"Down in the Valley" is a 1962 R&B song written by Bert Berns and Solomon Burke and originally recorded by Solomon Burke. It was released on Atlantic as a B-side to "I'm Hanging Up My Heart For You". It was covered by Otis Redding on his album Otis Blue. Burke's original version is a classic example of early country soul with booming vocals.

Burke song During a recording session at Atlantic Record on April 4, 1962, Burke recorded five songs, including "I'm Hanging Up My Heart For You" (#15 R&B; #85 Pop) b/w "Down In The Valley" (#20 R&B; #71 Pop) (Atlantic 2147).Atlantic Records Discography: 1962. Jazzdisco.org. Retrieved on 2011-04-07. For "Down in the Valley", Burke borrowed from a traditional folk song "Down in the Valley", that was written as early as 1800,For discussion of the song's origins, see Britannica Annals of American History: "Down in the Valley" and sung by The Andrews Sisters in the 1944 film Moonlight and Cactus,M.H. Orodenker, "On the Records", The Billboard (18 December 1943):67.Joel Whitburn, Joel Whitburn's Billboard Pop Hits, Singles & Albums, 1940–1954, 2nd ed. (Record Research, 2002):22. and by Patti Page in 1951."Public Domain Issues Swamp Pubs, Diskers", Billboard (8 December 1951):23. In August 2008 Burke told Mojo magazine: Burke recalled: "I put my own feelings and words to it, and was lucky enough by the grace of God to capture the song, when it was in P.D., able to have a copyright on it." "Down in the Valley" debuted in the US charts on May 26, 1965, and peaked at #20 in the R&B charts, #71 in the Pop charts, and at #19 in the Adult Contemporary charts.Down in the Valley (song by Solomon Burke) ••• Music VF, US & UK hits charts. Musicvf.com (1962-05-26). Retrieved on 2011-04-07.

Redding rendition

The song was later covered by Otis Redding on his 1965 album Otis Blue, and was featured in the 1996 film 2 Days in the Valley,"Soundtracks for 2 Days in the Valley", IMDB.com and generated income for Cassandra Berns, who inherited the publishing rights from her father, Bert Berns,Don Waller, "Time Bomb Songs", Billboard (13 December 1997):28. who was credited as co-writer,"Down in the Valley", Lyrics along with "Babe" Chivian, and Joseph C. Martin., BMI Work #337516

Notes

External links Solomon Burke's Down in the Valley lyrics