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My Special Angel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"My Special Angel"
Single by Bobby Helms
B-side"Standing at the End of My World"
ReleasedAugust 26, 1957
StudioBradley Studios, Nashville, Tennessee
GenreCountry
Length2:57
LabelDecca
Songwriter(s)Jimmy Duncan
Bobby Helms singles chronology
"Fraulein"
(1957)
"My Special Angel"
(1957)
"Jingle Bell Rock"
(1957)
"My Special Angel"
Single by The Vogues
from the album Turn Around, Look at Me
B-side"I Keep It Hid"
ReleasedAugust 1968
GenrePop
Length2:57
LabelReprise
Songwriter(s)Jimmy Duncan
Producer(s)Dick Glasser
The Vogues singles chronology
"Turn Around, Look at Me"
(1968)
"My Special Angel"
(1968)
"Till"
(1968)

"My Special Angel" is a popular song by Jimmy Duncan, published in 1957.

It was first recorded by the Sonny Land Trio and released by them in 1957, and was a crossover hit that year for Bobby Helms. "My Special Angel," which Bobby Helms recorded at Bradley Studios in Nashville, Tennessee in July 1957,[1] peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 chart[2] and spent four weeks at number one on the US Country music chart.[3] The single made the R&B chart as well, topping out at number eight.[4] Backing vocals were sung by the Anita Kerr Singers.

Charts

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Bobby Helms version

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Chart (1957) Peak
position
UK (New Musical Express)[5] 22
US Billboard Hot 100 7
US Billboard C&W Best Sellers in Stores 1
US Billboard R&B singles 8

Malcolm Vaughan

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Chart (1957) Peak
position
UK (New Musical Express)[6] 3

The Vogues version

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Chart (1968) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) 36
Canada RPM Top Singles[7] 6
US Billboard Hot 100[8] 7
US Easy Listening (Billboard)[9] 1

Album appearances

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The song was the lead off track on the 1957 album Sings To My Special Angel (Decca DL 8638). It appeared on the 1959 compilation album The Original Hit Performances! The Late Fifties (Decca DL 4005), and on the 1976 oldies compilation American Graffiti Vol. III (MCA2-8008). Also in 1976, the song was included in a 3-LP box set compilation from Candlelite Music, Country Music Cavalcade: Nashville Graffitti.

Other notable cover versions

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  • In the United Kingdom, a version recorded by Malcolm Vaughan spent 14 weeks on the charts, peaking at number three in 1957.[10]
  • The song was revived in 1968 by the Vogues, with their version reaching number seven on the Hot 100 chart[11] and faring even better on the Easy Listening chart, where it spent two weeks at number one in October 1968.

Other cover versions

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  • The Four Preps on their album How To Succeed in Love (If You’re Really Trying) (1958).[12]
  • Keely Smith on her album Because You’re Mine (1962).[13]
  • Bill Haley on his album Bill Haley and His Comets (1960) Warner Bros. WS-1378.[14]
  • Bobby Vinton on his album "The Greatest Hits of the Golden Groups" (1963)[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Snoddy, Glen (1972). "Nashville, The Recording Center" (PDF). Country Music Who's Who. Record World. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 282.
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 156.
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 252.
  5. ^ "Bobby Helms | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 30, 2017.
  6. ^ "Malcolm Vaughn | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  7. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1968-10-14. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
  8. ^ "The Vogues Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  9. ^ "The Vogues Chart History (Easy Listening)". Billboard.
  10. ^ Roberts, David (2005). British Hit Singles & Albums. London: Guinness World Records Ltd. p. 532. ISBN 1-904994-00-8.
  11. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 663.
  12. ^ Adams, Greg. "How To Succeed In Love - The Four Preps". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-04-06. The low-key instrumental setting spotlights the group's harmonies like never before on . . . "You Are My Special Angel."
  13. ^ "My Special Angel - Keely Smith". AllMusic. 2020-04-01. Retrieved 2020-04-06.
  14. ^ "www.discogs.com". discogs.com. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  15. ^ "www.discogs.com". discogs.com. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
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