Money Honey (Clyde McPhatter and The Drifters song)

Money Honey Clyde McPhatter is one of the Drifters sung rhythm and blues song that eleven weeks, the rhythm & blues charts led in 1953 and has become a standard in this genre.

Genesis

The Drifters were a company founded only in 1953, Rhythm & Blues Quartet, which was subjected to severe staffing fluctuations over time - and this seemed to confirm the name. However, the success should not hurt it. Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, was noticed in New York's Birdland the high -voiced tenor Clyde McPhatter as a member of the Dominoes, but which had separated from him in May 1953. Then he asked Ertegun, compile a new vocal group along the lines of dominoes. From the first recording session of the Drifters from June 28, 1953 three first non-recyclable titles went out, so it came to first personnel changes.

On 9 August 1953, a second session was followed by the occupation of Clyde McPhatter ( lead tenor), Gerhard " Gay " Trasher (tenor ), Andrew " Bubba" Trasher ( baritone) and Willie Ferbee ( bass). The instrumentation was supplied by the proven Atlantic - session band, namely Sam " The Man" Taylor ( tenor saxophone), Mickey Baker and Walter Adams ( guitar) and Jesse Stone ( piano ). Producers of the session was the first time Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler together, sound engineer was the young Tom Dowd. As the first song The Way I Feel was recorded, followed by the Jesse Stone wrote Money Honey. The latter is used in a humorous form, the blues and rock & roll often employs theme from tight money. The song portrays a moneyless young man whose difficulties with girlfriends landlords and are directly attributable to his lack of money. He learns that he can cope with his environment, if he has money. The song contained trace elements from gospel, yet this situation Blues was recorded in the pop format and had a sing-along chorus enabled. Is crowned the title of a remarkable saxophone solo Sam Taylor.

Publication

Money Honey / The Way I Feel ( Atlantic # 1006) was released as the debut single of the Drifters in September 1953. After publication led eleven weeks, the R & B charts and became two million copies sold, it became the most successful R & B song of the year 1953. The plate resulted in the most important centers in the U.S. to the local charts. This was the breakthrough had succeeded the Drifters same with their first single, which should mark the beginning of a unique recording career in the Rhythm & Blues.

Cover versions and Statistics

Money Honey has been gecovert total of 35 times, including to versions of Elvis Presley ( March 1956 ), Pat Boone located (May 1957) or Wanda Jackson ( April 1958 ).