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Most-Recorded Tunes of the 1950s

This list ranks the top 10 most-recorded tunes during the 1950s. By carefully comparing the 737 individual tune recordings dated as from the 1950s which appear on the indexed recordings, I identified a total of 460 musically distinct tunes. The top ten of those tunes are listed below, in order of how many albums they appear on. When tunes have the same number of recordings, tunes having the oldest recordings appear first. Note that reuses of a particular cut in other anthologies are counted, which is fair, since the popularity of a recording is a good indicator both of the popularity of the tune and of the likelihood that musicians will learn the tune from that recording.

Of related interest:
RankNumber of
Recordings
Explanation
Rhythm
Title (and link to tune details)
18Reel
Transcription of first 2 bars of Mason's ApronMason's Apron
28Reel
Transcription of first 2 bars of Bonnie KateBonnie Kate
38Reel
Transcription of first 2 bars of Miss McLeodMiss McLeod
47Reel
Transcription of first 2 bars of CopperplateCopperplate
57Reel
Transcription of first 2 bars of Sally GardensSally Gardens
66Reel
Transcription of first 2 bars of Woman of the HouseWoman of the House
76Air
Lord Mayo
86Reel
Transcription of first 2 bars of Silver SpearSilver Spear
95Reel
Transcription of first 2 bars of Bird in the BushBird in the Bush
105JigD
Transcription of first 2 bars of Lark in the MorningLark in the Morning