soul" Coleman Hawkins

This song instantly became one of jazz's most influential performances. The artist, Hawkins, is known as "the father of the tenor saxophone."

23 points - added 2 years ago by arollison -

3.

"Blowin' in the Wind" Dylan

22 points - added 2 years ago by arollison -

4.

"Ain't That a Shame" Fats Domino

This was the first song to crossover from the R&B charts to the mostly white pop charts of the day.

19 points - added 2 years ago by arollison -

5.

"All or Nothing At All" Frank Sinatra

This song originally flopped when it was first released; however, when Sinatra's career took off, he re-recorded it and it quickly landed in the number 2 spot on the charts. It was a turning point for Sinatra, along with a turning point for American music.

13 points - added 2 years ago by arollison -

6.

"Adagio for Strings" Samuel Barber

This orchestra piece has been featured in 2 films "Platoon" and "The Elephant Man." It is currently a standard short piece for orchestra.

13 points - added 2 years ago by arollison -

7.

"Crazy" Patsy Cline

3 points - added 2 years ago by arollison -

8.

"Hoochie Coochie Man" Muddy Waters

1 point - added 2 years ago by arollison -

9.

"Born to Run" Bruce Springstein

1 point - added 2 years ago by arollison -

10.

"Blue Moon of Kentucky" Bill Monroe

1 point - added 2 years ago by arollison -