The Ballad of Paladin
"The Ballad of Paladin" | ||||
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RCA Victor | ||||
Songwriter(s) | Johnny Western, Richard Boone, Sam Rolfe | |||
Producer(s) | Lee Hazlewood | |||
Duane Eddy singles chronology | ||||
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"The Ballad of Paladin" is a song written by
UK Singles Chart and No. 33 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962.[1] Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time.[2] Eddy's flip side was the theme to The Wild Westerners
.
The song was produced by Lee Hazlewood and arranged by Bob Thompson.[3] Drummer Earl Palmer played on the session.[4] Duane Eddy was good friends with the show's star Richard Boone and appeared with him in a couple of the episodes. He also appeared with him in the 1982 motion picture The Wild Westerners
The song was also used heavily in the film Stand by Me.[5]
Charts
Chart (1962) | Peak position |
---|---|
Canada (CHUM Hit Parade)[6] | 9 |
Ireland (IRMA)[7] | 8 |
10 | |
US Billboard Hot 100[9] | 33 |
US Cash Box Top 100[10]
|
48 |
Other versions
- Johnny Western recorded the original version in 1958 that was the regular theme to the television show Have Gun – Will Travel from the second season on--it was used at least four times in season 1, including episodes 33 & 34. His co-writers were the show's star and creator. Years later, he recorded a parody, "The Ballad of Palindrome", with the western swing and comedy group Riders in the Sky.
- Al Caiola released a version as part of an EP in 1962.[11]
- Faron Young released a version as part of an EP in 1963.[12]
References
- ^ Duane Eddy, "The Ballad of Paladin" Chart Positions Retrieved April 28, 2014
- ^ Western Writers of America (2010). "The Top 100 Western Songs". American Cowboy. Archived from the original on 19 October 2010.
- ^ Duane Eddy, "The Ballad of Paladin" single release Retrieved April 28, 2014
- ^ Scherman, Tony, Backbeat: The Earl Palmer Story, foreword by Wynton Marsalis, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C., 1999 p. 176
- ^ "The Ballad of Paladin" Retrieved August 30, 2023
- ^ "CHUM Hit Parade, week of September 3, 1962".
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Ballad of Paladin". Irish Singles Chart.
- ^ "Duane Eddy: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. August 25, 1962.
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, August 25, 1962".
- ^ Al Caiola, "The Ballad of Paladin" EP release Retrieved April 28, 2014
- ^ Faron Young, "The Ballad of Paladin" EP release Retrieved April 28, 2014