| "Quick Joey Small (Run Joey Run)" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus | |
| B-side | "(Poor Old) Mr. Jensen" |
| Released | September 1968 |
| Recorded | 1968 |
| Genre | Bubblegum pop |
| Length | 2:23 |
| Label | Buddah |
| Songwriters | Joey Levine and Artie Resnick |
"Quick Joey Small (Run Joey Run)," is a bubblegum pop ballad, written by Joey Levine and Artie Resnick and performed by the Kasenetz-Katz Singing Orchestral Circus.[1]
A cover version by Irish group The Real McCoy was a success in Ireland.
Lyrics
The lyrics describe a prisoner who escapes over a wall while weighed down with a ball and chain. He is pursued by a sheriff with hounds. Joey Small's lover, Mary Jane, had sent him a file baked inside a cake; the song ends with the sheriff going to Mary Jane's house — what happens next is left ambiguous.[2]
Song history
The version reached #25 in the US charts.[3] It reached #17 in New Zealand. [4]
A cover version by Irish showband group Real McCoy was number one on the Irish Singles Chart for two weeks in January 1969.[5][6] The B-side was "Happiness Is Love" by Sons & Lovers.[7]
References
- ^ "Quick Joey Small (Run Joey Run) / (Poor Old) Mr. Jensen". Rate Your Music.
- ^ "Lyrics - Quick Joey Small". www.irishshowbands.net.
- ^ Benarde, S. R. (2003:149). Stars of David : rock'n'roll's Jewish stories. Germany: Brandeis University Press, published by University Press of New England.
- ^ https://www.flavourofnz.co.nz/index.php?qpageID=search%20listener&qsongid=1744#n_view_location search Listener
- ^ Curran, Aidan (August 19, 2024). "Real McCoy – 'Quick Joey Small (Run Joey Run)'".
- ^ "Irish Rock Discography: Real McCoy". www.irishrock.org.
- ^ "Real McCoy - Quick Joey Small (Run Joey Run)". February 10, 1968 – via www.discogs.com.