My 100 Favorite Charted Country Songs: There’s a New Moon Over My Shoulder

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Today’s combination just might be the killer. We have, on one hand, late 70s new wave-meets-R&B; while here, we have mid 40s Western music. And for you newcomers, YES, I really do love both songs, and I really AM just one person. Let’s start with the country song so you can get over to the rocker. There’s a New Moon Over My Shoulder - Tex Ritter Many times in the history of the charts, both country and pop, there have been “dueling versions” (not dueling banjos ) of the same song. This is a good example. In late 1944/early 1945 both Jimmie Davis (who co-wrote the song) and Tex Ritter were on the charts with this song. Davis’ version hit #1, and Ritter, poor guy, only made it to #2. (The champion of this was “Young Love,” with Tab Hunter’s version knocking the Sonny James record out of #1 on February 16, 1957. ) My favorite version, if it is any surprise, is Jim Reeves’ more mellow rendition on Moonlight and Roses. However, that wasn’t a charted record. Between the two that hit the charts, Ritter’s version, to me, is far superior to Davis’. (Hope that didn’t take Jimmie’s sunshine away! [Explanation: Jimmie Davis wrote “You Are My Sunshine.”]) So, for you kids, here’s John Ritter’s dad to sing for you. There’s a New Moon Over My Shoulder Written by Jimmie Davis, Ekko Whelan, and Lee Blastic Recorded by Tex Ritter Released as a single, 1944 Peak chart position: #2 Today’s rock song: “Take Me to the River” I’m waiting patiently: