This Ole House
"This Ole House" | |
---|---|
Single by Stuart Hamblen | |
from the album It Is No Secret | |
B-side | "When My Lord Picks Up the 'Phone" |
Released | May 1954 |
Recorded | 29 March 1954[1] |
Studio | RCA Victor Studios, 155 East 24th Street, Manhattan, New York |
Genre | Country |
Length | 2:55 |
Label | RCA Victor |
Songwriter(s) | Stuart Hamblen |
"This Ole House" (sometimes written "This Old House") is an American popular song written by Stuart Hamblen, and published in 1954.[2] Rosemary Clooney's version reached the top of the popular music charts in both the US and the UK in 1954. The song again topped the UK chart in 1981 in a recording by Shakin' Stevens.
Stuart Hamblen version[]
Hamblem recorded the song in March 1954 and released it as a single in May 1954.[3] It became very successful, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Country & Western chart, as well as being a Top 30 hit on the Hot 100, known then as the Best Sellers in Stores.[4] It was his last hit on the country charts and with the royalties he bought the mansion that had been owned by the late Errol Flynn.[5]
Composition[]
Hamblen was supposedly out on a hunting expedition when he and his fellow hunter, actor John Wayne, came across a hut in the mountains. Inside was the body of a man, and the man's dog was still there, guarding the building. This inspired Hamblen to write "This Ole House".[2] The lyric picks up a standard Gospel theme of the "old house" – the mortal body – being left behind when the soul of the believer goes to "meet the saints".[6]
Reception[]
The single was reviewed twice in Billboard magazine. It was described as "a powerful religioso item with a message and an infectious beat. Hamblen sells it with fervor." and that it "could easily break thru into country and pop".[7] In the following issue, it was described as "a sacred item which re-esablishes Hamblen as the top man in his field" and "a sock debut for Hamblen on the label."[8]
Charts[]
Weekly charts[]
|
Year-end charts[]
|
Rosemary Clooney version[]
"This Ole House" | |
---|---|
Single by Rosemary Clooney with Buddy Cole & His Orchestra | |
A-side | "Hey There" (US) |
Released | June 1954 | (US)
Genre | Traditional pop |
Length | 2:18 |
Label |
|
Songwriter(s) | Stuart Hamblen |
Producer(s) | Mitch Miller |
Soon after Hamblen released his version, Rosemary Clooney recorded a version of "This Ole House" with Buddy Cole & His Orchestra. It featured bass vocals by Thurl Ravenscroft and topped the charts in the US and the UK.[11][12][13]
In the US, it was released as the flip side to "Hey There", which also reached number 1. However, in the UK, it was released as the A-side, with the flip side "My Baby Sends Me".
When reviewed in Billboard, it was described as "a bright, bouncy rendition from the thrush, supported solidly by an unbilled male singer and the Buddy Cole ork. Tho not as strong as the flip. it has a sparkle that could make It grab juke loot."[14]
Track listings[]
7" (US)
- "Hey There" – 2:57
- "This Ole House" – 2:18
7" (UK)
- "This Ole House"
- "My Baby Sends Me"
Charts[]
Weekly charts[]
|
Year-end charts[]
|
Shakin' Stevens version[]
"This Ole House" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | ||||
Single by Shakin' Stevens | ||||
from the album This Ole House | ||||
B-side | "Let Me Show You How" | |||
Released | 20 February 1981 | |||
Recorded | 1980 | |||
Studio | Eden Studios. London | |||
Genre | Rock and roll | |||
Length | 2:58 | |||
Label | Epic | |||
Songwriter(s) | Stuart Hamblen | |||
Producer(s) | Stuart Colman | |||
Shakin' Stevens singles chronology | ||||
|
In 1981, Welsh singer Shakin' Stevens covered the song for his album of the same name. It became very successful, topping the UK Singles Chart for three weeks, as well as being a hit in several other countries.[17] It was re-released in 2005 as a double A-side with a cover of Pink's "Trouble" after his appearance in the TV show Hit Me Baby One More Time and reached No. 20 in the UK Singles Chart.[17]
Charts[]
Weekly charts[]
|
Year-end charts[]
|
Other recordings[]
![]() | This section needs additional citations for verification. (March 2021) |
- 1954: Billie Anthony's version was a hit in the UK, peaking at number 4 in October[42]
- 1954: Alma Cogan covered the song with pianist Felix King and was recorded in London on 2 September 1954. The song was released by EMI on the His Master's Voice label with the flip side "Skokiaan"
- 1954: Bing Crosby recorded the song in 1954[43] for use on his radio show and it was subsequently included in the CD Bing & Rosie: The Crosby-Clooney Radio Sessions (2010).[44]
- 1955: The German version "Das alte Haus von Rocky Docky" was recorded by Bruce Low in 1955[45] and was covered by Peter Kraus in 1981.[citation needed]
- 1960: Wilma Lee Cooper & Stoney Cooper on 7" b/w 'Heartbreak Street'
- 1962: Hovie Lister & The Statesmen Quartet on Stop, Look & Listen for the Lord
- 1963: Jimmy Dean on Everybody's Favorite
- 1964: Johnny Tillotson on The Tillotson Touch
- 1965-2013: Cathedral Quartet on Cathedral Quartet with Strings (1965), Classics (1984), Camp Meeting (1992), A Farewell Celebration (1999), Southern Gospel Treasury Series (2000), Essential #1 Hits (2003), Live In Chicago (2012), & Icon (2013). These were released or recorded after the group retired in 1999.
- 1979: NRBQ on “Kick Me Hard”
- 1981: The Shadows on Hits Right Up Your Street (Instrumental)
- 1998: The Brian Setzer Orchestra on The Dirty Boogie[46]
- 2003: Bette Midler recorded a cover in ballad form on her tribute album to Rosemary Clooney, Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook, and was included on her compilation Jackpot: The Best Bette in 2008.
- 2010-2012: Ernie Haase & Signature Sound on A Tribute to the Cathedral Quartet (2010) & California Live - Vol 2. (2012)
- 2017: Matt Fouch on Born & Raised
References[]
- ^ "RCA Victor 20-5500 - 20-6000 78rpm numerical listing discography". www.78discography.com. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives. p. 15. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
- ^ "Stuart Hamblen "This Old House" Classic 45, 1954". 28 January 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c "This Ole House (song by Stuart Hamblen) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ McNeil, W. K. (18 October 2013). Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music. Routledge. p. 172. ISBN 978-1-135-37700-7.
- ^ See 2 Corinthians 5:1
- ^ "Reviews of New Sacred Records" (PDF). Billboard. 8 May 1954. p. 31. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "Country & Western Records" (PDF). Billboard. 15 May 1954. p. 31. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "Cash Box Top 10 Country Best Sellers – Week ending November 20, 1954". Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (21 May 1955). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 18.
- ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (4 December 1954). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "This Ole House (song by Rosemary Clooney) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Rosemary Clooney: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (26 June 1954). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
- ^ "Cash Box Best Selling Singles – Week ending November 13, 1954". Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "1954's Top Popular Records according to Retail Sales" (PDF). The Billboard. 66 (52): 17. 25 December 1954.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d "Shakin Stevens: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Austriancharts.at – Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- ^ "Ultratop.be – Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
- ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6937." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Danish Chart Archive - Singles 1979 - ____ (B.T./IFPI DK)". www.ukmix.org. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ Timo (13 August 2015). "Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1960: Artistit STEP - SUE". Sisältää hitin. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
- ^ "Vísir - 66. Tölublað (20.03.1981) - Tímarit.is". timarit.is. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – This Ole House". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Israel Singles Charts 1987-1995". www.ukmix.org. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Shakin' Stevens" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
- ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- ^ "Charts.nz – Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House". Top 40 Singles.
- ^ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "Swisscharts.com – Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House". Swiss Singles Chart.
- ^ "World singles charts and sales TOP 50 in 58 countries: SHAKIN' STEVENS". World singles charts and sales TOP 50 in 58 countries. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "AMR Top Singles of 1981". www.top100singles.net. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1981". Ultratop. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1981". www.top40.nl. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "Jaaroverzichten - Single 1981". www.dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "Top Selling Singles of 1981". Official NZ Music Charts.com. Recorded Music New Zealand Limited. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1981". Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "Chartfile Top 100". Record Mirror: 27. 26 December 1981. Retrieved 30 October 2020 – via flickr.com.
- ^ "BILLIE ANTHONY | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ "Original versions of Das alte Haus von Rocky-Docky written by Kurt Feltz | SecondHandSongs". Retrieved 16 February 2018.
- ^ https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-dirty-boogie-mw0000039465
External links[]
- 1954 singles
- 1981 singles
- UK Singles Chart number-one singles
- Number-one singles in Australia
- Songs written by Stuart Hamblen
- Shakin' Stevens songs
- Rosemary Clooney songs
- Stoney Cooper songs
- Wilma Lee Cooper songs
- Stuart Hamblen songs
- 1954 songs
- Songs about old age
- Songs about death