Rose Marie McCoy

Rose Marie McCoy (born April 19, 1922 in Oneida, Arkansas) was one of the most influential and prolific songwriters of the 1950’s and 60’s.

Rose Marie McCoy moved to New York City in 1942, pursuing a singing career. Her vocal talent got her bookings at many famous venues (Harlem’s Baby Grand, Detroit’s Flame Show Bar, Cincinnati’s Sportsmen’s Club, and Toronto’s Basin Street). But it was not her singing that was to make her one of the most sought after women in the music industry.

In 1952, Rose Marie McCoy wrote and recorded two songs for the newly formed Rhythm & Blues label Wheeler Records, “Cheating Blues” and “Georgie Boy Blues.” After publishers heard these songs they began seeking her out. One of the first songs she was asked to write was a half-spoken half-sung song. Her “Gabbin’ Blues” was sung by Big Maybelle and the talking part was provided by Rose Marie McCoy. “Gabbin’ Blues” turned out to be the first big hit for big Maybelle and also the songwriter’s first hit. Rose Marie McCoy went on to write other songs for Big Maybelle, as well as other popular Rhythm ‘n’ Blues artists including, Louis Jordan (“If I Had Any Sense I’d Go Back Home” and “House Party”) and Nappy Brown (“Don’t Be Angry”).

Around this time Rose Marie McCoy teamed up with songwriter Charles Singleton. They soon scored their first hit, “It Hurts Me to My Heart,” recorded by Faye Adams. This collaboration lasted about eight years. Together they penned many hits for the top artists of the time, including Elvis Presley’s “Trying to Get to You,” Ruth Brown’s “Mambo Baby,” and Nappy Brown’s “Little by Little.” Singleton & McCoy tunes were also recorded by Nat King Cole, Little Willie John, Eartha Kitt, Aretha Franklin, Eddy Arnold, The Five Willows, Big Joe Turner, The Du Droppers, Little Esther, The Clovers, and many other top artists of the time.

After the team of Singleton and McCoy broke up, Rose Marie McCoy continued to write songs on her own and to collaborate with other writers. Her most successful song of the 1960’s was “I Think It’s Gonna Work Out Fine,” which became Ike and Tina Turner’s first top 20 pop single and their first Grammy nomination.

Though she is most often associated with songs recorded by legendary Rhythm & Blues artists of the 1950’s and 60’s, Rose Marie McCoy has written many jazz, pop, rock ‘n’ roll, country, and gospel songs. Legendary jazz vocalist Jimmy Scott has recorded nine Rose Marie McCoy tunes. Sarah Vaughan has recorded six of her songs, five of them found on the singer’s 1974 album Send in the Clowns.

Many other artists have recorded some of the over 800 songs she has had published. Below is just a partial list of popular artists who have recorded her work.

Pearl Bailey, Maxine Brown, Shirley Caesar, Les Paul & Mary Ford, Patti Page, Debbie Reynolds, Lenny Welsh, Dinah Washington, Barbara Lewis, Del Shannon, Joe Medlin, Freddie Scott, Billy and Lillie, Tommy Sands, Marie Cole, Shirley and Lee, Sammy Turner, Solomon Burke, Toni Arden, The Crew-Cuts, Ellerine Harding, Annie Laurie, Al Hibbler, Vera Longus, Jimmy Rushing, Eartha Kitt, Otis Williams , Bette Midler, Billy Eckstine, Ella Mae Morse, Chuck Jackson, Eddy Arnold, Dizzy Gillespie, Brook Benton, Buddy Ace, Varetta Dillard, Ivory Joe Hunter, Big Dee Irwin, Jane Froman, Shirley Ellis, Jimmy Rushing, Peggy Lee, Jean Wells, Jo Stafford, Georgia Gibbs, Joe Erskine, Bobby Vee, Wilbert Harrison, Linda Hopkins, The Platters, The Four Preps, Dakota Staton, The Harptones, Moms Mabley, Etta James, Gloria Lynne, Faith Hill, Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor.

References:

Broven, John, "The Story of Rose Marie McCoy", Juke Blues, Issue 26, Summer 1992, pp. 8-15.

Freeland, David, "Rose Marie McCoy," American Songwriter, Vol 21, No. 3, March/April 2006, pp. 65-67.

Rosenbaum, Dan, "Songwriting Sistas", Music Alive, Vol. 26, No. 5, Feb. 2007, pp. 2-3. Broadcast Music, Inc.

Rose Marie McCoy papers.