A

  Song Artist/Date/Label Remade by
A Little You see Little You, A
A Message To You Rudy see Rudy A Message To You
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 Abilene Bob Gibson 1-24/25-57
Riverside 611		 George Hamilton IV, John D. Loudermilk, Bob Gibson (1974 for Universal Audio)
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 Above And Beyond (The Call Of Love) Wynn Stewart 4-20-59
Jackpot 48019		 Buck Owens, Rodney Crowell
Achy Breaky Heart see Don't Tell My Heart
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 Action Paul Revere & Raiders 1965
on lp Columbia 9251 Just Like Us!		 Freddy Cannon, Steve Alaimo
The song was modeled after Ricky Lyons' "Shim Sham Shuffle" (Federal 12381, 1960).

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 Across The Universe Beatles 2-4 & 8-68
on lp UK Regal SRS 5013 No One's Gonna Change Our World (1969) 		Beatles (2-4-68 & 4-1-70), Laibach, 10cc, Rufus Wainwright, Fiona Apple, Jim Sturgess
The commonly-known version on the Let It Be album was actually the same basic track as the Beatles' 1968 original but with major differences. In the spring of 1970, producer Phil Spector was brought in to salvage their Get Back sessions, including "Universe." He stripped some of the original overdubs, slowed it down and—in his famous "wall of sound" manner—added numerous layers of strings, brass, percussion and a vocal choir, giving the song a whole new feel.

The 1968 version was considered for release as a Beatles' single but was instead donated to the No One's Gonna Change Our World album, a benefit for the World Wildlife Fund. "Lady Madonna" became their next 45.

Four Beatles versions of "Across The Universe" have been issued: the original, the 1970 Let It Be album, an outtake on Anthology 2 and the latest on Let It Be...Naked. Comparing the Anthology and Naked recordings to the others, it's clear the original was sped up and Spector's was slowed down.

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 Adorable Colts 1955
Mambo 112/Vita 112		 Drifters (9-19-55), Fontane Sisters
After Dark see My Dear Heart
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 After Hours Erskine Hawkins w/ Avery Parrish 6-10-40
Bluebird 10879/RCA Victor 20-1977		 Dizzy Gillespie, Woody Herman, Hank Crawford, Ray Bryant, Roy Buchanan, Quincy Jones, Jay McShann, Jimmy Smith, Sarah Vaughn, Muddy Waters et al.
The song was composed by Hawkins' piano player Avery Parrish but the credits vary from Avery alone, to him and Erskine, to Hawkins alone (as seen on this label).

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 After Midnight J. J. Cale 1966
Liberty 55931		 Eric Clapton (1-70), J.J. Cale (6-9-71 for Shelter)
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 After The Lights Go Down Low Al Hibbler 1955
Original 1006		 Al Hibbler (1956 for Decca)
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 After The Lovin' Rick Chambers 1975
Atco 7010		 Engelbert Humperdinck
Chamber's demo of the song (under his real name Ritchie Adams) has been posted online.

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 Ai No Corrida Chas Jankel 1980
on lp A&M 4862 Chas Jankel		 Quincy Jones
Aie a Mwana see Aieaoa
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 Aieaoa (aka Aie a Mwana) Yamasuki's 1971
French Biram 6109 003		 Black Blood, Bananarama
Yamasuki's was French writer/producers Daniel Vanguarde and Jean Kluger

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 Ain't Misbehavin' Leo Reisman 7-9-19
Victor 22047		 Louis Armstrong (7-19-29), Gene Austin (7-30-29), Fats Waller (8-2-29, 1943), Ruth Etting, Bill Robinson, Miles Davis, Willie Nelson, Leon Redbone, Hank Williams Jr. et el.
Fats Waller was a co-writer but only got around to recording it after others had done the song.

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 Ain't No Way To Treat A Lady Harriet Schock 1973
20th Century 2112		 LAX, Helen Reddy
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 Ain't No Woman (Like The One I've Got) Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
1972 on lp ABC Dunhill 50113 Hallway Symphony		 Four Tops
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 Ain't She Sweet? Lou Gold & The Melody Men w/ Murray Amster
1-17-27
Gennett 6068/Silvertone 5033/Challenge 253		 Harry Richman (1-27-27), Ben Bernie (1-28-27), Lou Gold (2-21-27 for Perfect), Gene Austin (3-15-27), Richard M. Jones's Jazz Wizards (5-6-27), Beatles
Ain't That Just Like Me see Just Like Me, (Ain't That)
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 Ain't That Lovin' You, Baby Eddie Riff  7-56
Dover 102		 Elvis Presley, Grass Roots
Jimmy Reed's "Ain't That Loving You Baby" (Vee Jay 168, 1955) is a different song.

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 Air That I Breathe, The Albert Hammond 1972
on lp Mums 31905 It Never Rains In Southern California		 Phil Everly (c. 4-73), Hollies (11-15/22-73), k.d. lang
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 Aisle, The (aka To The Aisle) Roy Hamilton 3-15-57
Epic 9224		 Five Satins (5-20-57)
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 Alabama Song (aka Moon Over Alabama, aka Whisky Bar) Lotte Lenya & Three Admirals 2-24-30
German-Dutch Ultraphon/German Telefunken
A 371		 Lotte Lenya (c. 3-30 for German Homocord, 1955 for Columbia), Mitchell Trio, Doors, David Bowie, Marianne Faithful
The lyrics to "Alabama Song" were written as a poem in 1927 by Bertoit Brecht. Later that year, Kurt Weill wrote music for it and the song was used in a short opera, The Little Mahagonny. It then appeared in their 1930 full opera Rise and Fall Of The City of Mahagonny. Both productions featured Lotte Lenya singing "Alabama Song."

When the German-Dutch label Ultraphon went bankrupt in 1932, German Telefunken purchased it and reissued Lenya's original using the same release number.

Despite the note on the label stating this is sung in German, it's actually in English.

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 Al Di Là Betty Curtis 1961 Italian CGD 9265
Luciano Tajoli 1961 Italian Juke-Box 2019 		Emilio Pericoli, Ray Charles Singers
"Al Di Là" was the 1961 San Remo Festival winner. As was customary, it was performed twice; by Curtis and Tajoli who each then released studio versions. They were done essentially simultaneously, so both qualify as "the original."

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 Alfie Cilla Black 2-22-66
Captiol 5674 		Cher (7-66), Dionne Warwick, Eivets Rednow (aka Stevie Wonder), Joss Stone
The song "Alfie" was inspired by, but not originally part of, the 1966 film of the same title. Cher's recording was dubbed over the movie's end credits in the US while Cilla Black's was used for the UK release.

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 All Around The World (aka Grits Ain't Groceries) Titus Turner 5-18-55
Wing 90006 		Little Willie John, Titus Turner (c. 1962 for Enjoy), Little Milton, Savoy Brown, Wet Willie, Commitments, Lou Rawls
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 All By Myself Big Bill (Broonzy) 7-17-41
Okeh 06427/Columbia 37242 		Fats Domino, Memphis Slim, Robert Gordon
Fats Domino's record has (mostly) different lyrics but the overall form and chorus are similar and clearly based on Broonzy's.

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 All Cried Out Darlene Paul 3-9-64
Captiol 5200 		Dusty Springfield (5-29-64 and 7-17-64)
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 All Fired Up Rattling Sabres 1987
Aussie Mighty Boy 20027 		Pat Benatar
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 All For You Ken Block 1992
on CD (no label or #) Gainesville A.C.T.S: The Benefit Album 		Sister Hazel (1994, 1997)
The original was done to benefit the Gainseville, Florida Alachua Conservation Trust. Ken Block is a member of Sister Hazel.

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 All I Ever Need Is You Ray Charles 1971 (early)
on lp ABC 726 Volcanic Action Of My Soul 		Sonny & Cher, Ray Sanders, Kenny Rogers & Dottie West
All I Need To Know see Don't Know Much
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 All My Love (aka Oh, Boy!) Sonny West 2-57
on CD UK Rollercoaster 3050 Sweet Rockin' Rock-Ola Ruby (2002) 		Crickets (w/ Buddy Holly, 7-1-57), Mud
In addition to the original appearing on the Sweet Rockin' Rock-Ola Ruby CD West issued it as a 45, on his own Route 66 label (#444), under the title "Oh Boy."

 All Of A Sudden My Heart Sings see My Heart Sings
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 All Of Me Paul Whiteman w/ Mildred Bailey 12-1-31
Victor 22879 		Ruth Etting (12-11-31), Ben Selvin (12-18-31), Louis Armstrong (1-27-32), Frank Sinatra (many times, first on 10-47), Johnny Ray, Billie Holiday, Willie Nelson, Michael Buble, Eric Clapton et el.
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 All Right (aka Alright) Grandisons 1963
RCA Victor 8159 		Searchers, Cliff Bennett & Rebel Rousers, Coastliners, Untamed Youth
All Shook Up see I'm All Shook Up
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 All The Man (That) I Need Linda Clifford 1981
on lp Capitol 12181 I'll Keep Loving You 		Sister Sledge, Whitney Houston
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 All These Things Art Neville 1961
Instant 3246 		Uniques, Joe Stampley, Aaron Neville, Neville Bros., Elvis Costello
Art cut this while signed to Specialty Records, who passed on issuing it. Instant then took possession of the masters when they bought out Neville's contract.

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 All Through The Night Jules Shear 1982
on lp EMI 17092 Watch Dog 		Cyndi Lauper
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 All You Get From Love Is A Love Song Steve Eaton 1973
Capitol 3573 		Carpenters
Eaton's original was reissued in 1974 on a slightly shorter 45, Capitol 3817, and again that year on a slightly longer 45, Capitol 3951.

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 All You Gotta Do (aka That's All You Gotta Do) Edward Harris & Blue Dots 1958
NRC 504 		Brenda Lee (3-27-60)
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 All You Zombies Hooters 1982
Eighty Percent H0082 		Hooters (1983 for Antenna, 1985 for Columbia)
The Eighty Percent version is live and was a local Philadelphia release.

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 Allá En El Rancho Grande (On The Big Ranch) (aka El Rancho Rock) Cantantes de la Orquesta Tipica Mexicana
11-16-26
Victor 79066 		Pilar Arcos & Juan Pulido (4-5-27), Orquesta Pájaro Azul (3-26-34), Emilio Cáceres (4-4-34), Bing Crosby (4-3-39), Champs
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 Alone i-Ten 1983
on lp Epic 38602 Taking A Cold Look 		Heart
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 Always Irving Kaufman 1-30-26
Harmony 110-H 		Lewis James (2-1-26), George Olsen (2-5-26), Henry Burr (2-10-26), Vincent Lopez (2-13-26), Nick Lucas (2-13-26), Sammy Turner, Leonard Cohen
The song was written for the Marx Brothers' stage musical The Cocoanuts, but it was dropped from the score.
When composer Irving Berlin married Ellin Mackay in 1926, he gave her the rights to "Always" as a wedding present. Considering how many artists cut it in that year alone, it was quite a gift.

The flipside of Kaufman's record is another version of "Always," by Ernie Golden & Orch, recorded 2-2-26. February was a busy month for the song!

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 Always On My Mind B.J.Thomas c. 1-70
on CD Intercontinental 4005 22 Classic Tracks (1996) 		Brenda Lee (9-22-71), Gwen McCrae (as "You Were Always On My Mind"), Elvis Presley (3-29-72), John Wesley Ryles, Willie Nelson, Pet Shop Boys
Thomas's recording was cut while he was signed to Scepter Records but, for whatever reason, wasn't issued at the time.

The song as first written, didn't have a chorus. It's unclear when the chorus was added but some question B.J.'s as the original since his includes it. There's also misinformation online about Thomas's being issued as a single back when, which there's no evidence for.

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 Always Something There To Remind Me, (There's) Lou Johnson 1964
Big Hill 552 		Sandy Shaw, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle & Bluebelles, R.B. Greaves, Naked Eyes
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 Am I Dreaming Atlantic Starr 1980
on lp A&M 4833 Radiant 		Ol Skool
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 Am I That Easy To Forget Carl Belew 12-17-58
Decca 30842 		Skeeter Davis (12-14-59), Debbie Reynolds, Engelbert Humperdinck, Jim Reeves, Leon Russell (as Hank Wilson)
Music mogul Bill McColl, using the pseudonym W.S. Stevenson, had a habit of adding his name to songwriting credits (like "Hot Rod Lincoln"), especially ones controlled by his 4-Star Publishing. Early pressings of Belew's Decca single listed only Carl as the writer.

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 Am I The Man Al Kent 1957
Checker 881 		Al Kent (1959 for Wizard/Baritone), Bobby Lester, Jackie Wilson
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 Am I The Same Girl (aka Soulful Strut) Barbara Acklin 1968
Brunswick 55399 		Young-Holt Unlimited, Dusty Springfield, Swing Out Sister
The backing track for Acklin's vocal version was used as the foundation for Young-Holt Unlimited's instrumental hit.

 Amazing Grace see New Britain
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 Amen Jester Hairston 1963
on lp Epic 24094/26094 Lilies Of The Field ost 		Harry Belafonte (3-18-63), Impressions, Otis Redding
Jester Hairston got writer's credit for his arrangement of what is probably a traditional spiritual. "Amen" was the theme for the film Lilies Of The Field and even though Sidney Poitier is depicted singing it, it was Hairston's voice. The soundtrack included two vocal versions and an instrumental conducted by Jerry Goldsmith.

Lilies Of The Field premiered in June, 1963 and I'm assuming Hairston's recording was done earlier than Belafonte's. Since there is no date available for Hairston's, this is not quite definitive.

Early pressings of the Impressions' hit version had no writers credit, while later ones listed Jerry Goldsmith.

 American Dream, An see Voila, An American Dream
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 American Trilogy, An Mickey Newbury 1971
Elektra 45750 		Elvis Presley, Glen Campbell, Manowar
Among My Souvenirs see Souvenirs
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 Amor A Todos (Get Together) (aka Get Together, aka Let's Get Together) Folkswingers 9-63
World Pacific 396 		Kingston Trio (4-2-64), Hamilton Camp, Ian & Sylvia, Jefferson Airplane, We Five, Youngbloods
The Folkswingers' recording, featuring Glen Campbell on 12-string guitar, is an instrumental. Writer Dino Valenti's (aka Dino Valente, Chet Powers, Jesse Orris Farrow) 1964 vocal demo of the song has also been released.

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 And I Love You So Don McLean 1969
Mediarts 108 		Bobby Goldsboro, Perry Como
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 And Suddenly Left Banke 2-67
Smash 2089 		Cherry People
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 And Then Came The Snakes (aka Here Come The Rattlesnakes) Wendy Bagwell & Sunliters 19??
Wink 1001 		Wendy Bagwell (1970 for Canaan)
Despite not being a charting record, Wendell "Wendy" Bagwell's 1970 single was reportedly a million-seller. A date for the Wink 45 has been elusive but all aspects of it point to it being earlier than the Canaan Records version.

If you're able to shed any light on the Wink record, please step forward!

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 And When I Die Peter, Paul & Mary 1966 (rel. 7-66)
on lp Warner Bros 1648 Album 		Laura Nyro (11-66), Blood Sweat & Tears
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 Angel Of Mine Eternal 1977
on CD UK EMI 8217982 Greatest Hits 		Monica
Eternal's recording was also issued, in various mixes and edits, on CD and 12" UK singles.

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 Angel Of The Morning Evie Sands 4-67
Cameo 475 		Merilee Rush, P.P. Arnold, Chip Taylor, Juice Newton, Pretenders
Sands' record was among the last issued by Cameo before it went bankrupt. It started to get some airplay but wasn't getting distributed to retailers, so it never took off.

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 Angels In The Sky Dick Glasser 1953
Triple A 2522 		Tony Martin, Crew-Cuts, Dick Glasser (1959 for Columbia)
Singer/writer Glasser was fairly prolific in the 1950s, but remains a relatively unsung figure. He recorded "Be-Bop Baby," penned by his Cleveland friend Pearl Lendurst, but couldn't get it issued before Ricky Nelson cut it. Thanks to Frank Kramer for the "Angels In The Sky" label image.

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 Angi (aka Anji, aka Angie) Davy (aka Davey) Graham 1962
on ep UK Topic TOP70 3/4AD 		Bert Jansch, Simon & Garfunkel, John Renbourn, Chicken Shack
The song, written by Graham in 1959, was inspired by his girlfriend named...Anji.

A 1961 home recording of "Anji" by Davy Graham has also been issued. Hearing this private recording back when is what inspired Bert Jansch to cut his version.

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 Anna (Go To Him) Arthur Alexander 3-62
Dot 16387 		Beatles (2-11-63)
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 Annabella Dave Dee 1970 (rel. 6-70)
Bell 905 		Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
This was Dee's second solo release after leaving the group Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich.

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 Apache Bert Weedon 1960 (early)
UK Top Rank JAR 415 		Shadows (6-17-60), Jerry Lordan, Jorgen Ingmann, Sonny James, Davie Allan & Arrows (as "Apache '65"), Incredible Bongo Band, Bert Weedon (1976 for UK Warwick), Sugarhill Gang
Although Weedon's was the earliest recording, the Shadows' version was the first issued. Writer Jerry Lordan was disappointed in Weedon's take on his song and soon had the Shadows cut it more to his liking.

The song's title was taken from the 1954 Burt Lancaster movie of that name.

English guitarist Weedon was famous for his instruction manual Play In A Day, first published in 1957. Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend, George Harrison, Keith Richards and John Lennon are among those who began with that book.

 Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie see Ready Or Not
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 Aquarela do Brasil (aka Brazil) Francisco Alves 8-18-39
Brazilian Odeon 11768 		Xavier Cugat, Ritchie Family
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 Aquarius Hair Off-Broadway cast 10-30-67
on lp RCA Victor 1143 		Ronald Dyson, 5th Dimension
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 Are You Lonely By Yourself (aka Make It Easy On Yourself) Isley Bros. 1962
on CD UK Ace 928 Shout And Twist With Rudolph, Ronald & O'Kelly (1990) 		Jerry Butler, Walker Bros., Dionne Warwick
Writer Burt Bacharch visited the Isleys' session for the song, discovered they'd changed the "Make It Easy On Yourself" lyrics and, after expressing his displeasure, left in disgust. Their recording stayed in the can for nearly 30 years. (Following their runin with Burt, they cut "Twist & Shout" as a possible B-side to "Are You Lonely By Yourself." Clearly their plans changed!)

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 Are You Lonesome To-night? Charles Hart 5-9-27
Harmony 431 		Vaughn De Leath (6-13-27 for Edison Diamond, 9-1-27 [with Colonial Club Orch.] for Brunswick), Edythe Handman (6-27-27), Blue Barron & Orch., Carter Family, Al Jolson, Elvis Presley, Donny Osmond
Bob Haring recorded a song titled "Are You Lonesome To-night?" on 6-18-26, which was issued on Cameo 967, Lincoln 2540 and (as by the Dixie Daisies) on Romeo 250. This song—an instrumental—is not the same composition as Charles Hart's. Hart's (and therefore Elvis Presley's) was written by Roy Turk and Lou Handman. Interestingly, Haring's song was also co-written by Roy, but with two others and not Handman. Clearly this was a work in progress for Turk.

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 Are You Satisfied? Sheb Wooley 7-19-55
MGM 12114 		Rusty Draper
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 Arizona Family Dogg 1969
Bell 848 		Mark Lindsay
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 Armigedeon Time (aka Armagideon Time) Willy Williams 1977
JA Studio One (no #) (1979) 		The Clash
Williams' first name is alternately spelled Willie.

The Studio One single was reissued in the 1980s on JA Coxsone.

 Around The World (La La La La) see Presenka La La La
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 Artificial Flowers Ron Husmann 1960
on lp Capitol 1492 Tenderloin cast 		Pastors, Bobby Darin (8-18-60)
Bobby Darin's hit version was probably modeled after the Pastors' recording.

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 As We Lay Human Body 1984
Bearsville 29363 		Shirley Murdock
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 Ashes To Ashes Dennis Lambert 1972
on lp Dunhill 50119 Bags And Things 		5th Dimension
Asia Minor see Grieg's Concerto Boogie In A Minor
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 At Last Glenn Miller w/ Pat Friday & John Payne c. 4-41
on 10" lp RCA Victor 3064 Sun Valley Serenade ost (1954) 		Glenn Miller w/ Ray Eberle (5-20-42), Etta James
Introduced by Miller in the 1941 film Sun Valley Serenade. He had done both vocal and instrumental versions but the vocal didn't make the final cut (although it was included on the 1954 soundtrack release). Glenn's next recording of "At Last" (Victor 27934), was a hit the following year and and another subsequent version was used in the 1942 movie Orchestra Wives.

 At The Hop see Do The Bop
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 Autumn Leaves (as "Les Feuilles Mortes") Cora Vaucaire 1-48
French Le Chant Du Monde 1536 		Yves Montand (5-49), Roger Williams (1955, 1965), Steve Allen, Nat King Cole, Mitch Miller
The song began as a poem, written in 1945 by Jacques Prévert for a French ballet called Le Rendezvous. Composer Joseph Kosma set the poem to music for the 1946 film adaptation (scripted by Prévert) Les Portes du la Nuit (The Gates Of The Night). Yves Montand introduced "Les Feuilles Mortes" in the movie but didn't formally record it until mid-1949.

Johnny Mercer later wrote the "Autumn Leaves" English lyrics.