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This week’s Song of the Week is “Cupid” by the legendary Sam Cooke. Sam Cooke already had a string of hits behind him when he released “Cupid” in 1961 and was on his way to becoming RCA Records best selling artist after Elvis Presley.

Sam Cooke is one of several artists who successfully made the transition from being a gospel artist to making secular records. His breakthrough hit in 1956 was “You Send Me,” which hit number 1 in the US.

“Cupid” was one of a great run of records produced by Luigi Creatore, including “Twisting the Night Away,” “Bring It On Home to Me” and “Another Saturday Night.”

Recording date/location

“Cupid” was recorded on April 14, 1961 at RCA Hollywood Studio 1.

Authorship

“Cupid” was composed solely by Sam Cooke.

Musicians

The following musicians played on “Cupid”:

• Joseph Gibbons – guitar/banjo
• René Hall – guitar
• Clifford Hils – bass
• Earl Palmer – drums
• Clifton White – guitar
• The Simms Twins – backing vocals.

An orchestra was also present on the track, conducted by Horace Ott.

Chart performance

“Cupid” was released on May 16, 1961, backed with “Farewell My Darling.” The single hit number 17 on the US pop chart and number 7 on the UK singles chart, which made it Sam’s biggest hit to date in the UK.

Sam achieved a total of 29 top-40 hits on the US pop charts.

Covers

Johnny Nash – “Cupid”

A reggae-style cover of “Cupid” was released by American singer-songwriter Johnny Nash in 1969. His cover hit number 6 on the UK charts and number 39 in the US. His next hit would be the classic “I Can See Clearly Now” in 1972.

Amy Winehouse – “Cupid”

Amy Winehouse included a cover of “Cupid” on the deluxe edition of her hit album “Back to Black” in 2007. Her arrangement actually borrows more from Johnny Nash’s cover than the Cooke original.

Colin Meloy – “Cupid”

Lead singer of The Decemberists, Colin Meloy, featured “Cupid” on his 2008 EP “Colin Meloy Sings Sam Cooke.” Backing vocals are provided by Laura Gibson. Meloy opts for a simple, acoustic cover.

There will be a new Song of the Week on July 19.

“Cupid” features on a number of Sam Cooke compilations, including “Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964” and the four disc box set “Man Who Invented Soul,” which are available from the following online retailers:

Title
Sam Cooke: Portrait of a Legend – 1951-1964 (CD)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now
Sam Cooke: Man Who Invented Soul (4 CDs)	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now	Buy Now