Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part III of a five part pancocojams series about the name "Michael".
Part III showcases C.O.D.'s 1965 R&B song "Michael The Lover" and The Mad Lads' 1966 cover of that song.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/05/information-about-name-michael-and.html for Part I of this series. Part I presents etymological information about the name "Michael" as well as information about that name's declining popularity.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/05/african-american-spiritual-work-song.html for Part II of this series. Part II showcases the African American Spiritual/work song "Michael Row The Boat Ashore" (also given as "Michael Rowed The Boat Ashore").
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/05/dionne-warwicks-1966-r-song-message-to.html for Part IV of this series. Part IV showcases Dionne Warwick's 1966 R&B song "Message To Michael", and Michael Jackson's 1975 R&B song "Dear Michael".
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/05/be-like-mike-song-and-commercials.html for Part V of this pancocojams series. Part V showcases the 1991 song "Be Like Mike" and the original Gatorade "Be like Mike" commercial. That song and commercial refers to professional basketball player Michael Jordan.
It's my position that these songs and that commercial reinforced the popularity of the name "Michael".
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The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
Thanks to Larry Brownlee, the composer of this song and thanks to all the members of C.O.D. and members of The Mad Lads. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post, and the publishers on these examples on YouTube.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE MUSIC GROUP "C.O.D."
From https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-cods-mn0002289058
Artist Biography by Andrew Hamilton
"Originating in Chicago, the C.O.D.'s exploded on soul radio in 1965 with the infectious "Michael the Lover" on Kellmac Records. The Mad Lads and the Jackson Five, among others, redid the boastful tune; J5 cut the tune in the late '60s, but Motown iced it. Ruby Stackhouse accompanies the trio on the song, supplying backing vocals alongside Larry Brownlee, Robert Lewis, and Carl Washington, otherwise known as the C.O.D.'s.
"I'm A Good Guy" followed "Michael the Lover" but not far. For unknown reasons, Kellmac then released the C.O.D.'s third single, "I'll Come Running Back to You" b/w "I'm Looking out for Me," twice; the singles have two different catalog numbers, but it made no difference; neither sold. The fifth single, "It Must Be Love" b/w "She's Fire," dropped in 1967 but faded after a few spins. A sixth and final release, "Coming Back Girl," became the fifth and final flop, ending the C.O.D.'s and Kellmac Records.”...
-snip-
I believe that "C.O.D." = "Cash On Delivery".
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LYRICS: MICHAEL THE LOVER
(Larry Brownlee)
Michael, the lover
Before him, there was no other
In his time, there may be many
When he's gone, there won't be any
I'm talking 'bout Michael, the lover
Michael, the lover
Girls are tender, sad and sweet
But no other boys can compete
'Cause Michael's got a style of his own
And the girls say his rap is strong
That's Michael, the lover
Michael, the lover
Everybody knows him
For his rap is strong
With lots of fame
When the girls see him coming
They tighten up their game
Cause Michael's 'bout
The loveliest boy
And he's got to bring you
Your pride and joy
That's Michael, the lover
Before him, there was no other
In his time, there may be many
When he's gone, there won't be any
Talking 'bout, talking 'bout
Talking 'bout, talking 'bout
Michael, the lover
Michael, the lover
He's a lover
Everybody knows that's Michael
Everybody calls him Michael, the lover
Michael, everybody knows him
I know you know him
The girls all know him
Michael, the lover."
Source: https://genius.com/The-cods-michael-lyrics
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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
Example #1: THE C.O.D.'S - MICHAEL (THE LOVER) VIDEO FOOTAGE 1965
ILMJXXX, Published on Sep 28, 2012
THE C.O.D.'S - MICHAEL (THE LOVER) VIDEO FOOTAGE 1965
MEMBERS ARE: LARRY BROWNLEE (WHO WROTE THEIR SONGS) ROBERT LEWIS, CARL WASHINGTON
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this YouTube sound file's discussion thread, with numbers assigned for referencing purposes only:
1. GL AnnapolisTeam, 2016
"What a great tune. These guys were great. Love the way they trade off the lead vocals. Kind of like the Impressions. Great stuff! Looks like it's fun to dance to as well!"
**
2. Mike Huff
"i was 13 in 1965 an i thought the song was. about me. lol"
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REPLY
3. Shar Jamison
"Soooo cute Michael!"
**
4. cherylharrell1961
"I had this record. My late husband Mike used to say this song was about him cuz it had his name in it. 😀"
**
5. Charles Batts
"SILKY SMOOTH R&B OF THE 1960s, NOTHING LIKE IT. CLASS AND FINESE."
**
6. Blitz Magazine
"Just about wore out the original Kellmac label 45 of that single when it was first released. The C.O.D.s made an appearance or two on Robin Seymour's Windsor, Ontario-based Swingin' Time show when this single was released, and they went over very well."
-snip-
In response to the question "Where did this film clip come from?", one person wrote that it might have come from this Canadian television show while another person thought that it may have come from the "American Bandstand" series (USA).
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Example #2: Michael The Lover
The Mad Lads – Topic, Published on Aug 18, 2014
Provided to YouTube by Warner Music Group
Michael The Lover · The Mad Lads
℗ 1966 Atlantic Recording Corporation for the United States and WEA International Inc. for the world outside of the United States.
-snip-
The Mad Lads were an African American R&B group. This is a cover of The C.O.D.'s original composition.
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This concludes Part III of this series.
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