This Ole House

Last updated
"This Ole House"
Single by Stuart Hamblen
from the album It Is No Secret
B-side "When My Lord Picks Up the 'Phone"
ReleasedMay 1954 (1954-05)
Recorded29 March 1954 [1]
Studio RCA Victor 24th Street, New York City
Genre Country
Length2:55
Label RCA Victor
Songwriter(s) Stuart Hamblen

"This Ole House" (sometimes spelled "This Old House") is an American popular song written by Stuart Hamblen, and published in 1954. [2] Rosemary Clooney's version reached the top of the popular music charts in both the US and the UK in 1954. The song again topped the UK chart in 1981 in a recording by Shakin' Stevens.

Contents

Stuart Hamblen version

Hamblen recorded the song in March 1954 and released it as a single in May 1954. [3] It became very successful, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Country & Western chart, as well as being a Top 30 hit on the Hot 100, known then as the Best Sellers in Stores. [4] It was his last hit on the country charts and with the royalties he bought the mansion that had been owned by the late Errol Flynn. [5]

Composition

Hamblen was supposedly out on a hunting expedition in the Sierra with guide Monte Wolfe, when he and his fellow hunter, actor John Wayne, came across a hut in the mountains. Inside was the body of a man, and the man's dog was still there, guarding the building. This inspired Hamblen to write "This Ole House". [2]

The song describes the last words of an old man living in an old house that has fallen into such disrepair that it is no longer structurally sound. The man tells of how the house "once knew his children" and "once knew his wife," but that he was not going to need it any longer nor did he have time to repair the house's numerous flaws because he is dying and going to heaven very soon ("ready to meet the saints").

Reception

The single was reviewed twice in Billboard magazine. It was described as "a powerful religioso item with a message and an infectious beat. Hamblen sells it with fervor." and that it "could easily break thru into country and pop". [6] In the following issue, it was described as "a sacred item which re-establishes Hamblen as the top man in his field" and "a sock debut for Hamblen on the label." [7]

Charts

Rosemary Clooney version

"This Ole House"
Single by Rosemary Clooney with Buddy Cole & His Orchestra
A-side "Hey There" (US)
ReleasedJune 1954 (1954-06) (US)
Genre Traditional pop
Length2:18
Label
Songwriter(s) Stuart Hamblen
Producer(s) Mitch Miller
Rosemary Clooney with Buddy Cole & His Orchestra singles chronology
"Hey There"
(1954)		"This Ole House"
(1954)		"Sisters"
(1954)

Soon after Hamblen released his version, Rosemary Clooney recorded a version of "This Ole House" with Buddy Cole & His Orchestra. It featured bass vocals by Thurl Ravenscroft and topped the charts in the US and the UK. [10] [11] [12]

In the US, it was released as the flip side to "Hey There", which also reached number 1. However, in the UK, it was released as the A-side, with the flip side "My Baby Sends Me".

When reviewed in Billboard, it was described as "a bright, bouncy rendition from the thrush, supported solidly by an unbilled male singer and the Buddy Cole ork. Tho not as strong as the flip. it has a sparkle that could make It grab juke loot." [13] A version similar to the Clooney version was also recorded by UK singer Alma Cogan in 1954 but without chart success.

Track listings

7" (US)

  1. "Hey There" – 2:57
  2. "This Ole House" – 2:18

7" (UK)

  1. "This Ole House"
  2. "My Baby Sends Me"

Charts

Shakin' Stevens version

"This Ole House"
Shakin' Stevens This Ole House single.jpg
Single by Shakin' Stevens
from the album This Ole House
B-side "Let Me Show You How"
Released20 February 1981 (1981-02-20)
Recorded1980
Studio Eden Studios. London
Genre Rock and roll
Length2:58
Label Epic
Songwriter(s) Stuart Hamblen
Producer(s) Stuart Colman
Shakin' Stevens singles chronology
"Shooting Gallery"
(1980)		"This Ole House"
(1981)		"You Drive Me Crazy"
(1981)

In 1981, Welsh singer Shakin' Stevens covered NRBQ's arrangement [16] of the song for his album of the same name. It became very successful, topping the UK Singles Chart for three weeks, as well as being a hit in several other countries. [17] It was re-released in 2005 as a double A-side with a cover of Pink's "Trouble" after his appearance in the TV show Hit Me Baby One More Time and reached No. 20 in the UK Singles Chart. [17]

Charts

Certifications and sales

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [43] [44] Platinum100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [45] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Other notable recordings

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosemary Clooney</span> American singer and actress (1928–2002)

Rose M. Clooney was an American singer and actress. She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the song "Come On-a My House", which was followed by other pop numbers such as "Botch-a-Me", "Mambo Italiano", "Tenderly", "Half as Much", "Hey There", "This Ole House", and "Sway". She also had success as a jazz vocalist. Clooney's career languished in the 1960s, partly because of problems related to depression and drug addiction, but revived in 1977, when her White Christmas co-star Bing Crosby asked her to appear with him at a show marking his 50th anniversary in show business. She continued recording until her death in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shakin' Stevens</span> British rock and roll singer and songwriter (born 1948)

Michael Barratt, known professionally as Shakin' Stevens, is a Welsh singer and songwriter. He was the UK's biggest-selling singles artist of the 1980s.

"Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)" is a popular song written by Irving Berlin and used in the 1954 film White Christmas. It is commonly performed as a Christmas song, although the lyrics make no reference to the December holiday.

"Hey There" is a show tune from the musical play The Pajama Game, written by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross. It was published in 1954. It was introduced by John Raitt in the original production. In the show, Sid sings it to a recording device, telling himself that he's foolish to continue his advances to Babe. He plays the tape back, and after responding to his own comments, sings a duet with himself.

"On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" is a popular song written by Harry Warren with lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The song was published in 1944, spanned the hit chart in mid-1945, and won the 1946 Academy Award for Best Original Song, the first win for Mercer.

"In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" is a popular song with music by Hoagy Carmichael and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. It was originally planned to feature it in a Paramount film written for Betty Hutton that never took off, which was to be called The Mack Sennett Girl. The song was buried in Paramount's files until it was rediscovered and then used in the 1951 film Here Comes the Groom and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">True Love (Cole Porter song)</span> 1956 song by Cole Porter

"True Love" is a popular song written by American songwriter Cole Porter, published in 1956. The song was introduced by Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly in the musical film High Society. "True Love" was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Kelly's contribution on the record is relatively minor, duetting with Crosby on only the final chorus. Nonetheless, the single is co-credited to her.

"You'll Never Know", sometimes referred to as "You'll Never Know (Just How Much I Love You)" in later years, is a popular song with music written by Harry Warren and the lyrics by Mack Gordon. The song is based on a poem written by a young Oklahoma war bride named Dorothy Fern Norris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Christmas (song)</span> Original song written and composed by Irving Berlin

"White Christmas" is an Irving Berlin song reminiscing about an old-fashioned Christmas setting. The song was written by Berlin for the 1942 musical film Holiday Inn. The composition won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 15th Academy Awards. Bing Crosby's record topped the Billboard chart for 11 weeks in 1942 and returned to the number one position again in December 1943 and 1944. His version would return to the top 40 a dozen times in subsequent years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stuart Hamblen</span> American singer-songwriter (1908–1989)

Carl Stuart Hamblen was an American entertainer who in 1926 became one of radio's first singing cowboys, going on to become a singer, actor, radio show host and songwriter. He converted to Christianity under the ministry of Billy Graham, becoming a temperance movement supporter and running several times for political office. He is best known as the composer of the song "This Ole House" (1954), most notably recorded by Rosemary Clooney and Shakin' Stevens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)</span>

"Where the Blue of the Night (Meets the Gold of the Day)" was the theme Bing Crosby selected for his radio show. It was recorded in November 1931 with Bennie Krueger and his Orchestra. The song was featured in a Mack Sennett movie short starring Bing Crosby. Crosby recorded the song on several occasions starting with the November 23, 1931 version with Bennie Kruger and his Orchestra. He next recorded it on July 20, 1940 with The Paradise Island Trio. On July 17, 1945 he recorded it with John Scott Trotter and his Orchestra and his final recording was on April 21, 1954 with Buddy Cole and his Trio for his Musical Autobiography set.

This Old House is an American home improvement media franchise, including a television program, spinoff programs, and a magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In a Little Spanish Town</span>

"In a Little Spanish Town " is a popular song published in 1926. The music was written by Mabel Wayne, and the lyrics by Sam M. Lewis & Joe Young.

"Takes Two to Tango" is a popular song, written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning and published in 1952. Two versions of the song, by Pearl Bailey and by Louis Armstrong, charted in that year.

<i>Selections from Irving Berlins White Christmas</i> 1954 studio album by Bing Crosby

Selections from Irving Berlin's White Christmas is an album with songs from the 1954 movie, White Christmas. Among the featured artists are Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, Danny Kaye, and Trudy Stevens, with Peggy Lee, who was not in the movie, singing some parts. It is one of the last 78 rpm albums Decca produced.

Singer Rosemary Clooney is known for many songs, including "Come On-a My House", "Botch-a-Me", "Mambo Italiano", "Tenderly", "Half as Much", "Hey There" and "This Ole House". This is a partial discography.

<i>The Epic Masters</i> 2009 compilation album by Shakin Stevens

The Epic Masters is a box set compilation comprising ten remastered albums by Shakin' Stevens. Released on 16 November 2009, the set contains nine albums originally released by Epic Records between 1980 and 1990, plus an exclusive CD of 12" extended mixes. The set was also made available as a download through iTunes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'll Be Home for Christmas</span> 1943 Holiday song

"I'll Be Home for Christmas" is a Christmas song written by the lyricist Kim Gannon and composer Walter Kent and recorded in 1943 by Bing Crosby, who scored a top ten hit with the song. Originally written to honor soldiers overseas who longed to be home at Christmas time, "I'll Be Home for Christmas" has since gone on to become a Christmas standard.

<i>This Ole House</i> (album) 1980 studio album by Shakin Stevens

This Ole House is a 1980/1981 album by Welsh rock and roll singer Shakin' Stevens. The album was originally released in October 1980 under the name Marie, Marie but failed to chart. When single "This Ole House" reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart the album was re-issued in March 1981 with the new title and song added, peaking at No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart.

References

  1. ↑ "RCA Victor 20-5500 - 20-6000 78rpm numerical listing discography". www.78discography.com. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  2. 1 2 Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives. p. 15. ISBN   0-85112-250-7.
  3. ↑ "Stuart Hamblen "This Old House" Classic 45, 1954". 28 January 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 "This Ole House (song by Stuart Hamblen) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  5. ↑ McNeil, W. K. (18 October 2013). Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music. Routledge. p. 172. ISBN   978-1-135-37700-7.
  6. ↑ "Reviews of New Sacred Records" (PDF). Billboard . 8 May 1954. p. 31. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  7. ↑ "Country & Western Records" (PDF). Billboard . 15 May 1954. p. 31. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  8. ↑ "Cash Box Top 10 Country Best Sellers – Week ending November 20, 1954". Cash Box magazine . Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  9. ↑ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (21 May 1955). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 18.{{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  10. ↑ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (4 December 1954). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.{{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  11. 1 2 "This Ole House (song by Rosemary Clooney) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  12. 1 2 "Rosemary Clooney: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  13. ↑ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (26 June 1954). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.{{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  14. ↑ "Cash Box Best Selling Singles – Week ending November 13, 1954". Cash Box magazine . Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  15. ↑ "1954's Top Popular Records according to Retail Sales" (PDF). The Billboard . Vol. 66, no. 52. 25 December 1954. p. 17.
  16. ↑ "NRBQ - This Ole House / Don't She Look Good". YouTube . 3 March 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 4 "Shakin Stevens: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  18. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  19. ↑ "Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  20. ↑ "Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  21. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6937." RPM . Library and Archives Canada.
  22. 1 2 "Danish Chart Archive - Singles 1979 - ____ (B.T./IFPI DK)". www.ukmix.org. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  23. ↑ Timo (13 August 2015). "Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1960: Artistit STEP - SUE". Sisältää hitin. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  24. ↑ "Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  25. ↑ "Vísir - 66. Tölublað (20.03.1981) - Tímarit.is". timarit.is. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  26. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – This Ole House". Irish Singles Chart.
  27. ↑ "Israel Singles Charts 1987-1995". www.ukmix.org. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  28. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Shakin' Stevens" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  29. ↑ "Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  30. ↑ "Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House". Top 40 Singles.
  31. ↑ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989" . Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  32. ↑ "Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House". Swiss Singles Chart.
  33. ↑ "World singles charts and sales TOP 50 in 58 countries: SHAKIN' STEVENS". World singles charts and sales TOP 50 in 58 countries. December 2015. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  34. ↑ "National Top 100 Singles for 1981". Kent Music Report. 4 January 1982. p. 7. Retrieved 11 January 2022– via Imgur.
  35. ↑ "AMR Top Singles of 1981". www.top100singles.net. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  36. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1981". Ultratop. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  37. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  38. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1981". www.top40.nl. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  39. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten - Single 1981". www.dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  40. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 1981". Official NZ Music Charts.com. Recorded Music New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  41. ↑ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1981" . Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  42. ↑ "Chartfile Top 100". Record Mirror : 27. 26 December 1981. Retrieved 30 October 2020– via flickr.com.
  43. ↑ "Majors Flight Economics with Quirky Rock Originals". Billboard . Vol. 94, no. 23. 6 December 1982. p. A/NZ-8. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  44. ↑ "IT'S SHAKIN' TIME DOWN UNDER" (PDF). Cash Box . 8 May 1982. p. 26. Retrieved 5 December 2021– via World Radio History.
  45. ↑ "British single certifications – Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  46. ↑ "BILLIE ANTHONY | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  47. ↑ "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  48. ↑ "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  49. ↑ "The Dirty Boogie - the Brian Setzer Orchestra | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.