Trombonist/arranger/composer Earle Hagen wrote HARLEM NOCTURNE [performance by The Viscounts] in 1940 and had to wait thirteen years for it to become a hit (thanks to saxman Herbie Fields in 1953). Seven years later The Viscounts, an instrumental quintet from New Jersey, enjoyed mild success with their 1960 recording of the sultry,seductive blues instrumental. Was The Viscounts' single ahead of its time? It must have been, because when Amy Records re-issued the track in 1965 it became an even bigger seller then. The song also was used as the theme of Mike Hammer, a popular CBS TV series.

WAY DOWN YONDER IN NEW ORLEANS [performance by Freddy Cannon] was written for the New York revue "Spices of 1922." Later that year, the great male vocal group, The Peerless Quartet, recorded the first hit version; others came later from bandleader Paul Whiteman and vaudeville singer Blossom Seeley. The Andrews Sisters recorded a spirited version of the song in 1950, with a guest appearance by the great entertainer Al Jolson. Big-voiced Frankie Laine and pop stylist Jo Stafford teamed on a duet version in 1953. Today the best known recording is a rock 'n' roll one by Freddy Cannon, whose rousing rendition went to No. 3 on the hit parade in 1959.

Also in 1959, IN THE MOOD by Ernie Fields was released in September and reached peak chart position #4.

In October of 1959, the Rock-a-teens released WOO HOO which reached peak chart position #16.

Nina Simone recorded EXACTLY LIKE YOU.