Beech Tree News Network

The song “Mockingbird” might be best known as a Carole King-James Taylor duet, but did you know neither wrote the song? The original single was credited to Inez Foxx with vocal accompaniment by her brother Charlie, as they alternated the lyric on a syllabic basis.  Considered something of a novelty song, it was a great success for them upon its release on Sue Records (Symbol Records) reaching #2 on the R&B charts and #7 on the U.S. popular singles charts in 1963.  The song was covered in 1964 by Dusty Springfield.  In the autumn of ’73, it was Taylor’s idea to cover the song.  He knew the performance from a live performance from Inez and Foxx at the Apollo Theatre in 1965, which Taylor and sister Kelly often sang for fun as teenagers.  The song peaked at #5 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and #10 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and was certified gold by the RIAA. Signifying sales of one million copies in the U.S.  The single charted in Canada (#3), New Zealand (#7), Australia (#8), South Africa(#13) and the U.K.(#34). 

“So Much In Love” is a popular song written by George Williams and Bill Jackson and arranged by Roy Straigis.  It was originally performed by the Tymes and was the group’s first single. Topping the Billboard Hot 100 charts on August 3, 1963, and remaining there for one week, as well as peaking at #4 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.  R&B group All $ One covered the single and released the single in late 1993 as their debut single.  It peaked at #5 on the Hot 100 in early 1994 and was certified gold by the RIAA, selling 600,000 copies.  It also reached #3 in New Zealand, #29 in Belgium and #49 in the U.K.  This was news to me, as I thought it was Boyz II Men that covered the song.

My next song this week is just a melody.  Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg (not related) and Kurupt’s “The Next Episode” , which you heard Snoop perform on the Superbowl halftime show Sunday, samples from David McCallum’s song “The Edge”.  McCallum’s song was released in 1968.  I had no idea about the song until it was in the movie Baby Driver in 2017.  When I heard the track, and having no idea that Snoop sampled the song, I immediately said “hey, that sounds like….” The ’68 song was sampled by Dr. Dre, Snoop and Nate 32 years later in 2000.  The song didn’t chart either time.  I just thought it was interesting. 

Finally, “Everyday People”.  The song was originally performed by Sly & The Family Stone.   The song was released in 1969 on the group’s album called Stand.  Composed by Sly in 1968, Billboard ranked it the #5 song of 1969.  Soul singer Billy Paul (1970), Joan Jett (1983), Aretha Franklin (1991), Arrested Development (1992), Maroon 5(2005 Sly & the Family Stone tribute album) Staple Singers (1970) are just a few who’ve covered the classic.  The song hit #1 on Billboard Hot 100 and U.S. Hot R&B chart.  (www.wikipedia.com)