50s Songs That Initially Flopped but Became Smash Hits – Grunge
Tell Her.” Smith’s approach to the 1947 jazz tune inspired future surf rock pioneers The Ventures so much that the band recorded its version of the song in 1960. While widely associated with The Ventures now, it wasn’t until the band had a hit with “Walk, Don’t Run,” climbing to No. 2 on the pop chart that they received commercial success. Tap dancer John Young, who choreographed for Sinatra and sidekick Jerry Lewis, danced alongside an especially jazzy version of “Walk, Don’t Run” in the film “The Colgate Comedy Hour.” The Ventures’ version of “Walk, Don’t Run” has become synonymous with the surf rock genre (though the band was originally a jazz act) and was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Even though The Ventures had much left to deliver, with numerous Top 40 hits throughout the 1960s, “Walk, Don’t Run” remains one of the group’s signature songs. The 1984 Olympics highlighted the song once more, showcasing guitarist Don Wilson’s abilities during a video sequence.
Red River Rock
In 1959, Johnny and the Hurricanes took a risky step, recording “Red River Rock,” an attempt at combining the cacophony of rock ‘n’ roll with the prim jazz influences of the ’30s and ’40s — yet another rock ‘n’ roll and jazz melding that inspired late ’50s kids to go wild on the dance floors. What became “Red River Rock” started off as “Night Beat” a couple of years earlier.
While the Hurricanes were never able to recapture the magic of “Red River Rock,” and the song’s popularity didn’t extend far beyond the U.S., it was a game-changer for the genre at large.
And that seems to be the through line for these songs from the ’50s that failed to hit big upon release: Not only did they find their time, but they also maintained a staying power that generations have embraced. Whether as a result of boisterous live performances, mainstream exposure, or synchs with movies and TV shows, these songs succeeded on their own merit. And they haven’t faded away since.