Dark Moon (song)

"Dark Moon" is a song written by Ned Miller, which was popularized in several different musical formats after its composition. The more popular versions of the song were recorded by Bonnie Guitar and Gale Storm.

"Dark Moon"
Single by Bonnie Guitar
B-side"Big Mike"[1]
ReleasedMarch 1957
GenreCountry, rock and roll
LabelFabor (local release), Dot (nationwide release)
Songwriter(s)Ned Miller
Producer(s)Fabor Robison, Randy Wood
Bonnie Guitar singles chronology
"Dream on Dreamers"
(1956)		 "Dark Moon"
(1957)		 "Half Your Heart"
(1957)

Bonnie Guitar version

The original version of "Dark Moon" was recorded by American country music artist Bonnie Guitar in 1957. Guitar's producer, Fabor Robison, originally intended for rock and roll singer Dorsey Burnette to record the song, but was dissatisfied with the finished product. Instead, Guitar offered to record "Dark Moon", giving up her royalties to record the song, stating "I told him I’d give up my royalties to be able to record that song. I knew in my mind, as little as I knew, that that was a hit song. I just knew it. So, we went right in the studio and started working on it, and I played the lead guitar and everything."[2] Ned Miller himself played the guitar in this recording.

The single version was leased on Dot Records and issued in March 1957. "Dark Moon" peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and became a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching #6. The single was Guitar's first major hit as a musical artist.[3]

Chart performance
Chart (1957) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles 14
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 6

Gale Storm version
"Dark Moon"
Single by Gale Storm
from the album Gale Storm Hits
B-side"A Little Too Late"
Released1957 (1957)
GenrePop
Length2:25
LabelDot
Songwriter(s)Ned Miller
Producer(s)Randy Wood
Gale Storm singles chronology
"Lucky Lips"
(1957)		 "Dark Moon"
(1957)		 "On My Mind Again"
(1957)

The second version of "Dark Moon" was recorded by American pop artist Gale Storm, with orchestra and chorus directed by Billy Vaughn. At the release of Bonnie Guitar's original version of "Dark Moon", Storm was recording for Dot Records as well. Storm's manager insisted that she record the song. Gale Storm's version was released shortly after the original version's release in 1957.[2] The single peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in late 1957. The song became Storm's last chart record in Billboard Magazine.[3]

Shortly after Storm's success, British pop artist Tony Brent covered the song. An official single version was released in 1957 and reached #17 on the UK Singles Chart in June 1957.[4]

Chart performance
Chart (1957) Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 4

Other recordings
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References
  1. "Praguefrank's Country Music Discographies -- Bonnie Guitar". Praguefrank's Country Music. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  2. Ray, Linda. ""Woman's Work" • Bonnie Guitar cut hits as a session player, as a singer, as a producer, and as co-owner of a successful label.* (*Which means she merits more than a footnote, right?)". No Depression. Archived from the original on 23 September 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  3. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  4. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 77. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  5. "A Bing Crosby Discography". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  6. "allmusic.com". allmusic.com. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  7. "Discogs.com". Discogs.com. Retrieved December 3, 2017.
  8. "The Home Recordings". Elvis The Music. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
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