The Letter
The Box Tops
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane Ain't got time to take a fast train Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home My baby, just a wrote me a letter I don't care how much money I gotta spend Got to get back to my baby again Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home My baby, just-a wrote me a letter Well, she wrote me a letter Said she couldn't live without me no more Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back To my baby once-a more Anyway, yeah Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane Ain't got time to take a fast train Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home My baby, just-a wrote me a letter Well, she wrote me a letter Said she couldn't live without me no more Listen mister, can't you see I got to get back To my baby once-a more Anyway, yeah Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane Ain't got time to take a fast train Lonely days are gone, I'm a-goin' home My baby, just-a wrote me a letter, my baby just-a wrote me a letter
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Written by: Wayne Carson Thompson
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
3 facts about this song
I. Joe Cocker Version1. "The Letter" by Joe Cocker was released in 1970 as a single from their live album, Mad Dogs and the Englishmen.
2. Joe Cocker's version was arranged by his longtime collaborator Leon Russell who is also a famed musician.
3. Interestingly, Cocker's cover isn't a straightforward replication but a reimagining of the song, which includes a slower, bluesy introduction before it picks up speed.
4. Joe Cocker's version of the song was a commercial success and reached number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970.
5. Cocker’s version of the song is especially noted for the performances of the group of backup singers who created a rich, gospel-like sound that became a significant feature in many of Cocker's future covers.
|
II. The Box Tops Version1. The Box Tops' version of "The Letter" was the original and it was released in 1967.
2. It was written by Wayne Carson Thompson, a talented songwriter who also wrote a string of other hit songs.
3. The lead vocals for The Box Tops' version were sung by Alex Chilton, who was only 16 years old at the time making the success of the song quite extraordinary.
4. In the Box Tops' version, a jet airplane take-off sound effect was used to make the song distinct.
5. The song was the band's first and biggest record chart hit, reaching number one in the United States and Canada.
6. The Box Tops' version of "The Letter" was also nominated for two Grammy Awards in 1968.
7. Interestingly, The Box Tops version of "The Letter" was recorded in more than 130 minutes.
8. Full of soulful urgency and a catchy hook, "The Letter" was one of the big hits that defined the blue-eyed soul genre.
9. The Box Tops' version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2011, cementing its status as a classic of the late 60s.
|
III. Miscellaneous1. The Letter has also been covered by various artist apart from Joe Cocker and Box Tops, including Al Green and Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
2. Despite its, less-than-2-minute running time, it was one of the most successful singles of 1967, selling over four million copies.
3. The song’s enduring popularity can be seen by its appearance in many movies and adverts, including a recent one for Amazon Prime.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"The Letter Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 30 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2911517/The+Box+Tops/The+Letter>.
Discuss the The Letter Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In