"Devoted to You" is a song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant.
The best-known recording was by The Everly Brothers,[4] released by Cadence Records as catalog number 1350. This version was issued as the flip side of "Bird Dog," but reached the charts on its own, at No. 10 on the United States pop charts, No. 25 in Australia, and No. 1 in Canada. In addition, the song reached No. 7 on the United States country music chart and No. 2 on the rhythm and blues chart.
Charts
| Chart (1958) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100[5] | 10 |
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[6] | 7 |
| US Rhythm & Blues Records (Billboard)[6] | 2 |
Carly Simon and James Taylor version
The song was also recorded by American singer-songwriters Carly Simon and James Taylor, appearing on Simon's 1978 album, Boys in the Trees. Following the smash success of the album's first single "You Belong to Me", Devoted to You was released as the second single, and it also became a Top 40 hit. Charting on both the Billboard Pop singles chart and Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, as well as the Hot Country Songs chart. The song also charted in Canada, peaking at No. 50.[7]
Record World said that "The vocal harmonies blend perfectly and [Arif] Mardin's sparse production is, once again, flawless."[8]
Personnel
- Carly Simon - lead vocals
- James Taylor - lead vocals, acoustic guitar
- Richard Tee - Fender Rhodes electric piano
- Hugh McCracken - electric guitar solo
- Will Lee - bass
- Steve Gadd - drums
Track listing
- 7" single [9]
- "Devoted to You" – 2:29
- "Boys in the Trees" – 3:13
Charts
| Chart (1978)[10] | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada (RPM Charts) | 9 |
| US Billboard Pop Singles (Hot 100) | 36 |
| US Billboard Adult Contemporary[11] | 2 |
| US Billboard Country Songs | 33 |
Cover versions
The Beach Boys' rendition was a part of their 1965 album Beach Boys' Party!, sung by Mike Love and Brian Wilson. This version was later included as the B-side to the Mike Love and Brian Wilson single, "Gettin' Hungry". A recording without the Party! sound effects can be found on their Hawthorne, CA compilation.
Brian Hyland covered the song for his 1964 album Here's to Our Love. Sandy Posey recorded a compelling cover on her Sweet Dreams album, in which she emulated the Everly Brothers' harmony using multi-track recording. The song was also covered by The Seekers on their 1993 live album 25 Year Reunion Celebration, and by Linda Ronstadt and Valerie Carter on Ronstadt's 1996 album Dedicated to the One I Love.
References
- ^ "US single artwork". 45cat.com. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- ^ "US single artwork". discogs.com. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- ^ Stanley, Bob (13 September 2013). Yeah Yeah Yeah: The Story of Modern Pop. Faber & Faber. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-571-28198-5.
- ^ Everly Brothers interviewed on the Pop Chronicles (1969)
- ^ "The Everly Brothers Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ a b The Everly Brothers Awards History at AllMusic. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ "CAN Charts > Carly Simon". RPM. Archived from the original on 2015-01-04. Retrieved 2015-01-11.
- ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. August 12, 1978. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-13.
- ^ Discogs (1978). "Devoted to You". Discogs. Retrieved 30 Aug 2020.
- ^ "Boys in the Trees > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved 2009-01-18.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 237.
