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3/4/11 – The “Dedicated To The One I Love” Cat Fight!

Posted: March 4th, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Doo Wop, Rock n' Roll | Tags: , , , | 12 Comments »

Friday Night Cat Fight Podcast

“Dedicated To The One I Love”

The Friday Night Cat Fight features a classic vocal group record this week with “Dedicated To The One I Love.”  The song was co-written by the “5” Royales insanely talented guitar player and songwriter Lowman Pauling in 1957.  His group cut the original version of the tune without much success.  The Shirelles made a slight dent in the charts in 1959 with the first release of their cover.  In 1961, everything changed.  King re-released the “5” Royales’ original and it scraped the charts, but that prompted the Shirelles’ label to re-release their version and it shot to #3 on the charts.  In 1967, Mama Michelle got her first lead vocal as Dunhill Records issued the Mamas And The Papas version which hit #2.  Many others have covered this classic tune, but these three versions stand out as the best and most popular. 

Listen to all three on this week’s Cat Fight Podcast and then vote below for the one you DIG THE MOST!

Which One Do You DIG THE MOST? - "Dedicated To The One I Love"

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12 Comments on “3/4/11 – The “Dedicated To The One I Love” Cat Fight!”

  1. 1 CCK said at 11:32 am on March 4th, 2011:

    I was all set to vote for the Royales, but The Mamas & The Papas really is my favorite version! Great Cat Fight, MTC!

  2. 2 Virginia said at 2:36 pm on March 4th, 2011:

    I voted for The “5” Royales, I can’t believe they haven’t made it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame yet, maybe next year. I remember this tune fondly from my teenage years. My second choice would be The Mamas and The Papas.Thank you once again Matt for our weekly entertainment.

  3. 3 Stickball Eddie said at 3:07 pm on March 4th, 2011:

    There is no one who likes the Shirelles more than I do, however I will vote for The Mamas and Papas on their rendition because they made me feel they dedicated the song just to me. The 5 Royales, or were there really 6? We have seen this two FNCF’s ago, had no idea what the song was suppose to sound like or who they were singing it to. Michelle’s sexy intro drew me in. Thanks MTC.

  4. 4 RichZ said at 8:06 pm on March 4th, 2011:

    “5” Royales, and for me, Lowman’s picking is the deciding factor. The Shirelle’s version was the popular one during my teens, and when I discovered the original, the pace and especially the pause before “my baby” didn’t sit well with me. But over the years it just grew on me, and now I have trouble with the pace and the lack of a pause in the Shirelles’ version.

    The Mama’s and the Papas version on the other hand feels to me like they ruined a good song. Sounds like she doesn’t know the words in the intro, and it doesn’t really get going until about half way through. The only thing I like about the version is the closing arrangement. And I certainly don’t like that as much as Lowman’s guitar work.

  5. 5 Bill said at 8:15 pm on March 4th, 2011:

    Until a few years ago my vote would have gone to the Shirelles, but I’ve really come to appreciate the Five Royales and their unique vocal and instrument (yeah, crazy guitar !) stylings. Think!!

  6. 6 timevac3 said at 12:24 am on March 5th, 2011:

    The Five Royales get my vote tonight. It just hops along alot better with that awesome guitar.

  7. 7 Dan said at 5:16 am on March 5th, 2011:

    I voted for the real deal…the “5”Royales. For
    me their version is still the best!

  8. 8 Yum Yum said at 11:41 am on March 5th, 2011:

    While We Are Far From You Our Baby This Is Dedicated To The DJ We Love !! Matt The Cat And The Winner In My Opinion This Week Goes To The Shirelles !! With The Mamas & Papas Just A Little Behind !! So Another Cat Fight Sam Cooke & Cat Stevens& Matt The Cat Goes Into The Records Book And Still We Miss Matt On The Radio I’m Not Going To Say Donna Summer Oh I Did I’m Sorry Brenda Lee !! OK I’ll Stop And Hope One Fine Day The Chiffons He’s Back Where He Belongs Putting Out Great Radio Broadcasts For Us People That Know Good Radio !! Bye For Now !! Getting Older By The Minute Yum Yum

  9. 9 Mike said at 1:23 am on March 6th, 2011:

    I’ve always been a fan of the Shirelles version of this song, and they got my vote. I did enjoy the 5 Royales version which I had never heard before, and the Mammas and the Pappas is a classic. Still, I stand by my vote!

  10. 10 Pinball Wizard said at 11:46 am on March 10th, 2011:

    When I heard the list of groups, I assumed that I would vote for the 5 Royales & that the Mammas & Pappas would be my last choice.

    After listening to all 3 recordings in their entirety, we (my wife & I) agreed on the Mammas & Pappas.

    My wife’s first comment was that she liked Lowman’s guitar but it was to loud in the mix. I have to admit that IMO she’s right. It is great but it pulls you away from the lead every time he stings a note.

    We agree with RichZ that the Shirelles pace & lack of pause before ‘my baby’ detract.

    We have heard the M&P’s version a great many times & have always written it off as just another cover, but after careful listening, they really have a fresh approach to the song & get our vote.

  11. 11 Mark said at 4:53 pm on March 18th, 2011:

    Wow, tough choice, but had to go with M&Ps, simply because this song is linked to TWO, count them TWO old flames.

  12. 12 Galahad said at 8:31 pm on March 21st, 2011:

    I gotta give the nod to the Mamas and Papas, I havent heard it in years and I forgot how good their harmonies were, after all its a Love song and theirs gave it that feeling

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