Untitled Document

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	Song	Artist/Date/Label	Remade by
	Ma Blonde Est Partié (My Blonde Went Away And Left Me) (aka Jole Blon)	Amadie, Ophy & Clemo Breaux 4-18-29 Columbia 40510-F/Okeh 90010	Harry Choates, Roy Acuff, Moon Mulican, Waylon Jennings, Gary U.S. Bonds, Flatlanders et el.

The Breaux siblings' names show up with various spelling variations. Likewise, there are numerous spellings of "Jole Blon."

Macarena

Los Del Rio 1993
on lp Spanish Serdisco A Mi Me Gusta

Los Del Rio, Bayside Boys mix (1995 for RCA), Los Del Mar

While the original was in Spanish, the Bayside Boys (Mike Triay and Carlos de Yarza) added English lyrics and a new dance beat in their hit remix of the song.

Mack The Knife (as "Moritat")

Harald Paulsen 1928
German Homocord 3747

Gerald Price,Louis Armstrong, Bobby Darin, Ella Fitzgerald, Lyle Lovett (as "Moritat")

Written by Kurt Weill & Bertolt Brecht for their 1928 production of Die Dreigroschenoper (The Threepennyopera).

Made To Love (aka [Girls, Girls, Girls] Made To Love )

Everly Bros. 7-10-60
on lp Warner Bros 1395 A Date With

Eddie Hodges

Madness Is Gladness (aka Madness)

Prince Buster 1962
Jamaican Voice Of The People (no #)

Madness (single and LP version, both 1979)

Maggie May (aka Maggie Mae)

Vipers Skiffle Group 1957
Capitol 3711/ UK Parolophone R.4289

Beatles

The song goes back to the 1800s, as a British sea shanty with evolving lyrics. It's certainly possible/probable someone cut it earlier, but the Beatles most likely picked it up from the Vipers.

Rod Stewart's hit of this title is a different song.

Magic Bus, The

The Pudding 1967 (rel. 4-67)
Press 5010

The Who (5-29-68, 2-14-70), Swervedriver

As the Who's management began to recognize Pete Townshend's writing potential, they shopped some songs around and an otherwise obscure British band called the Pudding, cut "Bus" a year before the Who got to it.

Magic Town

Jody Miller 9-21-65
Captiol 5541

Vogues

Make It Easy On Yourself see Are You Lonely By Yourself

Make The World Go Away

Ray Price 4-30-63
on CD Bear Family 15843 The Honky Tonk Years (1950-1966) (1995)

Ray Price (6-13-63 for Columbia), Timi Yuro, Eddy Arnold, Donny & Marie Osmond

Ray Price recorded the song twice in 1963—April 30 and June 13 as noted. It remains possible that Timi Yuro cut it earlier, but the recording date for hers is not presently confirmable.

Make Your Own Kind Of Music

Will-O-Bees 1968
SGC 002

Mama Cass, Barbra Streisand

Making Memories Of Us

Tracy Byrd 2003
on CD RCA 67073 The Truth About Men

Keith Urban

Mama, Did You Bring Me Any Silver? (aka Gallis Pole, aka Gallows Pole)

Leadbelly 12-26-38
on lp Elektra 301 Library Of Congress Recordings (1966)

Leadbelly (1939 and many other times), Fred Gerlach, Led Zeppelin

Mama Look A Booboo (aka Mama Look At Bubu)

Lord Melody 1955
Monogram 950

Lord Melody (1956 for UK Vitadisc, 1958 for Cook), Harry Belafonte (1-27-57)

Mama Told Me Not To Come

Eric Burdon & Animals 1966
on ep French Barclay 071 081 See See Rider

P. J. Proby (3-31-67), Randy Newman, 3 Dog Night, Jackson 5, Wilson Pickett, Tom Jones w/ Stereophonics

A different mix of Eric Burdon & The Animals' original was issued in the US on their 1967 album Eric Is Here (MGM SE 4433).

Mamacita

Mark Lindsay 1975
Columbia 10081

Grass Roots

Mamãe Eu Quero! (aka I Want My Mama)

Jararaca 12-17-36
Brazilian Odeon 11449

Carmen Miranda, Bing Crosby w/ Woody Herman, Andrew Sis., Astrud Gilberto

Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys

Ed Bruce 2-75
United Artists 732

Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson (11-77)

Mambo No. 5

Pérez Prado 3-7-50
RCA Victor 5062/3782/3918

Gone All Stars (as "7-11"), Pérez Prado (1959), Bad Manners, Lou Bega

Mamy Blue (aka Mammy Blue)

Ivana Spagna 1971
Italian Ricordi 10653

Los Pop Tops, Joel Dayde, Nicoletta, Dalida, Charisma, Stories, Roger Whittaker, Celine Dion

"Mamy Blue" has a complex history, with many artists from various countries having hits with it. Written by French composer Hubert Giraud, he spent quite some time promoting it before 16-year-old Spagna recorded and released hers in Italy. In late May, 1971 Los Pop Tops cut theirs in London, with English lyrics by their West Indian lead singer Phil Trim. Dayde and Nicoletta then each did theirs (his in English, hers in French) around August, 1971. There were countless recordings released in Europe, including 25 versions in Italy. In Greece, one company—Phillips—issued five singles of "Mamy" by different artists.

In addition to her Italian original, Spagna recorded it in French.

Man Of Constant Sorrow see I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow

Man Smart, Woman Smarter (aka Not Me)

King Radio w/ Gerald Clark & his Caribbean Serenaders 4-9-36
Decca 17287

McBeth The Great, Harry Belafonte, Robert Mitchum, Grateful Dead, Robert Palmer, C.J. Chenier, Rosanne Cash

Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The

Fairmount Singers 1962
(rel. 2-62)
Dot 16340

Gene Pitney (3-62)

Hal David and Burt Bacharach wrote the song for the 1962 film of the same title, but it didn't appear in the movie.

Mandy see Brandy

Manteca

Dizzy Gillespie 12-20-47
RCA Victor 20-3023

Red Garland, Dizzy Gillespie (1957 for Clef/Verve), Oscar Peterson, Cal Tjader, Ella Fitzgerald, Phish

Mardi Gras Mambo

Jody Leviens & His Boys 1953
Sapphire 1051

Hawketts, Meters, Buckwheat Zydeco, John Boutté & Cubanismo

Leviens' name, originally Joedy Leavins, appeared with various spellings.

The Hawketts' 1954 recording became a Mardi Gras standard, popular to this day. The group included a young Art Neville.

Marianne see Mary Ann

Marie

Troubadours (aka Nat Shilkret) w/ Lewis James 10-18-28
Victor 21746

Franklyn Baur (11-3-28), Rudy Vallee (1-17-29), Tommy Dorsey, Four Tunes, Bachelors

Written by Irving Berlin for the 1928 film The Awakening. Not only is there no recording of it, the entire movie is presumed lost.

Marry An Ugly Woman (aka If You Wanna Be Happy)

Hubert Raphael Charles (aka Lion aka Roaring Lion) 3-7-34
Perfect 735/Romeo 735/Melotone 12965

Lion w/ Gerald Clark (4-21-41 for Decca), Hubert Raphael Deleon "Lion" with Muttoo Brothers Orch. (1952 As "Ugly Woman" for UK Sagomes), Roaring Lion (1995 as "Ugly Woman" for Ice), Sir Lancelot, Robert Mitchum (as "From A Logical Point Of View"), Jimmy Soul, Kid Creole & Coconuts

Rafael de Leon (aka Hubert Charles), born in 1908 in Trinidad, began singing at an early age. He later went by the name (Roaring) Lion and traveled to NYC in the early 1930s to record calypsos, including "Marry An Ugly Woman."

Marvelous Toy, The

Tom Paxton 1962 (fall)
on LP Gaslight GV 116 I'm The Man That Built The Bridges

Chad Mitchell Trio, Tom Paxton (1966 for Elektra), John Denver

Mary Ann (aka Marianne)

Lord Invader w/ Felix & his Internationals c. 8-47
Disc 5081

King Radio (as "Marian"), Roaring Lion, Terry Gilkyson & Easy Riders, Hilltoppers, Burl Ives

Mary Lou

Young Jessie 6-55
Modern 961

Ronnie Hawkins, Steve Miller, Bob Seger

Mary, Mary

Butterfield Blues Band 7-66
on lp Elektra 7315 East-West

Monkees (7-25-66), Run-D.M.C.

Written by Monkees member Michael Nesmith, "Mary, Mary" somehow got to Paul Butterfield. Early pressings of Butterfield's East-West album had no writing credit for the song leading some to accuse the Monkees of stealing it!

Mas, Que Nada (aka Mais, Que Nada)

Ze Maria w/ Jorge Ben 1963
on lp Brazilian Continental PPL 12079 Tudo Azul Bossa Nova E Balanco

Jorge Ben (many times), Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66, Dizzy Gillespie, Miriam Makeba et el.

The melody was adapted from José Prates' 1958 "Nanã Imborô."

Mashed Potatoes, (Do The) (aka Hot Pastrami)

Nat Kendrick & Swans 12-59
Dade 1804

Joey Dee & Starliters (10-61), Dartells, Steve Alaimo

Nat Kendrick & the Swans were essentially James Brown's back up band, the J.B.'s., recording under a pseudonym. The calls of "Mashed Potatoes" were provided by Miami DJ Carlton "King" Coleman, after it was decided James' vocals would be too recognizable by his "real" label, King Records. Brown's vocal version has since been issued on CD.

Match Box Blues (aka Matchbox)

Blind Lemon Jefferson 3-14-27
Okeh 8455

Blind Lemon Jefferson (4-27 for Paramount), Roy Newman, Roy Shaffer, Carl Perkins, Beatles

May I

Maurice Williams 1965
Vee Jay 678/Dee Su 304

Bill Deal & Rhondells

Mbube (aka Wimoweh, aka Lion Sleeps Tonight)

Solomon Linda's Original Evening Birds 1939
S. African Singer 829

Weavers (10-25-51), Pete Seeger, Kingston Trio, Miriam Makeba, Tokens , Robert John, Nylons, R.E.M. et al.

The song has quite a storied history, starting in South Africa, being introduced in the US by Pete Seeger's group the Weavers (via Alan Lomax providing him a recording), and then transformed into a huge pop hit by the Tokens. For an in-depth look at this controversial saga, see the May 25, 2000 issue of Rolling Stone.

In February of 2006, heirs of Solomon Linda were awarded a royalty settlement (of an undisclosed but supposedly substantial amount) against American copyright holder Abilene Music. The Rolling Stone article was a catalyst for the legal action.

Mbube, pronounced EEM-boo-beh, means "lion" in Zulu. It's assumed that was it misheard and transformed into "Wimoweh," initially for the Weavers' version. Mbube was so popular in S. Africa, it became the name of a musical genre.

Rian Malan, who wrote the Rolling Stone story, was featured in the 2018 documentary Lion's Share, which further detailed the song's complex history.

Me And Bobby McGee

Roger Miller 5-16-69
Smash 2230

Kris Kristofferson (8-2-69), Gordon Lightfoot (1969), Janis Joplin (10-25-70)

The character Bobby McGee was prompted by a secretary named Barbara "Bobbie" McKee. Co-writer Fred Foster mis-heard her name as "McGee" and, after a number of business encounters with her, joked "Have you heard about me and Bobby McGee." Foster was inspired to work the line into a song Kris Kristofferson had already begun writing.

Kristofferson's demo of the song has been issued.

Mean Woman Blues

Elvis Presley 1-13-57
on ep RCA Victor 2-1515 Loving You Vol. 2

Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison

Presley's recording was issued on a 45, but only in Canada (RCA Victor 47-7066).

The version Elvis sang in the 1957 movie Loving You was recorded 1-22-57.

Melissa

31st Of February 9-68
on lp Bold 301 Duane & Greg Allman (1972)

Steve Alaimo, Allman Bros.

The 31st Of February, whose members included future Allman Brothers Band players Duane and Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks, cut "Melissa" for an album that was scrapped when the group split. Their sessions were produced by Steve Alaimo, to whom writer Gregg Allman sold half the rights of "Melissa." Alaimo's 1970 single of the song (Atco 6732) credited only him. Gregg has since purchased the full rights.

The 1972 album on Bold Records capitalized on the Allman Brothers popularity, with no mention of the 31st Of February, and misspelled Gregg's first name. This same material was reissued the following year (Bold 302) with a gatefold cover, reference to the 31st Of February and Gregg's name spelled correctly.

Melody Of Love

Edison Symphony Orch. 1903
on cylinder Edison Gold-Moulded 8566

Wayne King, Billy Vaughn, David Caroll, Four Aces, Frank Sinatra, Leo Diamond

Tom Glazer wrote lyrics for the song in 1954.

Memories Are Made Of This

Mindy Carson 8-19-55
Columbia 40573

Dean Martin (10-28-55), Gale Storm, Jim Reeves, Drifters, Little Richard

Even though Carson's single was a modest hit at the time, I think it's been historically overshadowed by Martin's chart-topping version. Also, I've seen too many (incorrect) references to hers as being a "cover" of his.

Mercury Boogie (aka Mercury Blues)

K. C. Douglas Trio 1948
Down Town 2004/Gilt Edge 5043

K. C. Douglas (1954 for Road Recordings, 1960, 1974 for Arhoolie, 1972 for Blues Conoisseur)), Steve Miller, David Lindley, Alan Jackson, Jimmy Thackery, Jackson Browne & David Lindley

The Gilt Edge issue lists Lowell Fulson as the vocalist (and label head Bill McCall as writer under his W. S. Stevenson pseudonym). K. C. Douglas really was the singer although he supposedly borrowed Fulson's guitar for the recording.

Ford Motor Company bought the rights to the song for use in commercials, changing the lyric from "Crazy 'bout a Mercury" to "Crazy 'bout a Ford truck." Ford has now eliminated the entire Mercury line, with the last one produced in January, 2011!

Mercy Babe (aka My Babe)

Little Walter 7-14-54
on lp UK Black Gold Heritage 1200 The Neglected Masters (1990)

Little Walter (1-25-55, Checker 811), Dale Hawkins, Ricky Nelson, Lou Rawls, Roy Head, Steve Miller et el.

Writer Willie Dixon adapted the song from "This Train (Is Bound For Glory)," a traditional gospel number. He was likely inspired by Sister Rosetta Tharpe's 1947 recording of it as "This Train."

Message To Martha (aka Kentucky Bluebird [Send A Message To Martha], aka Message To Michael)

Jerry Butler 1962
on lp Vee Jay 1076 Need To Belong (1963)

Marlene Dietrich (as "Kleine Treue Nachtigall"), Lou Johnson, Adam Faith, Dionne Warwick

Butler's album was rereleased (with the same issue number) in early 1964 under the title Giving Up On Love.

Messing With The Kid (aka Messin' With The Kid)

Mel London 1959
Chief 7011

Junior Wells (10-17-60 for Chief, 1965 for Vanguard), Buddy Guy, Baby Huey, Johnny Winter, Rory Gallagher, Blues Bros.

Most sources cite Junior Wells' 1960 recording as the first, but writer (and Chief Records owner) Mel London had done it the previous year.

Mickey see Kitty

Midnight Confessions

Ever-Green Blues 1967
Mercury 72756

Grass Roots

Midnight Cowboy

John Barry 1969
on lp United Artists 5198 Midnight Cowboy ost

Ferrante & Teicher

Midnight In Memphis

Moonlighters 1977
on lp Amherst 1009

Bette Midler, Hoyt Axton, Asleep At The Wheel

Midnight In Moscow (as Podmoskovnye Vechera [Moscow Nights])

Vladimir Troshin 1956
USSR Melodiya 27620

Kenny Ball

The song was originally composed as "Leningrad Nights," but was changed for the Russian Spartakiad (Olympic-style athletic competition) held in Moscow. The state-owned label Melodiya was a virtual monopoly in the Soviet Union so it's assumed that's who issued "Podmoskovnye Vechera."

Midnite Mary (aka Midnight Mary)

Jerry Cole 1963
Capitol 5056

Joey Powers

Midnight Plane to Houston (aka Midnight Train To Georgia)

Jim Weatherly 1972
on lp RCA 4747 Weatherly

Cissy Houston, Gladys Knight & Pips, Indigo Girls, Neil Diamond

Midnight Rider

Allman Bros. 2-70
Capricorn 8014

Greg Allman, Joe Cocker, Bob Seger, Willie Nelson

Midnight Special see On The Midnight Special

Milk Cow Blues (aka Milkcow Blues Boogie)

Kokomo Arnold 9-10-34
Decca 7026/48000

Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Kinks, Aerosmith

Neither Sleepy John Estes' "Milk Cow Blues" (Victor 38614, 1930) nor Big Bill Broonzy's "Milk Cow Blues" (Bluebird 5476, 1934)) is the same song as Arnold's.

Miller's Cave

Tommy Tucker 1960
Hi 2020

Bobby Bare, Hank Snow (5-12-60), International Submarine Band

This is a different artist than the Tommy Tucker who later did "Hi-Heel Sneakers."

Million And One, A

Billy Walker 5-66
Monument 943

Dean Martin, Vic Dana

Minnie The Moocher (The Ho De Ho Song)

Cab Calloway 3-3-31
Brunswick 6074

Cab Calloway (1933, 1960, 1978 for RCA, 1942 for Okeh), Bobby Darin, Commader Cody & Lost Planet Airmen, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

Inspired by Frankie Half Pint Jaxon's 1927 "Willie The Weeper" (Black Patti 8048).

Misirlou (aka Miserlou, aka Mousouloum)

Tetos Demetriades 7-27
Columbia 56073

Mike Patrinos, Nick Roubanis, Harry James, Jan August, Dick Dale (1962, 1993 as "Tribal Thunder"), Beach Boys, Connie Francis et al.

The exact history of "Misirlou" has been lost but it's most likely a Greek song, in the rembetika style, from Smirni (Izmir in Turkey) from the 1910s. The title means "Woman from Egypt" or "Egyptian girl" in Turkish. Many Greeks at that time were living in Turkey, especially Smirni and Istanbul. Even though its authorship is unknown, "Misirlou" has been claimed by many through the years, in particular, Nikos (aka Nick) Roubanis. English lyrics were later penned by Fred Wise, Milton Leeds and S.K. Russell.

Greek singer Demetriades recorded his version in New York City.

Dick Dale, whose influential version was revived in the film Pulp Fiction, learned the song from Harry James' record. In addition to his famous surf-guitar sound, Dale had played the trumpet.

There are claims "Misirlou" is Arabic in origin, specifically coming from Alexandrian singer/composer Sayyid Darwish and his song "Bint Misr." He supposedly recorded it around 1919 but until a copy surfaces, we'll just have to wonder!

Missing You

Red Sovine 1955
Decca 29755

Webb Pierce, Ray Peterson

Mississippi Blues (aka Cat Squirrel)

Dr. Ross 10-3-53 (cut for Sun)
on lp Arhoolie1065 His First Recordings (1969)

Dr. Ross (1959 for Fortune, 1965 for Elektra), Cream, Jethro Tull

Mississippi Boweavil Blues (aka The Boll Weevil Song)

The Masked Marvel (aka Charley Patton) 6-14-29
Paramount 12805

Tex Ritter, Eddie Cochran, Brook Benton

Charley is said to have come up with the song in response to a 1910 weevil attack in his native Sunflower County, Mississippi.

Misty

Erroll Garner Trio 7-27-54
Mercury 70442

Erroll Garner (1959 for Columbia), Johnny Mathis, Sarah Vaughn, Lloyd Price, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Ray Stevens et al.

While on a flight to Chicago for his recording session, Garner saw a rainbow and was inspired to develop the melody for "Misty" in his head. This yet-to-be-named song was then cut in one take.

Misty Blue

Wilma Burgess 3-24-66
Decca 32027

Eddy Arnold, Joe Simon, Dorothy Moore

Mockin' Bird Hill (aka Mocking Bird Hill))

Pinetoppers 8-50
Coral 64061

Les Paul & Mary Ford, Patti Page, Russ Morgan

Mona Lisa

Charlie Spivak w/Tommy Lynn 1-30-50
London 619

Harry James (3-2-50), Nat King Cole (3-11-50), Victor Young, Conway Conway Twitty, Carl Mann

The song was introduced (only in fragments) in the 1950 film Captain Carey, USA. It won Best Song Oscar®, the first to do so from a non-musical movie.

Money Changes Everything

Brains 1978
Gray Matter 1

Brains (1980 for Mercury), Cyndi Lauper

Money's Too Tight (To Mention)

Valentine Bros. 1982
Bridge 1982

Simply Red

Moody Blue

Mark James 6-27-75
Mercury 73718

Elvis Presley (2-4 & 5-76)

Moody's Mood For Love (as "Moody Mood For Love")

King Pleasure w/ Teacho & Band 2-19-52
Prestige 924 (1953)

James Moody (1957), King Pleasure (1960 for HiFi Jazz, 1962 for United Artists), Eddie Jefferson (1961, 1977) , Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, George Benson & Patti Austin, Amy Winehouse, Queen Latifah et el.

The Melody for "Moody's Mood For Love" came from James Moody's improvised sax solo on his 1949 recording of "I'm In The Mood For Love" (Prestige 701).

In a technique called vocalese, lyrics are written to fit with instrumental melodies. In this case, Eddie Jefferson penned the words for "Moody's Mood For Love."

In King Pleasure's original (which, in a nod to its inspiration, was sometimes referred to as "I'm In The Mood For Love"), he shares vocals with Blossom Dearie.

Moody River

Chase Webster 1961
Southern Sound 101

Pat Boone (4-8-61), Chase Webster (1970 for Show Biz)

Writer Gary Bruce recorded under the name Chase Webster.

Moon River

Audrey Hepburn 1961
on CD Big Screen 25403 Music From The Films Of Audrey Hepburn (1993)

Danny Williams, Henry Mancini, Jerry Butler, Jim Reeves, 101 Strings Orchestra et al.

Music composer Henry Mancini (lyrics were by Johnny Mercer) wrote this for Hepburn to sing in the film Breakfast At Tiffanys. He purposely kept the melody within an octave to accommodate her limited vocal range.

Mancini's hit version was a rerecording of his movie score, leaving Audrey's as the issued original.

More (as various titles)

Riz Ortolani 1963
on lp United Artists 5105 Mondo Cane ost

Steve Lawrence, Kai Winding, Vic Dana

While there is no song called "More" in the movie Mondo Cane, the melody is a recurring theme. Following the release of the soundtrack, Ortolani did issue a 45 (United Artists 598) titled "More," subtitled "Theme from Mondo Cane." Note the misspelling of his first name (which was corrected on subsequent pressings) on the album cover!

More I See You, The

Harry James w/ Buddy Di Vito 1-3-45
Columbia 36794

Dick Haymes (1-21-45), Carman Cavallero Orch (3-21-45), Nat King Cole, Chris Montez, Sarah Vaughn

The song was introduced by Dick Haymes in the 1945 film Diamond Horseshoe but Harry James cut the first commercial version.

More Than I Can Say

Crickets 2-29-60
Coral 62198

Bobby Vee (12-60), Leo Sayer

Morning Dew

Bonnie Dobson 2-62
on lp Prestige International 13057 Bonnie Dobson At Folk City

Vince Martin & Fred Neil, Tim Rose, Lulu, Grateful Dead (1967, 1972), Jeff Beck, Long John Baldry, Bonnie Dobson (1969 for RCA, 2013 for Hornbeam), Devo, Robert Plant

Dobson's inspiration for writing "Morning Dew" was the 1959 nuclear holocaust film On The Beach. It was her first attempt at song writing and she debuted it at the 1961 Mariposa Folk Festival. Dobson admits she viewed the song as post-apocalyptic but accepts that others interpret "Morning Dew" as a love song.

The Bonnie Dobson At Folk City LP was reissued in 1964 as Hootenanny With Bonnie Dobson (Prestige Folklore FL 14018).

Tim Rose requested permission for some lyric revision for his 1966 recording, which Dobson naïvely agreed to. Rose merely shortened the first line and subsequently took co-writing credit. Decades later after legal wrangling, Bonnie is usually listed as the sole writer but still doesn't receive full royalties.

Morning Glory

Tim Buckley 5-9/17-67
Elektra 45623

Blood, Sweat & Tears, Linda Ronstadt & Stone Poneys (as "Hobo"), Ian Matthews, This Mortal Coil

Morningside Of The Mountain

Tommy Edwards 4-12-51
MGM 10989

Paul Weston (4-27-51), Tommy Edwards (1959 on MGM 12757), Donny & Marie Osmond

Most Beautiful Girl, The see Hey Mister

Motherless Children see Mother's Children Have A Hard Time

Mother's Children Have A Hard Time (aka Motherless Children)

Blind Willie Johnson 12-3-27
Columbia 14343/Vocalion 03021

Carter Family, Son House, Josh White, Staple Singers, Rev. Gary Davis, Taj Mahal, Sweetwater, Steve Miller, Eric Clapton et al.

The title "Mother's Children..." was probably the result of a misinterpretation of Johnson's garbled singing.

Motown Song, The

Larry John McNally 1986
on lp Atlantic 81631 Quicksilver ost

Rod Stewart (with the Temptations)

Mountain Of Love

Harold Dorman 1959
Rita 1003

Harold Dorman (1960 on Rita 1003A), Johnny Rivers, Ronnie Dove

Dorman's 1959 recording was issued with three variations. The second had an added chorus and the third, hit version, also had strings overdubbed. Even though his first was used for the basis of the next two, their feel was considerably different from his unadorned original.

Move In A Little Closer (aka Move In A Little Closer Baby)

Victorians 1968
Arnold J. 571

Mama Cass

Mr. Bojangles see Bo Jangles

Mr. Can't You See (aka Mister, Can't You See)

Mickey Newbury 6-68
on lp RCA Victor 4043 Harlequin Melodies

Buffy Sainte-Marie

Mr. Moonlight

Dr. Feelgood & Interns 5-31-61
Okeh 7144

Beatles

Mr. Sandman

Vaughn Monroe 5-14-54
RCA Victor 5767

Chet Atkins (11-17-54), Les Paul, Chordettes, Emmylou Harris/Dolly Parton/Linda Ronstadt

Mr. Tambourine Man

Brothers Four 1964
on lp Columbia 2305 The Honey Wind Blows (1965)

Bob Dylan (1-15-65), Byrds (1-20-65), William Shatner

According to member Bob Flick, the Brothers Four had some management connection with Bob Dylan and had even shared some gigs. In late 1963, following JFK's assassination, the Brothers Four began looking at more serious material and were presented with some Dylan demos. Among his songs the group chose to record was "Mr. Tambourine Man." As a writer, Dylan has say over who first releases a song and, since he didn't care for the Four's arrangement, it wasn't immediately issued. It appeared on their The Honey Wind Blows album following the Byrds' hit and Dylan's own version. What a coincidence that the Byrds, Brothers Four and Bob Dylan were all signed to Columbia Records!

Bob Dylan's demo has been issued.

Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter

Tom Courtenay 1963
UK Decca ep 8537

Herman's Hermits

Introduced by Courtenay in the British TV play The Lads.

Mrs. Robinson

Simon & Garfunkel 1967
on lp Columbia 9529 The Graduate ost

Simon & Garfunkel (2-2-68)

The song, written for the film The Graduate, was originally going to be an instrumental. The vocal versions in the movie (and on the soundtrack) were really only fragments of what would develop into a full-blown hit the following year.

MTA

Arnold Berman 1949
on CD Bear Family 15720 Songs For Political Action (1996)

Will Holt, Kingston Trio

Recorded for Walter O'Brien's 1949 Boston mayoral campaign. The participating musicians were not identified but, according to the liner notes in the Bear Family set Songs For Political Action, the vocalist was probably Berman. The melody of "MTA" is similar to "The Wreck Of The Southern Old 97," first recorded by Henry Whittier in 1923 and can be traced back even farther to Henry Clay Work's 1865 "The Ship That Never Returned."

Muleskinner Blues see Blue Yodel #8

Mummy, The

Bubi & Bob 1959
Sphinx 1201

Bob McFadden & Dor

Writer Rod McKuen ("Dor") claims the Bubi & Bob version was a cover of his and McFadden's but there's reason for skepticism. A tiny label like Sphinx isn't likely to closely copy a major-label hit in the same year. The backing track for both is possibly the same recording, with a variation in mix (it was done in stereo so that's not unlikely). Perhaps the Bubi & Bob record was a released demo. It includes the publisher's name while the McFadden & Dor record (and subsequent album) lists no publisher. Since McKuen wasn't a name songwriter at the time, his material may have been shopped beyond his knowledge. I include the Bubi & Bob listing here in hopes of uncovering the sequence of recordings.

Museum

Donovan 1966
on lp Epic 24239 Mellow Yellow

Herman's Hermits (6-67)

Music To Watch Girls By

unknown studio musicians 1966
Diet Pepsi-Cola promo 45 (no #)

Bob Crewe Generation, Andy Wlliams

The song was composed and recorded for Diet Pepsi's 1966 ad campaign, which Bob Crewe then turned into a hit. Andy Williams subsequently wrote lyrics for his version.

Muskrat Candlelight (aka Muskrat Love)

Willis Alan Ramsey 7-71
Shelter 7324

America, Captain & Tennille

Muskrat Love see Muskrat Candlelight

Mustang Sally

Sir Mack Rice 1965
Blue Rock 4014

Young Rascals (2-8-66), Wilson Pickett (10-13-66)

My Babe see Mercy Babe

My Baby Comes To Me, (When She Wants Good Lovin') (aka She Comes To Me, [When She Wants Good Lovin'] )

Coasters 7-24-57
Atco 6098

Chicago Loop

My Baby Left Me

Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup 11-8-50
RCA Victor 0109

Elvis Presley

My Beautiful People (aka Beautiful People)

Melanie 1967
Columbia 44349

Melanie (1969 for Buddah), New Seekers

My Blue Heaven

Paul Whiteman 7-6-27
Victor 20828

Don Voorhees & Orch (9-9-27), Gene Austin (9-14-27), Fats Domino, Duane Eddy

My Boy Lollypop (aka My Boy Lollipop)

Barbie Gaye 1956
Darl 1002

Millie Small, Bad Manners

My Bucket's Got A Hole In It see Bucket's Got A Hole In It, The

My Dear Heart (aka After Dark)

Shawn Robinson 1966
Minit 32013

Patti Brooks

This was more of a dance club hit than radio-charter for Brooks. Her version was also included on the Thank God It's Friday soundtrack, furthering its popularity.

My Ding-A-Ling (aka Toy Bell)

Dave Bartholomew 1-22-52
King 4544

Dave Bartholomew (12-52 for Imperial as "Little Girl Sing Ding-A-Ling"), Bees (as "Toy Bell"), Chuck Berry (1968 [as "My Tambourine"], 1970, 1972)

My Elusive Dreams

Curly Putman 5-67
ABC 10934

Johnny Darrell, David Houston & Tammy Wynette, Charlie Rich

My Girl Sloopy (aka Hang On Sloopy)

Vibrations 1-7-64
Atlantic 2221

Yardbirds, McCoys, Little Caesar & Consuls, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Rick Derringer et el.

Even though the Vibrations' version did chart reasonably, it was certainly overshadowed by the success of the McCoys' take on the song.

The song was inspired by a New Orleans piano player named Dorothy Sloop, who performed under the name Sloopy.

The Vibrations had previously recorded as the Jayhawks ("Stranded In The Jungle") and the Marathons ("Peanut Butter").

My Happiness

Jon & Sondra Steele 12-10-47
Damon 11133

Marlin Sisters (12-47), Pied Pipers (4-16-48), Elvis Presley, Connie Francis

Trumpeter Borney Bergantine wrote this, in collaboration with lyricist Betty Peterson, some 15 years before Jon and Sondra Steele recorded it. The song's title was inspired by Bergantine's band, the Happiness Boys.

Jon & Sondra Steele's recording was reissued in 1950 on Coral 60244.

My Heart Belongs To Only You

Bette McLaurin w/ Striders 1952 (rel. 9-52)
Derby 804

June Christy (11-17-52), Jackie Wilson, Bobby Vinton

My Heart Is An Open Book

Jimmy Dean 9-2-58
Columbia 41265

Carl Dobkins Jr. (11-7-58)

My Heart Sings, (All Of A Sudden) (aka All Of A Sudden My Heart Sings)

Hildegarde 6-9-44
Decca 23348

Kathryn Grayson (12-44, 1947), Johnny Johnston, Paul Anka

This was a rewrite of a French song called "Mia Mie."

Conway Twitty's hit "It's Only Make Believe" (1958, MGM 12677) used similar melodic elements.

My Hula Hula Love (aka Hula Love)

Metropolitan Quartette 1911
on cylinder Edison 10515

Dolly Connolly (5-26-11), Ada Jones & Billy Murray (7-10-11), Metropolitan Quartette (1912, Edison Amberol 1542/742), Leadbelly (as "Hawaiian Song"), Buddy Knox, Hank Snow

Even though Dolly Conolly was "Hula" writer Percy Wenrich's wife, it's not clear hers was first. It seems to have been issued later than the Metropolitan Quatette's initial version. If anyone has a recording date for Edison 10515, that would tell the tale.

My Little Red Book

Manfred Mann 4-27-65
Ascot 2184

Burt Bacharach w/ Tony Middleton, Love

From the film What's New Pussycat?

My Melody Of Love see Herzen haben keine Fenster

My Party's Over (aka The Party's Over)

Claude Gray 1960
D 1144

Willie Nelson, Don Meredith

I'm not aware of Monday Night Football sportscaster "Dandy" Don Meredith recording the song, but he became famous for singing its lines "Turn out the lights, the party's over" when a team's defeat seemed assured.

My Prayer

Ambrose & Orch. 6-17-39
Decca 2732

Glenn Miller (8-18-39), Georges Boulanger (as "Mi Oración"), Mills Bros., Ink Spots, Platters, Ray, Goodman & Brown

Adapted from Georges Boulanger's instrumental tango "Avant de Mourir" ("Before Death"), circa 1926. After Jimmy Kennedy wrote lyrics for it, Boulanger cut a vocal version in Spanish.

My Ship Is Comin' In

Jimmy Radcliffe 1965
Aurora 154

Walker Bros., Walter Jackson

My Special Angel

Sonny Land Trio 1956
Cue 7935/Prep 115

Bobby Helms (7-9-57), Vogues

My Sweet Lady

John Denver 2-9-71
on lp RCA Victor 4499 Poems, Prayers And Promises

Cliff De Young, John Denver (1977, RCA Victor 10911)

John Denver performed the song for a 1970 Los Angeles radio show but that version hasn't ever been issued.

My Sweet Lord

Billy Preston 1970 (early)
Apple 1826

George Harrison

Inspired by the Edwin Hawkins Singers' hit "Oh Happy Day," Harrison began writing this while on tour with Delaney & Bonnie in Copenhagen. (Delaney Bramlett assisted with the song but never pursued co-writing credit.) He was later sued over the similarities between "My Sweet Lord" and the Chiffons' 1963 hit "He's So Fine." The ruling against Harrison was "unconscious plagiarism" and he was ordered to pay a significant sum to "Fine's" publisher.

George was initally hesitant to record a song with "Lord" in the title and had Beatles' friend Billy Preston cut "My Sweet Lord" first.

My World Fell Down

Ivy League 1966
Cameo 449

Sagittarius (1-10-67, 2-9-67 for the single)

Mystery Train

Little Junior's Blue Flames (aka Junior Parker) 9/10-53
Sun 192

Elvis Presley, Paul Butterfield, The Band, Jerry Garcia, Neil Young et al.