Hey, Western Union Man

Last updated
"Hey, Western Union Man"
Single by Jerry Butler
from the album The Ice Man Cometh
B-side "Just Can't Forget About You"
Released1968
Studio Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genre Soul
Length2:37
Label Mercury
Songwriter(s)
Jerry Butler singles chronology
"Never Give You Up"
(1968)
"Hey, Western Union Man"
(1968)
"Are You Happy"
(1968)
Arranged by Bobby Martin

"Hey, Western Union Man" is a 1968 soul single by Jerry Butler written by Butler with Kenny Gamble, and Leon Huff. [1] It was Jerry Butler's second number one R&B hit on the Billboard chart, where it stayed for a week. "Hey, Western Union Man" was also part of a string of Top 40 crossover hits that Jerry Butler had during the late 1960s. [2]

Contents

Chart positions

Chart (1968)Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 16
U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles 1

Cover versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jerry Butler</span> American soul singer and songwriter

Jerry Butler Jr. is an American soul singer-songwriter, producer, musician, and retired politician. He was the original lead singer of the R&B vocal group the Impressions, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. After leaving the group in 1960, Butler achieved over 55 Billboard Pop and R&B Chart hits as a solo artist including "He Will Break Your Heart", "Let It Be Me" and "Only the Strong Survive". He was inducted into the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Impressions</span> American soul vocal group

The Impressions were an American music group originally formed in 1958. Their repertoire includes gospel, R&B, doo-wop, and soul.

"If This World Were Mine" is a 1967 song by soul music duo Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell from their album United. Written solely by Gaye, it was one of the few songs they recorded without Ashford & Simpson writing or producing. When it was released as a single in November 1967 as the B-side to the duo's "If I Could Build My Whole World Around You", it hit the Billboard pop singles chart, peaking at number sixty-eight, and peaked at number twenty-seven on the Billboard R&B singles chart. Gaye would later put the song into his set list during his last tours in the early-1980s as he performed a medley of his hits with Terrell. The song was covered a year later by Joe Bataan on the 1968 Fania Allstars LP Live at the Red Garter, Vol. 2, and in 1969 by Ambrose Slade (pre-Slade) on their album Beginnings.

"I Had the Craziest Dream" is a popular song which was published in 1942. The music was written by Harry Warren, the lyrics by Mack Gordon.

"Make It Easy on Yourself" is a popular song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David which was initially a hit for Jerry Butler in 1962. The best-known version is the 1965 recording by the Walker Brothers, for whom it was a No. 1 UK and Canadian hit. Dionne Warwick, who made a demo of the song in early 1962, later had a hit with it in 1970.

"South of the Border Down Mexico Way" is a popular song describing a trip to Mexico, written by Jimmy Kennedy and Michael Carr. It was originally released in 1939, with many versions following, including one for the film of the same name sung by star Gene Autry.

"Money Honey" is a song written by Jesse Stone, which was released in September 1953 as the first single by Clyde McPhatter backed for the first time by the newly formed Drifters. McPhatter's voice, but not his name, had become well known when he was the lead singer for Billy Ward and the Dominoes. The song was an immediate hit and remained on the rhythm and blues chart for 23 weeks, peaking at number 1. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it number 252 on its list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The recording was reported to have sold more than two million copies by 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Be-Bop-a-Lula</span> 1956 single by Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps

"Be-Bop-a-Lula" is a rockabilly song first recorded in 1956 by Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Going in Circles</span> American R&B Song

"Going in Circles" is a song written by Jerry Peters and Anita Poree, and originally performed by The Friends of Distinction on their 1969 album Grazin', reaching number 15 on the U.S. Hot 100, and number three on the R&B chart. The song has since been covered numerous times by other artists, including Isaac Hayes and Luther Vandross. In addition, the song's co-composer, Jerry Peters released his own version of the tune on his 1972 solo album Blueprint for Discovery. The Friends of Distinction's original version is an R.I.A.A. Certified Million-Seller.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Teddy Randazzo</span> American pop singer-songwriter (1935–2003)

Alessandro Carmelo "Teddy" Randazzo was an American pop songwriter, singer, arranger and producer, who composed hit songs such as "Goin' Out of My Head", "It's Gonna Take a Miracle", "Pretty Blue Eyes", and "Hurt So Bad" in the 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">He Will Break Your Heart</span> 1960 song by Jerry Butler

"He Will Break Your Heart", is a song originally performed and co-written by Jerry Butler. It was a top-ten hit in 1960.

"Little Green Apples" is a song written by Bobby Russell that became a hit for three different artists, with their three separate releases, in 1968. Originally written for and released by American recording artist Roger Miller, "Little Green Apples" was also released as a single by American recording artists Patti Page and O. C. Smith that same year. Smith's version became a #2 hit on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles charts, while Miller's version became a Top 40 hit on the Hot 100 as well as the UK Singles Chart. Page's version became her last Hot 100 entry. The song earned Russell a Grammy Award for Song of the Year and for Best Country Song. In 2013, "Little Green Apples" was covered by English recording artist Robbie Williams featuring American recording artist Kelly Clarkson, which became a top 40 hit in Mexico.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)</span> 1969 single by Jr. Walker & the All Stars

"What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)" is a 1968 song that was a 1969 hit single by Jr. Walker & the All Stars. The single was one of Jr. Walker's most successful releases, becoming a hit on both the R&B and pop singles charts. "What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)," written by Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua, and Vernon Bullock, made it into the top five on the Hot 100, and became Jr. Walker's second #1 on the R&B charts. The song was also a hit in the UK in 1969, reaching #13 on the UK Singles Chart. It remained in the chart for 12 weeks. The song was voted Top US Soul Record of 1969 and has sold over a million copies. Its extended intro and saxophone solo have influenced the works of David Sanborn, Clarence Clemons and Bobby Keys. It was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance.

"Say It Again" is a song written by Bunny Sigler and Carol Davis. It was originally recorded and released as a single by American singer Shawn Christopher in 1983. In 1984, American singer Lou Rawls recorded a version for his album Close Company. In 1985, American singer Rége Burrell released his own version of the song as a single from his album Victim of Emotion. In 1986, American female R&B vocal trio Sinnamon recorded their own version, which was released as a single. The best known version is the 1987 recording by American singer Jermaine Stewart, released as a hit single from his album of the same name.

Jerry Jan Ross was an American songwriter, A&R man, record producer, and record label owner. As a writer, his greatest success was with "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me," which he co-wrote with his protégé Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. His greatest successes as a producer include "Sunny" by Bobby Hebb, and he also released "Venus" by Shocking Blue in the United States. Jerry produced The Mob on their self-titled first album in 1970.

Lou Courtney was an American soul singer and songwriter who had several hit records in the 1960s and 1970s, both as a performer and writer.

So Delicious was a hit for the Baltimore soul/funk group Pockets. It was the 3rd hit for the group which had previously had hits with "Come Go With Me" and "Take It On Up".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey Love (Stevie Wonder song)</span> 1966 single by Stevie Wonder

"Hey Love" is a 1966 song by Stevie Wonder, from his album Down to Earth. It was released as a B-side to "Travelin' Man," but it also reached the charts in its own right, peaking at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number nine on the R&B Singles chart in the spring of 1967. It has been covered by other artists, including Bettye LaVette and R. Kelly.

"I Don't Want to Hear It Anymore" is a 1964 song written by Randy Newman. It was first recorded by Jerry Butler in 1964 and released as a single by him.

"Never Give You Up" was a single by Jerry Butler that reached no. 20 in the Billboard chart in 1968. It was written by Gamble & Huff. Butler was also credited as co-composer. The song has also been covered by Eddie Floyd, Buddy Greco, Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, Leonard Julien III, Rod Stewart and The Black Keys.

References

  1. "www.45cat.com". www.45cat.com. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 95.