Genre Country | Recorded 1957 Length 2:10 | |
B-side "Parade of Broken Hearts" Released 1957 (Did not chart). Re-released December 15, 1962 | ||
"From a Jack to a King" is a country music song. Originally a crossover hit for artist Ned Miller, who also wrote "Dark Moon," "A Falling Star," and many other country songs. It has been covered extensively by country music artists.
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Ned Miller version
The original version was recorded by Ned Miller. First released in 1957, Ned's version was unsuccessful, until he persuaded his label to re-release it five years later. Upon re-release, the song became a crossover hit, charting in the Top 10 on the Billboard U.S. country (#2), pop (#6), and adult contemporary (#3) charts. In addition, Miller's version reached #1 on the Irish Singles Chart, while peaking at #2 on the UK Singles Chart. Furthermore, it was the sixth most-played single of 1963 in the United Kingdom. Ned's chart success was limited after the song, however, and by the 1970s he stopped recording entirely.
The song was also recorded in 1962 by Jim Reeves on the occasion of his tour to South Africa in August and charted there that year.
Ricky Van Shelton version
In December 1988, country music artist Ricky Van Shelton released his own version of "From a Jack to a King." Shelton's version became his fifth consecutive Number One on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts.
Other versions
Elvis Presley recorded it in 1969 but it did not chart on Billboard. Jerry Lee Lewis also released a version of the song. Mud recorded the song in 1982.
South African singer Ray Dylan covered the song on his album Goeie Ou Country - Op Aanvraag.
Oesch's die Dritten recorded it on their "Unser Regenbogen" CD, released March 16, 2012. This is their first all-English recording of a song, as they are a Swiss family band from near Thun, Switzerland. Melanie Oesch mastered the singing of this song in English so well, there could be more English recordings from this family in the future.
Dutch country singer Ben Steneker released his single of "From a Jack to a King" in 1963.