"Michael (the Lover)"Sometimes written "Michael the Lover" or simply "Michael" (on the original C.O.D.'s single release). is a

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

song originally performed by

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...

Chicago soul group the C.O.D.'s. The song was written by the group's lead singer Larry BrownleeBut credited to Brownlee, Lewis, and Washington on an Emase Records single. who was murdered in 1978. It was released as a

single Single may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media * Single (music), a song release Songs * "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004 * "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008 * "Single" (William Wei song), 2016 * "Single", by ...

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. The song was later remade by

the Mad Lads The Mad Lads were an American rhythm and blues vocal group, who recorded on the Stax subsidiary label Volt in the 1960s. Their biggest hits were "Don't Have to Shop Around" (1965) and "I Want Someone" (1966). Career The group was formed at Bo ...

, appearing on their 1966 album ''The Mad Lads In Action'' (Volt 414), and by the

Northern soul Northern soul is a music and dance movement that emerged in Northern England and the Midlands in the early 1970s. It developed from the British Mod (subculture), mod scene, based on a particular style of African American music, Black American ...

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".

Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band version

The version of Michael by Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band became a chart hit for them but it also became a crowd favorite.

Background

It appeared on the

Marble Arch The Marble Arch is a 19th-century white marble-faced triumphal arch in London, England. The structure was designed by John Nash in 1827 as the state entrance to the cour d'honneur of Buckingham Palace; it stood near the site of what is today th ...

compilation album, '' Stars of 67'' which also featured " Puppet on a String" by

Sandie Shaw Sandra Ann Goodrich (born 26 February 1947), known by her stage name Sandie Shaw, is a retired English pop singer. One of the most successful British female singers of the 1960s, she had three UK number one singles with "(There's) Always Some ...

and " Universal Soldier" by

Donovan Donovan Phillips Leitch (born 10 May 1946), known mononymously as Donovan, is a Scottish musician, songwriter and record producer. He emerged from the British folk scene in early 1965 and subsequently scored multiple international hit singles ...

Chart

Their version got to #39 in February 1967. 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. It got to no. 15 the following week, 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.

Other recordings

Other versions by

Geno Washington Geno Washington (born William Francis Washington; December 21, 1943, in Evansville, Indiana) is an American R&B singer who released five albums with the Ram Jam Band between 1966 and 1969, and eight solo albums beginning in 1976. Background ...

& the Ram Jam Band includes a live version that appears on '' Hand Clappin, Foot Stompin, Funky-Butt ... Live!'' album. 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 Acid jazz (also known as club jazz, psychedelic jazz, or groove jazz) is a music genre that combines elements of funk, soul music, soul, and hip hop music, hip hop, as well as jazz and disco. Acid jazz originated in clubs in London during the 1 ...

label in 2013.45Cat
Geno Washington And The Ram Jam Band - Discography, UK
/ref>

Notes

References

1965 songs 1965 singles Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band songs Pye Records singles {{1960s-single-stub