What are the qualities of a good song?  A catchy beat?  A memorable chorus?  A great singer?  All of these elements play important parts in a tune, but well-crafted lyrics still distinguish a classic from a forgettable song.  Imagine lyrics that tell stories of wild women, tough guys, crime, society's underworld, prejudice, gypsies, cheating lovers, confident ladies, and lovelorn teens.  For over 60 years, few have unfolded these tales as expertly as Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.  Their names don't ring any bells?  Perhaps you've heard of a few little tunes they've written: "Hound Dog," "Jailhouse Rock," and "Stand by Me." 

Initially bonding over their mutual love of the blues, Leiber (singer/lyricist) and Stoller (pianist) formed their partnership at 17.  Intent on writing authentic R&B, they eventually wrote for blues legends such as Jimmy Witherspoon, Floyd Dixon, Charles Brown, and Big Mama Thornton (who recorded the original version of "Hound Dog").  They also dabbled in pop, jazz and cabaret, but never lost their tough edge.

In addition, their lyrics and bluesy sound resonated with all audiences.  On the back cover of their biography, Hound Dog, Ray Charles is quoted as saying, "They were those bad white boys who wrote the blackest songs this side of the Mississippi.  I loved what they did."  Indeed, Leiber and Stoller proved they could write authentic soul that vast audiences could appreciate, and broke down color barriers in the process.

Even today, Leiber and Stoller's work sounds tough, defiant, and at times humorous.  Their gift for storytelling, whether describing a teenage boy's quest for love through drinking a magic potion or a man's struggle with being unjustly charged with a crime, remains unparalleled.

Amazingly, the duo possessed a talent for writing from a female perspective, particularly through their work with jazz singer Peggy Lee.  Delving into their catalog exposes the foundation of rock & roll and its dangerous, rebellious origins.  Their songs also demonstrate the close relationships among R&B, blues, jazz, and rock.  To learn about their history as well as the songwriting process, their biography Hound Dog is a must read.

The following list explores some of their best material—some songs are well-known, while others rarely receive radio airplay.  But they all demonstrate Leiber and Stoller's artistry and uniqueness. Note that many of these tracks have been covered several times, and the most famous recordings may not actually be the original versions.

Article Author: Kit O'Toole

Kit O'Toole is a lifelong music enthusiast who maintains a music blog, Listen to the Band. In addition, she is the internet columnist and a contributing editor for Beatlefan magazine. She also holds an Ed.D. in Instructional Technology.

Visit Kit O'Toole's author page — Kit O'Toole's Blog