Teardrops from My Eyes
Encyclopedia
"Teardrops from My Eyes", written by Rudy Toombs
, was the first upbeat major hit for Ruth Brown
, establishing her as an important figure in rhythm and blues
. Recorded for Atlantic Records
in New York City in September 1950, and released in October, it was on BillBoard's List of number-one R&B hits for eleven non-consecutive weeks. It was Atlantic's first release on the new 45-rpm record format. The huge hit earned her the nickname "Miss Rhythm" and within a few months Ruth Brown became the acknowledged queen of R&B. "Teardrops from My Eyes" was her first of five number one R&B hits.
. When Ruby Toombs showed her the song she was initially reluctant to do it as it was so rhymatically different from the popular standards and ballads she was comfortable singing. The change of tempo
, the backbeat
of four/four, at first led her to dig in her heels. But Ahmet Ertegün
, sensing the time was right, urged her to give the song a try and so she went along with his choice of tunes for her. The song featured a tenor solo by Budd Johnson
.
Atlantic used a process that it would repeat over the years, that is, turning an uptown singer funky. As with Ruth Brown, Ahmet Ertegün
's method was to introduce popular black musical artists to older and more powerful black musical modes.
Rudy Toombs
Rudolph "Rudy" Toombs , born in Monroe, Louisiana, was an American black songwriter who wrote "Teardrops from My Eyes", Ruth Brown's first number one R&B successful song...
, was the first upbeat major hit for Ruth Brown
Ruth Brown
Ruth Brown was an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, composer and actress, noted for bringing a pop music style to R&B music in a series of hit songs for Atlantic Records in the 1950s, such as "So Long", "Teardrops from My Eyes" and " He Treats Your Daughter Mean".For these...
, establishing her as an important figure in rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
. Recorded for Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in New York City in September 1950, and released in October, it was on BillBoard's List of number-one R&B hits for eleven non-consecutive weeks. It was Atlantic's first release on the new 45-rpm record format. The huge hit earned her the nickname "Miss Rhythm" and within a few months Ruth Brown became the acknowledged queen of R&B. "Teardrops from My Eyes" was her first of five number one R&B hits.
Story behind the hit
Before this hit single, Ruth Brown was thought of strictly as a torch singerTorch Singer
Torch Singer is a 1933 film made by Paramount Pictures, directed by Alexander Hall and George Somnes, and starring Claudette Colbert, Ricardo Cortez and David Manners and Lyda Roberti.The screenplay was written by Lenore J...
. When Ruby Toombs showed her the song she was initially reluctant to do it as it was so rhymatically different from the popular standards and ballads she was comfortable singing. The change of tempo
Tempo
In musical terminology, tempo is the speed or pace of a given piece. Tempo is a crucial element of any musical composition, as it can affect the mood and difficulty of a piece.-Measuring tempo:...
, the backbeat
Beat (music)
The beat is the basic unit of time in music, the pulse of the mensural level . In popular use, the beat can refer to a variety of related concepts including: tempo, meter, rhythm and groove...
of four/four, at first led her to dig in her heels. But Ahmet Ertegün
Ahmet Ertegun
Ahmet Ertegün was a Turkish American musician and businessman, best known as the founder and president of Atlantic Records. He also wrote classic blues and pop songs and served as Chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and museum...
, sensing the time was right, urged her to give the song a try and so she went along with his choice of tunes for her. The song featured a tenor solo by Budd Johnson
Budd Johnson
Not to be confused with Buddy Johnson.Budd Johnson was an American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist who worked extensively with Ben Webster, Benny Goodman, Big Joe Turner, Coleman Hawkins, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday and Earl Hines, among others.-Biography:He initially played...
.
Atlantic used a process that it would repeat over the years, that is, turning an uptown singer funky. As with Ruth Brown, Ahmet Ertegün
Ahmet Ertegun
Ahmet Ertegün was a Turkish American musician and businessman, best known as the founder and president of Atlantic Records. He also wrote classic blues and pop songs and served as Chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and museum...
's method was to introduce popular black musical artists to older and more powerful black musical modes.
Important cover versions
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- Louis PrimaLouis PrimaLouis Prima was a Sicilian American singer, actor, songwriter, and trumpeter. Prima rode the musical trends of his time, starting with his seven-piece New Orleans style jazz band in the 1920s, then successively leading a swing combo in the 1930s, a big band in the 1940s, a Vegas lounge act in the...
- Wynonie HarrisWynonie HarrisWynonie Harris , born in Omaha, Nebraska, was an American blues shouter and rhythm and blues singer of upbeat songs, featuring humorous, often ribald lyrics. With fifteen Top 10 hits between 1946 and 1952, Harris is generally considered one of rock and roll's forerunners, influencing Elvis Presley...
- BB King
- Ray CharlesRay CharlesRay Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...