"Rub It In" is a song written and originally recorded by Layng Martine Jr., and credited as Layng Martine. His version, released on the Barnaby Records label, was produced by

Ray Stevens Harold Ray Ragsdale (born January 24, 1939), known professionally as Ray Stevens, is an American country and pop singer-songwriter and comedian, known for his Grammy-winning recordings "Everything Is Beautiful" and "Misty", as well as novelty ...

and was a U.S. chart single in the fall of 1971, reaching number 65.

Billy "Crash" Craddock Billy Wayne "Crash" Craddock (born June 16, 1939) is an American country and rockabilly singer. He first gained popularity in Australia in the 1950s with a string of rockabilly hits, including the Australian number one hits "Boom Boom Baby" and ...

recorded the song three years later on the album '' Rub It In'', taking it to Number One on the country music charts and Top 20 on the pop charts in 1974. He told Tom Roland in ''The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits'' that many stations refused to play it at first because they thought it was risque. "I said, 'We're talking about suntan lotion, and if you still think it's risque, then don't play it,'" Craddock said. "Evidently, they all went back and listened to it, and it was the biggest record we ever had."Roland, Tom, "The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits" (Billboard Books, Watson-Guptill Publications, New York, 1991 (), pp. 118-119. Craddock also made live recordings of the song on 1977's '' Live!'' and 2009's '' Live -N- Kickin'''. Craddock eventually recorded a sequel to the song, “ You Rubbed It In All Wrong,” which borrows heavily from the original song's melody but instead replaces the lotion with sand, as the man's lover is discovered to be cheating on him. The sequel was also a top-5 hit on both the country charts. A third version, in 1999 by country singer Matt King also charted on the country charts, from his album ''Hard Country''. The song's melody was adapted by

Glade Glade may refer to: Computing * Glade Interface Designer, a GUI designer for GTK+ and GNOME Geography *Glade (geography), open area in woodland, synonym for "clearing" **Glade skiing, skiing amongst trees ;Places in the United States * Glade, Kan ...

to advertise their plug-in air fresheners ("plug it in, plug it in").

Chart performance

Layng Martine

Billy "Crash" Craddock

Matt King

Other cover versions

* Dave Clark & Friends (1972) * Mel Street (1974) *

Mike Walker Mike Walker is the name of: Sports * Mike Walker (rugby union) (1930–2014), Scottish rugby union player * Mike Walker (English footballer) (born 1945), former English footballer * Mike Walker (Welsh footballer) (born 1945), former Welsh footbal ...

(2001), on the album ''Mike Walker'' *

Jeff Bates Jeffery Wayne Bates (born September 19, 1963) is an American country music artist. Signed to RCA Nashville in late 2002, Bates released his debut album ''Rainbow Man'' in May 2003. In 2005 he released his second album, ''Leave the Light On'', ...

(2006), on the album '' Leave the Light On''. *

Jack Jersey Jack (Willem) de Nijs, artist name Jack Jersey (18 July 1941 — 26 May 1997), was a Dutch singer, composer, arranger, lyricist and record producer of light music (popular music) who worked for national and international artists. He had his own p ...

(1975), on the album "I Wonder"

References

{{Authority control 1974 songs Billy "Crash" Craddock songs Matt King (singer) songs Layng Martine Jr. songs Jeff Bates songs Songs written by Layng Martine Jr. Atlantic Records singles Song recordings produced by Ron Chancey 1971 songs ABC Records singles