The Weekend (Jack Jones song)
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| "The Weekend" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Jack Jones | ||||
| from the album For the "In" Crowd | ||||
| B-side | "Wildflower" | |||
| Released | January 1966 | |||
| Recorded | December 1965 | |||
| Genre | Pop | |||
| Length | 2:05 | |||
| Label | Kapp K-736[1] | |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Producer | Michael Kapp | |||
| Jack Jones singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Record World |   [2] |
| Cashbox | Positive (Pick of the Week)[3] |
| Billboard | Positive (Spotlight)[4] |
"The Weekend" is a song written by Teddy Randazzo, Lou Stallman, and Bob Weinstein. It was most notably performed by Jack Jones, whose version was released as a single in early 1966 by Kapp Records.
The song was written by Teddy Randazzo, Lou Stallman, and Bob Weinstein with performance rights handled by BMI.[5] The promotion of it and the two main recorded versions was under disk promoter Herb Rosen who represented South Mountain Music.[6] It was reportedly his first project for them.[6] The song is short and is relatively fast-moving with a swinging arrangement.[2] The lyrics focus on a hard-working man who really looks forward to the days Saturday and Sunday (the weekend), so he can spend some time with his girlfriend.[5]
Jack Jones version
Release and reception
"The Weekend" was released as a seven-inch single in January 1966 by Kapp Records in the United States and other territories.[7] In Australia the catalogue number was K-4073.[8] It was backed by another pop-romancer,[3] "Wildflower" on the B-side.[7] Both tracks were lifted from his For the "In" Crowd album released concurrently and were arranged and conducted by Don Costa.[7] The single was produced by Michael Kapp himself, and also didn't receive a picture sleeve.[7] Jones' version of "The Weekend" was marketed as the original as well.[6]
The single received a positive critical reception upon its release. Record World gave the single four stars and in its short review of it stated that "Jazzy waltz-foxtrot song gets an extremely pleasant rendition from the Jones boy."[2] Cashbox reviewed the single in late January and said that Jones "should have no difiiculty in repeating his recent 'Love Bug' triumph with either side of this ultra-commercial Kapp release." Continuing, "One side, 'The Weekend,' a cover of the previously released Steve Lawrence Columbia outing, is a rhythmic, chorus-backed handclapper. ...The other side, 'Wildflower,' is a pretty, hauntingly melodic bittersweet romancer."[3] Billboard magazine stated that "Jones has one of his most commercial entries in this off-beat rhythm number loaded with sales appeal." They noted that it "Fits all types of programming."[4]
Chart performance
"The Weekend" debuted at No. 23 on February 5, 1966, on the Billboard Bubbling Under the Hot 100, dropping out after a two-week run on the chart.[9] The single reached No. 100 on the Cashbox Top 100 Singles,[10] and peaked at No. 9 on the Record World Looking Ahead singles chart, during its six-week run on the chart.[11] The single also peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Easy Listening chart.[12] Outside of America "The Weekend" didn't sell well, unlike "Love Bug" the single didn't chart in Canada.[13]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "The Weekend" | Teddy Randazzo, Lou Stallman, and Bob Weinstein | 2:05 |
| 2. | "Wildflower" | Estelle Levitt, Ruth Sexton | 2:20 |
