| "Make Love to Me" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single byJo Stafford | ||||
| Released | 1953 (1953) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Bill Norvas,Alan Copeland,Leon Roppolo,Paul Mares,Ben Pollack,George Brunies,Mel Stitzel,Walter Melrose | |||
| Jo Stafford singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Make Love to Me" is a1954popular song with words and music written by a larger team than normally is known to collaborate on a song:Bill Norvas,Alan Copeland, and theNew Orleans Rhythm Kings, comprisingLeon Rappolo,Paul Mares,Ben Pollack,George Brunies,Mel Stitzel, andWalter Melrose. The melody was derived from a 1923 song, "Tin Roof Blues", composed by theNew Orleans Rhythm Kings.[1]
The best-known version of the song was recorded byJo Stafford on December 8, 1953 (released byColumbia Records as catalog number 40143, with the flip side "Adi-Adios Amigo",[2]) and in1954 the #1 position on theBillboard chart went back and forth between this record andDoris Day's "Secret Love" (See1954 in music#US No. 1 hit singles). OnCash Box magazine's charts, however, the song only reached #2.[3] The same year, the song wascovered in theUnited Kingdom byAlma Cogan andBillie Anthony.
The recording by Alma Cogan withKen Mackintosh and his orchestra was recorded inLondon on February 16, 1954. It was released in1954 byEMI on theHis Master's Voice label as catalog numbers B 10677 and 7M 196. The flip side was "Said the Little Moment".
Other covers were recorded by:
Peter Spar putDanish lyrics to the song under the title "Vær sød mod mig". Recorded inCopenhagen in 1954 byRaquel Rastenni (acc. Harry Felbert's sextet, Cond.: Harry Felbert) the track - arranged by Erik Kaare - was released onHis Master's Voice X 8208.
TheKalin Twins recorded "Make Love to Me" on June 24, 1960: this version would remain un-issued as 45rpm or LP byDecca Records until 1992, released byBear Family Records in CD format under albumWhen - The Kalin Twins as catalog number BCD 15597.
"Make Love to Me" would become anR&B chart hit via aduet remake byJohnny Thunder andRuby Winters recorded inNashville early in 1967. BeforeDiamond Records president Phil Kahl left New York City with the intent of producing distinct Nashville sessions for Thunder and Winters, Diamond Records co-president Joe Kolsky had suggested that Kahl record Winters and Thunder as a duo, Kolsky having noted the recent chart success of thePeaches and Herb remake of thetraditional pop standard "Let's Fall in Love" and also the currentMarvin Gaye/Kim Weston hit duet "It Takes Two". Kahl resultantly co-produced - withBuddy Killen - Winters and Thunder's duet recordings of "Make Love to Me" and also another 1950s pop hit "Teach Me Tonight": opted for asA-side, "Make Love to Me" reached #13 R&B in April 1967 also registering on theBillboard Hot 100 at #96.[6][7]
The song was also included onAnne Murray's tribute-to-the-fifties album,Croonin', where it was released as the first single, becoming a top 10 hit on both pop and country charts in Canada.
"Make Love to Me" has also been recorded byLouis Prima andKeely Smith (albumLouis and Keely!/ 1959),Kitty Kallen (1960),Ann-Margret (albumThe Vivacious One/ 1962),Chubby Checker andDee Dee Sharp (albumDown To Earth/ 1962),Molly Bee (albumGood Golly Ms Molly/ 1975) andB. B. King (albumBlues 'N' Jazz/ 1983).[8][9]
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[10] | 43 |
| Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[11] | 3 |
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[12] | 6 |
| Year-end chart (1993) | Position |
|---|---|
| Canada Adult Contemporary Tracks (RPM)[13] | 8 |
| Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[14] | 63 |
