Rita May (song)
Encyclopedia
"Rita May" is a song by Bob Dylan
, originally recorded during the sessions for the album Desire, but released only as the B-side of a single and on the compilation album, Masterpieces
.. Some listeners believe that the lyrics of the song refer to writer Rita Mae Brown
, who had complained of the lack of opportunities for casual lesbian sex .
"Rita May" was covered by Jerry Lee Lewis
on his 1979 album Jerry Lee Lewis.
and was also released as a single, reaching #10 on the Mainstream Rock chart.
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
, originally recorded during the sessions for the album Desire, but released only as the B-side of a single and on the compilation album, Masterpieces
Masterpieces
Masterpieces is a compilation album by Bob Dylan. The 3-LP set was released in Japan and Australia in anticipation of his 1978 tour. Primarily a greatest hits collection spanning Dylan's career up that point, the album features three previously unreleased tracks, including "Rita May", "George...
.. Some listeners believe that the lyrics of the song refer to writer Rita Mae Brown
Rita Mae Brown
Rita Mae Brown is an American writer. She is best known for her first novel Rubyfruit Jungle. Published in 1973, it dealt with lesbian themes in an explicit manner unusual for the time...
, who had complained of the lack of opportunities for casual lesbian sex .
"Rita May" was covered by Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
on his 1979 album Jerry Lee Lewis.
Other songs with the same title
Eric Clapton wrote a song titled "Rita Mae" which appears on his 1981 album Another TicketAnother Ticket
Another Ticket is an album by blues rocker Eric Clapton, released in 1981. It was his last album for Polydor Records.-Track listing:All songs by Eric Clapton, except as noted.#"Something Special" – 2:36...
and was also released as a single, reaching #10 on the Mainstream Rock chart.
Personnel (for the Dylan original)
- Bob DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
(guitar, vocal, harmonica) - Emmylou HarrisEmmylou HarrisEmmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
(vocal) - Rob Rothstein (bass)
- Howard WyethHoward WyethHoward Pyle Wyeth , also known as Howie Wyeth, was an American drummer and pianist. Wyeth is remembered for work with the saxophonist James Moody, the rockabilly singer Robert Gordon, the electric guitarist Link Wray, the rhythm and blues singer Don Covay, and the folk singer Christine Lavin...
(drums) - Scarlet RiveraScarlet RiveraScarlet Rivera is an American violinist. She is best known for her work with Bob Dylan, in particular on his album Desire and as part of the Rolling Thunder Revue.-Early career:...
(violin) - Sheena Seidenberg (tambourine & congas)
- Don DeVito (Producer)