The Letter
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"The Letter" is a song written by Wayne Carson that was first recorded by the American rock band the Box Tops in 1967. It was the group's first and most successful single, reaching number one on the record charts in the United States and Canada. It was also an international success and placed in the top ten in several other countries.
History
Unlike most individual songs off "The Third Reich 'n Roll" there is quite a bit to say about The Residents and their history with "The Letter". Like with all other songs from this album, it is a cover of the 1967 hit "The Letter". The Residents likely heard this song quite a bit as college-aged music fans in the 60s with it being such a hit. Despite having a music video for this album, the group had originally planned for The Letter to appear in their "10th Anniversary Show". Whilst this was eventually scrapped in favor of the Mole Show, two versions from these recordings have appeared over time, most famously on the tape "Assorted Secrets". A good number of songs from this tape would eventually be performed live, mainly at the 13th anniversary show, but this song remained dormant on the stage until it appeared at all three shows of their "Dog Stab!" tour. This live version is notable for being significantly longer than the original and is played after the "Third Reich 'n Roll" segment of the show, making it the closer. Around the same The Residents also release "Groovy Great RDX" which features a shortened edit of this song.
Lyrics
1974 Swastikas on Parade version
Give me a ticket for an airplane, Ain't got time to take a fast train. Lonely days are gone, I'm a goin' home, My baby, she wrote me a letter I don't care how much money I've got to spend. Got to get back to my baby once again. Lonely days are gone, I'm a goin' home ... My baby she just wrote me a letter. My baby she just wrote me a letter. Give me a ticket for an airplane, Ain't got time to take a fast train Lonely days are gone, I'm a goin' home, My baby, she wrote me a letter My baby she just wrote me a letter My baby she just wrote me a letter[1]
Appearances
- The Third Reich 'n Roll (1976) [Version 1]
- Assorted Secrets (1984) [Version 2]
- 19 Mysterious Tracks* (2005) [Version 2] [Version 3]
- The Dumpster Tapes* (2010) [Version 2] [Version 3]
- The Third Reich 'n Roll pREServed (2018) [Version 3]
- Groovy Greats RDX (2023) [Version 4]
Versions
External Links and Refernces
