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A Hundred Pounds of Clay
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Wikipedia article
"'A Hundred Pounds of Clay'" is a song written by Kay Rogers, Luther Dixon, and Bob Elgin and performed by Gene McDaniels.
The song was produced by Snuff Garrett.[http://www.discogs.com/Gene-McDaniels-A-Hundred-Pounds-Of-Clay-Come-On-Take-A-Chance/release/1337180 Gene McDaniels, "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" Single Release] Retrieved January 1, 2014 Earl Palmer played drums on the song.Scherman, Tony, Backbeat: The Earl Palmer Story, foreword by Wynton Marsalis, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C., 1999 p. 175 The song appeared on McDaniels' 1961 album '100 Lbs. Of Clay!'[http://www.discogs.com/Gene-McDaniels-100-Lbs-Of-Clay/release/4302385 Gene McDaniels, '100 Lbs. Of Clay'] Retrieved January 1, 2014
Chart performance
The song reached No. 3 on the 'Billboard' Hot 100 pop chart and No. 11 on the R&B chart in 1961.[http://www.musicvf.com/song.php?id=17223&artist=Gene+McDaniels&title=A+Hundred+Pounds+of+Clay Gene McDaniels, "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" Chart Positions] Retrieved January 1, 2014
Other versions
*Craig Douglas's cover version went to #9 on the UK Singles Chart in 1961.[http://www.musicvf.com/song.php?id=9807&artist=Craig+Douglas&title=A+Hundred+Pounds+of+Clay Craig Douglas, "A Hundred Pounds of Clay" Chart Position] Retrieved January 1, 2014
*Dalida released a French version of the song in 1961 entitled "Avec Une Poigne De Terre".[http://www.allmusic.com/album/l-int%C3%A9grale-des-ann%C3%A9es-barclay-mw0002589653 Dalida, 'L' Intgrale Des Annes Barclay'] Retrieved January 1, 2014
*Arthur Alexander released a version on his 1962 debut album for Dot Records 'You Better Move On'.
*The Impressions released a version on their 1967 album, 'The Fabulous Impressions'.[http://www.discogs.com/Impressions-The-Fabulous-Impressions/release/2515709 The Impressions 'The Fabulous Impressions'] Retrieved January 1, 2014
*Dickie Goodman sampled the song in his 1973 novelty song, "The Touchables In Brooklyn".[http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-original-flying-saucers-mw0000839937 Dickie Goodman, 'The Original Flying Saucers'] Retrieved January 1, 2014
*Gary Lucas released a version on his 1998 album, 'Busy Being Born'.[http://www.allmusic.com/album/busy-being-born-mw0000035346 Gary Lucas, 'Busy Being Born'] Retrieved January 1, 2014
*The Belmonts released a version on their 2009 album, 'The Belmonts Anthology Vol. 1 Featuring A Hundred Pounds of Clay'.[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0040MXKM4/ref=dm_ws_sp_ps_dp The Belmonts, 'The Belmonts Anthology Vol. 1 Featuring A Hundred Pounds of Clay'] Retrieved January 1, 2014
*Dee Dee Sharp released a version on her 'It's Mashed Potato Time' album, changing the lyrics to "two hundred pounds" and dedicating the song to Chubby Checker.
*Enrique Guzman released a version in Mxico, named "Cien kilos de barro" in 1962.
Song controversy
In the early 1960s, the BBC banned the song and wouldn't allow British radio stations to play it. The controversy arose not from the fact that it was a religious song, but because the censors interpreted the song as suggesting women were created simply to be sexual beings, and the BBC felt something that was considered blasphemous.
References
Category:1961 songs
Category:1961 singles
Category:Songs written by Luther Dixon
Category:Gene McDaniels songs
Category:The Impressions songs
Category:Dickie Goodman songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Snuff Garrett
Category:Liberty Records singles
Category:Songs written by Bob Elgin
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