music.wikisort.org - Composition

"Tower of Strength" is a song written by Burt Bacharach and Bob Hilliard and performed by Gene McDaniels. The record was produced by Snuff Garrett and featured the Johnny Mann Singers and Earl Palmer on drums.[1] It appeared on his 1961 album, Tower of Strength.[2]

"Tower of Strength"
Single by Gene McDaniels
from the album Tower of Strength
B-side	"The Secret"
Released	September 18, 1961
Genre	Soul
Length	2:14
Label	Liberty Records 55371
Songwriter(s)	Burt Bacharach, Bob Hilliard
Producer(s)	Snuff Garrett
Gene McDaniels singles chronology
"A Tear" (1961) "Tower of Strength" (1961) "Chip Chip" (1961)

Chart performance

The song reached No. 5 on both the US Billboard chart and the R&B chart in 1961.[3]

Other versions

• Frankie Vaughan released a version as a single that peaked at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in 1961.[4]
• Paul Raven (later famous as 'Gary Glitter') released a version as a single in 1961.[5]
• Gloria Lynne released an answer song entitled "You Don't Have to Be a Tower of Strength" in 1961.[6]
• Adriano Celentano sung a famous Italian version with the title Stai lontana da me ("Be far away from me"), first on the Italian charts in the Summer of 1962. It was the first single Celentano recorded for his personal label, the Clan Celentano.
• Also in 1962 Catullo and The Enigmists recorded the piece in Italian (Nuova Enigmistica Tascabile, N. 427).
• Sue Richards had a moderate hit with her version in 1975. [7]
• Narvel Felts released a version as a single that went to No. 26 on the Canadian country chart and No. 33 on the country chart in 1979.[8]
• Portuguese singer Aurea also released a version of the song on her 2010 debut album Aurea.[9]

In media

McDaniels' version was used in the 1987 movie The Year My Voice Broke.[10]

References

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