Crimson and Clover
| "Crimson and Clover" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
One of side-A labels of the US single | ||||
| Single by Tommy James and the Shondells | ||||
| from the album Crimson & Clover | ||||
| B-side |
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| Released | November 1968 | |||
| Recorded | 1968 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 5:32 (album version) 3:23 (single version) | |||
| Label | Roulette, R-7028 | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Tommy James | |||
| Tommy James and the Shondells singles chronology | ||||
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| Audio sample | ||||
"Crimson and Clover"
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| Music video | ||||
| "Crimson and Clover" on YouTube | ||||
| Audio | ||||
| "Crimson and Clover" (album version) on YouTube | ||||
"Crimson and Clover" is a 1968 song by American rock band Tommy James and the Shondells. Written by the duo of Tommy James and drummer Peter Lucia Jr., it was intended as a change in direction of the group's sound and composition.
"Crimson and Clover" was released in late 1968 as a rough mix after a radio station leaked it. It spent 16 weeks on the U.S. charts, reaching number one in the United States (in February 1969) and at least five other countries. The single has sold 5 million copies, making it Tommy James and the Shondells' best-selling song. (The RIAA did not award a gold record, so the 5 million sales number is not officially acknowledged.) It has been covered by many artists, including Joan Jett, Cher (as a duet with her son), and Prince.
In 2006, Pitchfork Media named it the 57th best song of the 1960s.