A Lover's Question

"A Lover's Question" is a 1958 Pop, R&B hit for Clyde McPhatter. The single was written by Brook Benton and Jimmy T. Williams and was Clyde McPhatter's most successful Pop and R&B release. The bass singer is Noah Hopkins. "A Lover's Question" made it to #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was #1 for one week on the R&B chart.^[2]

Background

• The best-known version of the song is in mono. However, a stereo version was released on the LP Atlantic History of Rhythm & Blues, Vol. 4, along with several other rare stereo versions of late 1950s Atlantic hits.

Jacky Ward version

In 1978, Jacky Ward had a successful remake of the song, peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.^[3]

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Other cover versions

• In 1961, a cover by Ernestine Anderson reached #98.^[6]
• In 1969, a cover by Otis Redding reached #48.^[7]
• Jay and the Americans released a cover version of the song on their 1970 album, Wax Museum, Vol. 1.
• In 1975, Loggins & Messina's cover reached #89.^[8]
• Country singer Del Reeves took the song to #14 on the Hot Country Singles chart in 1970.^[9]

See also

• List of number-one R&B singles of 1958 (U.S.)

References

1. BMI entry for song Accessed September 3, 2010
2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 392.
3. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 371.
4. Whitburn, Joel (1993). Top Adult Contemporary: 1961–1993. Record Research. p. 250.
5. "Hot Country Songs – Year-End 1978". Billboard. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
6. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
7. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
8. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
9. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 284.