Episode 5 of our Space Oddities Podcast is definitely my favorite. On this episode, we will introduce you to a few recordings that paid homage to our early space program in the late 50s / early 60s.

Show Notes

 Here are twenty additional songs from our early days in space for you to check out. They are in no particular order:

1. Telstar – The Tornadoes

2. The Epic Ride of John Glenn – Walter Brennan

Walter Brennan was best known as Grandpa Amos McCoy in the 1950s sitcom, “The Real McCoys.” This single was the “B” side of his hit country single, “Old Rivers” that topped the chart at #5.

3. Ballad of John Glenn – Roy West and Bashful 

4. Sputniks and Mutniks – Ray Anderson and the Home Folks

5. Satellite Baby – Roosevelt “Honeydripper” Sykes

6. Sputnik (Satellite Girl) – Jerry Engler and the Ekkos

Jerry Engler wrote this Rockabilly song one day during a lunch break. It received moderate air play, enough that Engler and the Ekkos were invited to open for Buddy Holly and the Crickets. Holly's last guitar riffs before his death were heard on some of Engler's later recordings.

7. Jim ‘n I, Him ‘n I – New Christi Minstrels

8. The Martian Hop – The Ran-Dells

This song went to # 27 on the Black Singles Chart and # 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September 1963.

9.  Destination Moon – Dinah Washington

10. Fly Me to the Moon – Joe Harnell 

Reached # 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, #4 on the Billboard Middle of the Road chart

11. Guided Missile – Cuff Links 

12. Count Down – Dave “Baby” Cortez

Dave “Baby” Cortez Clowney was best known for his 1959 hit, “The Happy Organ”, which has been recognized as the first pop/rock hit to feature an organ as the lead instrument. Cortez was also the musical director for Little Anthony and the Imperials.

13. Happy Blues for John Glenn – Lightnin’ Hopkins

14. Planetary Run – Joe Montgomery

15. Trip to the Moon – Wesley Reynolds

16. Orbit Around the Moon – Joe Meek and the Blue Men

17. Rocket to the Moon – Sheldon Allman

Sheldon Allman was an actor in the late 50s/early 60s. If you are a child of the 60s you know some of his work. He was did the vocal for the theme of the TV series, “Mr. Ed” and co-wrote the theme of the cartoon series, “George of the Jungle” with co-writer Stan Worth.

18. Everyone’s Gone to the Moon – Jonathan King

19. Mister Glenn - Little Willie John

20. Werhner Von Braun - Tom Lehrer