"Ruby" is the 1952 theme song for the film Ruby Gentry starring Jennifer Jones, written by Mitchell Parish and Heinz Roemheld. There were six chartered versions of the song in 1953.[1] The theme enjoyed much popularity in orchestral recordings by Les Baxter, with harmonica solo by Danny Welton.,[2] Victor Young And His Singing Strings with George Fields on harmonica (Columbia DO-70040, Australia), Richard Hayman And His Orchestra with Richard Hayman on harmonica, and Jerry Murad and the Harmonicats.

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Notable recordings

It has subsequently become a jazz and pop standard, both as an instrumental and with lyrics by Mitchell Parish:

• Richard Hayman and His Orchestra. This reached No. 3 in the Billboard charts in 1953.[3]
• Les Baxter and His Orchestra (harmonica solo by Danny Welton) had a hit with the song in 1953, peaking in the No. 7 position.[4]
• Harry James and his Orchestra. A No. 20 hit in 1953.[5]
• Victor Young and His Singing Strings. Reached number 20 in the charts in 1953.[6]
• Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra, reaching number 27 in the charts in 1953.[7]
• Les Brown and His Band of Renown - briefly charted in 1953 at number 29.[8]
• Ray Charles - reached No. 28 in the Billboard charts in 1960.[9]
• Adam Wade accompanied by George Paxton & His Orchestra with The Bel-Aire Singers. This directly competed against the Ray Charles version and reached No. 58 in the charts in 1960.[10][11] Wade's B-side was "Too Far" written by Pat Lambert and Bob Haymes.

References