Michael (the Lover)
"Michael (the Lover)"[nb 1] is a soul song originally performed by American Chicago soul group the C.O.D.'s.
| "Michael" | |
|---|---|
| Single by The C.O.D.'s | |
| B-side | "Cry No More" |
| Released | 1965 |
| Genre | Soul |
| Length | 2:35 |
| Label | Kellmac/One Derful 1003 |
| Songwriter(s) | Larry Brownlee |
| Producer(s) | Leon Singleton |
The song was written by the group's lead singer Larry Brownlee[nb 2] who was murdered in 1978. It was released as a single on Kellmac Records in the United States and Stateside in the United Kingdom and made it to number 5 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart in 1965. The song was produced by Leon Singleton and arranged by Pete Matthews.[1]
The song was later remade by the Mad Lads, appearing on their 1966 album The Mad Lads In Action (Volt 414), and by the Northern soul Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band (Piccadilly 7N 35359). Washington's version reached #39 on the UK charts. The 1980 song "Geno", a tribute to Washington and his band, notes "You were Michael the lover, the fighter that won".
Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band version
| "Michael" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Song by Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band | ||||
| A-side | "Michael" | |||
| B-side | "(I Gotta) Hold On To My Love" | |||
| Released | 1966 | |||
| Label | Piccadilly 7N.35359 | |||
| Composer(s) | Larry Brownlee | |||
| Producer(s) | John Schroeder | |||
| Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
The version of Michael by Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band became a chart hit for them but it also became a crowd favorite.
Background
It appeared on the Marble Arch compilation album, Stars of 67 which also featured "Puppet on a String" by Sandie Shaw and "Universal Soldier" by Donovan.[2]
Chart
Their version got to #39 in February 1967.[3] It also made its debut at on the Radio City City Sixty chart at no. 30 on the period of Sunday 29th January - Sunday 5th February 1967.[4] It got to no. 15 the following week,[5] but due to station owner, Dorothy Calvert being found guilty of operating a radio station inside UK territorial waters on February 8, 1967 and the station being closed that night, the single's course, as with other singles there would be unknown.[6]
Other recordings
Other versions by Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band includes a live version that appears on Hand Clappin, Foot Stompin, Funky-Butt ... Live! album.[7] An unreleased version recorded by Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band in 1968 appears on the Holdin' On With Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band EP which was released on the Acid Jazz label in 2013.[8]
Notes
- Sometimes written "Michael the Lover" or simply "Michael" (on the original C.O.D.'s single release).
- But credited to Brownlee, Lewis, and Washington on an Emase Records single.
References
- Kellmac Records 1003 A 7" 45 rpm single label
- Billboard, September 23, 1967 - Page 66 Pye to Bow New Classical Label
- Music VF.com - Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band Top Songs 1967, Michael
- The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame - THE CITY SIXTY Sunday 29th January - Sunday 5th February 1967 30 - # Michael (The Lover) Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band
- The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame - THE CITY SIXTY Sunday 5th - Sunday 12th February 1967, 15 30 Michael (The Lover) Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band
- The Pirate Radio Hall of Fame - The City Sixty, 5th - 12th February 1967
- Discogs - Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band – Hand Clappin' Foot Stompin' Funky-Butt... Live!
- 45Cat - Geno Washington And The Ram Jam Band - Discography, UK