Lady Eleanor

"Lady Eleanor" is a song written by Alan Hull, featured on the first Lindisfarne album, Nicely Out of Tune. Initially released as a single in May 1971,[2] it failed to chart. In 1972, following the success of the band's single "Meet me on the Corner" (which reached No. 5 in the UK), and the highly successful second album Fog on the Tyne, it was re-released and became their second consecutive hit single, reaching Number 3 in the UK charts. Its B-Side was "Nothing But the Marvellous is Beautiful".[3]

"Lady Eleanor"
Single by Lindisfarne
A-side"Lady Eleanor"
B-side"Nothing But The Marvellous Is Beautiful"
Released1971
Recorded1970
GenreFolk rock[1]
LabelCharisma (UK), Philips (Eire, Continental Europe & Australasia), Elektra (North America)
Songwriter(s)Alan Hull (both sides)
Producer(s)John Anthony

The song features the folk rock band Lindisfarne's characteristic combination of mandolin playing (by Ray Jackson) and close harmony singing. Its lyrics are inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's 1839 short story "The Fall of the House of Usher".[4]

The verse is in the key of B minor, while the chorus is in the relative key of D major. Simon Cowe's lead guitar work betrays the influence of Peter Green, while the song's instrumental coda - like Green's hit composition "Man of the World" - ends on a D major sixth chord.

Charts
Chart (1971/72) Peak
position
UK (Official Charts Company) 3
Australia (Kent Music Report)[5] 45
Canada (RPM)[6] 68
USA (Billboard 100) 83

Cover versions

The song has been covered by a number of acts, including Caterina Caselli, American Gypsy and Lemon.[7]

References
  1. Stanley, Bob (13 September 2013). "An English Pastoral: Folk Rock". Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. Faber & Faber. p. 303. ISBN 978-0-571-28198-5.
  2. "Lady Eleanor (1971) Rockets Lindisfarne to Top of Charts | Spooky Isles". 11 August 2018.
  3. Official Charts Company - Lindisfarne - Lady Eleanor
  4. OBITUARY: Alan Hull - The Independent
  5. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 178. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  6. "RPM Top 100 Singles - October 21, 1972" (PDF).
  7. Lindisfarne songs covered by other artists lindisfarne.co.uk
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