Mule Train
Encyclopedia
"Mule Train" is a popular
song
written by Johnny Lange
, Hy Heath
, Doc Tommy Scott and Fred Glickman. It is a cowboy song, supposedly sung by an Old West wagon driver spurring on his team of mules as he recites the mail-order goods he is delivering to far-flung customers.
, Bing Crosby
, Tennessee Ernie Ford
, and Vaughn Monroe
.
The Frankie Laine
recording was recorded on October 2, 1949, and released by Mercury Records
as catalog number
5345.The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on November 4, 1949 and lasted 13 weeks on the chart, peaking at #1. Laine's recording of the song was produced
by Mitch Miller
. It featured a bellowed vocal delivery (like that of a real driver shouting to be heard) and studio
-created gimmick
s such as whipcracking
sound effect
s. It is often cited as an outstanding early example of studio production techniques.
The Bing Crosby
recording was recorded on October 26, 1949, and released by Decca Records
as catalog number 24798. The flip side was "Dear Hearts and Gentle People
" which peaked at #2. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on November 25, 1949 and lasted 16 weeks on the chart, peaking at #4. This recording was featured in an episode of the NBC radio network radio program Lassie Show entitled Mule Train, which aired on 12/17/1949.
The Tennessee Ernie Ford
recording was recorded on October 18, 1949, and released by Capitol Records
as catalog number 40258. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on November 25, 1949 and lasted 9 weeks on the chart, peaking at #10. Ford's version also charted on the Billboard country charts, reaching No. 1 in December.
The Vaughn Monroe
recording was released by RCA Victor Records as a 78rpm single (catalog number 20-3600A) and a 45rpm single (catalog number 47-3106) (in USA). It was released by EMI
on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 9836. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on November 18, 1949 and lasted 9 weeks on the chart, peaking at #10. Monroe also sang the song in the 1950 Republic Western "Singing Guns." He played an outlaw who became town marshal with the intent of stealing a shipment of gold, and sang the song while at the reins of what appeared to be a stagecoach.
and The King Cole Trio, along with Irving Ashby, Joe Comfort and Gene Orloff, made a recording of "Mule Train" on November 7, 1949 in New York City, as well as the track "My Baby Just Cares For Me", which were both released by Capitol Records
as a single, catalog number 787, which gave label credit to Herman for "Mule Train" and to the trio for "My Baby Just Cares For Me".
Gordon MacRae
made a recording on October 21, 1949, which was released by Capitol Records
in the United States as the flip side of the single "Dear Hearts and Gentle People" (which he also recorded on October 21, 1949) as catalog number 57-777, and in England as catalog number CL 13226.
Les Welch and his Orchestra made a recording in Australia in February, 1950
, which was released by Pacific Records (in Australia) as catalog number 10-0019.
The song was subsequently recorded in England by Frank Ifield
in the 1960s.
In 1950, a satirical
version of the song, "Chinese Mule Train," was recorded by Spike Jones
with Fladdy Morgan singing (RCA Victor 20-3741).
A reggae
version was recorded by Count Prince Miller
in 1971 and then again with Sly and Robbie
in the 1980s.
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
written by Johnny Lange
Johnny Lange
Johnny Lange was a songwriter, author and publisher. He was educated in a Philadelphia high school. He joined the music staff at film studios in 1937 and resumed his film music career in 1946 and 1947. He also wrote special material for night club singers, and the "Ice Capades of 1950"...
, Hy Heath
Hy Heath
Songwriter, composer and author Hy Heath was educated in public schools and then became a comedian in musical comedy, vaudeville, minstrel and burlesque shows. His chief musical collaborators included Johnny Lange and Fred Rose. His most successful composition was 'Mule Train' which earned him an...
, Doc Tommy Scott and Fred Glickman. It is a cowboy song, supposedly sung by an Old West wagon driver spurring on his team of mules as he recites the mail-order goods he is delivering to far-flung customers.
Charting versions
Charting versions were recorded by Frankie LaineFrankie Laine
Frankie Laine, born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio , was a successful American singer, songwriter, and actor whose career spanned 75 years, from his first concerts in 1930 with a marathon dance company to his final performance of "That's My Desire" in 2005...
, Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
, Tennessee Ernie Ford
Tennessee Ernie Ford
Ernest Jennings Ford , better known as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American recording artist and television host who enjoyed success in the country and Western, pop, and gospel musical genres...
, and Vaughn Monroe
Vaughn Monroe
Vaughn Wilton Monroe was an American baritone singer, trumpeter and big band leader and actor, most popular in the 1940s and 1950s. He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for recording and radio.-Biography:...
.
The Frankie Laine
Frankie Laine
Frankie Laine, born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio , was a successful American singer, songwriter, and actor whose career spanned 75 years, from his first concerts in 1930 with a marathon dance company to his final performance of "That's My Desire" in 2005...
recording was recorded on October 2, 1949, and released by Mercury Records
Mercury Records
Mercury Records is a record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Motown Music Group in the US; both are subsidiaries of Universal Music Group. There is also a Mercury Records in Australia, which is a local artist and repertoire division of Universal...
as catalog number
Catalog numbering systems for single records
This article presents the numbering systems used by various record companies for single records.- Capitol :...
5345.The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on November 4, 1949 and lasted 13 weeks on the chart, peaking at #1. Laine's recording of the song was produced
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
by Mitch Miller
Mitch Miller
Mitchell William "Mitch" Miller was an American musician, singer, conductor, record producer, A&R man and record company executive...
. It featured a bellowed vocal delivery (like that of a real driver shouting to be heard) and studio
Recording studio
A recording studio is a facility for sound recording and mixing. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician to achieve optimum acoustic properties...
-created gimmick
Gimmick
In marketing language, a gimmick is a unique or quirky special feature that makes something "stand out" from its contemporaries. However, the special feature is typically thought to be of little relevance or use. Thus, a gimmick is a special feature for the sake of having a special feature...
s such as whipcracking
Whipcracking
Whipcracking is the act of producing a cracking sound through the use of a whip. Originating during mustering and horse driving/riding, it has become an art of its own. A rhythmic whipcracking belongs to the traditional culture among various Germanic peoples of Bavaria , various Alpine areas ,...
sound effect
Sound effect
For the album by The Jam, see Sound Affects.Sound effects or audio effects are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasize artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video games, music, or other media...
s. It is often cited as an outstanding early example of studio production techniques.
The Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
recording was recorded on October 26, 1949, and released by Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
as catalog number 24798. The flip side was "Dear Hearts and Gentle People
Dear Hearts and Gentle People
"Dear Hearts and Gentle People" is a popular song published in 1949 with music by Sammy Fain and lyrics by Bob Hilliard. They were inspired to write the song based on a scrap of paper with the words "Dear friends and gentle hearts" written on it that was found on the body of Stephen Foster when he...
" which peaked at #2. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on November 25, 1949 and lasted 16 weeks on the chart, peaking at #4. This recording was featured in an episode of the NBC radio network radio program Lassie Show entitled Mule Train, which aired on 12/17/1949.
The Tennessee Ernie Ford
Tennessee Ernie Ford
Ernest Jennings Ford , better known as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American recording artist and television host who enjoyed success in the country and Western, pop, and gospel musical genres...
recording was recorded on October 18, 1949, and released by Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
as catalog number 40258. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on November 25, 1949 and lasted 9 weeks on the chart, peaking at #10. Ford's version also charted on the Billboard country charts, reaching No. 1 in December.
The Vaughn Monroe
Vaughn Monroe
Vaughn Wilton Monroe was an American baritone singer, trumpeter and big band leader and actor, most popular in the 1940s and 1950s. He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for recording and radio.-Biography:...
recording was released by RCA Victor Records as a 78rpm single (catalog number 20-3600A) and a 45rpm single (catalog number 47-3106) (in USA). It was released by EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 9836. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on November 18, 1949 and lasted 9 weeks on the chart, peaking at #10. Monroe also sang the song in the 1950 Republic Western "Singing Guns." He played an outlaw who became town marshal with the intent of stealing a shipment of gold, and sang the song while at the reins of what appeared to be a stagecoach.
Other versions
Woody HermanWoody Herman
Woodrow Charles Herman , known as Woody Herman, was an American jazz clarinetist, alto and soprano saxophonist, singer, and big band leader. Leading various groups called "The Herd," Herman was one of the most popular of the 1930s and '40s bandleaders...
and The King Cole Trio, along with Irving Ashby, Joe Comfort and Gene Orloff, made a recording of "Mule Train" on November 7, 1949 in New York City, as well as the track "My Baby Just Cares For Me", which were both released by Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
as a single, catalog number 787, which gave label credit to Herman for "Mule Train" and to the trio for "My Baby Just Cares For Me".
Gordon MacRae
Gordon MacRae
Gordon MacRae was an American actor and singer, best known for his appearances in the film versions of two Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals, Oklahoma! and Carousel and films with Doris Day like Starlift.-Early life:Born Albert Gordon MacRae in East Orange, New Jersey, MacRae graduated from...
made a recording on October 21, 1949, which was released by Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
in the United States as the flip side of the single "Dear Hearts and Gentle People" (which he also recorded on October 21, 1949) as catalog number 57-777, and in England as catalog number CL 13226.
Les Welch and his Orchestra made a recording in Australia in February, 1950
1950 in music
-Events:*January 3 – Sam Phillips launches Sun Records at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee.*August – Herbert Howells' Hymnus Paradisi is premiered at the Three Choirs Festival.*Malcolm Sargent becomes chief conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra....
, which was released by Pacific Records (in Australia) as catalog number 10-0019.
The song was subsequently recorded in England by Frank Ifield
Frank Ifield
Francis Edward Ifield is an early Australian-English easy listening and country music singer. He achieved considerable success in the early 1960s, especially in the UK Singles Chart, where he had four Number 1 hits between 1962 and 1963....
in the 1960s.
In 1950, a satirical
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
version of the song, "Chinese Mule Train," was recorded by Spike Jones
Spike Jones
Mel Blanc, the voice of Bugs Bunny and other Warner Brothers cartoon characters, performed a drunken, hiccuping verse for 1942's "Clink! Clink! Another Drink"...
with Fladdy Morgan singing (RCA Victor 20-3741).
A reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
version was recorded by Count Prince Miller
Count Prince Miller
Count Prince Miller is a Jamaican-born, British-based actor and musician.-Biography:...
in 1971 and then again with Sly and Robbie
Sly and Robbie
Sly and Robbie is the prolific Jamaican rhythm section and production team of drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare who joined in the mid 1970s after having established themselves separately in Jamaica as professional musicians...
in the 1980s.