Roger Greenaway
Encyclopedia
Roger Greenaway is a popular English
songwriter
, best known for his collaborations with Roger Cook
.
group The Kestrels
, whose line-up also included Tony Burrows
, and while on tour they decided to begin writing song
s together. Their first, "You've Got Your Troubles
", a No. 2 UK
hit single
for The Fortunes
, in 1965, was the first of several successes they enjoyed thus during the next few years. Later that year they began recording
together as David and Jonathan
. Their first single
"Laughing Fit To Cry" did not chart
, but they scored hits in 1966 with The Beatles
' "Michelle
" and their own "Lovers of the World Unite". Their final single, "Softly Whispering I Love You", in 1967, was not a success at the time, but became a hit in 1972 for Congregation
. In 1968 Cook and Greenaway announced that they would no longer be recording as a duo
but would continue as songwriters.
Their hits as writers for other acts, sometimes with other collaborators, include: "Home Lovin' Man" (Andy Williams
); "Blame It On The Pony Express" (Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon
); "Hallejuah" (Deep Purple
); "Doctor's Orders" (Sunny); "It Makes No Difference" (Joe Dolan
); "Something Tells Me Something's Gonna Happen Tonight" (Cilla Black
); "I've Got You On My Mind", "When You Are a King", "My Baby Loves Lovin'" (White Plains
); "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress
", "Gasoline Alley Bred", (The Hollies
); "You've Got Your Troubles
", "Freedom Come, Freedom Go" (The Fortunes
); "Melting Pot", "Good Morning Freedom" (Blue Mink
); "Green Grass
" (Gary Lewis & the Playboys
); and "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart
" (Gene Pitney
).
They also wrote "High And Dry" (Cliff Richard
), which was the runner-up for the UK Eurovision Song Contest
entry in 1968.
When Blue Mink
were formed in 1969, Greenaway was asked to be lead vocalist alongside Madeline Bell
; he declined the offer and recommended Cook, who accepted. The following year Greenaway teamed up for a while with singer Tony Burrows
to form The Pipkins
, a duo who had a Top 10 novelty hit in 1970 with "Gimme Dat Ding
".
The New Seekers
' "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing
" began life as a Cook-Greenaway collaboration called "True Love and Apple Pie", recorded by Susan Shirley. The song was then rewritten by Cook, Greenaway, Coca-Cola
account executive Bill Backer, and Billy Davis, and recorded as a Coca-Cola radio
commercial, with the lyric "I'd like to buy the world a Coke and keep it company." First aired on American
radio in 1970, it was also used as a TV
commercial a year later, sparking public demand for its release as a single. Reworked, again, to remove the references to the brand name, the single climbed to UK #1 and U.S.
#7 in 1972.
After Cook moved to the U.S. in 1975, Greenaway worked with other partners, notably Geoff Stephens
, both being jointly responsible for Crystal Gayle
’s 1980 No. 1 country
song, "It’s Like We Never Said Goodbye".
Greenaway took an increasing role in business administration, becoming Chairman of the Performing Right Society
in 1983 and in 1995 taking charge of the European ASCAP office. He also wrote advertising jingle
s for Allied Carpets, Asda
and British Gas
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, best known for his collaborations with Roger Cook
Roger Cook (songwriter)
Roger Cook is an English songwriter who has written many hits for other recording artists. He has also had a successful recording career in his own right.-Early life:Cook was born in Fishponds, Bristol, England...
.
Career
Both were members of the close harmonyHarmony
In music, harmony is the use of simultaneous pitches , or chords. The study of harmony involves chords and their construction and chord progressions and the principles of connection that govern them. Harmony is often said to refer to the "vertical" aspect of music, as distinguished from melodic...
group The Kestrels
The Kestrels
The Kestrels were a vocal harmony quartet from Bristol, England, most notable as the group through which the songwriting team of Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway first met and started composing jointly...
, whose line-up also included Tony Burrows
Tony Burrows
Anthony "Tony" Burrows is a British session singer. He has been credited with singing lead on hit singles for more groups than any other recording artist, both on the UK Singles Chart and the U.S...
, and while on tour they decided to begin writing 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...
s together. Their first, "You've Got Your Troubles
You've Got Your Troubles
"You've Got Your Troubles" is a song by written by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook which became a number two hit for The Fortunes in the United Kingdom and a number seven in the United States in August 1965. This was the fifth single for the group. It was included in the album The Fortunes...
", a No. 2 UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
for The Fortunes
The Fortunes
The Fortunes are an English harmony beat group. Formed in Birmingham, The Fortunes first came to prominence and international acclaim in 1965, when "You've Got Your Troubles" broke into the US and UK Top 10s...
, in 1965, was the first of several successes they enjoyed thus during the next few years. Later that year they began recording
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
together as David and Jonathan
David and Jonathan (band)
David and Jonathan was the name used by the British pop music duo Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook.They began working together in 1965 in Bristol, England, and wrote the songs "This Golden Ring" and "You've Got Your Troubles" for the group The Fortunes...
. Their first single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
"Laughing Fit To Cry" did not chart
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
, but they scored hits in 1966 with The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' "Michelle
Michelle (song)
"Michelle" is a love ballad by The Beatles, mainly written by Paul McCartney, with the middle eight co-written with John Lennon. It is featured on their Rubber Soul album. The song departs from most of The Beatles' other recordings in that some of the lyrics are in French...
" and their own "Lovers of the World Unite". Their final single, "Softly Whispering I Love You", in 1967, was not a success at the time, but became a hit in 1972 for Congregation
English Congregation
English Congregation were a British pop ensemble. They formed in England under the name The Congregation English Congregation were a British pop ensemble. They formed in England under the name The Congregation English Congregation were a British pop ensemble. They formed in England under the name...
. In 1968 Cook and Greenaway announced that they would no longer be recording as a duo
Duet (music)
A duet is a musical composition for two performers. In classical music, the term is most often used for a composition for two singers or pianists; with other instruments, the word duo is also often used. A piece performed by two pianists performing together on the same piano is referred to as...
but would continue as songwriters.
Their hits as writers for other acts, sometimes with other collaborators, include: "Home Lovin' Man" (Andy Williams
Andy Williams
Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams is an American singer who has recorded 18 Gold- and three Platinum-certified albums. He hosted The Andy Williams Show, a TV variety show, from 1962 to 1971, as well as numerous television specials, and owns his own theater, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri,...
); "Blame It On The Pony Express" (Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon
Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon
Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon were a U.S. vocal soul group, prominent in the late 1960s and early 1970s.-Career:Originally known simply as The Bandwagon, they were formed in 1967 and featured Artie Fullilove, Billy Bradley, Terry Lewis and lead singer Johnny Johnson Johnny Johnson and the...
); "Hallejuah" (Deep Purple
Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. Along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, they are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although some band members believe that their music cannot be categorised as belonging to any one genre...
); "Doctor's Orders" (Sunny); "It Makes No Difference" (Joe Dolan
Joe Dolan
Joseph "Joe" Francis Robert Dolan was an Irish entertainer, recorder and singer of easy listening songs...
); "Something Tells Me Something's Gonna Happen Tonight" (Cilla Black
Cilla Black
Cilla Black OBE is an English singer, actress, entertainer and media personality, who has been consistently popular as a light entertainment figure since 1963. She is most famous for her singles Anyone Who Had A Heart, You're My World, and Alfie...
); "I've Got You On My Mind", "When You Are a King", "My Baby Loves Lovin'" (White Plains
White Plains (band)
White Plains were a British pop music group, that existed from 1969 to 1976.-Career:White Plains evolved from the late 1960s pop/psychedelic band The Flower Pot Men, composed of Tony Burrows, Pete Nelson, and Robin Shaw together with Neil Landon . The band was primarily a studio project led by John...
); "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress
Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress
"Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" is a song written by Allan Clarke, Roger Cook, and Roger Greenaway and performed by the British pop group The Hollies...
", "Gasoline Alley Bred", (The Hollies
The Hollies
The Hollies are an English pop and rock group, formed in Manchester in the early 1960s, though most of the band members are from throughout East Lancashire. Known for their distinctive vocal harmony style, they became one of the leading British groups of the 1960s and 1970s...
); "You've Got Your Troubles
You've Got Your Troubles
"You've Got Your Troubles" is a song by written by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook which became a number two hit for The Fortunes in the United Kingdom and a number seven in the United States in August 1965. This was the fifth single for the group. It was included in the album The Fortunes...
", "Freedom Come, Freedom Go" (The Fortunes
The Fortunes
The Fortunes are an English harmony beat group. Formed in Birmingham, The Fortunes first came to prominence and international acclaim in 1965, when "You've Got Your Troubles" broke into the US and UK Top 10s...
); "Melting Pot", "Good Morning Freedom" (Blue Mink
Blue Mink
Blue Mink was a British five-piece pop group, that existed from 1969 to 1974. Over that period they had six Top 20 hit singles in the UK Singles Chart, and released five studio based albums...
); "Green Grass
Green Grass (song)
"Green Grass" is a song written by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway and was recorded by Gary Lewis & the Playboys. The song reached #8 on The Billboard Hot 100 in 1966.-Cover versions:*Jonah Jones on his 1967 album, Sweet with a Beat*Man...
" (Gary Lewis & the Playboys
Gary Lewis & the Playboys
Gary Lewis & the Playboys were a 1960s rock group fronted by Gary Lewis, son of comedian Jerry Lewis. They are best known for their 1965 Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "This Diamond Ring."-Original members:* Gary Lewis - Drums and vocals...
); and "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart
Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart
"Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" is a popular song written by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook.Originally recorded by David and Jonathan, and then Gene Pitney in 1967, the song reached #5 on the UK singles chart but failed to chart in the USA...
" (Gene Pitney
Gene Pitney
Eugene Francis Alan Pitney, known as Gene Pitney , was an American singer-songwriter, musician and sound engineer. Through the mid-1960s, he enjoyed success as a recording artist on both sides of the Atlantic and was among the group of early 1960s American acts who continued to enjoy hits after the...
).
They also wrote "High And Dry" (Cliff Richard
Cliff Richard
Sir Cliff Richard, OBE is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor, and philanthropist who has sold over an estimated 250 million records worldwide....
), which was the runner-up for the UK Eurovision Song Contest
Eurovision Song Contest
The Eurovision Song Contest is an annual competition held among active member countries of the European Broadcasting Union .Each member country submits a song to be performed on live television and then casts votes for the other countries' songs to determine the most popular song in the competition...
entry in 1968.
When Blue Mink
Blue Mink
Blue Mink was a British five-piece pop group, that existed from 1969 to 1974. Over that period they had six Top 20 hit singles in the UK Singles Chart, and released five studio based albums...
were formed in 1969, Greenaway was asked to be lead vocalist alongside Madeline Bell
Madeline Bell
Madeline Bell is an American soul singer, who became famous as a performer in the United Kingdom during the 1960s, having arrived from the US in the gospel show Black Nativity in 1962, with vocal group The Bradford Singers.-Career:She worked as a session singer, most notably backing for Dusty...
; he declined the offer and recommended Cook, who accepted. The following year Greenaway teamed up for a while with singer Tony Burrows
Tony Burrows
Anthony "Tony" Burrows is a British session singer. He has been credited with singing lead on hit singles for more groups than any other recording artist, both on the UK Singles Chart and the U.S...
to form The Pipkins
The Pipkins
The Pipkins were a short-lived novelty duo, best known for their hit single "Gimme Dat Ding" , which reached No. 6 in the UK Singles Charts and #9 on the U.S. charts in 1970...
, a duo who had a Top 10 novelty hit in 1970 with "Gimme Dat Ding
Gimme Dat Ding (song)
"Gimme Dat Ding" is a 1970 popular song sung by "one-hit wonder" The Pipkins, written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood. Released as a single, it is the title track of an album by The Pipkins on EMI Columbia, the song also appeared on a compilation of the same name, which The Pipkins shared with...
".
The New Seekers
The New Seekers
The New Seekers are a British-based pop group, formed in 1969 by Keith Potger after the break-up of his group, The Seekers. The idea was that the New Seekers would appeal to the same market as the original Seekers, but their music had rock as well as folk influences...
' "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing
I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing
"I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing " is a popular song which originated as a jingle in the groundbreaking 1971 "Hilltop" television commercial for Coca-Cola. The song, produced by Billy Davis and performed by The New Seekers, portrayed a positive message of hope and love sung by a multicultural...
" began life as a Cook-Greenaway collaboration called "True Love and Apple Pie", recorded by Susan Shirley. The song was then rewritten by Cook, Greenaway, Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
account executive Bill Backer, and Billy Davis, and recorded as a Coca-Cola radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
commercial, with the lyric "I'd like to buy the world a Coke and keep it company." First aired on American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
radio in 1970, it was also used as a TV
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
commercial a year later, sparking public demand for its release as a single. Reworked, again, to remove the references to the brand name, the single climbed to UK #1 and U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
#7 in 1972.
After Cook moved to the U.S. in 1975, Greenaway worked with other partners, notably Geoff Stephens
Geoff Stephens
Geoffrey 'Geoff' Stephens , was one of the top British songwriters of the 1960s and 1970s.-Career:...
, both being jointly responsible for Crystal Gayle
Crystal Gayle
Crystal Gayle is an American country music singer best known for her 1977 country-pop hit, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". An award-winning singer, she accumulated 18 number one country hits during the 1970s and 1980s...
’s 1980 No. 1 country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
song, "It’s Like We Never Said Goodbye".
Greenaway took an increasing role in business administration, becoming Chairman of the Performing Right Society
Performing Right Society
PRS for Music is a UK copyright collection society undertaking collective rights management for musical works. PRS for Music was formed in 1997 as the MCPS-PRS Alliance, bringing together two collection societies: the Mechanical-Copyright Protection Society and Performing Right Society...
in 1983 and in 1995 taking charge of the European ASCAP office. He also wrote advertising jingle
Jingle
A jingle is a short tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. The jingle contains one or more hooks and lyrics that explicitly promote the product being advertised, usually through the use of one or more advertising slogans. Ad buyers use jingles in radio and television...
s for Allied Carpets, Asda
Asda
Asda Stores Ltd is a British supermarket chain which retails food, clothing, general merchandise, toys and financial services. It also has a mobile telephone network, , Asda Mobile...
and British Gas
Centrica
Centrica plc is a multinational utility company, based in the United Kingdom but also with interests in North America. Centrica is the largest supplier of gas to domestic customers in the UK, and one of the largest suppliers of electricity, operating under the trading names "Scottish Gas" in...
.