The Letter (song)

Cover of The Letter by The Box Tops.

"The Letter" is a song written by Wayne Carson Thompson and made famous by The Box Tops, released in 1967 on the album of the same name. It reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number five on the UK singles chart. The song was popular during the Vietnam War and was also included in the computer game Battlefield Vietnam. Rolling Stone ranked it #363 on their list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

[edit] Cover versions

"The Letter" has been covered by Al Green, Joe Cocker, The Beach Boys, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Jefferson Airplane, the Arbors, and Del Shannon.
Eva Cassidy also covered "The Letter" on her album Time After Time, and it is covered somewhat regularly by the rock/jam band Gov't Mule.

Chris Daughtry of American Idol covered "The Letter" for his audition with the judges.
A cover version of "The Letter" by Dynamo 5 was used as the lead song for the film Sonnenallee.

Preceded by "Ode to Billie Joe" by Bobbie Gentry	Billboard Hot 100 number one single September 23, 1967	Succeeded by "To Sir, with Love" by Lulu