Hits of the 50's


Hits of the 50's is the sixth studio album by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke. Record producer by Hugo & Luigi, the album was released in August 1960 in the United States by RCA Victor. Hits of the 50's is a covers album consisting of Cooke's versions of songs by such artists as Nat King Cole, Frankie Avalon, and Doris Day.
The album was remastered in 2011 as a part of The RCA Albums Collection.

Background

Hits of the 50's was recorded only two weeks following the sessions that produced Cooke's Tour in March 1960, over a month prior to the release of that album. The bulk of the album was recorded on March 23, 1960, with the remaining numbers—"The Great Pretender", "You, You, You", "The Wayward Wind", "Cry", and "Venus"—being recorded the following day. Many of the same musicians who recorded on Cooke's Tour returned for Hits of the 50's.

Track listing

All songs arranged and conducted by Glen Osser.

Side one

  1. "Hey There" – 2:32
  2. "Mona Lisa" – 2:34
  3. "Too Young" – 2:08
  4. "The Great Pretender" – 3:02
  5. "You, You, You" – 2:45
  6. "Unchained Melody" – 3:24

    Side two

  7. "The Wayward Wind" – 3:10
  8. "Secret Love" – 2:46
  9. "The Song from Moulin Rouge" – 2:30
  10. "I'm Walking Behind You" – 2:45
  11. "Cry" – 2:13
  12. "Venus" – 2:53

    Personnel

All credits adapted from The RCA Albums Collection liner notes.