Chain_Gang_(song)

Chain Gang (song)

Chain Gang (song)

1960 single by Sam Cooke

For the Bobby Scott and Jimmy Young song, see Chain Gang (1955 song).

"Chain Gang" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, released as a single on July 26, 1960.

Quick Facts Single by Sam Cooke, from the album Swing Low ...

Background

This was Cooke's second-biggest American hit, his first hit single for RCA Victor after leaving Keen Records earlier in 1959, and was also his first top 10 hit since "You Send Me" from 1957, and his second-biggest pop single. The song was inspired after a chance meeting with an actual chain gang of prisoners on a highway, seen while Cooke was on tour.[4]

Chart history

The song became one of Cooke's most successful singles, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot R&B Sides chart.[5][6] Overseas, "Chain Gang" charted at number nine on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Cooke's first top-ten single there.[7]

More information Chart (1960), Peak position ...

Jim Croce medley

Quick Facts Single by Jim Croce, from the album Down the Highway ...

Jim Croce had his last Hot 100 hit in 1976 when Lifesong Records released "Chain Gang Medley", a medley which included this song as well as "He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)" and "Searchin'." The medley reached a peak of No. 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 after spending 9 weeks on the chart.

More information Chart (1975–1976), Peak position ...

Other versions

American rhythm and blues/soul singer Jackie Wilson together with jazz pianist Count Basie released their version as a single in 1968, from the album Manufacturers of Soul. The song peaked at No. 84 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 37 on the Billboard R&B chart.[14][15]

References

  1. [1]
    Molanphy, Chris (March 23, 2021). "Don't Know Much About History Edition". Hit Parade | Music History and Music Trivia (Podcast). Slate. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  2. [2]
    We Shook Up the World: The Spiritual Rebellion of Muhammad Ali and George Harrison. University of Oklahoma Press. April 30, 2024. p. 65. ISBN 9780806194318.
  3. [3]
    "discogs.com". discogs.com. July 1960. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  4. [4]
    Kreps, Daniel; Stone, Rolling (May 12, 2014). "Between the Bars: 20 Great Songs About Prison". Rolling Stone.
  5. [5]
    "Top 100 Songs | Billboard Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. October 3, 1960. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  6. [6]
    Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 134.
  7. [7]
    "SAM COOKE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts.
  8. [8]
    Strong, Martin Charles & John Peel Great Rock Discography
  9. [9]
    Whitburn, Joel (2013). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles, 14th Edition: 1955-2012. Record Research. p. 203.
  10. [10]
    "Chain Gang Medley (song by Jim Croce) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". Musicvf.com. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  11. [11]
    "Cash Box Top 100 2/07/76". cashboxmagazine.com. Archived from the original on December 13, 2010.
  12. [12]
    "Top Singles – Volume 24, No. 21, February 21 1976". Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  13. [13]
    "Adult Contemporary – Volume 24, No. 20, February 14 1976". Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  14. [14]
    "Jackie Wilson Chart History - Hot 100". Billboard.
  15. [15]
    "Jackie Wilson Chart History - Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs". Billboard.
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