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"Bring It on Home to Me" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, released on May 8, 1962 by RCA Victor. Produced by Hugo & Luigi and arranged and conducted by René Hall, the song was the A-side to "Having a Party". The song peaked at number two on Billboard'Hot R&B Sides chart, and also charted at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song has become a pop standardcovered by numerous artists of different genres. It is one of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll.

Contents[]

 [hide*1 Background

Background[edit][]

"Bring It on Home to Me", like its B-side, "Having a Party", was written while Cooke was on tour for Henry Wynn. The song was initially offered to fellow singer Dee Clark, who turned it down.[1] While in Atlanta, Cooke called co-producer Luigi Creatore and pitched both numbers; he was sold and booked and immediate recording session inLos Angeles scheduled for two weeks later.[2] The session's mood "matched the title" of the song, according to biographer Peter Guralnick, as many friends had been invited. "It was a very happy session," recalled engineer Al Schmitt. "Everybody was just having a ball. We were getting people out there [on the floor], and some of the outtakes were hilarious, there was so much ad lib that went on."[2] René Hall assembled an eighteen-piece backing group, "composed of six violins, two violas, two cellos, and a sax, plus a seven-piece rhythm section that included two percussionists, two bassists, two guitars, and a piano."

The song is a significant reworking of Charles Brown's 1959 single "I Want to Go Home", and it retains the gospel flavor and call-and-response format; the song differs significantly in that its refrain ("Bring it to me, bring your sweet lovin', bring it on home to me") is overtly secular.[2] The song was the first serious nod to his gospel roots ("[He] felt that he needed more weight, that that light shit wouldn't sustain him," said J.W Alexander).[1]The song was aiming for a sound similar to Cooke’s former group, the Soul Stirrers.[2] The original, unreleased first take includes vocals from Lou Rawls, J.W. Alexander, former Keen assistant A&R rep Fred Smith, and "probably" the Sims Twins. A second, final take leaves Lou Rawls as the only echoing voice.[2]

Personnel[edit][]

"Having a Party" was recorded on April 26, 1962 at RCA Studio 1 in HollywoodCalifornia.[1] The engineer present was Al Schmitt, and the session was conducted and arranged by René Hall. The musicians also recorded "Having a Party" the same day. Credits adapted from the liner notes to the 2003 compilation Portrait of a Legend: 1951–1964.[1]

Cover versions[edit][]

"Bring It On Home to Me"
[1]
Single by The Animals
from the album Animal Tracks (U.S. album)
B-side For Miss Caulker
Released March 1965
Format 7" single
Recorded March 1965
Genre Rockbluespopsoul
Length 2:43
Label Columbia
Writer(s) Sam Cooke
Producer(s) Mickie Most
The Animals singles chronology
"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood"

(1965)

"Bring It On Home To Me"

(1965)

"We Gotta Get out of This Place"

(1965)

The most significant cover versions of the song include the hit versions by

Charts and certifications[edit][]

Original version[edit][]

Chart (1962) Peak

position

US BillboardHot 100[10] 13
US Hot R&B Sides (Billboard)[10] 2

The Animals version[edit][]

Year Chart Position
1965 Pop Singles Chart #32
1965 UK Singles Chart #7
1965 Canada #7
1965 Netherlands #3
1965 Sweden #1

Eddie Floyd version[edit][]

Year Chart Position
1968 Black Singles Chart #4
1968 Pop Singles Chart #17
1968 Canada #24

Lou Rawls version[edit][]

Year Chart Position
1970 Black Singles Chart #45
1970 Pop Singles Chart #96

Mickey Gilley version[edit][]

Chart (1976) Peak

position

U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles 1
U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 1
Canadian RPM Country Tracks 1
Preceded by

"Say It Again" by Don Williams

Billboard Hot Country Singles

number-one single August 21, 1976

Succeeded by

"(I'm A) Stand by My Woman Man" by Ronnie Milsap

Preceded by

"Rocky Mountain Music" by Eddie Rabbitt

RPM Country Tracks

number-one single September 11, 1976

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