In the 1950's and 1960's, there were 1000's of small independent record companies that were formed with a microphone, tape recorder and a garage to act as a studio. Then, record to tape, press up a few records, pay a few DJ's and hope for the best. Though a bit oversimplified, there were still a few details to work out. One of which was to decide what the title of the song was. Apparently it was more complex than it should have been. The records below started off with a title that was usually wrong or at least was determined not as correct as the re-named title that followed. Some are very common variations, others not so much. All of them are part of just another great aspect of the record collecting hobby.
Probably one of the best know examples of record title changes. I recall finding out about it in the early 1970's, and I suspect that collectors that were older and more in the "Know" had me beat by quite a few years. In this case, the title was definitely incorrect and Melba pressed up at least the first run before realizing the mistake and re-titling it. The labels remained exactly the same except for the title. Typeset on the "May Ring" side eventually was larger on later presses. I usually see 5-10 of these go up for sale every year. The current price book (200-300) is too high for this one. Actually, the rarest version is on 78, and I have just seen a couple of them available for sale.
The Cellos had a great novelty record in 1957. It climbed most regional charts and peaked Nationally at #62 on the Billboard pop charts. It stayed around for 10 weeks, and frankly sold a lot of discs. This group out of New York went on to have a few more novelty records, but could sing a straightforward ballad with ease. When this record was first pressed, it was just as "Rang Tang Ding Dong". "I Am The Japanese Sandman" was added fairly quickly after the initial pressings. The first variation was pressed in both 45 and 78 RPM formats, as was the latter. I wonder, maybe the Japanese Sandman part was added to enhance the novelty value of the record?
A much more common variation, the Platters first record on Mercury was originally entitled "Only You". The original "Only You" on Mercury was issued on the pink label. Later issues, as shown with larger typeset, included the words in parenthesis (And You Alone).
A great classic Halloween song, the Revels recorded this one for the Philadelphia based Norgolde records. It was one of about five discs they waxed for Norgolde. When originally released for Halloween 1959, "Dead Man's Stroll" was how the first run of record labels were printed. It was probably too harsh of a title, and they re-thought their marketing plan. Yes, the lyrics did say "Dead Man's Stroll" several times during the recording, but the milder and gentler "Midnight Stroll" was more palatable to the record buying public. And that said public did buy the record. Peaking at number 35, the record stuck around for 10 weeks, and was gone after Halloween. It did come back in several regions on future Halloween seasons.
Perhaps a lesser know title variation, this classic record was issued many times, but first for the Khoury's label in 1958. Released on Judd in late 1958, it charted on Billboard in January 1959, reaching number 47, and stayed around for an amazing 15 weeks! When Judd pressed up the first copies, they misspelled the title and added an extra "H" making it Mathilda. That was fixed shortly thereafter, to the correct title as was on the Khoury's label waxing.
Ian Whitcomb had three records that made the Billboard Charts, and this was the second. He formed the band Bluesville in Dublin, and had a high,somewhat odd sounding voice. Along with a lot of breathing in and out, this record took off in the USA and peaked at number 8 on the Billboard charts in 1965. In this title change, the record length is actually different, too. It could be said that both are the same recording, but one is edited. On the original release, the title is "Turn On Song" and it runs 3:08. It has one additional chorus, and when the song is over, it ends. Whitcomb along with Tower records decided to clean it up a bit, and reissued the record as "You Turn Me On" (Turn On Song). They removed the one chorus, cut down the begriming and faded it out at the end. There is also a tambourine on it.
The Squires were a Los Angeles based group that had a local hit with Sindy. Or was that Cindy? The first label it was on was called Mambo, which soon become Vita, which also pressed it as Sindy. See my First And Second Pressings Page. But while it was on Mambo, they changed the spelling of the girl's name. Maybe it was because of the Cobras Los Angeles release of the same song which used "Cindy". Sindy came first, then Cindy, yet the Vita release shows Sindy. Interesting information, but a little confusing to us record collectors!
This was a number two record on the Billboard charts, and it kicked around for a total of 18 weeks. This is a fairly common title change, where the first pressings did not have the "Sorry" on the title. The second pressings as shown used "Sorry", and the rest of the title in parenthesis. The label also included a bit more information on the second press. "Sorry" was prominently heard throughout the record, especially on the opening notes.
