"Cool Water" is a song written in 1936 by Bob Nolan. It is about a parched man and his mule traveling a wasteland tormented by mirages. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as No. 3 on the Top 100 Western songs of all time.
"Cool Water" | |
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Single by The Sons of the Pioneers | |
B-side | So Long to the Red River Valley[1] |
Written | 1936 |
Published | 1936 Music of the West/Unichappell Music Inc [2] |
Released | April 1941 |
Recorded | March 27, 1941[3] |
Studio | Chicago, Illinois |
Genre | Country (Hillbilly) |
Label | Decca 5939 |
Songwriter(s) | Bob Nolan |
It was first recorded by The Sons of the Pioneers on March 27, 1941, for Decca Records (catalog 5939)[4] and this briefly charted in 1941 with a peak position of No. 25.[5] However, the best-selling recorded version was done by Vaughn Monroe and The Sons of the Pioneers in 1948. The recording was released by RCA Victor as catalog number 20-2923. The record was on the Billboard chart for 13 weeks beginning on August 6, 1948, peaking at No. 9. The Sons of the Pioneers also recorded the song without Monroe, again for RCA Victor. [6]
Frankie Laine and The Mellomen took it to No. 2 on the British charts in 1955.
Chart (1955) | Peak position |
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United Kingdom (NME)[7] | 2 |
United Kingdom (Record Mirror)[8] | 1 |
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Studio albums |
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Singles |
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Related |
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