Rudolph Clark (October 29, 1935 – September 3, 2020) "More music deaths", The Vinyl Word, 16 September 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020 was an American songwriter credited with hit songs such as "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody", "Got My Mind Set on You", "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)", and "Good Lovin' " (written with Artie Resnick). He was most active from the early 1960s through the early 1970s. He has more than 250 copyrights listed by BMI.

Background While working as a mailman in New York City in 1961, Clark wrote songs, and discovered singer James Ray in a small nightclub. Clark's songs won the interest of Gerry Granahan of Caprice Records, and Clark suggested that Ray record them. James Ray, Way Back Attack. Retrieved September 30, 2020 As a result, Ray recorded Clark's song "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody", which became a pop and R&B hit in 1962 and was later a hit for Freddie and the Dreamers. Ray also recorded "Got My Mind Set on You", which became a No. 1 US and No. 2 UK hit for George Harrison in 1987, and was a No. 1 hit in 18 countries.

Clark was a close friend of singer Bobby Darin, who owned TM Music/Trio, the music company that employed Clark. Clark and Darin collaborated on several hits, including "Do the Monkey".

Clark wrote the Top 10 pop classic "It's in His Kiss (The Shoop Shoop Song)", first recorded by Merry Clayton and then by Betty Everett in 1964. The song was frequently revisited by other artists, most notably in the version that became a worldwide hit for Cher in 1991. With Arthur Resnick, Clark co-wrote "Good Lovin'", recorded by The Olympics in 1965 and then remade as a #1 hit by the Young Rascals the following year. Other Clark compositions include "Fool, Fool, Fool", recorded in 1964 by Little Joey & the Flips and then covered by Roosevelt Grier, the A-Cads, and Ray Brown & the Whispers, with the last two representations reaching #1 in South Africa and Australia respectively. His song "Waddle, Waddle" featured in the film Hairspray.

Clark composed "All Strung Out Over You" which was recorded by The Chambers Brothers, and was released on Columbia 4-43957 on December 19, 1966.Catalog of Copyright Entries: Third series – Music, Current and Renewal Registrations, January-June, 1967 A Page 1245Cat – The Chambers Brothers – Discography, The Chambers Brothers, A: All Strung Out Over You, B: Falling In Love It became a regional hit for the group, and by January 11, 1967, it was at #34 on the WMCA chart.musicradio77.com – WMCA Fabulous 57 Survey for January 11, 1967Billboard, January 28, 1967 – Page 58 Breakout Singles The song was also covered by Spanish group, Los Crich who backed it with the Chambers Brothers song, "I Can't Stand It".Discogs - Los Crich – All Strung Aut Over You / I Can't Stand It Los Crich – All Strung Aut Over You / I Can't Stand Itlafonotecha - LOS CRICH, La evolución de una banda garage, “All Strong Out Over You / I Can’t Stand it” (Fono Guanche, 1968)Sonic Wave Magazine - RESEÑAS DISCOGRÁFICAS, VV. AA. Algo Salvaje. Volumen 2, Munster Records, Autor: Txema Mañeru

Clark was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for his lead contribution in writing the 1972 Top Five hit "Everybody Plays the Fool" by the Main Ingredient. Beyond pop hits, Clark wrote several songs for the early 1970s Harlem Globetrotters cartoon series.

Besides being heard on oldies radio, Clark's material has also found its way to the Broadway theatre, making reference to André DeShields' Haarlem Nocturne (1984) and Marion J. Caffey's Street Corner Symphony (1997).

Chart hits written YearSongOriginal artistCo-writer(s) with ClarkUS PopUSR&BUKOther charting versions 1961 "If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody" James Ray2210— 1963: Freddie and the Dreamers, #3 UK1965: Maxine Brown, #63 US pop 1962 "Itty Bitty Pieces" James Ray41—— "Got My Mind Set On You" James Ray——— 1987: George Harrison, #1 US pop, #2 UK "Waddle, Waddle" The Bracelets113—— 1963 "Do the Monkey" King Curtis Bobby Darin92—— "Shirl Girl" Wayne Newton Bobby Darin58—— "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" Merry Clayton——— 1964: Betty Everett, #6 US pop, #1 R&B, #34 UK (1968) 1975: Linda Lewis, #107 US pop, #97 R&B. #6 UK1977: Kate Taylor, #49 US pop1990: Cher, #33 US pop, #1 UK 1964 "Beg Me" Chuck Jackson455— "What Can a Man Do?" Ben E. King11339— "Do It Right" Brook Benton6733— 1965 "Why Don't You Let Yourself Go" Mary Wells107—— "Good Lovin' " The Olympics Artie Resnick81—— 1966: The Young Rascals, #1 US pop 1967 "You Can't Stand Alone" Wilson Pickett7026— 1968 "A Woman With the Blues" The Lamp Sisters—20— 1971 "You Shouldn't Have Set My Soul on Fire" Inez Foxx—50— 1972 "Everybody Plays the Fool" The Main Ingredient J. R. Bailey, Ken Williams3252 1991: Aaron Neville, #8 US pop 1973 "After Hours" J. R. Bailey J. R. Bailey, Ken Williams—29— 1975 "Seven Lonely Nights" The Four Tops J. R. Bailey, Ken Williams7113— "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

References

External links

Bobby Darin: The Incredible Story of an Amazing Life Al DiOrio, p. 135 (2004) (Google Books excerpt) Bobby Darin: A Life, Michael Starr, pp. 127–29 (2004) (Google Books excerpt; includes interview of Clark)