B-side "Cry No More" Format 7", 45rpm Length 02:35 | Released 1965 Genre Soul | |
Label Kellmac/One Derful
1003 | ||
"Michael (the Lover)" is a soul song originally performed by American Chicago soul group the C.O.D.'s.
The song was written by the group's lead singer Larry Brownlee who was murdered in 1978. It was released as a single on Kellmac Records in the United States and Stateside in the United Kingdom and made it to number 5 on the Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles chart in 1965. The song was produced by Leon Singleton and arranged by Pete Matthews.
The song was later remade by the Mad Lads, appearing on their 1966 album The Mad Lads In Action (Volt 414), and by the Northern soul Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band (Piccadilly 7N 35359). Washington's version reached #39 on the UK charts. The 1980 song "Geno", a tribute to Washington and his band, notes "You were Michael the lover, the fighter that won".