Tower of Strength (Gene McDaniels song)

"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 – as a single that peaked at No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart in 1961.^[4]
• Paul Raven (later famous as 'Gary Glitter') – 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.^{[citation needed]}
• Adriano Celentano sung an Italian version entitled "Stai lontana da me" ("Stay away from me") and won the 1st Cantagiro contest in 1962. He recorded a Spanish version, too, with the title "Torre poderosa".
• Sue Richards had a moderate hit with her recording in 1975.^{[citation needed]}
• Narvel Felts – as a single that went to No. 26 on the Canadian country chart and No. 33 on the country chart in 1979.^[6]

References

1. Gene McDaniels, "Tower of Strength" Single Release Retrieved May 1, 2014
2. Gene McDaniels, Tower of Strength Retrieved May 1, 2014
3. Gene McDaniels, "Tower of Strength" Chart Positions Retrieved May 1, 2014
4. Frankie Vaughan, "A Hundred Pounds of Clay" Chart Position Retrieved May 1, 2014
5. Paul Raven, "A Hundred Pounds of Clay" single release Retrieved May 1, 2014
6. Narvel Felts, "A Hundred Pounds of Clay" Chart Position Retrieved May 1, 2014