Cathy's Clown

Last updated
"Cathy's Clown"
Cathy's Clown.jpg
Single by The Everly Brothers
from the album A Date with the Everly Brothers
B-side "Always It's You"
ReleasedApril 1960
RecordedMarch 18, 1960
Genre Pop [1]
Length2:22
Label Warner Bros.
Songwriter(s) Don Everly
Producer(s) Wesley Rose
The Everly Brothers singles chronology
"Let It Be Me"
(1959)
"Cathy's Clown"
(1960)
"When Will I Be Loved"
(1960)

"Cathy's Clown" is a popular song, written by Don Everly and recorded by The Everly Brothers in 1960. The lyrics describe a man who has been wronged and publicly humiliated by his lover: "Here he comes / That's Cathy's clown". The choruses are sung by brothers Don and Phil in their trademark close harmony style, while Don sings the bridges solo.

Contents

"Cathy's Clown" is noted for its unorthodox structure, such as beginning on a chorus and having bridges but no verses. The song was a worldwide success and the best-selling single of the Everly Brothers' career. Because of its enduring influence on popular music the song was added to the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2013. [2]

Recording

The musicians included the Everlys on guitars, Floyd Cramer on piano, Floyd Chance on bass and Buddy Harman on drums. The distinctive drum sound was achieved by recording them with a tape loop, making it sound as if there were two drummers. [3] "Cathy's Clown" was recorded live in a single take, with Don and Phil sharing a microphone. [2]

History

Cashbox advertisement, April 9 1960 Cathy's Clown - Always It's You ad - Cash Box 1960.jpg
Cashbox advertisement, April 9 1960

"Cathy's Clown" was The Everly Brothers' first single for Warner Bros., after they had recorded for Archie Bleyer's Cadence label for three years. It sold eight million copies worldwide, spending five weeks at number 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and one week on the R&B chart. [4] The song spent seven weeks at number 1 on the UK Singles Chart in May and June 1960, [5] and was the Everly Brothers' biggest-selling single and their third and final U.S. number 1 hit. Billboard ranked it as the number 3 song of the year for 1960. [6]

In 2004, it was ranked 149th on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

In November 2018, a judge ruled that Don was the sole writer of "Cathy's Clown", as Phil had relinquished his rights sometime before June 1980. Acuff-Rose Music, which owned the song publishing, and BMI (the brothers' rights society) removed Phil's name from all the royalty statements. In 2011, Don filed to regain ownership, with the estate of Phil following in 2014. [7]

Associations

"Cathy's Clown" was inspired by Ferde Grofé's Grand Canyon Suite . [8] It was a major influence on the Beatles, who — having "once toyed with calling themselves The Foreverly Brothers" — three years later copied the Everly's harmonies on their first U.K. No. 1 hit single, "Please Please Me". [8] [9]

"Cathy's Clown" is mentioned in the opening line of Elliott Smith's song "Waltz 2 (XO)", the title track of his 1998 album XO . [10]

Jan and Dean recorded a cover of "Cathy's Clown" for their album Filet of Soul, but Liberty Records rejected both track listings that included the song. Liberty later selected its own track listing, which did not include "Cathy's Clown", and released it shortly after Jan Berry's crash near Deadman's Curve. Jan & Dean's cover of "Cathy's Clown" is available on the "Filet Of Soul Redux: The Rejected Master Recordings" release.

Chart history

Reba McEntire version

"Cathy's Clown"
Single by Reba McEntire
from the album Sweet Sixteen
ReleasedApril 1989
Genre Country
Length3:04
Label MCA
Songwriter(s) Don Everly
Producer(s) Jimmy Bowen, Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire singles chronology
"New Fool at an Old Game"
(1988)
"Cathy's Clown"
(1989)
"'Til Love Comes Again"
(1989)

The song was recorded by American country music artist Reba McEntire in April 1989 as the first single from her album Sweet Sixteen . The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

Chart positions

Chart (1989)Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [13] 1
US Hot Country Songs ( Billboard ) [14] 1

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)Position
Canada Country Tracks ( RPM ) [15] 11
US Country Songs ( Billboard ) [16] 15

Other versions

The song was covered by Bill and Boyd in New Zealand; their version reached number 1 on the Lever Hit Parades chart in that country in July 1960. [17] Another cover, by the English singer Dick Jordon, reached number 5 in New Zealand. [18] A cover of "Cathy's Clown" by Neil Sedaka appears on his 1983 album Come See About Me . "Cathy's Clown" was covered by Canadian band The Inbreds on their 1997 single "Yelverton Hill" released on Sub Pop. Also covered by Phish at their July 2, 2019 show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center as the show opener. [19]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Everly Brothers</span> American rock duo

The Everly Brothers were an American rock duo, known for steel-string acoustic guitar playing and close harmony singing. Consisting of Isaac Donald "Don" Everly and Phillip "Phil" Everly, the duo combined elements of rock and roll, country, and pop, becoming pioneers of country rock.

"Don't Know Much" is a song written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil and Tom Snow. Mann was the first to record the song in 1980, gaining a minor chart hit in the US. The song was made famous when it was covered as a duet by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville in 1989. Their version was a worldwide success, topping the Irish Singles Chart and reaching the top 10 in several territories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Save the Last Dance for Me</span> Original song written and composed by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman; first recorded by the Drifters

"Save the Last Dance for Me" is a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, first recorded in 1960 by American musical group the Drifters with Ben E. King on lead vocals. It has since been covered by several artists, including Dalida, the DeFranco Family, Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Michael Bublé.

"Love Hurts" is a song written and composed by the American songwriter Boudleaux Bryant. First recorded by the Everly Brothers in July 1960, the song is most well known in two hit versions by UK artists; by Scottish hard rock band Nazareth in 1974 and by English singer-songwriter Jim Capaldi in 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tell It Like It Is (song)</span> 1966 single by Aaron Neville

"Tell It Like It Is" is a song written by George Davis and Lee Diamond and originally recorded and released in 1966 by Aaron Neville. In 2010, the song was ranked No. 391 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paper Roses</span> 1960 single by Anita Bryant

"Paper Roses" is a popular song written and composed by Fred Spielman and Janice Torre. It first was a top five hit in 1960 for Anita Bryant. Marie Osmond recorded it in 1973 and took her version to number one on the US country chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crying in the Rain</span> 1962 single by the Everly Brothers

"Crying in the Rain" is a song composed by Carole King with lyrics by Howard Greenfield, originally recorded by American duo the Everly Brothers. The single peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1962.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh Lonesome Me</span> 1957 song by Don Gibson

"Oh Lonesome Me" is a popular song written and recorded in December 1957 by Don Gibson with Chet Atkins producing it for RCA Victor in Nashville. Released in 1958, the song topped the country chart for eight non-consecutive weeks. On what became the Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at No. 7. It was Gibson's only Top 10 hit on the pop chart. Its B-side was "I Can't Stop Loving You", which peaked at No. 7 on the C&W Jockey charts and became a standard song about unrequited love. The vocal backings on both songs were provided by the Jordanaires.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(You're My) Soul and Inspiration</span> 1966 single by the Righteous Brothers

"(You're My) Soul and Inspiration" is a song by American pop duo the Righteous Brothers. It was the group's first hit after leaving their long-time producer Phil Spector. The song was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, who also wrote the group's first hit "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" along with Phil Spector. It is the title track of their album. The single peaked at No. 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and reached No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart. Billboard ranked the record as the No. 3 single for 1966.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Husbands and Wives (song)</span>

"Husbands and Wives" is a song written and first recorded by American country music singer Roger Miller. Miller's original, from his album Words and Music, was released in February 1966 and was a crossover hit for him, reaching Top Ten on the U.S. country and Adult Contemporary charts, as well as Top 40 on the pop charts. Since the release of Miller's original, the song has been covered by several other artists, including The Everly Brothers, Ringo Starr, Neil Diamond, a duet between David Frizzell and Shelly West, Jules Shear, and Brooks & Dunn, whose version was a number-one country hit in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When Will I Be Loved (song)</span> 1960 single by the Everly Brothers

"When Will I Be Loved" is a popular song written by Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers, who had a US top-ten hit with it in 1960. Linda Ronstadt covered the song in 1975, and her version was an even bigger hit in the US, peaking at No. 2. Vince Gill also covered it in 1994 on the soundtrack of the film 8 Seconds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brother Jukebox</span> 1990 single by Mark Chesnutt

"Brother Jukebox" is a song written by Paul Craft. It was originally recorded by Don Everly, one-half of The Everly Brothers, in 1977 and reached number 96 on the country singles charts. It was later covered by Keith Whitley on I Wonder Do You Think of Me and by Mark Chesnutt on his 1990 debut album Too Cold at Home. Released in November 1990 as the album's second single, it became his first Number One country hit in the United States. It was also recorded by John Starling on his 1977 album Long Time Gone.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye</span> Song written by John D. Loudermilk

"Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" is a song written by John D. Loudermilk. It was first released in 1962 by Don Cherry, as a country song and again as a doo-wop in 1967 by the group The Casinos on its album of the same name, and was a number 6 pop hit that year. The song has since been covered by Eddy Arnold, whose version was a number 1 country hit in 1968, and by Neal McCoy, whose version became a Top 5 country hit in 1996.

"Please Help Me, I'm Falling" is a 1960 song written by Don Robertson and Hal Blair and first recorded by Hank Locklin. The single was Locklin's most successful recording and was his second number one on the country charts. "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" spent 14 weeks at the top spot and spent nine months on the country chart and crossed over to the Hot 100 peaking at number eight.

"I Don't Hurt Anymore" is a 1954 song by Hank Snow. It was written by Don Robertson and Jack Rollins.

"The Tip of My Fingers", also titled "The Tips of My Fingers", is a song written and originally recorded by American country music singer Bill Anderson. First included on his 1962 album Bill Anderson Sings Country Heart Songs, the song was a Top Ten country single for him in 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sea of Heartbreak</span>

"Sea of Heartbreak" is a song written by Paul Hampton and Hal David and recorded by Don Gibson in 1961. The song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

"Hopelessly Yours" is a song written by Keith Whitley, Curly Putman, and Don Cook. Whitley recorded a demo that was never officially released. The first release was by George Jones on his 1986 album Wine Colored Roses.

"Just One Time" is a single written and originally recorded by American country music artist Don Gibson. Released in February 1960, the song reached #2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, while also reaching #29 on the Billboard Pop chart. The single was later released on Gibson's album Look Who's Blue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)</span> 1960 single by The Everly Brothers

"So Sad (To Watch Good Love Go Bad)" is a song written by Don Everly, which was released by The Everly Brothers in 1960. The song was later a country hit for multiple artists in the 1970s and 80s.

References

  1. Breihan, Tom (February 23, 2018). "The Number Ones: The Everly Brothers' "Cathy's Clown"". Stereogum . Retrieved June 7, 2023. "Cathy's Clown" was the best-selling single of the duo's career, but it wasn't their greatest. It's a perfectly solid pop song...
  2. 1 2 Daniel J. Levitin (2013) The Everly Brothers - Cathy's Clown. Library of Congress, accessed 12 Jan 2020
  3. "Recording The Everly Brothers' "Cathy's Clown" | Steve Hoffman Music Forums". Forums.stevehoffman.tv. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 194.
  5. Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits. Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives. p. 50. ISBN   0-85112-250-7.
  6. Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1960
  7. "Everly Brothers at Odds in Case Over Lucrative 'Cathy's Clown' Royalties". Billboard. November 28, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Savage, Mark (4 January 2014). "The Everly Brothers: 'That Sibling Sound'". BBC News. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
  9. MacDonald, Ian (2005). Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties (2nd rev. ed.). London: Pimlico (Rand). p. 62. ISBN   1-84413-828-3.
  10. "Elliott Smith "Waltz 2 (XO)" lyrics". musicsonglyrics.com. Retrieved 2014-01-06.
  11. "The Everly Brothers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  12. "Billboard Hot 100 60th Anniversary Interactive Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  13. "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 6409." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. July 31, 1989. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  14. "Reba McEntire Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  15. "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1989". RPM . December 23, 1989. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  16. "Best of 1989: Country Songs". Billboard . Prometheus Global Media. 1989. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  17. "Lever hit parades: 21-Jul-1960". Flavour of New Zealand.
  18. "Lever hit parades: 11-Aug-1960". Flavour of New Zealand.
  19. "Phish July 02 2019".