Time-Life Album Discography, Part 40:
The Fabulous Fifties

By Mike Callahan, David Edwards, and Patrice Eyries
Last update: February 22, 2008



The Fabulous Fifties was not a subscription series like most of the others chronicled on this website. Rather, it started out as a series of three-CD sets sold on television. In particular, they were sold on "infomercials" starring television anchor and game show host Regis Philbin. These infomercials started in September 1999, and by 2000 had cost Time-Life a staggering advertising budget of fifteen million dollars.

As for the series itself, it was perhaps one of the most confusing ever for collectors. There were single, 2-CD, 3-CD, and 4-CD sets all with the same title and cover picture, but with substantially different content. If all this were not enough, Time-Life packaged several 3-CD sets along with a bonus disc for a 10-CD set. In Australia, it was five 2-CD sets and a bonus disc for an 11-CD set! Then there was the 19-CD set. Mix and match was the name of the game here. There were also three Christmas CDs.


When it came time to expand from TV sales to putting the discs in retail stores, the retail sales pitch (see left) placed heavy emphasis on the Regis Philbin infomercial. Think of Regis in his most sincere, innocent voice, noting, "Whether you lived through the '50s or just love great music, this is one of the best, most enjoyable collections you'll ever hear." The first offering was 3-CD sets, of which there were eventually three. Then came single-disc volumes to be sold in retail stores, including packaging of the eight individual discs into two 4-CD box sets (both called The Fabulous Fifties, although the title was in blue on one and in red on the other, as were the titles on the individual discs inside the boxes). These retail versions were hawked by Heartland Music. Each of the retail CDs had a small Time-Life logo in the lower right corner of the cover, while the TV offerings did not. Outside the US, two-CD sets were common.


We would appreciate any additions or corrections to this discography. Just send them to us via e-mail. Both Sides Now Publications is an information web page. We are not a catalog, nor can we provide the records listed below. We have no association with Time-Life or Warner Bros. Records. Should you be interested in acquiring albums listed in this discography (all of which are out of print), we suggest you see our Frequently Asked Questions page and follow the instructions found there. This story and discography are copyright 2008 by Mike Callahan.



TIME-LIFE ALBUM DISCOGRAPHY, PART 40

Cover


Number - Title - Artist - [Release Date] Contents

Time-Life - Time-life Presents "The Fabulous Fifties" - Various Artists [2000] This was offered as a 10-CD box set, with the following three 3-CD sets and a bonus disc. (There was also a 19- CD version, not shown).

Time-Life - The Fabulous Fifties: Those Wonderful Years - Various Artists [1999] (3-CD set) Disc 1: Theme From A Summer Place - Percy Faith And His Orchestra/Memories Are Made Of This - Dean Martin/Allegheny Moon - Patti Page/The Yellow Rose Of Texas - Mitch Miller, The Gang And Orchestra/My Happiness - Connie Francis/Honeycomb - Jimmie Rodgers/Fascination - Jane Morgan And The Troubadours/Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - Platters/Marianne - Terry Gilkyson & Easy Riders/Don't You Know - Della Reese/Rags To Riches - Tony Bennett/The Poor People Of Paris (Jean's Song) - Les Baxter & His Orchestra & Chorus/Any Time - Eddie Fisher With Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra/Secret Love - Doris Day/Unchained Melody - Al Hibbler/Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino/Standing On The Corner - Four Lads; Disc 2: Hey There - Rosemary Clooney/Just Walking In The Rain - Johnnie Ray/Kiss Of Fire - Georgia Gibbs/Love Letters In The Sand - Pat Boone/Let Me Go Lover - Joan Weber/Band Of Gold - Don Cherry/My Heart Cries For You - Guy Mitchell/Earth Angel - The Crew-Cuts/I Believe - Frankie Laine/Till I Waltz Again With You - Teresa Brewer & Jack Pleis Orchestra/Too Young - Nat King Cole/Three Coins In The Fountain - Four Aces/Shrimp Boats - Jo Stafford/Eternally - Jerry Vale/The Third Man Theme - Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians/It's No Sin - Eddy Howard & His Orchestra/Wheel Of Fortune - Kay Starr; Disc 3: Vaya Con Dios - Les Paul & Mary Ford/Smile - Johnny Mathis/Takes Two To Tango - Pearl Bailey/Wanted - Perry Como/Singing The Blues - Guy Mitchell/A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation) - Marty Robbins/Cold, Cold Heart - Tony Bennett/The Song From Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart) - Percy Faith & His Orchestra/Cry - Johnnie Ray/Half As Much - Rosemary Clooney/Harbor Lights - Sammy Kaye & His Orchestra/Mule Train - Frankie Laine/A Guy Is A Guy - Doris Day/No, Not Much! - Four Lads/Are You Sincere? - Andy Williams/Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight - McGuire Sisters

Time-Life/BMG Special Products - The Fabulous Fifties: Unforgettable Fifties - Various Artists [1999] (3-CD set) Disc 1: Sh-Boom - Crew Cuts/Catch A Falling Star - Perry Como/I'm Walking Behind You - Eddie Fisher/Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be) - Doris Day/Oh Lonesome Me - Don Gibson/The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane - Ames Brothers/Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare) - Domenico Modugno/This Ole House - Rosemary Clooney/Slowpoke - Pee Wee King & His Golden West Cowboys/Patricia - Perez Prado & His Orchestra/ Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley/Be My Love - Mario Lanza/Mona Lisa - Nat King Cole/You Belong To Me - Jo Stafford/Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado & His Orchestra/He'll Have To Go - Jim Reeves/The Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page/Round And Round - Perry Como; Disc 2: That's Amore - Dean Martin/My Prayer - Platters/Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley/The Rock And Roll Waltz - Kay Starr/You You You - Ames Brothers/The Cattle Call - Eddy Arnold/Oh! My Pa-Pa (O Mein Papa) - Eddie Fisher/The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant/Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford/Chances Are - Johnny Mathis/The Three Bells - Browns/Because Of You - Tony Bennett/Mack The Knife - Bobby Darin/The Thing - Phil Harris/Mr. Sandman - Chordettes/Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) - Perry Como/Heartaches By The Number - Guy Mitchell/The Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley; Disc 3: Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing - Four Aces Featuring Al Alberts/Music! Music! Music! - Teresa Brewer/Autumn Leaves - Roger Williams/April Love - Pat Boone/Tammy - Debbie Reynolds/Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy - Red Foley/Sugartime - McGuire Sisters/Sincerely - McGuire Sisters/Moonglow And The Theme From Picnic - Morris Stoloff Conducting The Columbia Pictures Orchestra/Blue Tango - Leroy Anderson & His Pops Concert Orchestra/Rag Mop - Ames Brothers/Hearts Of Stone - Fontane Sisters/Little Things Mean A Lot - Kitty Kallen/Goodnight Irene - Gordon Jenkins & His Orchestra with the Weavers

Time-Life - The Fabulous Fifties: Back to the Fifties - Various Artists [2000] (3-CD set) Disc 1: Chantilly Lace - Big Bopper/Don't Forbid Me - Pat Boone/Dance With Me Henry - Georgia Gibbs/Love Is Strange - Mickey And Sylvia/Tequila - Champs/Black Denim Trousers And Motorcycle Boots - Vaughn Monroe/Diana - Paul Anka/Kansas City - Wilbert Harrison/The Happy Organ - Dave Cortez/Papa Loves Mambo - Perry Como/Melodie D'Amour - Ames Brothers/Lipstick On Your Collar - Connie Francis/Love And Marriage - Dinah Shore/26 Miles - Four Preps/A Tear Fell - Teresa Brewer/Little Star - Elegants/It's Not For Me To Say - Johnny Mathis; Disc 2: Little Darlin' - Diamonds/Personality - Lloyd Price/Teach Me Tonight - McGuire Sisters/The Great Pretender - Platters/Oh! Carol - Neil Sedaka/I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter - Billy Willams/Day-O (Banana Boat) - Harry Belafonte/Sorry - Impalas/At The Hop - Danny & Juniors/Wake Up Little Susie - Everly Brothers/Tweedlee Dee - Lavern Baker/So Rare - Jimmy Dorsey/I Need You Now - Eddie Fisher/I Hear You Knocking - Gail Storm/Lazy Mary - Lou Monte/Chanson D'Amour - Art & Dotty Todd; Disc 3: Lollipop - Chordettes/Juke Box Baby - Perry Como/Dungaree Doll - Eddie Fisher/Young Love - Sonny James/Seventeen - Fontane Sisters/Butterfly - Andy Williams/It's All In The Game - Tommy Edwards/The Green Door - Jim Love/Scarlet Ribbons - Browns/Ain't That A Shame - Fats Domino/That's All I Want From You - Jaye P. Morgan/Four Walls - Jim Reeves/Canadian Sunset - Hugo Winterhalter/Blue Suede Shoes - Carl Perkins/Venus - Frankie Avalon/Wake The Town And Tell The People - Mindy Garson/See You Later, Alligator - Bill Haley

Time-Life - Unforgettable Love Songs of the Sixties - Various Artists [2000] This was the bonus disc included with the three 3-CD sets to make it a 10-CD set. Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Elvis Presley/Blue Velvet - Bobby Vinton/Love Theme from Romeo & Juliet - Henry Mancini & His Orchestra/Can't Get Used to Losing You - Andy Williams/Release Me - Engelbert Humperdinck/Make the World Go Away - Eddy Arnold/Spanish Eyes - Al Martino/Don't Break the Heart That Loves You - Connie Francis/Ramblin' Rose - Nat "King" Cole/Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis Presley/The End of the World - Skeeter Davis/Since I Fell for You - Lenny Welch/When I Fall in Love - Lettermen/Moon River - Henry Mancini & His Orchestra



Retail CDs:

M18616 - The Fabulous Fifties (Blue) - Various Artists [2000] (4-CD set) Contains the four CDs below in a thin cardboard box/sleeve, with "FIFTIES" in blue on the cover of the CDs. Discs are also available individually. Disc 1: Venus - Frankie Avalon/Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing - Four Aces/Day-O (Banana Boat) - Harry Belafonte/Love Letters in the Sand - Pat Boone/A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation) - Marty Robbins/Unchained Melody - Al Hibbler/Tammy - Debbie Reynolds/Don't You Know - Della Reese/My Happiness - Connie Francis/It's All in the Game - Tommy Edwards/Heart of Stone - Fontane Sisters/Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - Platters/Catch a Falling Star - Perry Como/Chances Are - Johnny Mathis/Sugartime - McGuire Sisters; Disc 2: Mr. Sandman - Chordettes/Theme From "A Summer Place" - Percy Faith & His Orchestra/Mona Lisa - Nat "King" Cole/Cold, Cold Heart - Tony Bennett/Be My Love - Mario Lanza/Wanted - Perry Como/Oh! My Papa - Eddie Fisher/Wheel Of Fortune - Kay Starr/Cry - Johnnie Ray/Till I Waltz Again With You - Teresa Brewer/You Belong To Me - Jo Stafford/Sh-Boom - Crew-CutsVaya Con Dios - Les Paul & Mary Ford/Hey There - Rosemary Clooney/Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page; Disc 3: Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford/Memories Are Made Of This - Dean Martin/Sincerely - McGuire Sisters/Too Young - Nat King Cole/Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) - Doris Day/The Green Door - Jim Lowe/The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant/Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino/26 Miles (Santa Catalina) - Four Preps/The Rock And Roll Waltz - Kay Starr/My Prayer - Platters/Singing The Blues - Guy Mitchell/No, Not Much! - Four Lads/Cherry Pink And Apple Blosoon White - Perez Prado & His Orchestra/Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) - Perry Como; Disc 4: Seventeen - Fontane Sisters/It Takes Two To Tango - Pearl Bailey/Teach Me Tonight - McGuire Sisters/It's No Sin - Eddy Howard/Three Coins In The Fountain - Four Aces/Fascination - Jane Morgan/Shrimp Boats - Jo Stafford/Melodie D'Amour - Ames Brothers/Don't Forbid Me - Pat Boone/The Great Pretender - Platters/I Hear You Knocking - Gale Storm/A Tear Fell - Teresa Brewer/Kiss Of Fire - Georgia Gibbs/Lollipop - Chordettes/Goodnight Irene - Gordon Jenkins And The Weavers

M18617 - The Fabulous Fifties: Those Wonderful Years - Various Artists [4/3/2001] Venus - Frankie Avalon/Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing - Four Aces/Day-O (Banana Boat) - Harry Belafonte/Love Letters in the Sand - Pat Boone/A White Sport Coat (And a Pink Carnation) - Marty Robbins/Unchained Melody - Al Hibbler/Tammy - Debbie Reynolds/Don't You Know - Della Reese/My Happiness - Connie Francis/It's All in the Game - Tommy Edwards/Heart of Stone - Fontane Sisters/Smoke Gets in Your Eyes - Platters/Catch a Falling Star - Perry Como/Chances Are - Johnny Mathis/Sugartime - McGuire Sisters

M18618 - The Fabulous Fifties: Unforgettable Fifties - Various Artists [4/3/2001] Mr. Sandman - Chordettes/Theme From "A Summer Place" - Percy Faith & His Orchestra/Mona Lisa - Nat "King" Cole/Cold, Cold Heart - Tony Bennett/Be My Love - Mario Lanza/Wanted - Perry Como/Oh! My Papa - Eddie Fisher/Wheel Of Fortune - Kay Starr/Cry - Johnnie Ray/Till I Waltz Again With You - Teresa Brewer/You Belong To Me - Jo Stafford/Sh-Boom - Crew-CutsVaya Con Dios - Les Paul & Mary Ford/Hey There - Rosemary Clooney/Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page

M18619 - The Fabulous Fifties: Back to the Fifties - Various Artists [5/22/2001] Sixteen Tons - Tennessee Ernie Ford/Memories Are Made Of This - Dean Martin/Sincerely - McGuire Sisters/Too Young - Nat King Cole/Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) - Doris Day/The Green Door - Jim Lowe/The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant/Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino/26 Miles (Santa Catalina) - Four Preps/The Rock And Roll Waltz - Kay Starr/My Prayer - Platters/Singing The Blues - Guy Mitchell/No, Not Much! - Four Lads/Cherry Pink And Apple Blosoon White - Perez Prado & His Orchestra/Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) - Perry Como

M18620 - The Fabulous Fifties: Romantic Moments - Various Artists [5/22/2001] Seventeen - Fontane Sisters/It Takes Two To Tango - Pearl Bailey/Teach Me Tonight - McGuire Sisters/It's No Sin - Eddy Howard/Three Coins In The Fountain - Four Aces/Fascination - Jane Morgan/Shrimp Boats - Jo Stafford/Melodie D'Amour - Ames Brothers/Don't Forbid Me - Pat Boone/The Great Pretender - Platters/I Hear You Knocking - Gale Storm/A Tear Fell - Teresa Brewer/Kiss Of Fire - Georgia Gibbs/Lollipop - Chordettes/Goodnight Irene - Gordon Jenkins And The Weavers

M18621 - The Fabulous Fifties: Classic Songs - Various Artists [8/7/2001] I Need You Now - Eddie Fisher/Round And Round - Perry Como/Love And Marriage - Dinah Shore/Music! Music! Music! - Teresa Brewer/Misty - Johnny Mathis/Secret Love - Doris Day/Allegheny Moon - Patti Page/Little Things Mean A Lot - Kitty Kallen/Let Me Go Lover - Joan Weber/Earth Angel - Crew-Cuts/This Ole House - Rosemary Clooney/Standing On The Corner - Four Lads/Oh! Carol - Neil Sedaka/Canadian Sunset - Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra/The Thing - Phil Harris

M18622 - The Fabulous Fifties: Decade of Hits - Various Artists [8/7/2001] Young Love - Sonny James/The Three Bells (Les Trois Cloches) - Browns/Third Man Theme - Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians/He'll Have To Go - Jim Reeves/Chanson D'Amour - Art & Dotty Todd/Poor People Of Paris (Jean's Song) - Les Baxter & His Orchestra/It's Not For Me To Say - Johnny Mathis/Wake The Town And Tell The People - Mindy Carson with Norman Leyden Orchestra/Patrica - Perez Prado & His Orchestra/Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight - McGuire Sisters/Heartaches By The Number - Guy Mitchell with the Joe Sherman Orchestra/So Rare - Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra/I'm Walking Behind You - Eddie Fisher with Hugo Winterhalter & His Orchestra/Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley/Blue Tango - Leroy Anderson

M18623 - The Fabulous Fifties: Great Memories - Various Artists [10/2/2001] Butterfly - Andy Williams/April Love - Pat Boone/Unforgettable - Nat King Cole/Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Elvis Presley/Moonglow And Theme from 'Picnic' - Morris Stoloff/Unchained Melody - Al Hibbler/Make The World Go Away - Eddy Arnold/Diana - Paul Anka/Juke Box Baby - Perry Como/Dungaree Doll - Eddie Fisher/Dance With Me Henry (The Wallflower) - Georgia Gibbs/Lazy Mary (Luna Mezz 'O Mare) - Lou Monte/The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane - Ames Brothers/That's All I Want From You - Jaye P. Morgan/Four Walls - Jim Reeves

M18624 - The Fabulous Fifties: Favorite Hits - Various Artists [10/2/2001] You You You - Ames Brothers/Half As Much - Rosemary Clooney/The Yellow Rose Of Texas - Mitch Miller & His Orchestra/Smile - Johnny Mathis/Are You Sincere? - Andy Williams/Band Of Gold - Don Cherry/A Guy Is A Guy - Doris Day/Papa Loves Mambo - Perry Como/Marianne - Terry Gilkyson & Easy Riders/My Heart Cries For You - Guy Mitchell/Harbor Lights - Swing & Sway With Sammy Kaye/Eternally - Jerry Vale/The Song from Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart) - Percy Faith & His Orchestra/Just Walking In The Rain - Johnnie Ray/I Believe - Frankie Laine

M18625 - The Fabulous Fifties (Red) - Various Artists [2000] (4-CD set) Contains the four CDs above in a thin cardboard box/sleeve, with "FIFTIES" in red on the cover of the CDs. Discs are also available individually. Disc 1: I Need You Now - Eddie Fisher/Round And Round - Perry Como/Love And Marriage - Dinah Shore/Music! Music! Music! - Teresa Brewer/Misty - Johnny Mathis/Secret Love - Doris Day/Allegheny Moon - Patti Page/Little Things Mean A Lot - Kitty Kallen/Let Me Go Lover - Joan Weber/Earth Angel - Crew-Cuts/This Ole House - Rosemary Clooney/Standing On The Corner - Four Lads/Oh! Carol - Neil Sedaka/Canadian Sunset - Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra/The Thing - Phil Harris; Disc 2: Young Love - Sonny James/The Three Bells (Les Trois Cloches) - Browns/Third Man Theme - Guy Lombardo & His Royal Canadians/He'll Have To Go - Jim Reeves/Chanson D'Amour - Art & Dotty Todd/Poor People Of Paris (Jean's Song) - Les Baxter & His Orchestra/It's Not For Me To Say - Johnny Mathis/Wake The Town And Tell The People - Mindy Carson with Norman Leyden Orchestra/Patrica - Perez Prado & His Orchestra/Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight - McGuire Sisters/Heartaches By The Number - Guy Mitchell with the Joe Sherman Orchestra/So Rare - Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra/I'm Walking Behind You - Eddie Fisher with Hugo Winterhalter & His Orchestra/Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley/Blue Tango - Leroy Anderson; Disc 3: Butterfly - Andy Williams/April Love - Pat Boone/Unforgettable - Nat King Cole/Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Elvis Presley/Moonglow And Theme from 'Picnic' - Morris Stoloff/Unchained Melody - Al Hibbler/Make The World Go Away - Eddy Arnold/Diana - Paul Anka/Juke Box Baby - Perry Como/Dungaree Doll - Eddie Fisher/Dance With Me Henry (The Wallflower) - Georgia Gibbs/Lazy Mary (Luna Mezz 'O Mare) - Lou Monte/The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane - Ames Brothers/That's All I Want From You - Jaye P. Morgan/Four Walls - Jim Reeves; Disc 4: You You You - Ames Brothers/Half As Much - Rosemary Clooney/The Yellow Rose Of Texas - Mitch Miller & His Orchestra/Smile - Johnny Mathis/Are You Sincere? - Andy Williams/Band Of Gold - Don Cherry/A Guy Is A Guy - Doris Day/Papa Loves Mambo - Perry Como/Marianne - Terry Gilkyson & Easy Riders/My Heart Cries For You - Guy Mitchell/Harbor Lights - Swing & Sway With Sammy Kaye/Eternally - Jerry Vale/The Song from Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart) - Percy Faith & His Orchestra/Just Walking In The Rain - Johnnie Ray/I Believe - Frankie Laine



Retail Christmas CDs:

M18630 - A Fabulous Fifties Christmas: Holiday Memories - Various Artists [2001] (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays - Perry Como/The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) - Nat "King" Cole/Mary's Boy Child - Harry Belafonte/The Christmas Waltz - Lawrence Welk & His Orchestra/Silver Bells - Margaret Whiting & Jimmy Wakely/'Twas The Night Before Christmas - Fred Waring & Pennsylvanians/All I Want For Christmas (Is My Two Front Teeth) - Spike Jones & His City Slickers/Jingle Bells - Les Paul/The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late) - Chipminks/I Yust Go Nuts At Christmas - Yogi Yorgesson/O Holy Night - Four Aces

M18631 - A Fabulous Fifties Christmas: Fun for the Holidays - Various Artists [2001] Here Comes Santa Claus (Down Santa Claus Lane) - Doris day/Christmas Is A Feeling In Your Heart - Andy Williams/Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry & Pinafores/Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt/The Twelve Days Of Christmas - Norman Luboff Choir/Suzy Snowflake - Rosemary Clooney/It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - Perry Como & Fontane Sisters/We Three Kings Of Orient Are - Mitch Miller & the Gang/A Marshmallow World - Arthur Godfrey & Chordettes/You're All I Want For Christmas - Eddie Fisher/I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus - Jimmy Boyd/Silent Night, Holy Night - Johnny Mathis

M18632 - A Fabulous Fifties Christmas: Great Holiday Hits - Various Artists [2001] Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee/Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms/The Little Drummer Boy - Harry Simeone Chorale/White Christmas - Bing Crosby/Winter Wonderland - Louis Armstrong/Sleigh Ride - Andrews Sisters/Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Bing Crosby/It's Christmas Time Again - Peggy Lee/This Time Of The Year - Brook Benton/Frosty The Snowman - Jimmy Durante/Nuttin' For Christmas - Fontane Sisters/It Came Upon A Midnight Clear - Ames Brothers



Australian 11-CD Set:
Note: For those of you collectors who lean toward the pedantic (and what collector doesn't?), Time-Life in the US has always been meticulously correct in their grammatical use of the abbreviated decades. That is, it was always '50s, not 50's, and so on. In Australia, the grammar is different, apparently, so we get the apostrophe between the zero and the "s". For the incurably picky, although we use double quotes and the British use single quotes when citing nicknames or movie titles, it was I who Americanized the Nat 'King' Coles to Nat "King" Cole, and double-quoted the names of movies, just to see who was watching.

Time-Life (Aus) - The Fabulous Fifties: Best of the Fab 50's - Various Artists [200?] (2- CD set) Disc 1: Oh! Carol - Neil Sedaka/Love Me Tender - Elvis Presley/Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino/Love Letters In The Sand - Pat Boone/Butterfly - Andy Williams/My Happiness - Connie Francis/Theme From "A Summer Place" - Percy Faith/Venus - Frankie Avalon/Personality - Lloyd Price/Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - Platters/Tequila - Champs/Tom Dooley - Kingston Trio/He'll Have To Go - Jim Reeves/El Paso - Marty Robbins/The Three Bells - Browns; Disc 2: That's Amore - Dean Martin/Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) - Domenico Modugno/Melodie D'amour - Ames Brothers/Island In The Sun - Harry Belafonte/Patricia - Perez Prado/Secret Love - Doris Day/I'm Gonna Sit Right Down And Write Myself A Letter - Billy Williams/Twenty Tiny Fingers - Al Macogan/The Green Door - Jim Lowe/Sixteen Tons - "Tennessee" Ernie Ford/Singing The Blues - Guy Mitchell/Sail Along Silv'ry Moon - Billy Vaughn/He's Got The Whole World In His Hands - Laurie London/Catch A Falling Star - Perry Como/Sugartime - McGuire Sisters

Time-Life (Aus) - The Fabulous Fifties: Unforgettable 50's - Various Artists [200?] (2-CD set) Disc 1: Dream Lover - Bobby Darin/Wake Up Little Susie - Everly Brothers/Lollipop - Chordettes/Big Man - Four Preps/Honeycomb - Jimmie Rodgers/Come Softly To Me - Fleetwoods/Little Star - Elegants/Seventeen - Fontane Sisters/Only You - Platters/Tweedlee Dee - Lavern Baker/Kansas City - Wilbert Harrison/The Battle Of New Orleans - Johnny Horton/It's Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty/Among My Souvenirs - Connie Francis/I'll Be Home - Pat Boone; Disc 2: Mule Train - Frankie Laine/Shrimp Boats - Jo Stafford/Mona Lisa - Nat "King" Cole/Half As Much - Rosemary Clooney/Stranger In Paradise - Tony Bennett/A Tear Fell - Teresa Brewer/Just Walkin' In The Rain - Johnnie Ray/Hot Diggity (Dog Ziggity Boom) - Perry Como/Banana Boat Song (Day-O) - Harry Belafonte/Scarlet Ribbons - Browns/26 Miles (Santa Catalina) - Four Preps/Chanson D'amour - Art & Dotty Todd/It's Not For Me To Say - Johnny Mathis/The Day The Rains Came - Jane Morgan/Heartaches By The Number - Guy Mitchell

Time-Life (Aus) - The Fabulous Fifties: Those Wonderful Years - Various Artists [200?] (2-CD set) Disc 1: When I Fall In Love - Nat "King" Cole/Que Sera Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be) - Doris Day/The Naughty Lady Of Shady Lane - Ames Brothers/Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White - Perez Prado & His Orchestra/Let Me Go Lover - Joan Weber with Jimmy Carroll & His Orchestra/Oh! My Papa (O Mein Papa) - Eddie Fisher/Little Things Mean A Lot - Kitty Kallen/Three Coins In The Fountain - Four Aces/Rags To Riches - Tony Bennett/If You Love Me (Really Love Me) - Kay Starr/Canadian Sunset - Hugo Winterhalter & His Orchestra/Cara Mia - David Whitfield/Here In My Heart - Al Martino/Be My Love - Mario Lanza/I Believe - Frankie Laine; Disc 2: Unchained Melody - Al Hibbler/Hey There - Rosemary Clooney/Song From "Moulin Rouge" (Where Is Your Heart?) - Percy Faith & His Orchestra/Vaya Con Dios - Les Paul & Mary Ford/It's Almost Tomorrow - Dreamweavers/Allegheny Moon - Patti Page/Round And Round - Perry Como/Blue Tango - Leroy Anderson/The Wayward Wind - Gogi Grant/Band Of Gold - Don Cherry with Ray Coniff & His Orchestra/Young Love - Sonny James/Don't Forbid Me - Pat Boone/Oh Oh I'm Falling In Love Again - Jimmie Rodgers/Hearts Of Stone - Fontane Sisters/Standing On The Corner - Four Lads

Time-Life (Aus) - The Fabulous Fifties: Back to the 50's - Various Artists [200?] (2-CD set) Disc 1: Lipstick On Your Collar - Connie Francis/Kisses Sweeter Than Wine - Jimmie Rodgers/Little Darlin' - Diamonds/Twilight Time - Platters/Earth Angel - Crew-Cuts/Rock And Roll Waltz - Kay Starr/Dance With Me Henry (The Wallflower) - Georgia Gibbs/Ain't That A Shame - Fats Domino/Sorry (I Ran All The Way Home) - Impalas/Oh Lonesome Me - Don Gibson/The Story Of My Life - Marty Robbins/Four Walls - Jim Reeves/A Certain Smile - Johnny Mathis/Tammy - Debbie Reynolds/It's All In The Game - Tommy Edwards; Disc 2: Mambo Italiano - Rosemary Clooney/Hernando's Hideaway - Archie Bleyer/Wheel Of Fortune - Kay Starr/Cold, Cold Heart - Tony Bennett/I Need You Now - Eddie Fisher/Wanted - Perry Como/Answer Me - Frankie Laine/Swedish Rhapsody - Mantovani/Till I Waltz Again With You - Teresa Brewer/Goodnight Irene - Weavers/Marianne - Terry Gilkyson & Easy Riders/So Rare - Jimmy Dorsey/No, Not Much - Four Lads/April Love - Pat Boone/On The Street Where You Live - Vic Damone

Time-Life (Aus) - The Fabulous Fifties: Remembering the 50's - Various Artists [200?] (2-CD set) Disc 1: Magic Moments - Perry Como/Mr. Sandman - Chordettes/Sh- Boom (Life Could Be A Dream) - Crew-Cuts/My Prayer - Platters/Sincerely - McGuire Sisters/Love Is A Many Splendoured Thing - Four Aces/Moonglow & Theme From "Picnic" - Morris Stolloff/A Woman In Love - Frankie Laine/An Affair To Remember - Vic Damone/Don't You Know - Della Reese/Chances Are - Johnny Mathis/Are You Sincere - Andy Williams/Who's Sorry Now - Connie Francis/A White Sport Coat (And A Pink Carnation) - Marty Robbins/All I Have To Do Is Dream - Everly Brothers; Disc 2: Music! Music! Music! - Teresa Brewer/You You You - Ames Brothers/Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy - Red Foley/Tennessee Waltz - Patti Page/My Heart Cries For You - Guy Mitchell/Cry - Johnnie Ray/You Belong To Me - Jo Stafford/Too Young - Nat "King" Cole/Because Of You - Tony Bennett/Mockingbird Hill - Les Paul & Mary Ford/I'm Walking Behind You - Eddie Fisher/A Guy Is A Guy - Doris Day/The Poor People Of Paris - Les Baxter/The Yellow Rose Of Texas - Mitch Miller/This Ole House - Rosemary Clooney

Time-Life (Aus) - Memories Are Made Of This - Dean Martin [200?] This is the bonus disc. Return To Me (Rittorna A Me)/Angel Baby/Rio Bravo/I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm/Baby It's Cold Outside/Buona Sera/That's Amore (That's Love)/Goodnight Sweetheart/Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)/Write To Me From Naples/Memories Are Made Of This/June In January/Come Back To Sorrento/Hey, Brother Pour The Wine/Cha, Cha, Cha D'amour (Melodie D'Amour)/I Have But One Heart (O Marenariello)

In addition, Time-Life Australia released six separate single-CD volumes in a 6-CD set. These included single-disc versions of Best of the Fab 50's, Unforgettable 50's, Those Wonderful Years, Back to the 50's, and Remembering the 50's, all with the same cover artwork as their 2-CD counterparts, above. They also included a unique disc called The Fabulous Fifties: 1954, which included, among others, Papa Loves Mambo - Perry Como/If I Give My Heart To You - Doris Day/Smile - Nat "King" Cole/Granada - Frankie Laine/Bimbo - Jim Reeves/Seven Lonely Days - Georgia Gibbs




Thanks to Mitch Moskal and Pamela Espeland.



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