The Originals © by Arnold Rypens

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 Banhart

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).

LITTLE BOXES

Related items

Contact