This web log is dedicated to great songwriters. The title comes from these quotations:
”Townes Van Zandt is the best songwriter in the whole world and I'll stand on Bob Dylan's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that.” - Steve Earle
"I've met Bob Dylan and his bodyguards, and I don't think Steve could get anywhere near his coffee table." — Townes Van Zandt.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Otis Blackwell, songwriter
Otis Blackwell (16 February 1931 – 6 May 2002) was an American songwriter, singer, and pianist whose work significantly influenced rock 'n' roll. His compositions include Little Willie John's "Fever", Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire" and "Breathless", Elvis Presley's "Don't Be Cruel", "All Shook Up" and "Return to Sender" (with Winfield Scott), and Jimmy Jones' "Handy Man".
"Breathless" performed by Jerry Lee Lewis Words and Music by Otis Blackwell
"Return to Sender" performed by Elvis Presley Words and Music by Otis Blackwell & Winfield Scott
"Great Balls of Fire" performed by Dolly Parton Words and Music by Otis Blackwell & Jack Hammer
"Fever" performed by Rita Moreno & the Muppets Words and Music by Otis Blackwell & Eddie J. Cooley
"Don't Be Cruel/All Shook Up" performed by Otis Blackwell & Foghat Words and Music by Otis Blackwell
"Always on My Mind" was written by Johnny Christopher, Mark James and Wayne Carson Thompson, all three of whom were songwriters on the staff of Chips Moman. Originally recorded by Brenda Lee and released on June 12, 1972, the song was later a hit for both Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson.
Wayne Carson (born Wayne Carson Thompson) is a songwriter from Denver Colorado who moved to Nashville in 1962. The author of eleven BMI award winning songs, he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1997. In 2002, Carson released a CD, "Writer" on which he plays solo versions of many of his hit songs.
"The Letter" performed by Joe Cocker Words and Music by Wayne Carson
"She's Acting Single (I'm Drinking Doubles)" performed by Gary Stewart. Words and Music by Wayne Carson
"Slide Off Of Your Satin Sheets" performed by Johnny Paycheck Words and Music by Wayne Carson & Donn Tankersly
Johnny Christopher is the author of five BMI award winning songs. His songs have been covered by Merle Haggard, Elvis Presley, Little Milton, Willie Nelson, and more. He is a frequent co-writer of Bobby Wood.
"If You Talk In Your Sleep" performed by Elvis Presley Words and Music by John Christopher & Red West
Mark James is the author of seven BMI award winning songs. James grew up in Houston, Texas, befriending BJ Thomas while both were still young. By the late 1960s, James was signed as a staff songwriter to Memphis producer Chips Moman’s publishing company, Moman producing Thomas’ versions of "The Eyes Of A New York Woman," "Hooked On A Feeling" and "It's Only Love" in 1968-69, all of which achieved success. James also wrote the song "Moody Blue", which is also the name of Elvis's last studio album (named after the song).
"One Hell of A Woman" performed by Vikki Carr Words and Music by Mark James & Mac Davis
"Suspicious Minds" performed by Elvis Presley Words and Music by Mark James
"Hooked On a Feeling" performed by David Hasselhoff Words and Music by Mark James
"Always On My Mind" performed by Willie Nelson Words and Music by Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher, and Mark James
"Always On My Mind" performed by Pet Shop Boys Words and Music by Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher, and Mark James
James Corbitt Morris (20 June 1907 – 12 July 1998) — better known as Jimmy Driftwood or Jimmie Driftwood; was a prolific United States folk songwriter and musician, most famous for his songs "The Battle of New Orleans" and "Tennessee Stud." Driftwood used a homemade guitar throughout his career and noted that its neck was made from a fence rail, its sides from an old ox yoke, and the head and bottom from the headboard of his grandmothers bed. Driftwood attended John Brown College in northwest Arkansas and later received a degree in education from Arkansas Teacher's College. He started writing songs during his teaching career to teach his students history in an entertaining manner.
"Tennessee Stud" performed by Johnny Cash Words and Music by Jimmie Driftwood
"Battle of New Orleans" performed by Johnny Horton Words and Music by Jimmie Driftwood
Sherman Edwards (April 4, 1919 - March 30, 1981) was a Jewish-American songwriter. He was born in New York City. Edwards taught history at high school before entering the entertainment industry. Edwards' crowning achievement was the musical 1776 for which he wrote both lyrics and music. It opened at the 46th Street Theatre on March 16, 1969 and ran for 1217 performances. It won a Tony Award for Best Musical.
"See You In September" performed by The Happenings Words and Music by Sherman Edwards & Sid Wayne
"But, Mr. Adams" from the musical 1776 performed by William Daniels, Howard DaSilva, Ken Howard, Rex Robbins, & John Myhers Words and Music by Sherman Edwards
Michael Sembello (born 17 April 1954 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an Oscar nominated American musician. He began his career as a professional musician by becoming a studio guitarist. The list of pop music personalities he worked with, or wrote for, includes Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Chaka Khan, George Benson, Barbra Streisand, Stanley Clarke and Donna Summer.
"Saturn" performed by Yusuf Islam Words and Music by Stevie Wonder & Michael Sembello
"Maniac" performed by Michael Sembello Words and Music by Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky
"Maniac" performed by Michael Sembello and Stevie Wonder Words and Music by Michael Sembello and Dennis Matkosky
Leon Roger Payne was born in Alba, Texas on June 15, 1917. He was blind in one eye at birth, and lost the sight of the other eye in early childhood. He attended the Texas school for the blind from 1924 to 1935, where he met his future wife, Myrtie Velma Courmier. Leon wrote hundreds of country songs in a prolific career that lasted from 1941 until his death in 1969. He is perhaps best known for his hits "I Love You Because," "You've Still Got A Place In My Heart," "Lost Highway," and "They'll Never Take Her Love From Me." He began his music career in the mid-1930s, playing a variety of instruments in public, and later performing on KWET radio in Palestine, Texas starting in 1935. He also had a stint playing with Bob Wills' Texas Playboys in 1938. Eventually he formed his own group, the Lone Star Buddies, in 1949 and performed regularly on the Louisiana Hayride show in Shreveport, Louisiana and later on the Grand Ole Opry.
"They'll Never Take Her Love From Me" performed by Hank Williams Words and Music by Leon Payne
"I Love You Because" performed by Jim Reeves Words and Music by Leon Payne
"Take Me" performed by Kelly Willis and Dwight Yoakam Words and Music by Leon Payne and George Jones
"Lost Highway" performed by Mac Words and Music by Leon Payne
Henry Glover (May 21, 1921 - April 7, 1991). A pioneering behind-the-scenes figure, Henry Glover was one of the first truly successful black executives in the music business, rising to prominence in the late '40s with Syd Nathan's independent (and white-owned) King label. No mere pencil-pusher, Glover was a talented jack of all trades who served at various times as a producer, arranger, songwriter (sometimes under the alias Henry Bernard), engineer, trumpet player, talent scout, A&R rep, studio builder, and -- later on -- label owner in his own right.
"Blues Stay Away From Me" performed by the Delmore Brothers Words and Music by Henry Glover, Alton Delmore, Rabon Delmore, & Wayne Raney
"Honky Tonk Pt. 1 & 2" performed by Bill Doggett Words and Music by Henry Glover, Shep Shepherd, Clifford Scott, Billy Butler, & Bill Doggett
"Peppermint Twist" performed by Joey Dee & the Starliters Words and Music by Henry Glover & Joseph DiNicola
"California Sun" performed by The Ramones Words and Music by Henry Glover & Morris Levy
"Drown In My Own Tears" performed by Norah Jones Words and Music by Henry Glover
Harlan Perry Howard(September 8, 1927 - March 3, 2002) was born in Detroit, Michigan, he began writing country music at a young age. After serving as a paratrooper with the United States Army, he went to Los Angeles, California, hoping to sell his music. Among his biggest hits was "I Fall to Pieces," co-written with Hank Cochran and recorded by Patsy Cline and the song "Busted", a hit for both Ray Charles and Johnny Cash. Harlan Howard was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1973 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997. He died in 2002, aged 74, and was buried in Nashville City Cemetery.
"Tiger By The Tail" performed by Buck Owens & the Buckeroos Words and Music by Harlan Howard and Buck Owens
"Busted" performed by Ray Charles Words and Music by Harlan Howard
"I Fall to Pieces" performed by Patsy Cline Words and Music by Harlan Howard and Hank Cochran
"Streets of Baltimore" performed by Bobby Bare Words and Music by Harlan Howard and Tompall Glaser
"Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" performed by Del McCoury Band Words and Music by Harlan Howard
Prince Rogers Nelson (born June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American musician and songwriter. His career has spanned several styles: from his early material, rooted in R&B, funk, and soul, he has consistently expanded his musical palette throughout his career, absorbing many other genres including New Wave, pop, rock, jazz, and hip hop. Prince is a prolific artist, having released several hundred songs both under his own name and with other artists. Regarded by many as a perfectionist, Prince is known for being highly protective of his music. He produces, composes, arranges and performs nearly all of the songs on his albums.
"I Feel For You" performed by Chaka Khan Words and Music by Prince
"Nothing Compares 2 U" performed by Sinead O'Connor Words and Music by Prince
"Glamorous Life" performed by Sheila E. Words and Music by Prince
"Manic Monday" performed by the Bangles Words and Music by Prince
"Jungle Love" performed by Morris Day & the Time Words and Music by Prince and Morris Day
Carole King (born February 9, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. King has won four Grammy Awards and has been inducted into both the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for her songwriting, along with long-time partner Gerry Goffin.
Gerry Goffin (born February 11, 1939) is an American lyricist. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990 with former songwriting partner, Carole King, in 1990. Marrying Carole King in 1960, he and his wife together pursued a successful song writing career, notably as part of the famous Brill Building song writing team. Their breakthrough hit was 1961's "Will You Love Me Tomorrow?", which was recorded by The Shirelles and later, Dusty Springfield. Although they divorced in 1968, the two continued to work together for some years afterwards.
"(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman" performed by Aretha Franklin Words and Music by Carole King, Gerry Goffin, & Gerry Wexler
"Don't Bring Me Down" performed by The Animals Words and Music by Carole King and Gerry Goffin
"Up on the Roof" performed by Viola Wills Words and Music by Carole King and Gerry Goffin
"Pleasant Valley Sunday" performed by The Monkees Words and Music by Carole King and Gerry Goffin
"One Fine Day" performed by Carole King Words and Music by Carole King and Gerry Goffin
Bonus original version with Carole King on piano!
"One Fine Day" performed by The Chiffons Words and Music by Carole King and Gerry Goffin
Jeff Barry (born April 3, 1938) is an American pop music songwriter, singer, and record producer. Barry was born Joel Adelberg in Brooklyn, New York.
Ellie Greenwich (born October 23, 1940, Brooklyn, New York), is an American pop music singer, songwriter, and record producer, who wrote some of the most recognizable songs of the 1960s.
By 1963, Barry and Ellie Greenwich had joined forces, as husband and wife and as songwriting partners. Barry and Greenwich comprised one of the most prolific and successful Brill Building songwriting teams, often working with producer Phil Spector. The couple divorced in late 1965 but would continue to work together for much of the following year, and sporadically after that until the late 1960s.
Leader of the Pack performed by The Shangri-Las Words and Music by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich
Da Doo Ron Ron performed by The Crystals Words and Music by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, & Phil Spector
River Deep, Mountain High performed Ike & Tina Turner Words and Music by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, & Phil Spector
Movin' On Up performed by Ja'net DuBois Words and Music by Jeff Barry & Ja'net DuBois
Sunshine After the Rain performed Elkie Brooks Words and Music by Ellie Greenwich
