Rita May (song)

"Rita May"
Single by Bob Dylan
from the album Masterpieces
A-side	"Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again"
B-side	"Rita May"
Released	November 30, 1976
Format	7"
Recorded	July 30, 1975
Studio	Columbia Recording Studio E, New York City
Genre	Blues
Length	3:14
Label	Columbia
Songwriter(s)	music: Bob Dylan; lyrics: Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan
Producer(s)	Don DeVito
Bob Dylan discography singles chronology
"Mozambique" (1976) "Rita May" (1976) "Baby, Stop Crying" (1977)
"Mozambique" (1976) "Rita May" (1977) "Baby, Stop Crying" (1977)

"Rita May" (sometimes spelled as "Rita Mae") is a song by Bob Dylan, originally recorded during the sessions for the album Desire, but released only as the B-side of a single and on the compilation album, Masterpieces.^[1] The song is based on the 1957 rockabilly song "Bertha Lou". Some listeners believe that the lyrics of the song refer to writer Rita Mae Brown, who had complained of the lack of opportunities for casual lesbian sex.^[2]

"Rita May" was covered by Jerry Lee Lewis on his 1979 album Jerry Lee Lewis.

Other songs with the same title

Eric Clapton wrote a song titled "Rita Mae" which appears on his 1981 album Another Ticket and was also released as a single, reaching #10 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

Personnel

Original Dylan version

• Bob Dylan – guitar, vocal, harmonica
• Emmylou Harris – vocal
• Rob Rothstein – bass
• Howard Wyeth – drums
• Scarlet Rivera – violin
• Sheena Seidenberg – tambourine, congas
• Don DeVito – Producer

References

1. ↑ Still on the Road: Bob Dylan Recording Sessions
2. ↑ The Bob Dylan Who's Who