A Hundred Pounds of Clay

"A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" is a song written by Kay Rogers, Luther Dixon, and Bob Elgin[1] and performed by Gene McDaniels. The song was produced by Snuff Garrett.[2] Earl Palmer played drums on the song.[3] The song appeared on McDaniels' 1961 album 100 Lbs. Of Clay![4]

"A Hundred Pounds Of Clay"
Single by Gene McDaniels
from the album 100 Lbs. Of Clay!
B-side	"Come On Take a Chance"
Released	February 1961
Genre	Soul
Length	2:22
Label	Liberty Records 55308
Songwriter(s)	Kay Rogers, Luther Dixon, Bob Elgin
Producer(s)	Snuff Garrett
Gene McDaniels singles chronology
"A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" (1961) "A Tear" (1961)

Chart performance

The song reached #3 on the Billboard chart and #11 on the R&B chart in 1961.[5]

Other versions

• Craig Douglas's cover version went to #9 on the UK Singles Chart in 1961.[6]
• Dalida released a French version of the song in 1961 entitled "Avec Une Poignée De Terre".[7]
• Arthur Alexander released a version on his 1962 debut album for Dot Records You Better Move On.
• The Impressions released a version on their 1967 album, The Fabulous Impressions.[8]
• Dickie Goodman sampled the song in his 1973 novelty song, "The Touchables In Brooklyn".[9]
• Gary Lucas released a version on his 1998 album, Busy Being Born.[10]
• The Belmonts released a version on their 2009 album, The Belmonts Anthology Vol. 1 Featuring A Hundred Pounds of Clay.[11]
• Dee Dee Sharp released a version on her It's Mashed Potato Time album, changing the lyrics to "two hundred pounds" and dedicating the song to Chubby Checker.
• Enrique Guzman released a version in México, named "Cien kilos de barro" in 1962.

Song controversy

In the early '60s, the BBC banned the song and wouldn't allow British radio stations to play it. The controversy arose not from the fact that it was a religious song, but because the censors interpreted the song as suggesting women were created simply to be sexual beings, and the BBC felt something that was considered blasphemous should not air to avoid controversy.

Popular culture

• McDaniels' version was used in the 1987 movie The Year My Voice Broke.[12]

References

1. https://secondhandsongs.com/search?search_text=A+Hundred+Pounds+of+Clay
2. Gene McDaniels, "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" Single Release Retrieved January 1, 2014
3. Scherman, Tony, Backbeat: The Earl Palmer Story, forward by Wynton Marsalis, Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C., 1999 p. 175
4. Gene McDaniels, 100 Lbs. Of Clay Retrieved January 1, 2014
5. Gene McDaniels, "A Hundred Pounds Of Clay" Chart Positions Retrieved January 1, 2014
6. Craig Douglas, "A Hundred Pounds of Clay" Chart Position Retrieved January 1, 2014
7. Dalida, L' Intégrale Des Années Barclay Retrieved January 1, 2014
8. The Impressions The Fabulous Impressions Retrieved January 1, 2014
9. Dickie Goodman, The Original Flying Saucers Retrieved January 1, 2014
10. Gary Lucas, Busy Being Born Retrieved January 1, 2014
11. The Belmonts, The Belmonts Anthology Vol. 1 Featuring A Hundred Pounds of Clay Retrieved January 1, 2014
12. The Year My Voice Broke soundtrack Retrieved January 1, 2014