I'm Your Puppet
{{Infobox song
| name = I'm Your Puppet
| cover = I'm_Your_Puppet_-_James_&_Bobby_Purify.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = James & Bobby Purify
| album = James & Bobby Purify
| B-side = So Many Reasons
| released = September 1966
| format =
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = Deep soul{{cite book|first=Dave|last=Marsh|title=The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made|url=https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Heart_Of_Rock_Soul.html?id=5t5DYDniSHEC|date=1989|publisher=Plume|isbn=0-452-26305-0|page=219}}
| length = {{Duration|m=2|s=59}}
| label = Bell
| writer = Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham
| producer = Papa Don Enterprises
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = Wish You Didn't Have to Go
| next_year = 1967
}}
"I'm Your Puppet" is a song written by Dan Penn and Spooner Oldham; the best known version is the one recorded by James & Bobby Purify which reached #5 on the US R&B chart and #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966.{{cite web|title=James & Bobby Purify, "I'm Your Puppet" 1966 Chart Positions|url=http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=I%27m+Your+Puppet+by+James+%26+Bobby+Purify&id=20620|accessdate=January 21, 2017}} The single was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals in 1967. The song was featured on their 1967 album, James & Bobby Purify.{{cite web|title=James & Bobby Purify, James & Bobby Purify|website=Discogs |year=1967 |url=https://www.discogs.com/James-Bobby-Purify-James-Bobby-Purify/release/2654279|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
The duo released a re-recorded version as a single in 1976 which reached #12 on the UK Singles Chart and #20 in New Zealand.{{cite web|title=James & Bobby Purify, "I'm Your Puppet" 1976 Chart Position|url=http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=I%27m+Your+Puppet+by+James+%26+Bobby+Purify&id=20628|accessdate=January 21, 2017}} In Canada, it reached #4.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.5769&URLjpg=http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/obj/028020/f4/nlc008388.5769.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.5769|title=Image : RPM Weekly|first=Library and Archives|last=Canada|date=17 July 2013|website=Bac-lac.gc.ca|accessdate=18 September 2020}}
Papa Don Enterprises produced the song, and it was arranged by Penn and Don Schroeder.{{cite web|title=James & Bobby Purify, "I'm Your Puppet" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/648us|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
The single ranked #46 on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1966.{{cite web|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/1966-2/ |title=Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1966|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
Chart history
{{col-begin|width=75%}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Chart (1966–67)
!Peak |
|---|
| Canada (RPM) Top Singles
| style="text-align:center;"|2 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100
| style="text-align:center;"|6 |
| U.S. Billboard R&B
| style="text-align:center;"|5 |
| U.S. Cash Box Top 100
| style="text-align:center;"|6 |
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Chart (1976)
!Peak |
|---|
| {{singlechart|Ireland2|16|song=Friday on My Mind|accessdate=April 9, 2018}} |
| Netherlands{{Cite web|url=http://www.poparchives.com.au/1033/cam-pact/im-your-puppet|title=I'm Your Puppet - CAM-PACT (1968) - Pop Archives - Sources of Australian Pop Records from the 50s, 60s and 70s|website=Poparchives.com.au|accessdate=18 September 2020}}
| style="text-align:center;"|14 |
| New Zealand (RIANZ)
| style="text-align:center;"|20 |
| UK Singles Chart
| style="text-align:center;"|12 |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable" |
| Chart (1966)
!Rank |
|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100{{cite web|url=http://billboardtop100of.com/1966-2/ |title=Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1966|accessdate=January 21, 2018}}
| style="text-align:center;"|46 |
{{col-end}}
Other charting versions
- Cam-Pact released a version of the song as the B-side to their 1968 single "Drawing Room".{{cite web|title=Cam-Pact, "Drawing Room" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/fk2364|accessdate=January 21, 2017}} Their version charted regionally in Australia, reaching #17 in Melbourne and #26 in Brisbane.
- Dianne Leigh released a version of the song as a single in 1970 which reached #32 on the Canadian country chart.{{cite web|title=Dianne Leigh, "I'm Your Puppet" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/ch5079|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Dionne Warwick released a version of the song as a single in 1972 which reached #113 on the US pop chart.{{cite web|title=Dionne Warwick, "I'm Your Puppet" Chart Position|url=http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=I%27m+Your+Puppet+by+Dionne+Warwick&id=104909|accessdate=January 21, 2017}} It was featured on her 1969 album, Soulful.
- Mickey Gilley released a version of the song as a single in 1988 which reached #49 on the US country chart.{{cite web|title=Mickey Gilley, "I'm Your Puppet" Chart Position|url=http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=I%27m+Your+Puppet+by+Mickey+Gilley&id=113504|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
Other versions
- Penn released the original version of the song as a single in 1965.{{cite web|title=Dan Penn, "I'm Your Puppet" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/k13415|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Sam & Dave released a version of the song on their 1966 album, Double Dynamite.{{cite web|title=Sam & Dave, Double Dynamite|website=Discogs |date=December 1966 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Sam-Dave-Double-Dynamite/release/1823324|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Sandy Posey released a version of the song as the B-side to her 1967 single "Don't Touch Me".{{cite web|title=Sandy Posey, "Don't Touch Me" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/k13822|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band released a version of the song on their 1967 EP Different Strokes.{{cite web|title=Geno Washington & the Ram Jam Band, Different Strokes|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/nep24293|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- The Box Tops released a version of the song on their 1967 album The Letter/Neon Rainbow.
- Dandy Livingstone released a version of the song as a single in 1969.{{cite web|title=Dandy Livingstone, "I'm Your Puppet" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/dt416|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell released a version of the song on their 1969 album, Easy, and as the B-side to their 1970 single "California Soul".{{cite web|title=Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, "California Soul" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/5c00691492|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Donny Osmond released a version of the song on his 1971 album, The Donny Osmond Album.{{cite web|title=Donny Osmond, The Donny Osmond Album|website=Discogs |year=1971 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Donny-Osmond-The-Donny-Osmond-Album/release/2044323|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Mel and Tim released a version of the song on their 1972 album, Starting All Over Again.{{cite web|title=Mel and Tim, Starting All Over Again|website=Discogs |year=1972 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Mel-Tim-Starting-All-Over-Again/release/7286209|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Dionne Warwick's 1972 cover reached #113 (U.S.).
- Foster Sylvers released a version of the song on his 1973 album, Foster Sylvers.{{cite web|title=Foster Sylvers, Foster Sylvers|website=Discogs |year=1973 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Foster-Sylvers-Foster-Sylvers/release/710954|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Jimmy London released a version of the song as a single in 1975.{{cite web|title=Jimmy London, "I'm Your Puppet" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/hoss89|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Derrick Harriott released a version of the song on his 1982 album, Acid Rock.{{cite web|title=Derrick Harriott, Acid Rock|website=Discogs |year=1982 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Derrick-Harriott-Acid-Rock/release/3229693|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Haywoode released a version of the song as a single in 1987.{{cite web|title=Haywoode, "I'm Your Puppet" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/syd1uk|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Glen Brown and Lloyd Parks released a version of the song on Brown's 1989 compilation album, Boat to Progress! The Original Pantomine Vocal Collection 1970-74.{{cite web|title=Glen Brown and Lloyd Parks, Boat to Progress! The Original Pantomine Vocal Collection 1970-74|website=Discogs |year=1989 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Glen-Brown-Boat-To-Progress-The-Original-Pantomine-Vocal-Collection-1970-74/release/633569|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Elton John and Paul Young released a version of the song on John's 1993 album, Duets.{{cite web|title=Elton John and Paul Young, Duets|website=Discogs |year=1993 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Elton-John-Duets/release/2570884|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Helen Watson released a version of the song on her 1999 album, Doffing.{{cite web|title=Helen Watson, Doffing|website=Discogs |year=1999 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Helen-Watson-Doffing/release/2952723|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Yo La Tengo released a version of the song as the B-side to their 2006 single "Mr. Tough".{{cite web|title=Yo La Tengo, "Mr. Tough" Single Release|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/ole7427|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- American Music Club released a version of the song on their 2008 album, Atwater Afternoon.{{cite web|title=American Music Club, Atwater Afternoon|website=Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/American-Music-Club-Atwater-Afternoon/release/1350137|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Joe Pernice released a version of the song on his 2009 album, It Feels So Good When I Stop.{{cite web|title=Joe Pernice, It Feels So Good When I Stop|website=Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/Joe-Pernice-It-Feels-So-Good-When-I-Stop-Novel-Soundtrack/release/2362191|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Cliff Richard and Percy Sledge released a version of the song on Richard's 2011 album, Soulicious.{{cite web|title=Cliff Richard, Soulicious|website=Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/Cliff-Richard-Soulicious/release/3264724|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- The Golden Cups released a version of the song on their 1968 debut album.{{cite web|title=The Golden Cups, 恋のあやつり人形（I'm Your Puppet）|url=http://www.studio-g3.com/goldencups/04-puppet.htm|accessdate=October 28, 2022}}
- The Raconteurs performed a live rendition of the song at FAME Studios in 2019 for the Amazon Music Originals series (also available on YouTube).
- Little Joe and the Latinaires released a version of the song to their 1968 album, Unbeatable! {{cite web|title=Little Joe And The Latinaires, Unbeatable!|website=Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/7293371-Little-Joe-And-The-Latinaires-Unbeatable|accessdate=August 27, 2024}}
Sampled versions
- Grand Daddy I.U. sampled the song on his song "Something New" which was featured on his 1990 album, Smooth Assassin.{{cite web|title=Grand Daddy I.U., Smooth Assassin|website=Discogs |year=1990 |url=https://www.discogs.com/Grand-Daddy-IU-Smooth-Assassin/release/3222695|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- Tragedy Khadafi sampled the song on his 1990 song "Live & Direct From The House Of Hits".
- Hi-C sampled the song on his song "I'm Not Your Puppet" which was featured on his 1991 album, Skanless. The song reached #63 on the Billboard Hot 100.{{cite web|title=Hi-C, "I'm Not Your Puppet" Chart Position|url=http://musicvf.com/song.php?title=I%27m+Not+Your+Puppet+by+Hi-C&id=19198|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
In media
- James and Bobby Purify's version was used in the 1995 film My Family.
- Bobby Womack released a version that was featured in the 2000 film Meet the Parents.{{cite web|title=Bobby Womack, Meet the Parents soundtrack|website=Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/Randy-Newman-Meet-The-Parents-Original-Motion-Picture-Soundtrack/release/6892209|accessdate=January 21, 2017}}
- James & Bobby Purify's version was in the 2008 film Soul Men.
- In 2023, James and Bobby Purify's version appeared in the seventh episode of the fifth season of the black comedy crime drama series Fargo.
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Dionne Warwick}}
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Category:Songs written by Dan Penn
Category:Songs written by Spooner Oldham