Cool Water (song)
| "Cool Water" | |
|---|---|
| Single by The Sons of the Pioneers | |
| B-side | So Long to the Red River Valley[1] |
| Written | 1936 |
| Published | 1936 Music of the West/Unichappell Music Inc [2] |
| Released | April 1941 |
| Recorded | March 27, 1941[3] |
| Studio | Chicago, Illinois |
| Genre | Country (Hillbilly) |
| Label | Decca 5939 |
| Songwriter(s) | Bob Nolan |
"Cool Water" is a song written in 1936 by Bob Nolan. It is about a parched man and his mule traveling a wasteland tormented by mirages. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as No. 3 on the Top 100 Western songs of all time.
Charting versions
It was first recorded by The Sons of the Pioneers on March 27, 1941, for Decca Records (catalog 5939)[4] and this briefly charted in 1941 with a peak position of No. 25.[5] However, the best-selling recorded version was done by Vaughn Monroe and The Sons of the Pioneers in 1948. The recording was released by RCA Victor as catalog number 20-2923. The record was on the Billboard chart for 13 weeks beginning on August 6, 1948, peaking at No. 9. The Sons of the Pioneers also recorded the song without Monroe, again for RCA Victor. [6]
Frankie Laine and The Mellomen took it to No. 2 on the British charts in 1955.
Film appearances
- 1945 Along the Navajo Trail - sung by Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers.
- 1945 Saddle Serenade - performed by Jimmy Wakely and the Riders of the Purple Sage
- 1946 Ding Dong Williams performed by Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers.
- 2011 Rango - performed by Hank Williams.
- 2014 Lost River - sung by Ben Mendelsohn with music by Johnny Jewel
- 2018 The Ballad of Buster Scruggs - sung by Tim Blake Nelson
Charts
- Frankie Laine version
| Chart (1955) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom (NME)[7] | 2 |
| United Kingdom (Record Mirror)[8] | 1 |
References
- ^ "Decca 5939 (10-in. double-faced) - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
- ^ "BMI | Songview Search". repertoire.bmi.com. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
- ^ "Decca matrix 93632. Cool water / Sons of the Pioneers - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
- ^ "The Online Discographical Project". 78discography.com. Retrieved September 18, 2017.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 400. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (1973). Top Pop Records 1940-1955. Record Research.
- ^ "Artist Chart History Details: Frankie Laine". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
- ^ McAleer, Dave. "Every No.1 in the 1960s is listed from all the nine different magazine charts!". Dave McAleer's website. Archived from the original on 10 May 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2010.
