Michael (the Lover)

"Michael"
Single by The C.O.D.'s
B-side	"Cry No More"
Released	1965
Format	7", 45rpm
Genre	Soul
Length	02:35
Label	Kellmac/One Derful 1003
Writer(s)	Larry Brownlee
Producer	Leon Singleton

"Michael (the Lover)"^{[nb 1]} is a soul song originally performed by American Chicago soul group the C.O.D.'s.

The song was written by the group's lead singer Larry Brownlee^{[nb 2]} who was murdered in 1978. It was released as a single on Kellmac Records in the United States and Stateside in the United Kingdom and made it to number 5 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart in 1965. The song was produced by Leon Singleton and arranged by Pete Matthews.^[1]

The song was later remade by the Mad Lads, appearing on their 1966 album The Mad Lads In Action (Volt 414), and by the Northern soul Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band (Piccadilly 7N 35359). Washington's version reached #39 on the UK charts. The 1980 song "Geno", a tribute to Washington and his band, notes "You were Michael the lover, the fighter that won".

Notes

1. ^ Sometimes written "Michael the Lover" or simply "Michael" (on the original C.O.D.'s single release).
2. ^ But credited to Brownlee, Lewis, and Washington on an Emase Records single.

References

1. ^ Kellmac Records 1003 A 7" 45 rpm single label