Ruby (Ruby Gentry theme)
"Ruby" is the 1952 theme song for the film Ruby Gentry starring Jennifer Jones, written by Mitchell Parish and Heinz Roemheld. There were six chartered versions of the song in 1953.[1] The theme enjoyed much popularity in orchestral recordings by Les Baxter, with harmonica solo by Danny Welton.,[2] Victor Young And His Singing Strings with George Fields on harmonica (Columbia DO-70040, Australia), Richard Hayman And His Orchestra with Richard Hayman on harmonica, and Jerry Murad and the Harmonicats. It has subsequently become a jazz and pop standard, both as an instrumental and with lyrics by Mitchell Parish, recorded by such artists as Ray Charles and Neil Diamond, Les Welch & His Orchestra, with vocals by Richard Gray (Festival-Manhattan FM75, a shellac 78 in Australia), and Vic Damone, on his 1962 Capitol album The Lively Ones (Capitol T1748).
"Ruby" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Ray Charles | ||||
from the album Dedicated to You | ||||
B-side | "Hardhearted Hannah" | |||
Released | November 1960 | |||
Recorded | August 23, 1960 | |||
Studio | Bell Sound Studios, New York City | |||
Genre | Soul, traditional pop | |||
Length | 3:51 | |||
Label | ABC-Paramount | |||
Composer(s) | Mitchell Parish, Heinz Roemheld | |||
Producer(s) | Sid Feller | |||
Ray Charles singles chronology | ||||
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Notable recordings
- Richard Hayman and His Orchestra. This reached No. 3 in the Billboard charts in 1953.[3]
- Les Baxter and His Orchestra (harmonica solo by Danny Welton) had a hit with the song in 1953, peaking in the No. 7 position.[4]
- Harry James and his Orchestra. A No. 20 hit in 1953.[5]
- Victor Young and His Singing Strings. Reached number 20 in the charts in 1953.[6]
- Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra, reaching number 27 in the charts in 1953.[7]
- Les Brown and His Band of Renown - briefly charted in 1953 at number 29.[8]
- Ray Charles - reached No. 28 in the Billboard charts in 1960.[9]
- Adam Wade accompanied by George Paxton & His Orchestra with The Bel-Aire Singers. This directly competed against the Ray Charles version and reached No. 58 in the charts in 1960.[10][11] Wade's B-side was "Too Far" written by Pat Lambert and Bob Haymes.
References
- Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 573. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- Deseret News, July 11, 1990, concert review "and Welton's signature tune, "Ruby", the theme song from "Ruby Gentry".."| http://www.deseretnews.com/article/111801/PHILHARMONIC-POPS-CONCERT-UNCORKS-DAYS-OF-47-CELEBRATIONS--ACTIVITIES.html?pg=all
- Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 204. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 48. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 228. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 463. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 320. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 64. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits. New York: Billboard Books. p. 117. ISBN 0-8230-7499-4.
- Wednesday's Child "New York's own Adam Wade was singing his million seller hit “Ruby”"
- Joan Potter African American Firsts, 4th Edition 2013 0758292422- Page 73 "His first ADAM WADE record, “Ruby, was a hit, and a year"