Black and White (Pete Seeger song)

Last updated
"Black and White"
Black and White - Three Dog Night.jpg
Single by Three Dog Night
from the album Seven Separate Fools
B-side "Freedom for the Stallion"
ReleasedAugust 1972
Genre Pop
Length3:51 (album)
3:24 (single)
Label Dunhill
Songwriter(s) David I. Arkin, Earl Robinson
Producer(s) Richard Podolor
Three Dog Night singles chronology
"The Family of Man"
(1972)
"Black and White"
(1972)
"Pieces of April"
(1972)

"Black and White" is a song written in 1954 by David I. Arkin (lyricist and father of actor Alan Arkin) and Earl Robinson (music). It was first recorded by Pete Seeger featuring an African-American child, in 1956 from the album Love Songs for Friends & Foes.

Contents

The most successful recording of the song was the pop version by Three Dog Night in 1972, when it reached number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Easy Listening charts. Billboard ranked it as the number 63 song for 1972. [1] Danny Hutton sang the lead vocals with a children's chorus adding their voices to the song.

Early recordings

Following Seeger's version, the song's co-writer Earl Robinson released his own recording in 1957, on the Folkways album A Walk in the Sun and other Songs and Ballads. (The album title refers to a song written for the 1945 film A Walk in the Sun . [2] ) Sammy Davis Jr. released his version also in 1957. [3]

Reggae groups the Maytones, from Jamaica, and Greyhound, from the UK, both recorded the song in 1971, the latter achieving a top ten hit on the UK Singles Chart at No. 6. [4] [5]

Having heard the Greyhound version, Three Dog Night covered the song and included it on their 1972 album Seven Separate Fools . [6] Their version, which featured a group of children, peaked at number one on the U.S. Pop chart on September 16, 1972, and topped the Easy Listening chart on October 7. [7] Billboard ranked it as the number 63 song for 1972. [1] The album version featured a freely spoken recitation by Danny Hutton in the coda section of the song.

Other versions

Inner Circle recorded a cover for their 1989 album Identified . [8] [9]

Meaning

The song was inspired by the United States Supreme Court decision of Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which outlawed racial segregation of public schools.

The original lyrics of the song opened with this verse, in reference to the court:

Their robes were black, their heads were white,
The schoolhouse doors were closed so tight,
Nine judges all set down their names,
To end the years and years of shame.

However, the versions of the song recorded by Greyhound and subsequently by Three Dog Night did not include this verse, making the song more universal and less historically specific.

Chart history

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA) [18] Gold1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Me and Bobby McGee</span> Song by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster

"Me and Bobby McGee" is a song written by American singer-songwriter Kris Kristofferson and originally performed by Roger Miller. Kristofferson and Miller are distant cousins in the Chenoweth surname family tree. Fred Foster shares the writing credit, as Kristofferson wrote the song based on a suggestion from Foster. A posthumously released version by Janis Joplin topped the U.S. singles chart in 1971, making the song the second posthumously released No. 1 single in U.S. chart history after "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding. Gordon Lightfoot released a version that reached number 1 on the Canadian country charts in 1970. Jerry Lee Lewis released a version that was number 1 on the country charts in December 1971/January 1972 as the "B" side of "Would You Take Another Chance On Me." Billboard ranked Joplin's version as the No. 11 song for 1971.

<i>Seven Separate Fools</i> 1972 studio album by Three Dog Night

Seven Separate Fools is the eighth studio album by American rock band Three Dog Night. Released in 1972, the album reached number six on the US Billboard 200, becoming the band's highest-charting album. The LP version of the album was released with seven large playing cards as an extra bonus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Promised Land (Chuck Berry song)</span> Song lyric written by Chuck Berry to the melody of "Wabash Cannonball"

"Promised Land" is a song lyric written by Chuck Berry to the melody of "Wabash Cannonball", an American folk song. The song was first recorded in this version by Berry in 1964 for his album St. Louis to Liverpool. Released in December 1964, it was Berry's fourth single issued following his prison term for a Mann Act conviction. The record peaked at #41 in the Billboard charts on January 16, 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Can Say Goodbye</span> 1971 song by Clifton Davis, first recorded by the Jackson 5

"Never Can Say Goodbye" is a song written by Clifton Davis and originally recorded by the Jackson 5. The song was originally written and intended for the Supremes; however, Motown decided it would be better for the Jackson 5. It was the first single released from the group's 1971 album Maybe Tomorrow, and was one of the group's most successful records. It has been covered numerous times, most notably in 1974 by Gloria Gaynor and in 1987 by British pop group the Communards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abraham, Martin and John</span> 1968 song, a memorial for assassinated Americans

"Abraham, Martin and John" is a 1968 song written by Dick Holler. It was first recorded by Dion, in a version that was a substantial North American chart hit in 1968–1969. Near-simultaneous cover versions by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles and Moms Mabley also charted in the U.S. in 1969, and a version that same year by Marvin Gaye became the hit version in the UK. It was also a hit as part of a medley for Tom Clay in 1971, and has subsequently been recorded by many other artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cry (Churchill Kohlman song)</span> 1951 popular song written by Churchill Kohlman

"Cry" is a 1951 popular song written by Churchill Kohlman. The song was first recorded by Ruth Casey on the Cadillac label. The biggest hit version was recorded in New York City by Johnnie Ray and The Four Lads on October 16, 1951. Singer Ronnie Dove also had a big hit with the song in 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face</span> 1957 folk song, became 1972 US hit

"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is a 1957 folk song written by British political singer-songwriter Ewan MacColl for Peggy Seeger, who later became his wife. At the time, the couple were lovers, although MacColl was still married to his second wife, Jean Newlove. Seeger sang the song when the duo performed in folk clubs around Britain. During the 1960s, it was recorded by various folk singers and became a major international hit for Roberta Flack in 1972, winning Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Billboard ranked it as the number-one Hot 100 single of the year for 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twistin' the Night Away</span> 1962 single by Sam Cooke

"Twistin' the Night Away" is a song written and recorded by Sam Cooke. It was recorded on 18 December 1961 and released as a single in 1962. It became very popular, charting in the top ten of both the Billboard Hot 100 (#9) and Billboard's R&B chart (#1). "Twistin' the Night Away" was successful overseas as well, peaking at #6 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">To Sir with Love (song)</span> 1967 single by Lulu

"To Sir with Love" is the theme from James Clavell's 1967 film To Sir, with Love. The song was performed by British singer and actress Lulu, and written by Don Black and Mark London. Mickie Most produced the record, with Mike Leander arranging and conducting. The song peaked at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, and became the best-selling single of 1967 in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free Ride (song)</span> 1973 single by Edgar Winter

"Free Ride" is a song written by Dan Hartman and performed by the Edgar Winter Group from their 1972 album They Only Come Out at Night, produced by Rick Derringer. The single was a top 15 U.S. hit in 1973, reaching number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on Cash Box. In Canada, it peaked at number 8.

"I Only Have Eyes for You" is a romantic love song by composer Harry Warren and lyricist Al Dubin, written for the film Dames (1934) when Dick Powell introduced it. Several successful recordings of the song were made in 1934; later, there were charted versions by the Flamingos (1959) and Art Garfunkel (1975).

David I. Arkin was an American teacher, painter, writer, lyricist, and the father of actor Alan Arkin.

Greyhound were a British reggae band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">An Old Fashioned Love Song</span> 1971 single by Three Dog Night

"An Old Fashioned Love Song" is a 1971 song written by Paul Williams and performed by the American pop-rock band Three Dog Night. Chuck Negron performed the lead vocal on this track. Taken as the first single from their 1971 album, Harmony, the song peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1971, becoming the band's seventh top-ten hit. It was Three Dog Night's first record to top the U.S. easy listening chart. It reached number 2 in Canada.

Three Dog Night's original recordings were released by ABC Dunhill Records, except for 1983's It's a Jungle, which was released by Passport. In the mid-1970s, executives at ABC Dunhill discarded their multi-track recordings and mono masters to save storage space in a cost-cutting measure. As a result, all re-issues on CD were remastered using album masters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do It Baby</span> 1974 single by The Miracles

"Do It Baby" is a 1974 single recorded and released by the Motown R&B group The Miracles. The song was taken from the album of the same name, and written by Motown staff songwriters Freddie Perren and Christine Yarian and produced by Perren.

"Funny How Time Slips Away" is a song written by Willie Nelson and first recorded by country singer Billy Walker. Walker's version was issued as a single by Columbia Records in June 1961 and peaked at number 23 on the Hot C&W Sides chart. The song has been featured in several live action films and television shows, such as in the first episode of the second season of AMC’s Better Call Saul and in the 2020 Netflix drama The Devil All the Time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Been to Spain</span> 1971 single by Three Dog Night

"Never Been to Spain" is a song written by Hoyt Axton, originally released on his 1971 LP Joy to the World and later that year performed by Three Dog Night, with Cory Wells on lead vocal. It was featured on their 1971 album Harmony. The recording was produced by Richard Podolor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out in the Country</span> 1970 single by Three Dog Night

"Out in the Country" is a song written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols and performed by Three Dog Night. It was produced by Richard Podolor, and was featured on their 1970 album, It Ain't Easy. In the US, "Out in the Country" peaked at number 11 on the US adult contemporary chart, and number 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on October 17, 1970. Outside the US, the record reached number 9 in Canada. Released in the first year of Earth Day, "Out in the Country" was an early environmental advocacy song. The lyrics are about finding solace outside the city, "before the breathing air is gone..."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City</span> 1969 single by Nilsson

"I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City" is a song written and recorded by singer-songwriter Nilsson in 1969. A track from his fourth studio album, Harry, it became his second charting single.

References

  1. 1 2 Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1972
  2. Earl Robinson. "A Walk in the Sun and Other Songs and Ballads" . Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  3. "Second Hand Songs database, Decca records 45: Sammy Davis Jr., 'Songs for Americans to live by', rec. 20 Feb. 1957". SecondHandSongs.. This has not been reissued and is now a rare collector's item.
  4. "Black and White". Archived from the original on 2021-12-14 via www.youtube.com.
  5. Trojan Records box set, The Trojan Story (1972, reissued 1980)
  6. "Liner notes". Ultimate Seventies: 1972. Time Life Records.
  7. Whitburn, Joel (1996). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits (6th ed.). Billboard Publications.
  8. "Inner Circle – Black & White". Discogs. 1989.
  9. "Inner Circle – Identified". Discogs. 1989.
  10. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (doc). Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  11. "Item Display – RPM – Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1972-10-28. Retrieved 2019-07-01.
  12. "flavour of new zealand – search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  13. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 ISBN   0-89820-089-X
  14. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 240.
  15. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, September 30, 1972". Archived from the original on September 13, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  16. "Musicoutfitters.com". Archived from the original on 2017-04-27. Retrieved 2018-01-13.
  17. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 30, 1972". Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  18. "American single certifications – Three Dog Night – Black & White". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved February 14, 2019.