| Michael | |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | The C.O.D.'s |
| B-Side: | Cry No More |
| Released: | 1965 |
| Genre: | Soul |
| Length: | 02:35 |
| Label: | Kellmac/One Derful 1003 |
| Producer: | Leon Singleton |
"Michael (the Lover)"[1] is a soul song originally performed by American Chicago soul group the C.O.D.'s.
The song was written by the group's lead singer Larry Brownlee[2] who was murdered in 1978. It was released as a single on Kellmac Records in the United States and Stateside in the United Kingdom and made it to number 5 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart in 1965. The song was produced by Leon Singleton and arranged by Pete Matthews.[3]
The song was later remade by the Mad Lads, appearing on their 1966 album The Mad Lads In Action (Volt 414), and by the Northern soul Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band (Piccadilly 7N 35359). Washington's version reached #39 on the UK charts. The 1980 song "Geno", a tribute to Washington and his band, notes "You were Michael the lover, the fighter that won".
| Michael | |
| Artist: | Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band |
| A-Side: | Michael |
| B-Side: | (I Gotta) Hold On To My Love |
| Released: | 1966 |
| Label: | Piccadilly 7N.35359 |
| Composer: | Larry Brownlee |
| Producer: | John Schroeder |
| Prev Title: | Que Sera, Sera |
| Prev Year: | 1966 |
| Next Title: | Always |
| Next Year: | 1967 |
The version of Michael by Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band became a chart hit for them but it also became a crowd favorite.
It appeared on the Marble Arch compilation album, Stars of 67 which also featured "Puppet on a String" by Sandie Shaw and "Universal Soldier" by Donovan.[4]
Their version got to #39 in February 1967.[5] It also made its debut at on the Radio City City Sixty chart at no. 30 on the period of Sunday 29 January - Sunday 5 February 1967.[6] It got to no. 15 the following week,[7] but due to station owner, Dorothy Calvert being found guilty of operating a radio station inside UK territorial waters on February 8, 1967 and the station being closed that night, the single's course, as with other singles there would be unknown.[8]
Other versions by Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band includes a live version that appears on Hand Clappin, Foot Stompin, Funky-Butt ... Live! album.[9] An unreleased version recorded by Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band in 1968 appears on the Holdin' On With Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band EP which was released on the Acid Jazz label in 2013.[10]