LITTLE BOXES

Created on 19/08/2007
Latest update on 16/02/2024

Artist: Pete Seeger
Author: Malvina Reynolds
Label: Folkways
Year: 1963

Protest song against uniformity, 1'30" short. See also: What Have They Done To The Rain and Morningtown Ride. Studio version on Broadside Ballads Vol 2. His live version at Carnegie Hall became a hit US. Translated into Russian and Japanese (where they know a thing or two about living on top of each other).

Covers:

1964:

Nina & Frederik

1964:

Spinners [UK]

1964:

Womenfolk

1965:

Tom Paxton

1966:

Malvina Reynolds [author on Columbia lp MR Sings The Truth; her copyright was established in 1962]

1981:

Cobi Schreijer [as Kleine Doosjes]

2001:

Kate & Anna McGarrigle [in '03 as Petites boites]

2002:

Tres Tigres Tristes

2006:

Elvis Costello [under opening credits tv-series Weeds (second season); in later episodes sung by Engelbert Humperdinck, Death Cab For Cutie...]

2007:

Randy Newman [idem during third season; in later episodes sung by: Joan Baez, Donovan, Billy Bob Thornton, The Shins, Michael Franti, The Individuals, Angelique Kidjo...]

2008:

Devendra Banhard

It has never been ruled out in court but the melody slightly reminds Bob Merrill's composition Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, top 5 US for Guy Mitchell ('52 - Columbia), covered by Bing Crosby and in Holland by Helma & Selma (as Liefste Wil Je Met Me Trouwen).

Contact


If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:

Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)

info@originals.be

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