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Sixteen Tons.
A song I used to sing a lot on my way to holiday jobs when I was sixteen. (never sweet)
I would like to find the original singer.
U-Tube gives Tennessee Ernie Ford and Johnny Cash.
But those are not the sounds I remember. Anyone who would know?
Some people say a man is made outta mud
A poor man's made outta muscle and blood
Muscle and blood and skin and bones
A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong
You load sixteen tons, what do you get?
Another day older and deeper in debt
Saint Peter don't you call me 'cause I can't go
I owe my soul to the company store
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Whether he was the original I wouldn't know but I do associate it with Ernie Ford from his TV show (AKA Tennessee Ernie, from the days when his show was sponsored by Chevy).
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I was thinking of Frankie Laine, but this is the only thing I
can find associating him to that song. Yet it was I think his sound I remember. Utube:
Richie Milton " Sixteen Tons" by Merle Travis
Merle Travis (circa 1947) penned song "Sixteen tons" which I have always associated with the great Frankie Laine,but has also been recorded by numerous -
Another one with 'fabulous' lyrics was "Rock of Gibraltar" that was sung by Frankie Laine. I found the Lyrics. Pity it isn't on YouTube.
Last edited by BranShea; 02/15/2008 12:35 PM.
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Ooo, Bran. I have an original recording in the stack of old 45s Let me go see if I can dig it out.
=======================
I'm back. The record I have is from Johnny Desmond, directed by Dick Jacobs. So no help from me at all, I guess, only adding one other name to the pile.
Last edited by belMarduk; 02/15/2008 3:29 PM.
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wikiteen tons : Another competing version by Frankie Laine was released only in the UK where it gave Ford's version some stiff competition on the charts. - joe (was there any doubt?) friday
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Thanks anyway , Belle.
Yes, I had doubts about Frankie Laine. Ernie Ford's version, which I can get on YouTube is somewhat faster than I remember.
I must have had the Frankie Laine version.
I can't compare, cause the Frankie Laine version is not there.
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man, there are a gazillion versions out there, including the "original" Merle Travis video. also, here is British bluesman Richie Milton who recalls the Frankie Laine version. perhaps he performs it in Laine's style? - joe (mule train/ghost riders) friday
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>>>man, there are a gazillion versions out there,
I notice that with a lot of old songs. It often happens that I'll be looking for a particular song, when I find it, it doesn't sound like what I remember. Further searching and I find other folks who've recorded the same thing.
I imagine it's like these days when every year or so, somebody will cover a song, and suddenly there's a new version floating around out there.
Try finding "Ooh child" on the net...there are something like 10 different versions.
EDIT: Typo
Last edited by belMarduk; 02/15/2008 4:57 PM.
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>>>man, there are a gazillion versions out there,
Yes, I've tried whatever looked promising of those gazillions. The further the page the more rubbish. And I don't remember a guitar at all. Milton is too bluesish. I appreciate the effort, but the real thing is the real thing. There often are originals from oldies to be found, but maybe for this one I must look for downloads.
("Ooh child" , new to me, I'll have a look. Something old, something new.)
Last edited by BranShea; 02/15/2008 5:24 PM.
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Ooh Child --Five Stairsteps?
Cat Stevens , isn't that Father and Son, Jackie?
Last edited by BranShea; 02/15/2008 7:11 PM.
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Found this:
O-O-H CHILD
(Stan Vincent)
The Five Stairsteps - 1970
The Spinners - 1970
Dusty Springfield - 1970
Nina Simone - 1971
Bruce Ruffin - 1971
Laura Nyro & LaBelle - 1971
Richie Havens - 1974
Dee Dee Sharp - 1976
Valerie Carter - 1976
Milton Nascimento - 1998
Stormy Weather - 2000
Nanette Natal - 2000
John Stoddart - 2003
Hall & Oates - 2004
Also recorded by: Beth Orton; Edwin Hawkins Singers;
DeLeon Richards; Nnenna Freelon; BeBe & CeCe Winans;
Trish Vogel; Ed Hamilton; Ramsey Lewis; The Posies;
Beth Fitchet Wood; The Wondermints; Lenny Williams;
Nice & Smooth: ........ and others.
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Mon dieu, there are even more versions than I knew of.
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Is that you? The other half of Laura Nyro & LaBelle?
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Ooo, I'd never go there. I may have many talents, but singing is definitely not one of them.
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