Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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You Don’t Know Me

First recorded by Eddy Arnold (C&W #10 1956).
First released by Jerry Vale (US #14 1956).
Other hit versions by Ray Charles (US #2/MOR #1/R&B #5/UK #9 1962), Mickey Gilley (C&W #1 1981).

From the wiki: “‘You Don’t Know Me’ is a song written by Cindy Walker based on a title and storyline given to her by Eddy Arnold in 1955 and was first recorded by Arnold (who is credited as co-writer) that year, then released by him as a single in September 1956.

“However, the first recording of the song to make the Billboard charts was Jerry Vale’s single release in July 1956, peaking at #14 on the Billboard Hot 100. That was followed by Arnold’s version, charting two months later, backed with ‘The Rockin’ Mockin’ Bird’. Arnold’s recording reached #10 on the Billboard Country chart.

“The best-selling version of the song was recorded by Ray Charles, who took it to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1962, after releasing the song on his #1 album Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music.

“Mickey Gilley topped the Country chart with his 1981 recording of ‘You Don’t Know Me’.”

Jerry Vale, “You Don’t Know Me” (1956):

Ray Charles, “You Don’t Know Me” (1962):

Mickey Gilley, “You Don’t Know Me” (1981):

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