Chippewa Town
| "Chippewa Town" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
1970 vinyl record for commercial use | ||||
| Single by Ed Ames | ||||
| B-side | "Sing Away the World" | |||
| Released | June 1970 | |||
| Studio | RCA's Music Center of the World, Hollywood, California | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:44 | |||
| Label | RCA Victor | |||
| Songwriters | ||||
| Producer | Jim Foglesong | |||
| Ed Ames singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Chippewa Town" is a 1970 song written by Howard Greenfield and Neil Sedaka. It was most notably performed by Ed Ames, who released it as a single in mid 1970. His version reached the US adult-oriented charts and received a positive reception. Another version was released by actor Lon Satton in April 1971.
Background and release
American singer Ed Ames enjoyed brief pop success in 1967 and 1968, charting several singles.[4] As sales decreased he switched his style to message songs in 1969 with "Changing, Changing" and the LP A Time for Living, a Time for Hope.[5] In mid 1970 Ames changed his song style again, choosing Sedaka's "Chippewa Town" for his next single.[6] The song was noted by critics as "offer[ing] a contemporary semi-folk glimpse of the present state of the redman."[7] Before the Indian-themed song, Ames had already acted in a few shows with the same topic, notably 1964's Daniel Boone.[1]
The single was produced by Jim Foglesong, and arranged by Perry Botkin Jr.. The B-side written by Barry Mann and Andy Badale became the title track for his subsequent album Sing Away the World, while "Chippewa Town" remained a non-album track.[6] The song received programming from easy listening and country radio stations in the summer of 1970, and was a pick for adult-oriented stations.[3]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Billboard | Positive (Spotlight)[8] |
| Cashbox | Positive (Pick of the Week)[1] |
| Record World | Positive (Sleeper of the Week)[9] |
The single received a positive critical reception upon its release. Cashbox believed that the single was "Right in line with the Indian image he has presented on TV."[1] Record World put the single in its "Sleepers of the Week" section, saying that "Ames sings about American Indian life", and that the "star will do well with this song".[9] They said that it "is sure to add some new fans to his already vast following."[7] Billboard magazine stated that "Potent ballad material from the pen of Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield is served up in an exceptional and commercial performance by Ames." They believed that there was "Much sales and chart potential here!"[8]
Chart performance
"Chippewa Town" became a minor easy-listening success while missing the pop charts.[4] It entered the Billboard Easy Listening chart in the issue dated June 27, 1970, reaching number 36 during a three-week run on it.[2] It debuted on the Record World Top Non-Rock chart in the issue dated July 18, 1970, peaking at number 33 during a one-week appearance on it.[10] It was his final charting single.[2]
Charts
| Chart (1970) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Easy Listening[2] | 36 |
| US Record World Top Non-Rock[10] | 33 |
References
- ^ a b c d Albert, George (June 13, 1970). "Record Reviews: Picks of the Week" (PDF). Cashbox. Vol. XXX, no. 40. p. 26. Retrieved May 24, 2026 – via worldradiohistory.com.
- ^ a b c d Whitburn, Joel (2007). Joel Whitburn presents Billboard top adult songs, 1961-2006. Menomonee Falls, Wis. : Record Research Inc. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-89820-169-7. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ^ a b "Programming Aids (Country)" (PDF). Billboard. July 18, 1970. p. 23. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 24, 2026. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ^ a b Downey, Pat (1994). Cash box pop singles charts, 1950-1993. Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited. p. 6. ISBN 1-56308-316-7. Retrieved May 14, 2026.
- ^ "Album Reviews: A Billboard Pick" (PDF). Billboard. February 22, 1969. p. 51. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ^ a b Ames, Ed (June 1970). ""Chippewa Town"/"Sing Away the World" (7" single Information)". RCA Victor. 47-9864.
- ^ a b "Record World Singles Reviews: "Four Stars" (Second Review of "Leave Them a Flower")" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 24, no. 1168. June 13, 1970. p. 8. Retrieved May 24, 2026 – via worldradiohistory.com.
- ^ a b "Singles Reviews: Special Merit Spotlight" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 82, no. 24. June 13, 1970. p. 84. Retrieved May 24, 2026.
- ^ a b "Record World Singles Reviews: "Sleepers of the Week"" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 25, no. 1200. June 13, 1970. p. 1. Retrieved May 19, 2026 – via worldradiohistory.com.
- ^ a b "Record World Singles Chart: Top Non-Rock" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 25, no. 1205. July 18, 1970. p. 38. Retrieved May 24, 2026 – via worldradiohistory.com.