Billy Swan: I Can Help

An excerpt from his Wikipedia biography:

Swan's role in the music industry was, originally, largely invisible. His first big break was in 1962 when Clyde McPhatter recorded "Lover Please", a song written by Swan that quickly became a Top Ten hit. Moving to Nashville allowed Swan to write hit country songs for numerous artists, including Conway Twitty, Waylon Jennings, and Mel Tillis.

In 1969, Swan first took on the role of record producer, publishing Tony Joe White's Top Ten hit "Polk Salad Annie". Swan played bass guitar for Kris Kristofferson, and signed a deal with Monument Records.

Swan's first album included the popular song "I Can Help", a rockabilly number that topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and country charts in 1974. Swan recorded the song in two takes (without overdubs) with an organ that Kristofferson and singer Rita Coolidge had bought for him as a wedding gift.

I think of this song every afternoon when I see the "Swan Blvd" sign after I turn off Watertown Plank Road onto Highway 45 on my way home.

Comments

[Ivan G]

This is one of my favorite songs. However, I like his follow-up (rarely played on radio today), Everything's the Same (Ain't Nothin' Changed), even better.

[BigT]

I make that turn quite often. Now I'll hear this every time.