This collection is unavailable via iTunes or Amazon.com.
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BMG/RCA 8467-2-R


Over the years that Nipper has sat with ear cocked to his master's voice, this attentive dog has been treated to an almost limitless range of music. From Mozart to Mancini, from Sinatra to Starship, the history of RCA Records is virtually a history of recorded music in America. In this series of releases, affectionately titled Nipper's Greatest Hits, we offer a decade by decade survey of the songs that set our feet and our hearts into motion. The very diversity of these collections is their glory. This diversity speaks to the richness of our national life – its many often contradictory facets, and its incredible rate of change. Enjoy this music with ears unbiased by current fashion and you will find revealed a chronology of America's social evolution and a celebration of life that shows no signs of abating. And Nipper, delighted like all the rest of us, just can't stop listening.

Note: All chart positions refer to Billboard magazine's charts unless otherwise indicated. Songs are arranged in order of entry on the charts.
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1. I’M MOVIN' ON 2:48
Hank Snow – The Singing Ranger and his Rainbow Ranch Boys
(Clarence E. Snow)
Hill and Range Songs, Inc. (BMI)
Charted 7-15-50 (K2WP 3929)
(RCA Victor 21/48-0328)
Recorded in Nashville, March 28, 1950.
Entered Country chart: July 15, 1950, peaked at #1 (three weeks).

It seems fitting that a man named Snow would get his start in Canada, just as Hank Snow did at a small radio station in Halifax, Nova Scotia. His nickname of "The Singing Ranger" came from years spent actually working on a ranch. After Col. Tom Parker signed Snow to RCA, this immensely talented singer / songwriter earned one hit after another, racking up a record of forty Top Ten Country hits: His first was "I'm Movin' On," and no career was more aptly begun.

2. THE THING 2:18
Phil Harris
(Charles Grean)
Hollis Music (BMI)
With Walter Scharf and his Orchestra
Charted 11-25-50 (DPL2 0164)
PHIL HARRIS with Orchestra conducted by Walter Scharf
(RCA Victor 20/47-3968)
Recorded in Hollywood, October 13, 1950.
Entered Chart: November 25, 1950, peaked at #1 (four weeks).

He began his long career as a drummer in Francis Craig's band backup in the twenties. Phil Harris eventually led his own band and went on to star on radio, in movies, and on TV. Between 1947 and 1954, he was a regular on the Jack Benny radio show and co-hosted a series with his wife, actress Alice Faye. During this period he cut three Top Ten hits, including his biggest, "The Thing."

3. I GET IDEAS 2:38
Tony Martin (Adapted from" Adios Muchachos")
(English lyrics by Cochran / Sanders)
Hill and Range Songs, Inc. (BMI)
With Henri Rene and his Orchestra
Charted 6-2-51 (E1VB 1798)
(RCA Victor 20/47-4141)
Recorded in New York, April 16, 1951.
Entered chart: June 2, 1951, peaked at #3.

Tony Martin first tasted fame in 1932 playing tenor saxophone for Ted Gerun's Orchestra. Within a few years he had switched to singing and in 1938 became the featured vocalist with Ray Noble's Orchestra. After several hits, he stepped into the solo spotlight. His silky delivery and flawless phrasing, were to give him twelve Top Ten hits including his biggest, "I Get Ideas." An accomplished actor; Martin married actress / dancer Cyd Charisse.

4. BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE 3:34
Mario Lanza
(Sammy Cahn / Nicholas Brodszky)
Feist Music (ASCAP)
with Orchestra under the direction of Constantine Callinicos featuring the Jeff Alexander Choir (From the MGM motion picture of the same name)
(RCA Victor Red Seal 10/49-3914) (L2PW 1258)
Recorded in Hollywood, July 24, 1952 and August 1, 1952.
Entered chart: September 13, 1952, peaked at #7.

With his first hit, "Be My Love," Mario Lanza took a giant step toward becoming the most popular operatic tenor since Caruso. Two more Top Ten hits, "The Loveliest Night of the Year" and the now-classic "Because You're Mine," solidified his claim. He also enjoyed a successful film career before the world was saddened by news of his untimely death on October 7, 1959.

5. CRYING IN THE CHAPEL 2:44
June Valli
(Artie Glenn)
Valley Publishing, Inc. (BMI)
with Orchestra directed by Joe Reisman
(E3VL 4917) (RCA Victor. 20/47-5368)
Recorded in New York, June 11, 1953.
Entered chart: August 1, 1953, peaked at #6.

June Valli broke into show business in a big way when she won on the television program Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. Her cover version of Darrell Glenn's "Crying in the Chapel" not only outsold the original recording but also competing versions by Ray Allen, The Orioles; and Ella Fitzgerald.

6. SANTA BABY 3:23
Eartha Kitt
(Tony Springer / Phil Springer / Joann Jarvits)
Pamir Music (ASCAP)
With Henri Rene and his Orchestra
(E3VB 2423)
(RCA Victor 20 / 47-5502)
Recorded in New York, October 5,1953.
Entered chart: December 5, 1953, peaked at #4.

After electrifying Broadway in the revue "New Faces of 1952," Eartha Kitt warmed the airwaves with her sassy, seductive delivery of 'C'est Si Bon," She quickly followed with two more hits, the seasonal and steamy) "Santa Baby" and "Somebody Bad Stole De Wedding Bell," and went on to an enduring stage, cabaret, and television career (Ms. Kitt – with tongue firmly in cheek – created a hilarious Catwoman on the Batman TV series).

7. OH! MY PA-PA (O MEIN PAPA) 3:06
Eddie Fisher (From the Swiss musical "Fireworks")
(John Turner / Geoffrey Parsons / Paul Burkhard)
Shapiro, Bernstein & Co., Inc. (ASCAP)
With Hugo Winterhalter and his Orchestra and Chorus
(H2PP 4524)
(RCA Victor 20/47-5552)
Recorded in New York, November 14, 1953.
Entered chart: December 12, 1953, peaked at #1 (eight weeks).

After debuting as a vocalist with Buddy Morrow's band, Eddie Fisher had become a featured regular on Eddie Cantor's highly rated radio show by 1949. Between 1950 and 1957, he gave his adoring fans 19 Top Ten smashes. Although renowned for his big ballads like "Oh! My Pa-Pa," Eddie proved his versatility with successful rock and roll numbers like "Dungaree Doll."

8. THE NAUGHTY LADY OF SHADY LANE 2:47
The Ames Brothers
(Sid Tepper / Roy Bennett)
Chapel & Co., Inc. (ASCAP)
With Hugo Winterhalter and his Orchestra
(J2PP 3489)
(RCA Victor 20/47-5897) Recorded in New York, September 8, 1954.
Entered chart: November 20, 1954, peaked at #3.

The Ames Brothers gave the world 12 Top Twenty hits during the fifties including ''The Naughty Lady of Shady Lane" and "Melodie D'Amour." The quartet began their career with Russ Morgan and his Orchestra and were a major influence on the sibling harmonies to come in the next decade from The Beach Boys.

9. HOT DIGGITY (DOG ZIGGITY BOOM) 2:21
Perry Como
(Al Hoffman / Dick Manning)
Rancom Music (ASCAP)
With Mitchell Ayres and his Orchestra and The Ray Charles Singers.
(G2PB 1200)
(RCA Victor 20/47-6427)
Recorded in New York, February 2, 1956.
Entered chart: March 10, 1956, peaked at #1 (one week).

Perry Como debuted professionally with the Freddy Carlone Band and came to prominence as vocalist with Ted Weems and his Orchestra. His solo career began auspiciously in 1944 with the hit "Long Ago (And Far Away)." Como has long been one of RCA's most consistent chartmakers and continues his association with the label to this day. "Hot Diggity" is one of his seven #1 hits.

10. CANADIAN SUNSET 2:52
Hugo Winterhalter and his Orchestra
(Piano solo by Eddie Heywood)
(Eddie Heywood / Norman Gimble)
Vogue Music, Inc. (BMI)
(G2PB 4051)
(RCA Victor 20/47-6537)
Recorded in New York, May 1, 1956.
Entered chart June 23, 1956, peaked at #2 (two weeks).

Hugo Winterhalter led one of the most popular orchestras of the 1950's. Together they backed huge hits by artists as diverse as Eddie Fisher, Kay Starr, The Ames Brothers, and Eddy Arnold, as well as achieving great success of their own. Winterhalter charted his first hit in 1949 and scored Top Ten entries with "Count Every Star," "Blue Tango," "The Little Shoemaker," and, his most famous, "Canadian Sunset."

11. DON'T BE CRUEL 2:01
Elvis Presley
(Otis Blackwell / Elvis Presley)
Shalimar Music Corp. / Elvis Presley Music, Inc. (BMI)
(H2WP 8398)
(RCA Victor 20/47-6604)
Recorded in New York, July 2, 1956.
Entered Chart: August 4, 1956, peaked at #1 (eleven weeks).

1956 was a key year for Elvis and, by extension, for the whole of Popular music. This was the twelve-month cusp on which the Rock revolution was to hinge. Early in the year, RCA had picked up Elvis' contract from Sun Records in Memphis and by the time of this recording session, he had scored two blistering #1 smashes and made his first movie. Songwriter Otis Blackwell offered the tune to Elvis who immediately saw it as a rich vehicle for his burgeoning talents. He performed it – and its flip side; "Hound Dog"  – every time he appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.

12. LOVE IS STRANGE 2:54
Mickey & Sylvia
(Ethel Smith)
Ben Ghazi (BMI)
(G5JB 7873)
(Groove G/4G-0175)
Recorded in New York, October 17, 1956.
Entered chart: January 5, 1957, peaked at #11.

Boy-girl duos suited the sentimental view of romance popular in the 1950's. Mickey Baker was an accomplished R&B session guitarist with credits for a host of labels who teamed with Sylvia Vanderpool to sign with RCA's Groove subsidiary. She had formerly been billed as "Little Sylvia" when singing for Hot Lips Page and, curiously, it was she and not Mickey who played guitar on the session. Sylvia regained her hit-making form in 1973 when she had a #3 hit with" Pillow Talk."

13. MAMA LOOK A BOO BOO 3:05
Harry Belafonte
(Lord Melody)
Duchess Music Corp. (BMI)
(H2PB 1273)
With Bob Corman's Orchestra and Chorus featuring Millard Thomas, Franz Casseus, and Victor Messer on guitar
(RCA Victor 20/47-6830)
Recorded in New York, January 27, 1957.
Entered chart March 23, 1957; peaked at #11.

Calypso and Harry Belafonte were virtually synonymous in the late fifties. His LP named for this sexy, swaying island music topped the album charts for an astounding 31 weeks and remained a bestseller for close to two years. His popularity was assured with a series of hits including" Jamaica Farewell," "Mary's Boy Child," and the softly loping "Mama Look a Boo Boo," but it was "Banana Boat" (originally titled "Daylight") with its patented "day-o" that made Belafonte an undimmable star.

14. FOUR WALLS 2:47
Jim Reeves
(Marvin Moore / George Campbell)
Unart Music Corp. (BMI)
(K2WP 3929)
(RCA Victor 20/47-6874)
Recorded in Nashville, February 7, 1957.
Entered chart: April 29, 1957, peaked at #11.

After beginning his career with the Circle O Ranch Boys, who had a #1 Country hit in 1953 with "Mexican Joe," Jim Reeves established himself as a major artistic force in Country music as a solo artist. His first Pop crossover hit was the Classic "Four Walls." Reeves cracked the Pop Top Ten again in 1960 with "He'll Have To Go." Despite his0 death in 1964, Reeves' material has continued to generate hits.

15. PATRICIA 2:18
Perez Prado and his Orchestra
(Perez Prado)
Peer International Corp. (BMI)
Charted 6-16-58 (G2TB 8071)
(RCA Victor 20/47-7245)
Recorded in Hollywood, December 13, 1956.
Entered chart: June 16, 1958, peaked at #1 (one week).

This Cuban-born pianist/organist first struck it big in 1955. When his "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" rode the top of the Charts for eleven weeks and fueled a craze for the cha-cha. He again topped the charts in1958 with "Patricia," which appears in stereo for the first time on this compilation.

16. THE DIARY 2:31
Neil Sedaka
(Neil Sedaka / Howard Greenfield)
Screen Gems/EMI Music (BMI)
(K2PV 2586)
(RCA Victor 41-7408)
Recorded in New York, October 30, 1958.
Entered chart: December 8, 1958, peaked at #14.

This prolific singer/songwriter enjoyed important success in the 50's, 60's, and 70's. His first big break was as lead singer of The Tokens, but it was his deft skill as a writer that sustained him. He originally wrote "The Diary" as the follow-up for Little Anthony and The Imperials' "Tears on My Pillow." When a different song was selected, Sedaka cut it himself and prepared the way for his breakthrough hit, "Oh! Carol," less than a year later.

17. THE WONDER OF YOU 2:34
Ray Peterson
(Baker Knight)
Duchess Music Corp. (BMI)
With Shorty Rogers and his Orchestra and Chorus
(K2PW 0219)
(RCA Victor 47-7513)
Recorded in Hollywood, March 23,1959.
Entered chart: May 18, 1959, peaked at #25.

Ray Peterson inaugurated his recording career with several inspired covers. He did versions of Little Willie Brown's "Fever" (a year before Peggy Lee) and Perez Prado's "Patricia" before firmly establishing himself with his first hit, "The Wonder of You." Peterson's biggest success came in 1960 when he made the Top Ten twice, with "Tell Laura I Love Her" and "Corinna, Corinna."

18. THE BATTLE OF KOOKAMONGA 2:36
Homer and Jethro
(Jimmie Driftwood / J.J. Reynolds)
Warden Music Co., Inc. (BMI)
(K2WA 5522)
(RCA Victor 47-7585)
Recorded in Nashville. July 22, 1959.
Entered chart: September 7, 1959, peaked at #14.

Homer & Jethro had along Country career and were best known for their hilarious parodies of current hits. They crossed over to the Pop charts only once, with this clever take-off of Johnny Horton's #1 hit, "The Battle of New Orleans." The team ended with Homer's death in 1971.

19. DON'T YOU KNOW 2:31
Della Reese
(Bobby Worth)
Alexis Music (ASCAP)
With Orchestra conducted by Glenn Osser
(K5PA 5430)
(RCA Victor 47-7591)
Recorded in New York, August 5, 1959.
Entered chart: September 21, 1959, peaked at #2.

Della Reese apprenticed for five years with Mahalia Jackson Gospel troupe before moving onto join Erskine Hawkins' band as featured vocalist in the early 50's. She had her first hit, "And That Reminds Me," on Jubilee Records in 1957. Two years later she moved to RCA and celebrated with her biggest hit, "Don't You Know," which she followed with a second Top Twenty smash, "Not One Minute More." Reese went on to a popular career on stage, on television and as a concert performer.

20. SHOUT (PARTS 1 AND 2) 4:25
The Isley Brothers
(O. Isley / R. Isley / R. Isley)
Wemar Music Corp./Nom Music, Inc. (BMI)
(K5PA 5502)
RCA Victor (47-7588 and RCA Victor Gold Standard 47-0589).
Recorded in New York, August 5, 1959. Entered chart: September 21, 1959 peaked at #47, and re-entered chart, March 24, 1962, peaked
at #94.

No Rhythm and Blues artists were making fiercer, more irresistible music than The Isley Brothers in the late 50's. "Shout" offered their muscular fury at its maximum intensity. In retrospect, it is perhaps no wonder that the song had to wait for Joey Dee and The Starliters' relatively tame 1962 cover to break the Top Ten: The Isley's were just too hot to handle in that sedate era. They continued to churn out rock and roll classics: "Respectable," "Nobody But Me," "This Old Heart of Mine," and the monster that caught the Beatles' ear, "Twist and Shout."
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Digital mastered at RCA Recording Studios, New York City, May, June 1988
Digital Series Coordinator: Don Wardell
Digital Producer: John Snyder
Digital Engineer: Joe Lopes
Compiled and Researched by Ron Furmanek

Annotation by Ron Furmanek and Steve Kolanjian with Patrick Snyder
Chart Information courtesy of Billboard and Joel Whitburn
Cover Illustration: Christopher Hitz
Art Direction: Pietro Alfieri

Other volumes of Nipper's Greatest Hits available: The '50's, Volume 1; The '60's, Volumes 1 and 2; The '70's.

These recordings are monophonic with the exception of numbers 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, and 20, which are Stereo.

Tmk(s) ® Registered· Marca(s) Registrada(s) RCA Corporation except BMG logo TM BMG Music © 1988 BMG Music
Manufactured and Distributed by BMG Music, New York. NY.
Printed in U.S.A.