“Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” published in 1910, is a popular American love song written by Beth Slater Whitson (lyrics) and Leo Friedman (music). Originally a hit for tenor Arthur Clough and the Peerless Quartet in 1911, its simple, sentimental melody made it a lasting standard.

This popular American song was written by Larry Shay, Mark Fisher, and Joe Goodwin in 1928. It became an enduring jazz standard, with its optimistic message. Despite being embraced during the Great Depression, the song was originally published in 1928, a time of prosperity before the Wall Street crash.

In 1908, Jack Norworth wrote this song on some scrap paper on a train ride to Manhattan, New York. He gave those paper scrap lyrics to Albert Von Tilzer who composed the music which in turn was published by the York Music Company and before the year was over, a hit song was born.

This popular song originated from the melody of the “Levee Song,” which was first published in Princeton University’s 1894 songbook, Carmina Princetonia. The original lyrics were about African American laborers building levees, but as the focus of Black labor shifted to railroad construction, the lyrics were adapted to reflect this new context.

This hit 1958 song by the Everly Brothers achieved massive success, topping multiple Billboard charts including a #1 hit in the UK at the time. It was recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the “500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll”.

Written by Les Brown, Ben Homer, and Bud Green in 1944, “Sentimental Journey” became Doris Day’s first big hit with Les Brown’s band in 1945. Released as WWII ended, it resonated with soldiers returning home. Trivia: it’s often called the unofficial anthem of homecomings and launched Day’s legendary career.

“You Are My Sunshine” was first recorded in 1939 and is often credited to Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell. Davis, a country singer and future Louisiana governor, popularized the song, which went on to become one of the most recorded and enduring American folk tunes of the 20th century.

“This Land Is Your Land” was written by Woody Guthrie in 1940 as a response to “God Bless America.” It became a powerful anthem of inclusion and protest, widely embraced in folk and social justice movements.

“Goodnight Irene” was originally written by Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter) in the 1930s and popularized after his death by The Weavers in 1950. Its haunting melody and bittersweet lyrics helped bring American folk music into the mainstream.

“L-O-V-E” was written by Bert Kaempfert and Milt Gabler in 1964 and made famous by Nat King Cole. Originally recorded as an instrumental, the song gained popularity with Cole’s charming vocal version, becoming a timeless standard of jazz-influenced pop.

“Jamaica Farewell” is a traditional Jamaican mento song, popularized by Harry Belafonte in 1956. Though often attributed to Lord Burgess (Irving Burgie), it draws from older folk roots. Belafonte’s recording helped introduce Caribbean music to international audiences.