Carl Perkins was one of the pioneers of rock and roll, and his music continues to be celebrated today for its upbeat rhythms, infectious melodies, and clever lyrics. Born in Tiptonville, Tennessee in 1932, Perkins began his career as a songwriter and guitarist in the 1950s, when rock and roll was still in its infancy. His unique blend of country, blues, and rockabilly influences set him apart from his contemporaries, and he quickly gained a reputation as one of the most talented musicians of his generation.
Over the course of his career, Perkins released a string of hit songs that have become classics of the rock and roll canon. From the iconic “Blue Suede Shoes” to the rollicking “Matchbox” and the soulful “Honey Don’t,” Perkins’ music has stood the test of time and continues to inspire new generations of musicians today. His inventive guitar work and catchy songwriting have earned him a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as well as the hearts of fans around the world.
In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 best Carl Perkins songs of all time, showcasing his incredible talent and enduring legacy as a rock and roll pioneer. From his early hits to his later, more experimental work, these songs demonstrate why Perkins remains one of the most beloved and influential figures in rock history.
1. Honey Don’t
“Honey Don’t” is a rockabilly song written by Carl Perkins and originally released in 1956. The song features Perkins’ signature guitar playing and energetic vocals, as well as a catchy melody and upbeat tempo that are typical of the rockabilly genre. The lyrics are about a man who is tired of his girl telling him what to do and is ready to put his foot down.
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including The Beatles, who included their own version of the song on their album “Beatles for Sale” in 1964. The song remains a classic of the rockabilly genre, thanks to Perkins’ distinctive sound and infectious energy.
2. That’s Right
“That’s Right” is a rockabilly song written by Carl Perkins and originally released in 1957. The song features Perkins’ signature guitar playing and energetic vocals, as well as a catchy melody and upbeat tempo that are typical of the rockabilly genre. The lyrics are about a man who is trying to convince his girl that he is the right man for her and that they should be together.
The song has been covered by several artists over the years, including The Everly Brothers and Johnny Cash, who both recorded their own versions of the song. “That’s Right” remains a classic of the rockabilly genre, thanks to Perkins’ distinctive sound and infectious energy.
3. Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby
“Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby” is a rockabilly song written by Carl Perkins and originally released in 1956. The song features Perkins’ distinctive guitar playing and vocals, as well as his signature rockabilly sound. The lyrics are about a man who is so popular with the ladies that everyone is trying to be his baby. The song has a catchy melody and a fun, upbeat vibe that makes it a classic of the rockabilly genre.
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including The Beatles, who included their own version of the song on their album “Beatles for Sale” in 1964. The Beatles’ version of the song helped to introduce Perkins’ music to a new generation of fans and cemented his place in the history of rock and roll.
4. Blue Suede Shoes
“Blue Suede Shoes” is a classic rockabilly song written by Carl Perkins and released in 1956. The song is a catchy and upbeat number that features Perkins’ signature guitar riff and energetic vocals. The song’s lyrics are about a man who warns others not to step on his blue suede shoes, which are his pride and joy. The song became a massive hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number one on the country and western chart.
“Blue Suede Shoes” is widely regarded as one of the most important songs in the history of rock and roll. It was one of the first songs to combine elements of country, blues, and rockabilly music, and it helped to establish Perkins as one of the pioneers of the genre. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Elvis Presley, who had a huge hit with his own version in 1956.
5. Matchbox
“Matchbox” is a classic rock and roll song written by Carl Perkins and released in 1957. The song is an upbeat number that features Perkins’ distinctive guitar playing and energetic vocals. The lyrics are about a man who has lost his girl and is feeling down, but finds solace in playing with his matchbox. The song became a hit, reaching number one on the country and western chart and number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“Matchbox” is another classic rockabilly song that helped to establish Perkins as one of the pioneers of the genre. The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including The Beatles, who recorded their own version for their 1964 album “Long Tall Sally”. The Beatles’ version of the song helped to introduce Perkins’ music to a whole new generation of fans and cemented his place in the history of rock and roll.
6. Dixie Fried
“Dixie Fried” is a rockabilly song written by Carl Perkins and originally released in 1956. The song features Perkins’ signature guitar playing and energetic vocals, as well as a catchy melody that is typical of the rockabilly genre. The lyrics are about a man who is so in love with his girl that he would do anything to keep her happy, including cooking her some “Dixie Fried” chicken.
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Jerry Lee Lewis, who had a hit with his own version in 1969. The song remains a classic of the rockabilly genre, thanks to Perkins’ distinctive sound and infectious energy.
7. Boppin’ the Blues
“Boppin’ the Blues” is a rockabilly song written by Carl Perkins and originally released in 1956. The song features Perkins’ signature guitar playing and energetic vocals, as well as a catchy melody and upbeat tempo that are typical of the rockabilly genre. The lyrics are about a man who loves to dance and is always “boppin’ the blues” whenever he hears a good rock and roll song.
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Elvis Presley, who included his own version on his 1964 album “Roustabout”. The song remains a classic of the rockabilly genre, thanks to Perkins’ distinctive sound and infectious energy.
8. Movie Magg
“Movie Magg” is a rockabilly song written by Carl Perkins and originally released in 1956. The song features Perkins’ signature guitar playing and energetic vocals, as well as a catchy melody and upbeat tempo that are typical of the rockabilly genre. The lyrics are about a girl who loves going to the movies and getting lost in the stories she sees on screen.
The song was one of Perkins’ earliest hits and helped to establish him as a major figure in the rockabilly scene. “Movie Magg” has been covered by several artists over the years, including The Beatles, who recorded a version of the song during their early days in Liverpool. The song remains a classic of the rockabilly genre, thanks to Perkins’ distinctive sound and infectious energy.
9. Your True Love
“Your True Love” is a rockabilly song written by Carl Perkins and originally released in 1957. The song features Perkins’ signature guitar playing and energetic vocals, as well as a catchy melody and upbeat tempo that are typical of the rockabilly genre. The lyrics are about a man who is head over heels in love with his girl and wants to spend the rest of his life with her.
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including The Beatles, who included their own version of the song on their album “Live at the BBC” in 1994. The song remains a classic of the rockabilly genre, thanks to Perkins’ distinctive sound and infectious energy.
10. Let the Jukebox Keep On Playing
“Let the Jukebox Keep On Playing” is a rockabilly song written by Carl Perkins and originally released in 1955. The song features Perkins’ signature guitar playing and energetic vocals, as well as a catchy melody and upbeat tempo that are typical of the rockabilly genre. The lyrics are about a man who is so in love with his girl that he wants to keep listening to their favorite songs on the jukebox all night long.
The song has been covered by many artists over the years, including Johnny Cash, who included his own version of the song on his album “Everybody Loves a Nut” in 1966. The song remains a classic of the rockabilly genre, thanks to Perkins’ distinctive sound and infectious energy.
Samuel Moore is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
