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The composer of American Breed's "Bend Me, Shape Me" and The Animals "Help Me Girl", Larry Weiss wrote and recorded "Rhinestone Cowboy" (Larry Weiss) for his 1974 album "Black and White Suite". This opening track single was released and peaked in the

Former member of the Kingston Trio, John Stewart composed "Daydream Believer" and this version comes from his 1971 release "The Lonesome Picker Rides Again". The Monkees (Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith and Mickey Dolenz) had the original

Once a member of the R&B group The Ravens, Ollie Jones composed The Crescendos "Oh Julie", The Crests "Step by Step", Fabian's "Tiger" and "Send For Me". This version by Ollie was recorded in 1961 for the album "We Wrote 'Em We Sing 'Em". Nat

Poet, singer, cartoonist for Playboy, composer, writer and generally extraordinary Shel Silverstein wrote "The Unicorn" for his book "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and the first recording of the song appears on the 1962 issue "Inside Folk Songs" Yes they

Huddie "Lead Belly" Leadbetter is often credited with composing "Black Betty" but it may have been simply adapted by him from a traditional work song. The moniker "Black Betty" often referred to a musket, police wagon or whiskey bottle, From the self

In 1966 Dallas Frazier issued the album "Elvira" and the single reached into the top one hundred, top thirty here in Canada. Dallas has given us some of the more fun music for generations. Former award winning gospel group The Oak Ridge Boys (Joe

In 1954 self-taught guitarist Johnny Smith recorded his composition of "Walk, Don't Run". "Walk, Don't Run" was the debut album for The Ventures (Don Wilson, Bob Bogle, Nokie Edwrads and Skip Moore) and the cover hit came in 1960 peaking at number two.

"Quien sera?" (Luis Demetrio - Pablo Beltran Ruiz) was composed as a Mexican mambo in 1953 and issued as an instrumental by Pablo Beltran and his Orchestra. The Dean Martin (Crocetti) number fifteen cover single with English lyrics by Normal Gimbel

Toronto singer, songwriter, actor and producer Marc Jordan co-composed "Rhythm of My Heart" (John Capek - Marc Jordan). His version can be found on the album "Reckless Valentine". Although American born, just how "Canadian" is he? Visit YouTube and note

Gilbert Becaud (Silly) recorded "C'est en Septembre" (Gilbert Becaud - Maurice Vidalin) in 1978. "September Morn" is the title of Neil Diamond's 1979 album on which you'll find the title tune (Gilbert Becaud - Neil Diamond). The album hit the top ten

He auditioned to be a Mouseketeer and a Monkees' member but neither happened for him, almost everything else did though! Singer, songwriter, actor, Grammy winner, Oscar winner and all-round personality Paul Williams gave us "Rainy Days and Mondays"

The first time Americans joined the Russians on the MIR Space Station this song became the wake-up call. Julie Gold composed "From a Distance" in 1985 and for some reason it took a long time to have it recorded. The 1987 album "Lone Star State of Mind"

Britain's David Whitfield hit with "Cara Mia" (Lee Lange - Tulio Trapani) backed by the (Annunzio) Mantovani Orchestra in 1954 and reached the top ten on Billboard. Composer Lee Lange was in reality David Whitfield's producer Bunny Lewis and Tulio

Fats Domino's co-writer, producer, arranger and band leader Dave Bartholomew recorded "Little Girl Sing Ding a Ling" (Dave Bartholomew) in 1952. Chuck Berry's only chart topper during his stellar career is "My Ding a Ling" twenty years after the

A member of the Nashville trio "The Elvi" and a noted acrylic, oil and pastel artist , Billy Edd Wheeler and Arlene Kesterson start this set with their original version of the 1963 composition "Jackson" (Billy Edd Wheeler - Jerry Leiber). In 1967

Singer, songwriter, author, playwright Billy Edd Wheeler gives us his take on "Coward of the County" (Billy Edd Wheeler - Roger Bowling). Kenny Rogers' cover is from the 1979 album "Kenny". "Coward of the County" topped the country chart and peaked at

Billy Edd Wheeler borrowed much of "The Lonesome Valley" (A.P. Cater) for "The Reverend Mr. Black" (Billy Edd Wheeler - Mike Stoller - Jerry Leiber) in 1963. The Kingston Trio (Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds and John Stewart) cover features Glen Campbell on

The Happenings' (details elsewhere on this site) "Girl on a Swing" (Ralph Miranda) can be found on their 1966 self-titled release. Like The Beatles Gerry (Marsden) and the Pacemakers (Fred Marsden, Les Chadwick and Les Maguire) were recorded by George

Radio star and big band singer Mindy Carson teamed up with the Ray Conniff Orchestra and Chorus to issue "Memories Are Made of This" (Terry Gilkyson - Richard Dehr - Frank Miller) and charted on Billboard at number fifty-three with the original version

Elvis Presley recorded "Mean Woman Blues" (Claude Demetrius) for the soundtrack of "Loving You" in 1957. This original went to number eleven on the R&B chart. Other tunes written by Claude Demetrius and recorded by Elvis included "Hard Headed Woman"

Jerry Fuller's father was a vocalist with fellow Texan Bob Wills Band. It was Jerry who composed "Travelin' Man" specifically for Sam Cooke, then Ricky Nelson sold millions of copies of the tune. This started a relationship as Jerry and Ricky teamed up

Ed Bruce's 1976 self-titled album saw the debut of "Mamma Don't Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys (Ed-Bruce - Patsy Bruce). The single went to number fifteen on the country chart. Buddy Holly band member Waylon Jennings and living legend Willie Nelson

Eddie Rabbitt composed "Kentucky Rain" (Eddie Rabbitt - Dick Heard) and went on to open for the likes of Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers before having a noted career of his own with hits like "Every Which Way But Loose", "Drivin' My Life Away", "Step by

Singer, song writer, engineer and producer "Cowboy" Jack Clement teamed up with John R. for this version of "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" (Jack Clement). His production talents can be heard all over the place including on the U2 classic "Rattle and Hum"

The prolific Barry Mann (Imberman) gives us his version of "Rock and Roll Lullaby" (Barry Mann - Cynthia Weil) from the album "Soul and Inspiration". The B.J. Thomas release is from the album "Billie Joe Thomas". This hit featured backup by Darlene

The Funky Kings (Jack Tempchin, Jules Shear, Richard Stekol, Bill Bodine, Frank Cotinola and Greg Leisz) self-tiled 1976 album contains "Slow Dancing" (Jack Tempchin). The single charted into the top twenty on the easy listening chart and top seventy

Lloyd "Cowboy" Copas replaced Eddy Arnold as the singer in the Pee Wee King band, He released the single "The Tennessee Waltz" (Redd Stewart - Pee Wee King) in 1947 and it reached number three on the Country and Western chart. Cowboy Copas was killed

Paul Williams composed "An Old Fashioned Love Song" (Paul Williams) specifically for The Carpenters and Richard rejected the song. You'll find this on Paul's 1971 album "Just An Old Fashioned Love Song". According to Songfacts Paul Williams said "I had

Elvis Presley once opened for Jack Clement at a Memphis club. Sun Records producer/arranger, publisher and artist "Cowboy" Jack Clement has worked with everyone from Bono to Louis Armstrong. He also composed "I Guess Things Happen That Way" (Jack

Roger Bowling composed "Lucille" (Roger Bowling - Hal Bynum) and it's on his album "Then I'll Stop Loving Me". This was the CMA Song of the Year in 1977. It is related by John Lomax III in Nashville Music City USA, that Bowling managed to have songs