The Wallflower (James-Otis-Ballard) by Etta James with Richard Berry and The Peaches

As is the case with the also-posted single version of “Earth Angel” by the Penguins, here is a classic R&B hit that has rarely, if ever, been reissued on CD in its original ‘hit version’ form. Instead of the lower-pitched, dry unsweetened track we’re used to hearing, here is the brighter sounding #1 R&B single that was played on radio & juke boxes and purchased at record stores in the spring of 1955.

“The Wallflower” was the same-melody answer to the Hank Ballard-Midnighters R&B hit “Work With Me Annie.” However Etta’s suggestive “Roll with me, Henry” lyric was changed to “Dance With Me Henry” for the various pop covers that soon emerged, notably Georgia Gibbs’ chart-topping single (also posted). Etta later did record her own “Dance With Me Henry” version.

THE 1955 HITS ARCHIVE - here in one place, a good-quality library of original-release-version best-sellers and songs that made an impact that were either released or enjoyed a major chunk of their popularity within the calendar year 1955 (some were recorded in 1954).

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