Cradle of Love (Johnny Preston song)

"Cradle of Love" is a song released in 1960 by Johnny Preston written by Jack Fautheree & Wayne Gray.

"Cradle of Love"
Single by Johnny Preston
from the album Come Rock With Me
B-side	"City of Tears"
Released	1960
Genre	Rock and roll
Length	2:20
Label	Mercury
Songwriter(s)	Jack Fautheree & Wayne Gray[1]
Johnny Preston singles chronology
"Running Bear" (1959) "Cradle of Love" (1960) "Feel So Fine" (1960)

Background

The lyrics of "Cradle of Love" quote several well known nursery rhymes^[2] with variations that tie them to the song's title. The song's chorus quotes Rock-a-bye Baby, the first verse quotes Jack Be Nimble, the second verse quotes Hey Diddle Diddle, and the third verse quotes Jack and Jill.^[3]

Chart performance

• In the US, the song spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 7,^[4] and No. 15 on Billboard's Hot R&B Sides.^[5]
• Outside the US, it went to No. 2 in the United Kingdom,^[6][7] No. 4 on Canada's CHUM Hit Parade,^[8] No. 5 on Norway's VG-lista,^[9] No. 7 in Australia,^[10] and No. 15 in Japan.^[11]

Chart (1960)	Peak position
Australia[10]	7
Canada (CHUM Hit Parade)[8]	4
Flanders[12][13]	6
Japan[11]	15
Netherlands[14][15]	19
Norway (VG-lista)[9]	5
UK Record Retailer[6]	2
UK New Musical Express[7]	2
US Billboard Hot 100[4]	7
US Billboard Hot R&B Sides[5]	15
US Cash Box Top 100[16]	6
US Cash Box Records Disc Jockeys Played Most[17]	6
US Cash Box Top Ten Juke Box Tunes[18]	5
Wallonia[19]	10

Cover versions

• Using the name "Bobby Stevens", Ray Pilgrim recorded a version of the song in 1960.^[20]
• Ronnie & Robyn (then Detroit-area high-school kids, b. respectively Robert Arquette and JoAnn Casey)^[21] recorded a forceful arrangement in 1966 on HBR 489.^[22]