Rita May (song)

"Rita May" (sometimes spelled as "Rita Mae") is a song by Bob Dylan, originally recorded during the sessions for the album Desire, but released only as the B-side of a single and on the compilation album, Masterpieces.[2] The song is based on the 1957 rockabilly song "Bertha Lou". Some listeners believe that the lyrics of the song refer to writer Rita Mae Brown, who had complained of the lack of opportunities for casual lesbian sex.[3]

This article is about the Bob Dylan song. For the writer Rita Mae Brown, see Rita Mae Brown. For the British actress, see Rita May (actress).
"Rita May"
Single by Bob Dylan
from the album Masterpieces
A-side"Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again"
B-side"Rita May"
ReleasedNovember 30, 1976
RecordedJuly 30, 1975
StudioColumbia Recording Studio E, New York City
GenreBlues
Length3:14
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)music: Bob Dylan; lyrics: Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan
Producer(s)Don DeVito
Bob Dylan discography[1] singles chronology
"Mozambique"
(1976)		 "Rita May"
(1976)		 "Baby, Stop Crying"
(1978)

Live version

Dylan rehearsed the song in New York City before the first leg of the Rolling Thunder Revue in 1975, a performance that was officially released on the Bob Dylan – The Rolling Thunder Revue: The 1975 Live Recordings box set released in 2019.[4] The only time Dylan played the song live, however, came on the second leg of the Rolling Thunder Revue in New Orleans, Louisiana on May 3, 1976.[5]

Notable cover

"Rita May" was covered by Jerry Lee Lewis on his 1979 album Jerry Lee Lewis.[6]

Other songs with the same title

Eric Clapton wrote a song titled "Rita Mae" which appears on his 1981 album Another Ticket and was also released as a single, reaching No. 18 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

Personnel

Original Dylan version

References
  1. Williams, Paul (2004) [1990]. Bob Dylan, Performing Artist: The Early Years, 1960–1973. Omnibus Press. p. 289. ISBN 978-1-84449-095-0.
  2. Still on the Road: Bob Dylan Recording Sessions
  3. The Bob Dylan Who's Who
  4. "Bob Dylan – The Rolling Thunder Revue: The 1975 Live Recordings | The Official Bob Dylan Site". www.bobdylan.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  5. "Setlists | The Official Bob Dylan Site". www.bobdylan.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
  6. "Cover versions of Rita May by Jerry Lee Lewis | SecondHandSongs". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved 2021-05-13.
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