Fortune Teller (song)

For the song written by Dyer and Basil Hurdon, see Fortuneteller (song).

"Fortune Teller"
Single by Benny Spellman
A-side	"Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)"
Released	1962
Genre	R&B
Length	2:12
Label	Minit 644
Songwriter(s)	Naomi Neville
Producer(s)	Allen Toussaint
Benny Spellman singles chronology
"That's All I Ask Of You" (1961) "Fortune Teller" (1962) "Every Now And Then" (1962)
Official audio
"Fortune Teller" on YouTube

"Fortune Teller" is a song written by Allen Toussaint under the pseudonym Naomi Neville and first recorded by Benny Spellman. It was issued in 1962 as B-side of the single "Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)" on Minit Records (Cat 644).

It tells the story of a young man who is pleased to learn from a fortune teller that he will find love "When the next sun arrives". Next day he returns, angry that nothing has happened, but falls in love with the fortune teller. They get married and are as "happy as we could be", and he gets his "fortune told for free".

Cover versions

Many artists have covered the song, including the Rolling Stones, the Hollies, The Stellas, The Who, Iggy Pop, The Iguanas, and The S. The only version to reach the Billboard Hot 100 chart was one by the San Diego band The Hardtimes, which charted in late 1966, reaching number 97. ^[1] It was included on the October 2007 album Raising Sand , by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.

The song was also a hit in Australia, recorded by the Throb; released in February 1966 and charted in the top 5 in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. ^{[2] [3]}

The song is included as a part of a medley performed by Allen Toussaint of some of his hits in the 2005 documentary film Make It Funky! , which presents a history of New Orleans music and its influence on rhythm and blues, rock and roll, funk and jazz. ^{[4] [5]}

References

1. Whitburn, Joel (2013). Top Pop Singles 1955-2012. Menomonee Falls, WI: Record Research. p. 369. ISBN   978-0-89820-205-2.
2. McFarlane, Ian (1999). "'The Throb' entry". Whammo Homepage. Encyclopedia of Australian Rock and Pop . St Leonards, NSW: Allen & Unwin. ISBN   1-86508-072-1. Archived from the original on April 19, 2004. Retrieved July 31, 2025. Note: Archived [on-line] copy has limited functionality.
3. "Fortune Teller". Where Did They Get That Song?. PopArchives (Lyn Nuttall). Archived from the original on January 26, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2025.
4. "IAJE What's Going On". Jazz Education Journal. 37 (5). Manhattan, Kansas: International Association of Jazz Educators: 87. April 2005. ISSN   1540-2886. ProQuest   1370090.
5. Make It Funky! (DVD). Culver City, California: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. 2005. ISBN   9781404991583. OCLC   61207781. 11952.

External links

• Song lyrics at 1songlyrics.com