Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Tagged: Ozzie Nelson

Hello Mary Lou (Goodbye Heart)

First recorded by Johnny Duncan (1960).
Hit version by Rick Nelson (US #9/UK #2 1961).

From the wiki: “‘Hello Mary Lou’ was written by Gene Pitney (‘Pretty Flamingo‘) and Father Cayet Mangiaracina, first performed and recorded by Johnny Duncan in 1960, and later recorded by Rick Nelson in 1961. Duncan’s recording took place at Norman Petty Studio, in Clovis, NM – where Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, Buddy Knox, Waylon Jennings and others had also recorded – with Petty producing.

“Nelson’s recording features an influential guitar solo by James Burton (who is often cited as an influence by later guitarists such as Queen’s Brian May), and appeared on the Rick is 21 album (1961) – the first album to credit his first name as ‘Rick’; previous albums were credited to ‘Ricky Nelson’ … as was the promotional single.”

Dream a Little Dream of Me

First recorded by Ozzie Nelson & His Orchestra (1931).
Also recorded by Wayne King & His Orchestra (1931), Kate Smith (1931).
Hit versions by Frankie Laine (US #18 1950), Jack Owens (US #14 1950), “Mama” Cass Elliot with the Mamas and the Papas (US #12/MOR #2/CAN #7/UK #11/AUS #1 1968).

From the wiki: “‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’, written by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt and lyrics by Gus Kahn, was first recorded in February 1931 by Ozzie Nelson & His Orchestra (with the vocal by Nelson) and also by Wayne King and His Orchestra (with vocal by Ernie Birchill). ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’ was also an early signature tune of Kate Smith (‘God Bless America’).

“Then, in the summer of 1950, seven recordings of ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’ were in release, with the versions by Frankie Laine and Jack Owens reaching the US Top 20 at respectively #18 and #14.