From a Jack to a King explained

From a Jack to a King
Type:single
Artist:Ned Miller
Album:From a Jack to a King
B-Side:Parade of Broken Hearts
Released:1957 (Did not chart). Re-released December 15, 1962
Recorded:1957
Genre:Country
Label:Fabor
Producer:Fabor Robison
Prev Title:Dark Moon
Prev Year:1961
Next Title:One Among the Many
Next Year:1963

"From a Jack to a King" is a country music song. Originally a crossover hit for artist Ned Miller, who also wrote "Dark Moon", "A Falling Star", and many other country songs. It has been covered extensively by country music artists.

Ned Miller version

The original version was recorded by Ned Miller. First released in 1957 by both Fabor Records (for regional audiences) and Dot Records (for national distribution), Miller's version was unsuccessful until he persuaded his label to re-release it five years later.[1] Upon re-release, the song became a crossover hit, charting in the Top 10 on the Billboard U.S. country (#2), pop (#6), and adult contemporary (#3) charts.[2] In addition, Miller's version reached #1 on the Irish Singles Chart, while peaking at #2 on the UK Singles Chart. Furthermore, it was the sixth-most-played single of 1963 in the United Kingdom.[3] Miller's chart success was limited after the song, however, and by the 1970s he stopped recording entirely.[1]

The song was also recorded in 1962 by Jim Reeves on the occasion of his tour to South Africa in August and charted there that year.

Chart positions

Chart (1963)Peak
position
UK Singles Chart2
Irish Singles Chart1
Canada (CHUM Chart) (5 weeks)[4] 1

Ricky Van Shelton version

From a Jack to a King
Type:single
Artist:Ricky Van Shelton
Album:Loving Proof
B-Side:The Picture
Released:December 24, 1988[5]
Recorded:January 19, 1988
Genre:Country
Label:Columbia Nashville
Producer:Steve Buckingham
Prev Title:I'll Leave This World Loving You
Prev Year:1988
Next Title:Hole in My Pocket
Next Year:1989

In December 1988, American country music artist Ricky Van Shelton released his own version of "From a Jack to a King". Shelton's version became his fifth consecutive Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts.[6]

Year-end charts

Chart (1989)Position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[8] 52
US Country Songs (Billboard)[9] 58

Other versions

Bill Anderson covered the song on his 1963 album Still, released by Decca Records.

Elvis Presley recorded it in 1969 and the song was included on this Back in Memphis album released in 1970. Jerry Lee Lewis also released a version of the song.[10] Mud recorded the song in 1982.

South African singer Ray Dylan covered the song on his album Goeie Ou Country - Op Aanvraag.[11]

Oesch's die Dritten recorded it for their Unser Regenbogen CD, released March 16, 2012. Sung by Melanie Oesch, it was the Swiss family band's first recording of a song in English.

Dutch country singer Ben Steneker released his single of "From a Jack to a King" in 1963.

British guitarist Nigel Furness from the VI Blues Band[12] recorded a rock version in 2023 with Steven Gamble on vocals and James Furness on drums, produced by James Furness. [13]

The song features in E1 S3 of the historical drama television series The Crown.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ned Miller Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More . 2023-12-22 . AllMusic . en.
  2. Web site: Ned Miller Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More . 2023-12-22 . AllMusic . en.
  3. Web site: Articles - Chart Of All Time - 1963 . UKMIX.org . 2016-09-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120219133502/http://www.ukmix.org/articles/charts/1963.html . 2012-02-19 . dead .
  4. Web site: CHUM Hit Parade - December 17, 1962.
  5. Greatest Hits Plus . Ricky Van Shelton . 1992 . CD . Columbia Records . 52753.
  6. Book: Whitburn, Joel . The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Joel Whitburn . 2004 . Record Research . 310.
  7. Web site: RPM 100 Country Singles - Page 20. RPM. March 20, 1989.
  8. Web site: RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1989. RPM. December 23, 1989. August 28, 2013.
  9. Best of 1989: Country Songs . . . 1989. August 28, 2013.
  10. Web site: Stephen Thomas Erlewine. Stephen Thomas Erlewine. Mercury Smashes...And Rockin' Sessions - Jerry Lee Lewis | Songs, Reviews, Credits . . 2016-09-26.
  11. Web site: Ray Dylan, Goeie Ou Country - Op Aanvraag, CDS, Musica a World awaits - 6005298026996 . 2014-03-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130606075021/http://www.musica.co.za/cd/id/6005298026996/Ray_Dylan-Goeie_Ou_Country_-_Op_Aanvraag#contents . 2013-06-06 .
  12. http://www.thevibluesband.net
  13. http://www.thevibluesband.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/From-A-Jack-to-A-King.mp3
  14. Web site: What music is in the Crown Season 3? .