I'm Your Puppet
1966 single by James & Bobby Purify
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"I'm Your Puppet" is a song written by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham; the best known version is the one recorded by James & Bobby Purify which reached #5 on the US R&B chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966.[2] The single was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1967. The song was featured on their 1967 album, James & Bobby Purify.[3]
| "I'm Your Puppet" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Single by James & Bobby Purify | ||||
| from the album James & Bobby Purify | ||||
| B-side | "So Many Reasons" | |||
| Released | September 1966 | |||
| Genre | Deep soul[1] | |||
| Length | 2:59 | |||
| Label | Bell | |||
| Songwriters | Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham | |||
| Producer | Papa Don Enterprises | |||
| James & Bobby Purify singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
The duo released a re-recorded version as a single in 1976 which reached #12 on the UK Singles Chart and #20 in New Zealand.[4] In Canada, it reached #4.[5]
Papa Don Enterprises produced the song, and it was arranged by Penn and Don Schroeder.[6]
The single ranked #46 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1966.[7]
Chart history
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Other charting versions
- Cam-Pact released a version of the song as the B-side to their 1968 single "Drawing Room".[11] Their version charted regionally in Australia, reaching #17 in Melbourne and #26 in Brisbane.[9]
- Dianne Leigh released a version of the song as a single in 1970 which reached #32 on the Canadian country chart.[12]
- Dionne Warwick released a version of the song as a single in 1972 which reached #113 on the US pop chart.[13] It was featured on her 1969 album, Soulful.
- Mickey Gilley released a version of the song as a single in 1988 which reached #49 on the US country chart.[14]
Other versions
- Penn released the original version of the song as a single in 1965.[15]
- Sam & Dave released a version of the song on their 1966 album, Double Dynamite.[16]
- Sandy Posey released a version of the song as the B-side to her 1967 single "Don't Touch Me".[17]
- Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band released a version of the song on their 1967 EP Different Strokes.[18]
- The Box Tops released a version of the song on their 1967 album The Letter/Neon Rainbow.
- Dandy Livingstone released a version of the song as a single in 1969.[19]
- Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell released a version of the song on their 1969 album, Easy, and as the B-side to their 1970 single "California Soul".[20]
- Donny Osmond released a version of the song on his 1971 album, The Donny Osmond Album.[21]
- Mel and Tim released a version of the song on their 1972 album, Starting All Over Again.[22]
- Dionne Warwick's 1972 cover reached #113 (U.S.).
- Foster Sylvers released a version of the song on his 1973 album, Foster Sylvers.[23]
- Jimmy London released a version of the song as a single in 1975.[24]
- Derrick Harriott released a version of the song on his 1982 album, Acid Rock.[25]
- Haywoode released a version of the song as a single in 1987.[26]
- Glen Brown and Lloyd Parks released a version of the song on Brown's 1989 compilation album, Boat to Progress! The Original Pantomine Vocal Collection 1970-74. [sic][27]
- Elton John and Paul Young released a version of the song on John's 1993 album, Duets.[28]
- Helen Watson released a version of the song on her 1999 album, Doffing.[29]
- Yo La Tengo released a version of the song as the B-side to their 2006 single "Mr. Tough".[30]
- American Music Club released a version of the song on their 2008 album, Atwater Afternoon.[31]
- Joe Pernice released a version of the song on his 2009 album, It Feels So Good When I Stop.[32]
- Cliff Richard and Percy Sledge released a version of the song on Richard's 2011 album, Soulicious.[33]
- The Golden Cups released a version of the song on their 1968 debut album.[34]
- The Raconteurs performed a live rendition of the song at FAME Studios in 2019 for the Amazon Music Originals series (also available on YouTube).
- Little Joe and the Latinaires released a version of the song to their 1968 album, Unbeatable! [35]
Sampled versions
- Grand Daddy I.U. sampled the song on his song "Something New" which was featured on his 1990 album, Smooth Assassin.[36]
- Tragedy Khadafi sampled the song on his 1990 song "Live & Direct From The House Of Hits".
- Hi-C sampled the song on his song "I'm Not Your Puppet" which was featured on his 1991 album, Skanless. The song reached #63 on the Billboard Hot 100.[37]
In media
- In 1994, the version sung by Elton John and Paul Young was used in the Brazilian telenovela A Viagem, produced by Rede Globo.
- James and Bobby Purify's version was used in the 1995 film My Family.
- Bobby Womack released a version that was featured in the 2000 film Meet the Parents.[38]
- James & Bobby Purify's version was in the 2008 film Soul Men.
- In 2023, James and Bobby Purify's version appeared in the seventh episode of the fifth season of the black comedy crime drama series Fargo.