Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)
"Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)" | ||||
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R&B | ||||
Length | 2:23 | |||
Label | Minit Records 644 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Naomi Neville | |||
Producer(s) | Allen Toussaint | |||
Benny Spellman singles chronology | ||||
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"Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)" is a song first recorded by New Orleans singer Benny Spellman in 1962. It was written by Allen Toussaint under the pseudonym Naomi Neville. The song became Spellman's only hit record, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard R&B chart and number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. The flip side of the single was "Fortune Teller", made famous by The Rolling Stones cover among others.
Toussaint explained the song's origin in an interview with journalist
"Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)" was recorded in New Orleans on February 2, 1962. The background vocals were done by label mates Irma Thomas and Willie Harper.[2]
Cover versions
"Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)" | ||||
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Single by Ringo Starr | ||||
from the album Bad Boy | ||||
B-side | "Old Time Relovin'" | |||
Released | 18 April 1978 | |||
Length | 3:01 | |||
Label | Portrait | |||
Songwriter(s) | Naomi Neville | |||
Producer(s) | Vini Poncia | |||
Ringo Starr singles chronology | ||||
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"Lipstick Traces" has been covered by a number of artists. One of the earliest cover versions was by The O'Jays in 1965. (Imperial single 66102) Their version peaked on the R&B chart at No. 28, matching the R&B chart success of Spellman's original; and surpassed it on the Pop Chart, peaking at No. 48.[3] It was included on the 1965 album Comin' Through (Imperial 9290).[4] The O'Jays' original five-member lineup of Walter Williams (who sang lead), Eddie Levert, William Powell, Bobby Massey and Bill Isles, performed the song on a 1965 telecast of ABC-TV's "Shivaree".[5]
In popular culture
The song was the basis for the main title of Greil Marcus' book Lipstick Traces: A Secret History of the 20th Century.[10]
References
- Footnotes
- Citations
- ^ Gross, Terry (host) (November 13, 2015). "'Fresh Air' Remembers Hit Songwriter, Pianist And Producer Allen Toussaint". Fresh Air. NPR.
- ^ Liner notes to the CD The Allen Toussaint Touch by Clive Richardson
- ^ Joel Whitburn's Top R&B Singles 1942-1988 (Record Research)
- ^ "Comin' Through - The O'Jays | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
- ^ "O'Jays - Lipstick Traces". YouTube. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
- ^ ISBN 9780753508435.
- ISBN 0-7119-7520-5.
- ^ "Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette) - Benny Spellman | Cover Songs | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "Old Friends - Joe Krown | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. 2007-03-06. Retrieved 2016-09-26.
- ISBN 978-0-674-03480-8.