This Ole House

"This Ole House" (sometimes written "This Old House") is an American popular song written by Stuart Hamblen, and published in 1954.[2] Rosemary Clooney's version reached the top of the popular music charts in both the US and the UK in 1954. The song again topped the UK chart in 1981 in a recording by Shakin' Stevens.

For the Shakin' Stevens album, see This Ole House (album). For the television show, see This Old House.
"This Ole House"
Single by Stuart Hamblen
from the album It Is No Secret
B-side"When My Lord Picks Up the 'Phone"
ReleasedMay 1954 (1954-05)
Recorded29 March 1954[1]
StudioRCA Victor Studios, 155 East 24th Street, Manhattan, New York
GenreCountry
Length2:55
LabelRCA Victor
Songwriter(s)Stuart Hamblen

Stuart Hamblen version

Hamblem recorded the song in March 1954 and released it as a single in May 1954.[3] It became very successful, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Country & Western chart, as well as being a Top 30 hit on the Hot 100, known then as the Best Sellers in Stores.[4] It was his last hit on the country charts and with the royalties he bought the mansion that had been owned by the late Errol Flynn.[5]

Composition

Hamblen was supposedly out on a hunting expedition when he and his fellow hunter, actor John Wayne, came across a hut in the mountains. Inside was the body of a man, and the man's dog was still there, guarding the building. This inspired Hamblen to write "This Ole House".[2] The lyric picks up a standard Gospel theme of the "old house" – the mortal body – being left behind when the soul of the believer goes to "meet the saints".[6]

Reception

The single was reviewed twice in Billboard magazine. It was described as "a powerful religioso item with a message and an infectious beat. Hamblen sells it with fervor." and that it "could easily break thru into country and pop".[7] In the following issue, it was described as "a sacred item which re-esablishes Hamblen as the top man in his field" and "a sock debut for Hamblen on the label."[8]

Charts

Rosemary Clooney version
"This Ole House"
Single by Rosemary Clooney with Buddy Cole & His Orchestra
A-side"Hey There" (US)
ReleasedJune 1954 (1954-06) (US)
GenreTraditional pop
Length2:18
Label
Songwriter(s)Stuart Hamblen
Producer(s)Mitch Miller

Soon after Hamblen released his version, Rosemary Clooney recorded a version of "This Ole House" with Buddy Cole & His Orchestra. It featured bass vocals by Thurl Ravenscroft and topped the charts in the US and the UK.[11][12][13]

In the US, it was released as the flip side to "Hey There", which also reached number 1. However, in the UK, it was released as the A-side, with the flip side "My Baby Sends Me".

When reviewed in Billboard, it was described as "a bright, bouncy rendition from the thrush, supported solidly by an unbilled male singer and the Buddy Cole ork. Tho not as strong as the flip. it has a sparkle that could make It grab juke loot."[14]

Track listings

7" (US)

  1. "Hey There" – 2:57
  2. "This Ole House" – 2:18

7" (UK)

  1. "This Ole House"
  2. "My Baby Sends Me"

Charts

Shakin' Stevens version
"This Ole House"
Single by Shakin' Stevens
from the album This Ole House
B-side"Let Me Show You How"
Released20 February 1981 (1981-02-20)
Recorded1980
StudioEden Studios. London
GenreRock and roll
Length2:58
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)Stuart Hamblen
Producer(s)Stuart Colman
Shakin' Stevens singles chronology
"Shooting Gallery"
(1980)		 "This Ole House"
(1981)		 "You Drive Me Crazy"
(1981)

In 1981, Welsh singer Shakin' Stevens covered the song for his album of the same name. It became very successful, topping the UK Singles Chart for three weeks, as well as being a hit in several other countries.[17] It was re-released in 2005 as a double A-side with a cover of Pink's "Trouble" after his appearance in the TV show Hit Me Baby One More Time and reached No. 20 in the UK Singles Chart.[17]

Charts

Other recordings

References
  1. "RCA Victor 20-5500 - 20-6000 78rpm numerical listing discography". www.78discography.com. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  2. Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives. p. 15. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
  3. "Stuart Hamblen "This Old House" Classic 45, 1954". 2020-01-28. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  4. "This Ole House (song by Stuart Hamblen) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  5. McNeil, W. K. (2013-10-18). Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music. Routledge. p. 172. ISBN 978-1-135-37700-7.
  6. See 2 Corinthians 5:1
  7. "Reviews of New Sacred Records" (PDF). Billboard. 8 May 1954. p. 31. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  8. "Country & Western Records" (PDF). Billboard. 15 May 1954. p. 31. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  9. "Cash Box Top 10 Country Best Sellers – Week ending November 20, 1954". Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  10. Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1955-05-21). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 18.
  11. Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1954-12-04). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
  12. "This Ole House (song by Rosemary Clooney) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts". www.musicvf.com. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  13. "Rosemary Clooney: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  14. Inc, Nielsen Business Media (1954-06-26). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.
  15. "Cash Box Best Selling Singles – Week ending November 13, 1954". Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 2020-10-30.
  16. "1954's Top Popular Records according to Retail Sales" (PDF). The Billboard. 66 (52): 17. December 25, 1954.
  17. "Shakin Stevens: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  18. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  19. "Austriancharts.at – Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  20. "Ultratop.be – Shakin' Stevens – This Ole House" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  21. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6937." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  22. "Danish Chart Archive - Singles 1979 - ____ (B.T./IFPI DK)". www.ukmix.org. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
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