Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)

"Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)"
Single by Benny Spellman
B-side "Fortune Teller"
Released 1962
Format 7" single
Recorded

February 2, 1962

New Orleans, Louisiana[1]
Genre R&B
Length 2:23
Label Minit Records 644
Writer(s) Naomi Neville
Producer(s) Allen Toussaint
Benny Spellman singles chronology
"Darling No Matter Where"
(1960)
"Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)"
(1962)
"Love Is Universal"
(1962)

"Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)" is a song first recorded by New Orleans singer Benny Spellman in 1962. It was written by Allen Toussaint under the pseudonym Naomi Neville. The song became Spellman's only hit record, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard R&B chart and number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart.[2] The flip side of the single was "Fortune Teller", made famous by The Rolling Stones cover among others.

"Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)" was recorded in New Orleans on February 2, 1962. The background vocals were done by label mates Irma Thomas and Willie Harper.[3]

Cover versions

"Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)"

A-side label
Single by Ringo Starr
from the album Bad Boy
B-side "Old Time Revolin'"
Released 18 April 1978
Format 7" vinyl
Length 3:01
Label Portrait
Producer(s) Vini Poncia
Ringo Starr singles chronology
"Tango All Night"
(1978)
"Lipstick Traces (On a Cigarette)"
(1978)
"Heart on My Sleeve"
(1978)

The song has been covered by number of artists and bands. One of the earliest covers was done by The O'Jays in 1965. (Imperial single 66102) Their version peaked on the R&B chart at #28 and #48 on the pop chart.[4] It was included in the album Comin' Through (Imperial 9290), released in the same year.[5]

Ringo Starr covered it in his 1978 album Bad Boy. Starr's version was released as a single in the US, backed with "Old Time Revolvin'", on 17 April 1978.[nb 1][6] Other artists that covered the song include Snooks Eaglin, Frankie Ford, Delbert McClinton, Amazing Rhythm Aces and Alex Chilton.[7] Joe Krown did an instrumental version of the song in his album Old Friends, released in 2007.[8]

References

Footnotes
  1. US Portrait 6-70015[6]
Citations
  1. THE ALADDIN/IMPERIAL LABELS - A Discography Compiled by Michel Ruppli (Greenwood Press)
  2. Benny Spellman - Charts & Awards on Allmusic
  3. Liner notes to the CD The Allen Toussaint Touch by Clive Richardson
  4. Joel Whitburn's Top R&B Singles 1942-1988 (Record Research)
  5. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r14422
  6. 6.0 6.1 Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 183. ISBN 9780753508435.
  7. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1059739