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Poetry in Motion (Song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| “Poetry in Motion” | |
|---|---|
| |
| Single by Johnny Tillotson | |
| from the album Johnny Tillotson’s Best | |
| B-side | “Princess Princess |
| Released | 1960 |
| Genre | Rock and roll |
| Length | 2:14 |
| Label | Cadence (US) London (UK) |
| Songwriter(s) | Mike Anthony, Paul Kaufman |
| Producer(s) | Archie Bleyer |
| Johnny Tillotson singles chronology | |
| “Earth Angel“ (1960)”Poetry in Motion“ (1960)”Jimmy’s Girl” (1961) | |
“Poetry in Motion” is a UK No. 1 hit single in 1961, recorded amongst others by Johnny Tillotson. Tillotson’s version was the most successful.
Background
The song was written by Paul Kaufman (1930–1999) and Mike Anthony (born 1930), who said that the inspiration for it came from looking up from their work and seeing a procession of young ladies from a nearby school pass by on the sidewalk outside each afternoon. Bill Porter supervised the recording session in Nashville, Tennessee, which featured saxophonist Boots Randolph, pianist Floyd Cramer and bassist Floyd “Lightning” Chance. An alternative version, with King Curtis on saxophone, was recorded some weeks earlier and published by Bear Family Records in 2011.
In the US Billboard Hot 100, “Poetry in Motion” peaked at No. 2 in November 1960, kept out of the No. 1 spot by “Georgia on My Mind” by Ray Charles. In the UK Singles Chart it hit No. 1 in January 1961, and also made the charts on reissue in 1979.
Chart positions
| Chart (1960-1963) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Argentina b/w “Cutie Pie” | 1 |
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 5 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders) | 9 |
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia) | 46 |
| Canada (CHUM Chart) | 6 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100) | 14 |
| Norway (VG-lista) | 4 |
| US Billboard Top 100 Singles | 2 |
| US Billboard R&B Singles | 27 |
| U.K. Singles Charts | 1 |
| West Germany (GfK) | 38 |
Cover versions
- The song was covered by Swedish pop group Ola & the Janglers in 1966 and went to No. 1 in the Swedish voted chart “Tio i Topp” but only reached No. 7 in the sales chart “Kvällstoppen”.
- Richard Anthony – Elle A Des Yeux D’ange
- Orlando – Elle A Des Yeux D’ange
- Grayhounds (Jpn) – Poetry In Motion
- Cliff Richard – Poetry In Motion
- Poetry In Motion – Johnny Tillotson – Guitar Instrumental Cover
- Daniel O’Donnell
- Lori and Michelle – Poetry in Motion
- Pat Henry – Poetry In Motion
- Bobby Vee – Poetry In Motion
- Poetry In Motion – Guitar instrumental Cover
- Pat Boone
Other version of Poetry in Motion
- Lana Del Rey
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