Song of the Day 1/26: Chip Taylor, “Angel of the Morning”

As Mike Dinsmore pointed out yesterday, 1968 was a banner year for pop and rock music. One of the most enduring songs to hit the charts that year was this anthemic ballad, written by Chip Taylor two years earlier in emulation of the Rolling Stones’ “Ruby Tuesday.” It had been recorded by a couple of artists before Merrilee Rush had her hit with it in spring of 1968. Her version reached No. 7, and Juice Newton’s country cover in 1981 reached No. 3, but dozens of artists have recorded it over the years. I don’t think any of them top the writer’s interpretation.

For those who don’t know, Chip Taylor has an interesting biography. His birth name is James Wesley Voight, and he’s the younger brother of actor Jon Voight. He’s written lots of songs over the years, none bigger than “Wild Thing,” a No. 1 hit for the Troggs in 1965.