New Orleans (Gary U.S. Bonds song)

"New Orleans" is a song written by Frank Guida and Joseph Royster and performed by Gary U.S. Bonds. It was featured on his 1961 album Dance 'Til Quarter to Three with U.S. Bonds.^[2] Frank Guida also produced the track.^[3] Backing was provided by Gene Barge's group The Church Street Five. Bonds's version was reportedly a favorite of British musician and member of The Beatles, John Lennon.

"New Orleans"
1960 45-rpm release by Gary U.S. Bonds (first pressing)
Single by Gary U.S. Bonds
from the album Dance 'Til Quarter to Three with U.S. Bonds
B-side	"Please Forgive Me"
Released	September 1960 (1960-09)
Genre	R&B, Rock & Roll
Length	2:44
Label	Legrand
Songwriter(s)	Frank Guida, Joseph Royster[1]
Producer(s)	Frank Guida
Gary U.S. Bonds singles chronology
"New Orleans" (1960) "Not Me" (1961)

Chart performance

"New Orleans" reached #5 on the U.S. R&B chart, #6 on the U.S. pop chart, and #16 on the UK Singles Chart in 1960.^[4]

Other charting versions

• Bern Elliott and the Fenmen - a single, in 1964, which reached #24 on the UK Singles Chart.^[5]
• Eddie Hodges - a single, in 1965, which reached #44 on the U.S. pop chart.^[6]
• The Chartbusters - a single, in 1965, which reached #134 on the U.S. pop chart.^[7]
• Steve Alaimo - a single, in 1967, which reached #126 on the U.S. pop chart.^[8]
• Neil Diamond - a single, in 1968, which reached #51 on the U.S. pop chart.^[9]
• Anthony Armstrong Jones, as the B-side to his 1969 single "And Say Goodbye". It reached #28 on the U.S. country chart.^[10]
• Harley Quinne, in 1972, reaching #19 in the UK Charts
• King Biscuit Boy - a single, in 1975, which reached #68 in Canada.^[11]
• Gillan - a single, in 1981, which reached #17 on the UK Singles Chart.^[12]

Other versions

• Dave Myers and The Surftones, on their 1963 album The Winners of the 18 Band Surf Battle!^[13]
• The Ventures, on their 1963 album Let's Go!^[14]
• The Strangeloves, on their 1965 album I Want Candy.^[15]
• Dick and Dee Dee, on their 1966 album Songs We've Sung on Shindig.^[16]
• Wilson Pickett, on his 1967 album The Wicked Pickett.^[17]
• Paul Revere & the Raiders, on their 1966 album Just Like Us!^[18]
• The Kingsmen, on their 1964 album The Kingsmen Volume II^[19] and on their 1966 album 15 Great Hits.^[20]
• Bill Haley and His Comets, recorded January 1966 and released on Whisky a Go-Go album for Orfeon Records.,^[21] plus live renditions on later albums.
• Travis Wammack, as a single in 1973, but it did not chart.^[22]
• Dr. John, on his 1975 album Dr. John and His New Orleans Congregation.^[23]
• Neil Sedaka, featuring Bonds, on his 1984 album Come See About Me.^[24]
• Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, on their 1984 album Glorious Results of a Misspent Youth.^[25]
• Robbie Coltrane, as a single in 1988 in the UK, but it did not chart.^[26]
• Teresa Brewer, on her 1991 compilation album 16 Most Requested Songs.^[27]
• Ray Stevens, on his 2007 album New Orleans Moon.^[28]
• The Grateful Dead performed the song live 3 times in 1970, and once in 1984 along with members of The Band.^[29]
• The song was performed in the 1998 movie Blues Brothers 2000 by the Blues Brothers Band and "The Louisiana Gator Boys". It was also included in the movie's soundtrack album.