| "Houston" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg) Dutch release picture sleeve | ||||
| Single byDean Martin | ||||
| from the albumHouston | ||||
| B-side | "Bumming Around" | |||
| Released | 1965 | |||
| Genre | Country pop | |||
| Length | 2:38 | |||
| Label | Reprise | |||
| Songwriter | Lee Hazlewood | |||
| Producer | Jimmy Bowen | |||
| Dean Martin singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Houston" is a song written byLee Hazlewood and first recorded in 1964 bySanford Clark and best known from a hit version byDean Martin.[1][2]
The lyrics are from the perspective on a down-on-his-luck drifter who describes himself as "a walkin' case of the blues". The verses describe his many misfortunes ("Saw a dollar yesterday, but the wind blew it away"), each ending with the repeated refrain "Going back to Houston, Houston, Houston ...". The mood lightens on the final verse when the narrator reveals that despite his woes, he has a girlfriend waiting for him in the titular city. However, the narrator clarifies this by saying, "at least, she said she'd be."Musically, the song is orchestratedcountry pop with a medium tempo and strolling rhythm, with a briefharmonica solo. Sources differ as to how the distinctive percussive sound at the beginning and end of the song was created.
"Houston" was a hit in 1965 when recorded byDean Martin. Dean Martin's daughter,Deana Martin, has recounted her father telling her that the percussive sound was created by tapping an emptyCoca-Cola bottle with a spoon,[3] whileHal Blaine once stated that he created the sound by tapping a glass ash tray with atriangle wand.[4][5]
Martin's version spent 9 weeks on theBillboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 21,[6] while reaching No. 2 onBillboard'sEasy Listening chart,[7][8] and No. 11 onCanada'sCHUM Hit Parade.[9]
| Chart (1965) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| USBillboard Hot 100 | 21 |
| USBillboard Easy Listening | 2 |
| Canada — CHUM Hit Parade | 11 |
Bobby Bare recorded the song for his album,The Streets of Baltimore, released in 1966.[10]
The English post-punk groupThe Fall recorded a version of the song onThe Real New Fall LP (Formerly Country on the Click) (2003). Apart from a harsh electronic introduction and minor changes to the lyrics,e.g., chasing a £10 note rather than a dollar, The Fall interpretation is faithful to the original's melody and basic structure.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) Chart No. 445.CHUM.