Song of the Week #10 - "Cupid" | Classic Pop Icons
The Simms Twins – backing vocals.
An orchestra was also present on the track, conducted by Horace Ott.
Chart performance
“Cupid” was released on May 16, 1961, backed with “Farewell My Darling.” The single hit number 17 on the US pop chart and number 7 on the UK singles chart, which made it Sam’s biggest hit to date in the UK.
Sam achieved a total of 29 top-40 hits on the US pop charts.
Covers
Johnny Nash – “Cupid”
A reggae-style cover of “Cupid” was released by American singer-songwriter Johnny Nash in 1969.  His cover hit number 6 on the UK charts and number 39 in the US. His next hit would be the classic “I Can See Clearly Now” in 1972.
Amy Winehouse – “Cupid”
Amy Winehouse included a cover of “Cupid” on the deluxe edition of her hit album “Back to Black” in 2007.  Her arrangement actually borrows more from Johnny Nash’s cover than the Cooke original.
Colin Meloy – “Cupid”
Lead singer of The Decemberists, Colin Meloy, featured “Cupid” on his 2008 EP “Colin Meloy Sings Sam Cooke.” Backing vocals are provided by Laura Gibson. Meloy opts for a simple, acoustic cover.
There will be a new Song of the Week on July 19.
“Cupid” features on a number of Sam Cooke compilations, including “Portrait of a Legend 1951-1964” and the four disc box set “Man Who Invented Soul,” which are available from the following online retailers:
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