| "The Thrill Is Gone" | |
|---|---|
| Single by B. B. King | |
| from the album Completely Well | |
| B-side | "You're Mean" |
| Released | December, 1969 |
| Format | 7" 45 RPM |
| Recorded | June, 1969 |
| Genre | Blues |
| Length |
5:24 (album version) 3:55 (single version) |
| Label | Bluesway/ABC Records |
| Writer(s) | Rick Darnell, Roy Hawkins |
| Producer | Bill Szymczyk |
"The Thrill Is Gone" is a blues song written by Rick Darnell and Roy Hawkins in 1951 and popularized by B.B. King in 1970.
Contents |
The song was first recorded by Roy Hawkins, its co-author, and became a minor hit for the musician. It was then covered by numerous artists, including Don Cherry, Chet Baker, Chris Connor, Anthony Newley, Julie London, Ray Bryant, Sarah Vaughan, Carmen McRae, Patti Page, Ray Conniff, Stan Getz, The Ink Spots, Ella Fitzgerald. B.B. King recorded his version of the song in June 1969 for his album Completely Well, released the same year. The song's polished production and use of strings marked a departure from both the original song and King's previous material. When released as a single in December 1969, the song became the biggest hit of King's career (#3 R&B / #15 Pop) and his signature song. B. B. King's recording earned him a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance and a Grammy Hall of Fame award in 1998. King's version of the song was also placed at number 183 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest songs ever. Memorable live versions of the song were included on King's albums Live in Cook County Jail (1971), Bobby Bland and B.B. King Together Again...Live (1976), and Live at San Quentin (1991).[1]
The song has been covered by numerous artists since B. B. King's hit version, including Aretha Franklin from Spirit in the Dark (1970), Little Milton (1973), Stan Webb (1973), Luther Allison (1979), Barbara Mandrell (...In Black and White, 1982), Steven Brown (Half Out, 1991), The Manhattan Transfer (1995), Dishwalla (1995), Diamanda Galas (1998),[2] Jerry Garcia and David Grisman (1990s), Harry Manx (1990s), Willie Nelson (2000), Mary Coughlan (2001), The Marshall Tucker Band (Stompin' Room Only 2003), Pappo (Buscando un amor, 2003), Buckethead (2004), The Eric Steckel Band (Havana, 2006), Leslie West (Got BLOOZE 2005), Theo Sinton (Emerald Blues, 2008), Anthony Gardner (2009), Beverly McClellan (The Voice, 2011).
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Billboard Rhythm & Blues Singles | 6 |
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles | 3 |
| Billboard Hot 100 | 15 |