Band of Gold (Freda Payne song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Band of Gold was a popular song by Freda Payne.

Written by Edith Wayne and Ron Dunbar the song was offered to Diana Ross and the Supremes. Because of the subject matter of the song (a marriage that ended on the wedding night), Ross did not want to record it. Then it was offered to Payne who balked at first, finding the material more appropriate for a young woman or teenager, but reluctantly gave in after being persuaded by the producers and songwriters to do so.

Almost immediately, in early 1970, the song became an instant pop smash reaching #3 in the US and #1 on the UK singles chart for six weeks in September 1970. It gave Payne her first gold record. The guitarist on the record is Ray Parker Jr who later found solo success in the late '70s and early '80s.

The song was later covered in 1986 by Belinda Carlisle on her debut solo album Belinda, and was remixed for release as a single. Unlike the album cut, the single version of Carlisle's "Band of Gold" includes a backing vocal by Freda Payne.

The song was also covered by Bonnie Tyler on her album Secret Dreams and Forbidden Fire.

Preceded by "The Tears of a Clown" by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

UK number one single (Freda Payne version) September 15, 1970

Succeeded by "Woodstock" by Matthews Southern Comfort