Prisoner of Love (1931 song)

"Prisoner Of Love" is a 1931 popular song with music by Russ Columbo and Clarence Gaskill and lyrics by Leo Robin. The song was popularized by Columbo and later became a major hit for Perry Como and The Ink Spots. It was also recorded by Billy Eckstine.

Perry Como versions

Como's first recording was made on December 18, 1945 and released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-1814-B. It first reached the Billboard magazine charts on March 30, 1946 and lasted 3 weeks on the chart, peaking at #1. The flip side was "All Through the Day". This recording was re-released in 1949, by RCA Victor, as a 78rpm single (catalog number 20-3298-A) and a 45rpm single (catalog number 47-2886), with the flip side "Temptation."

Como made two further recordings of the song: one in February, 1946 for a V-Disc, number CS-656-B, and another in July 1970 in a live performance in Las Vegas, issued as a long-playing album (titled In Person At The International Hotel, Las Vegas in its United States and United Kingdom releases, Perry Como In Person in its Japanese release, and Perry Como In Concert in its Dutch release).

Etta James version

Etta James recorded "Prisoner of Love" in 1962 on her third LP, Etta James Sings for Lovers, on the Chess Records label. It is the last song on Side Two. It was not released as a single.

James Brown version

"Prisoner of Love"
Single by James Brown
from the album Prisoner of Love
B-side	"Choo-Choo (Locomotion)"
Released	April 1963
Format	7"
Recorded	December 17, 1962, at Bell Sound Studios, New York, NY
Genre	R&B, Traditional pop music
Length	2:24
Label	King Records K5739
Writer(s)	Russ Columbo-Clarence Gaskill-Leo Robin
Producer	James Brown and Hal Neely

James Brown revived "Prisoner of Love" in 1963. It was his first recording to enter the pop Top 20, reaching #18. The studio recording was arranged by Sammy Lowe. He performed the song live with his vocal group, The Famous Flames on the concert film The T.A.M.I. Show, and on a mid-1960s telecast of The Ed Sullivan Show. The Flames, however, were not used on the studio recording, having been replaced, in this instance, by a female chorus.

Bo Diddley version

Rock and roll icon Bo Diddley recorded a version of "Prisoner of Love" during the sessions for Bo Diddley Is a Gunslinger, although the track was not released until the album's 2004 reissue by Geffen Records.

Preceded by "I'm a Big Girl Now" by Sammy Kaye

U.S. Billboard Best Sellers in Stores number-one single May 4, 1946–May 18, 1946 (Perry Como)

Succeeded by "The Gypsy" by The Ink Spots