Jewish singing and acting legend Al Jolson had the biggest hit of the new decade with George Gershwin's southern classic, "Swanee," which was first recorded in 1920 and held the No. 1 chart position for 9 weeks. George Gershwin struck gold again with his 1924 jazz instrumental, "Rhapsody in Blue."

Speaking of blue ... Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers (later of Rodgers & Hammerstein fame) wrote the iconic ballad "Blue Moon" in 1934. Over the last 75 years, hundreds of artists have recorded it, including Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Billy Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Dean Martin.

Also in 1934, Guy Lombardo & The Andrews Sisters released what would become the most famous recording of "Winter Wonderland." Bing Crosby also cashed in on the Christmas theme: his 1935 cover of "Silent Night, Holy Night" paved the way for a long and successful solo career. Kate Smith gave the 1930s a grand finale with her memorable 1939 recording of the patriotic classic, "God Bless America."

Glenn Miller brought in the Big Band Era with his 1940 jazz standard "In the Mood." Bing Crosby continued to rise to fame with winter classics like the 1942 hit "White Christmas" which later inspired the movie of the same name.

The 1950s saw jazz, Broadway, pop and rock come together. Rodgers and Hammerstein had one of their first collaborative hits with "Getting to Know You" from their 1951 musical The King and I. Meanwhile, Fats Domino introduced the world to R&B with his 1956 cover of the jazz classic "Blueberry Hill." Elvis Presley ushered in the age of rock at the end of the 1950s with a bevy of hits including his first No.1 hit, 1956's "Heartbreak Hotel."