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The Box Tops — The Letter
Album: Best Of The Box Tops
Avg rating:
7.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1417









Released: 1967
Length: 1:49
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone
I'm a-goin' home
My baby just a-wrote me a letter

I don't care how much money I gotta spend
Got to get back to my baby again
Lonely days are gone
I'm a-goin' home
My baby just a-wrote me a letter

Well, she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see
I got to get back to my baby once more?
Anyway, yeah

Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone
I'm a-goin' home
My baby just a-wrote me a letter

Well, she wrote me a letter
Said she couldn't live without me no more
Listen mister, can't you see
I got to get back to my baby once more?
Anyway, yeah

Gimme a ticket for an aeroplane
Ain't got time to take a fast train
Lonely days are gone
I'm a-goin' home
My baby just a-wrote me a letter
My baby just a-wrote me a letter
Comments (139)add comment
Mommy, what's a letter? 
Posted 1 year ago by chieromancer    [ Reply ]
 RParadise wrote:

All in less than 2 minutes.  That's craft!  And soul!




Yes!!  All done in one take! No overdubs (except for sound effects}!  
Posted 1 year ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
When I was a kid I used to have the 45 for this song.  It had some sort of mastering or record pressing artifact at the very end when the "train" whooshes goes by where there was some sort of noise like a cat meowing.  I used to run it to the end all the time to listen for the cat.  I don't notice it all on the digital remasters.
Posted 2 years ago by timmus    [ Reply ]
 RParadise wrote:

All in less than 2 minutes.  That's craft!  And soul!



YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
one of my favorite 45s!
Posted 2 years ago by xcranky_yankee    [ Reply ]
The Minions movie has ruined many songs by association for me..... Thanks, kid! 😐😁
Posted 2 years ago by CCSandman    [ Reply ]
 Piranga wrote:

This sounds so simple in 2020. But at the time, it was pretty cool!



Totally Cool!!!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
 RParadise wrote:

All in less than 2 minutes.  That's craft!  And soul!




I Agree!!
Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy    [ Reply ]
Great & Classic!!!
Posted 2 years ago by joejennings    [ Reply ]
1:49 is far too short for a song like this.
Posted 3 years ago by nicknt    [ Reply ]
Yes, Bill's playing The Box Tops!  Welcome to the world of  Blue-eyed Soul as created by hung-over Memphis 15-year-old's.
Posted 4 years ago by meatmike    [ Reply ]
This sounds so simple in 2020. But at the time, it was pretty cool!
Posted 4 years ago by Piranga    [ Reply ]
All in less than 2 minutes.  That's craft!  And soul!
Posted 4 years ago by RParadise    [ Reply ]
 coloradojohn wrote:
The power of music to penetrate is amazing... I was fond of spending sunsets on the front porch of a family house in a village in the south of Bali while on vacation from my gig in Shizuoka around Christmas of 1989, and one enchanted evening, one of the brothers of one of the local cuties I was friendly with pulled out an acoustic guitar and started playing THIS SONG... He didn't know many of the words in English, so I was asked if I'd supply the vocals. I felt shy; it was quite a bit easier to launch into karaoke while in Japan, with some beers in me, but, especially with the gal and her brothers urging me, the power of the music in the moment was irresistible. The song caught fire, and almost the entire neighborhood was amused and entertained, and he played that guitar like never before, I could tell, and I sang like never before, and they all knew it, and at that moment, we could have been anywhere, it didn't matter; we were re-creating the music The Box Tops laid down so well so long ago, and it was moving the people of a radically different culture...  Divine!
 
+1 on this one, based completely on your divine story....dig!! 
Posted 5 years ago by lizardking    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
...I still don't get it. 
 
Huh.
Posted 7 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
Saw a TV special on the band, Big Star, which included Alex Chilton from the Box Tops. 

I didn't get their music then, and I still don't get it. That band was just "OK" because there were so many good bands in the 1970s. Why all the fawning over that band?  

 
As far as Big Star -

For me, it is very sincere music and lyrics with well crafted melodies that go in unexpected directions that sounds home made - by human beings.

Warts and all.

Very personal.

And the production is pristine.

"You want the obvious you'll get the obvious"...

 
Posted 7 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
The power of music to penetrate is amazing... I was fond of spending sunsets on the front porch of a family house in a village in the south of Bali while on vacation from my gig in Shizuoka around Christmas of 1989, and one enchanted evening, one of the brothers of one of the local cuties I was friendly with pulled out an acoustic guitar and started playing THIS SONG... He didn't know many of the words in English, so I was asked if I'd supply the vocals. I felt shy; it was quite a bit easier to launch into karaoke while in Japan, with some beers in me, but, especially with the gal and her brothers urging me, the power of the music in the moment was irresistible. The song caught fire, and almost the entire neighborhood was amused and entertained, and he played that guitar like never before, I could tell, and I sang like never before, and they all knew it, and at that moment, we could have been anywhere, it didn't matter; we were re-creating the music The Box Tops laid down so well so long ago, and it was moving the people of a radically different culture...  Divine!
Posted 7 years ago by coloradojohn    [ Reply ]
 idiot_wind wrote:
Saw a TV special on the band, Big Star, which included Alex Chilton from the Box Tops. 

I didn't get their music then, and I still don't get it. That band was just "OK" because there were so many good bands in the 1970s.
Why all the fawning over that band?  

 

I was 13 at the time, 1967 and into Motown and The Beatles so I liked it from the beginning
never bought the record but loved hearing it on the radio
 
Posted 7 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
I Love to hear this bit of nostalgia in between the other bits.........
Posted 7 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
Saw a TV special on the band, Big Star, which included Alex Chilton from the Box Tops. 

I didn't get their music then, and I still don't get it. That band was just "OK" because there were so many good bands in the 1970s. Why all the fawning over that band?  
Posted 7 years ago by idiot_wind    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 7 years ago by FatPants    [ Reply ]
{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 7 years ago by sunflowerbee    [ Reply ]
 jmsmy wrote:
16 year old singer - amazing

 
SIXTEEN? 
Astonishing fact of the day.
 
Posted 8 years ago by kingart    [ Reply ]
My next door neighbor, Reggie Young, played guitar on this song (as well as about a million more, including Drift Away and Suspicious Minds). Those kids, understandably, couldn't really play yet!
Posted 8 years ago by ckevin63    [ Reply ]
{#Bananajam}
Posted 8 years ago by Michallik    [ Reply ]
 jmsmy wrote:
16 year old singer - amazing

 
How does a 16 year old singer sound like this? Did he start smoking when he was 9?
Posted 8 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
Bill, ya gotta add their "Cry Like A Baby" to the play list
 
Posted 8 years ago by Skydog    [ Reply ]
16 year old singer - amazing
Posted 9 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
Rockin' & Rollin' right at my desk.{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 9 years ago by LizK    [ Reply ]
Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round!
Posted 9 years ago by treatment_bound    [ Reply ]
 kcar wrote:

DAMMIT Bill! It's a movement turning into a revolution! Big Star! Big Star now! 

Please? "September Gurls" would be rilly, rilly kewl.  

 
BIG STAR!
Posted 10 years ago by JHZ    [ Reply ]
This reminds me sooo much of my high school days in Frankfurt, Germany...an army brat attending Frankfurt American High School. This was the unofficial theme song for the GIs stationed there.
Posted 10 years ago by Lenora    [ Reply ]
 Proclivities wrote:

This was their biggest hit, but they had a few others: "Cry Like A Baby", "Neon Rainbow", "Soul Deep" to name a few.



 

Cry like a baby   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WoD8yZkvuI


Posted 10 years ago by philinnz    [ Reply ]
 dingusbother wrote:
Same here. Big Star on RP!

 
DAMMIT Bill! It's a movement turning into a revolution! Big Star! Big Star now! 

Please? "September Gurls" would be rilly, rilly kewl.  
Posted 11 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 justin4kick wrote:
For a long time I thought this was Joe Cocker singing.

 

Uh.... that's because he had a fairly popular hit with his cover of the song.
Posted 11 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Please please please Bill - you've to play more Big Star.

I just don't get it.


Posted 11 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Ah, early puberty memories. wtf did all that hair come from? {#Eek} {#Shifty}
Posted 11 years ago by Isabeau    [ Reply ]
Fun song for any acoustic guitar players out there!
Posted 11 years ago by MirageRF    [ Reply ]
 expatlar wrote:
This takes me back to East Rochester, NY. A music loving kid in bed with a transistor radio. It's a wonderful thing the way music can take you to a place or time.

 
Have you been back since? Rochester has seen better days.
Posted 11 years ago by Sasha2001    [ Reply ]
For a long time I thought this was Joe Cocker singing.
Posted 11 years ago by justin4kick    [ Reply ]
 big stud Romeo Tuma wrote:
I used to play this on the piano in E minor about a million years ago...  I like it... it's groovy...
 

Dang, I can't remember how to play it now...  that was a long time ago...  still love it...  time flies when we're having fun...
Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Love it......
Posted 11 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
This takes me back to East Rochester, NY. A music loving kid in bed with a transistor radio. It's a wonderful thing the way music can take you to a place or time.
Posted 11 years ago by ExpatLarry    [ Reply ]
 rdo wrote:
I like how they pronounce it air-O-plane.  Kinda like Newt calls my town WaRshington.  My grandpa always said warsh, instead of wash too.   I lost the habit somewhere along the line. 

 
The meter sorta requires it, right?
Posted 12 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Same here. Big Star on RP!
Posted 12 years ago by dingusbother    [ Reply ]
Agreed. Big Star should've been one of the biggest bands of the 70s - even the wonderfully sloppy masterpiece Third/Sister Lovers.
Posted 12 years ago by mike_chouinard    [ Reply ]
Come on Bill - Big Star Bill
Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]

Bill

I love you and will continue to support you as I have for years.  But I don't understand the lack of Big Star on your play list.  Massively overlooked in their time despite the critically acclaimed excellence and downright catchiness of their tunes.

We need more Alex on RP 

Come on Bill.
Posted 12 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Just played this yesterday here at the home.

Still sounds great after all these years.
Posted 12 years ago by kurtster    [ Reply ]
 gatorade wrote:
Cutting Edge. 
 
Do you mean "Boxcutting Edge"? {#Wink}
Posted 12 years ago by ubuntourist    [ Reply ]
Cutting Edge. 
Posted 12 years ago by gatorade    [ Reply ]
Oh man, this brings me back... 1967, I was an Army brat attending HS in Frankfurt, Germany. My friends and I used to hang out at a bier stube called Kurtz. This song was the fave of every GI in town and played endlessly on the jukebox.
Posted 12 years ago by Lenora    [ Reply ]
I like how they pronounce it air-O-plane.  Kinda like Newt calls my town WaRshington.  My grandpa always said warsh, instead of wash too.   I lost the habit somewhere along the line. 

Posted 12 years ago by rdo    [ Reply ]
Miss you Alex!  :(
Posted 12 years ago by nelamvr6    [ Reply ]
A 16 year old Alex Chilton. Unbelievable!
Posted 12 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
Number one song the week I was born, as I found out during the recent Facebook round.
Posted 12 years ago by mmoyer    [ Reply ]
Great song!  My baby just sent me an email!

Posted 13 years ago by terrapin52    [ Reply ]
I didn't know it before it started playing, but that was exactly what I wanted to hear.
Posted 13 years ago by nerakdon    [ Reply ]
Yes!
Posted 13 years ago by Dinges,_the_Dude    [ Reply ]
Same here, still got it on a shelf...... 

Propayne wrote:
One of the first 45s I had as a kid.

Love it. 
 


Posted 13 years ago by jerrieberrie    [ Reply ]
One of the first 45s I had as a kid.

Love it. 
Posted 13 years ago by Propayne    [ Reply ]
Alex Chilton - Steve Wynn/Dream Syndicate - The Replacements

Thank you very much!
Posted 13 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
As far as I know this was their only "hit". Too bad; the lead singer had a great voice for rock.

 
This was their biggest hit, but they had a few others: "Cry Like A Baby", "Neon Rainbow", "Soul Deep" to name a few.  The singer went on to produce a pretty good body of work after leaving this band as well.

Posted 13 years ago by Proclivities    [ Reply ]
 On_The_Beach wrote:
As far as I know this was their only "hit". Too bad; the lead singer had a great voice for rock.

 
Pretty much.  Couple of minor hits, I guess.  And he does have a great voice.  I think he was quite young when this recording was made.

Posted 13 years ago by Dave_Mack    [ Reply ]
As far as I know this was their only "hit". Too bad; the lead singer had a great voice for rock.

Posted 13 years ago by On_The_Beach    [ Reply ]
I'm hearing John Mellencamp covering this. That would be neat.
Posted 13 years ago by linden    [ Reply ]
Wow, just realized how much this guy sounds like the modern day Spoon singer...IMO anyway
Posted 13 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
"Rule of thumb: there are no Joe Cocker songs."

Perfect! But, the guy can do a cover like nobody's business!

Posted 13 years ago by Al    [ Reply ]
RIP Alex. Loved ur work.
Oh, and thanks for the play Bill. (Playbill?)
Posted 13 years ago by Al    [ Reply ]
Nice!
Posted 13 years ago by helgigermany    [ Reply ]
 hcaudill wrote:
I take it this is the original? If so, I'm embarrassed to say this is the first time I've ever heard it - always thought this was Joe Cocker's song.
 

Rule of thumb: there are no Joe Cocker songs. Lots of covers, some immortal, but not sure he ever actually penned anything.
Posted 13 years ago by djengs    [ Reply ]
 WonderLizard wrote:
Pure pop perfection.
 


The golden age of 60's AM radio— I feel blessed to have grown up during that time.
Posted 14 years ago by capandjudy    [ Reply ]
Vanna, pick me a letter!
Posted 14 years ago by Zeito    [ Reply ]
RIP Alex.
Posted 14 years ago by ruthless    [ Reply ]
hcaudill wrote:

I take it this is the original? If so, I'm embarrassed to say this is the first time I've ever heard it - always thought this was Joe Cocker's song.

 Hairfarmer wrote:


Yes.
 
No.

When I was a kid, I had a commercial tape sampling hits from the sixties (the actual time being the late seventies) and I think I must have been growing into my twens already, when I was surprised to recognise a song from that tape interpreted by Joe Cocker. And actually liked it.

Also much to my surprise: this was a pleasant rehearsal.

Posted 14 years ago by Bleyfusz    [ Reply ]
{#Music}
Posted 14 years ago by miamizsun    [ Reply ]
woah! totally woke up with this song in my head. was definitely singing it as I got ready for class. Thanks for reading my mind, RP!
Posted 14 years ago by topherg87    [ Reply ]
Love it!{#Drummer}
Posted 14 years ago by Rp10v3r    [ Reply ]
 hcaudill wrote:
I take it this is the original? If so, I'm embarrassed to say this is the first time I've ever heard it - always thought this was Joe Cocker's song.
 

Yes.
Posted 14 years ago by Hairfarmer    [ Reply ]
What an AMAZING voice for a 16 year old.

Posted 14 years ago by jmsmy    [ Reply ]
Bill - Play Thirteen or something else from Big Star — Please!!!!!
Posted 14 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
We're sure gonna miss you Alex..RIP
Posted 14 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]
Yeah....I love this! Feel good music!

Posted 14 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
video on youtube—-he looks supercute. I saw him as an older man playing in DC with Camper Van Beethoven on 4th of July I just remember Camper being really good and playing "Pictures of Matchstick Men."
Posted 14 years ago by Giselle62    [ Reply ]
Ahh one of my fav's was my sis & her now ex -husband's song - good memories for me - the PBS British Invasion & their 60's groups specials were excellent IMO showing all those groups performing!


Posted 14 years ago by KikaKitty    [ Reply ]
I take it this is the original? If so, I'm embarrassed to say this is the first time I've ever heard it - always thought this was Joe Cocker's song.
Posted 14 years ago by hcaudill    [ Reply ]
Sitting here laughing my sis bought this on 45 & I liked it so much I kept playing over and over to learn the words to the song
Posted 14 years ago by KikaKitty    [ Reply ]
Pure pop perfection.
Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Ah, the lost and lamented art of letter writing. "My baby just wrote me a text" just wouldn't have the same romantic feeling ;)
Posted 14 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]

It sucks that this was the reason for remembering one of the most influential artists ever is terribly underepresented in the RP playlist.


Posted 14 years ago by lemmoth    [ Reply ]

Thirteen is in the archives - send an email to requests to hear a little Big Star on this day.


Posted 14 years ago by fergie348    [ Reply ]
RIP Alex - I'll never forget the 1st time I listened to #1 Record.  It (and you) blew my mind.
Posted 14 years ago by fergie348    [ Reply ]
Thanks for playing some Alex Chilton on this sad day!  It's amazing that he was 16 years old when he recorded this track.
How about some Big Star?!

Posted 14 years ago by lazylemming    [ Reply ]
RIP
Posted 14 years ago by dogpound    [ Reply ]
Thanks Bill....I requested this but I bet a zillion folks did....RIP Alex
Posted 14 years ago by Randomax    [ Reply ]
R.I.P. Alex, 3/17/2010

If he was from Venus, would he feed us with a spoon?
If he was from Mars, wouldn't that be cool?
Standing right on campus, would he stamp us in a file?
Hangin' down in Memphis all the while.

(chorus:)

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?
I'm in love with that song."

Cerebral rape and pillage in a village of his choice.
Invisible man who can sing in a visible voice.
Feeling like a hundred bucks, exchanging good lucks face to face.
Checkin' his stash by the trash at St. Mark's place.

(chorus)

I never travel far, without a little Big Star

Runnin' 'round the house, Mickey Mouse and the Tarot cards.
Falling asleep with a flop pop video on.
If he was from Venus, would he meet us on the moon?
If he died in Memphis, then that'd be cool, babe.

(chorus)

Artist: The Replacements
Album: Pleased To Meet Me

Posted 14 years ago by Businessgypsy    [ Reply ]
rcurrier wrote:
Much better than "my bb snt me a txt".

Brilliant!!! Move to the head of the class!!! {#Clap}
Posted 14 years ago by Walrus_Gumbo    [ Reply ]
 victoryluna wrote:
A treat. 1x/year. Since it's already played 4x this year, hope not to hear it again until 2010.
 
and.... it's 2010, 4 more times please!
Posted 14 years ago by ajudd    [ Reply ]
Nice classic! Can't help but singing along when this comes on.
Posted 14 years ago by BluEyes    [ Reply ]
True, old skool soul, terrific stuff which shouldn't age. Takes me right back to the college disco :). 8 from the Nottingham jury.
Posted 15 years ago by fredriley    [ Reply ]

Hey, I like Cocker's cover of The Letter!

But this one is just as good or better if Cocker's hard-livin' voice invite you to cede territory.


Posted 15 years ago by westslope    [ Reply ]
"Do you realize, that in less than two minutes, 'The Letter' by Box Tops says more than what Jethro Tull spends hours not saying."
- Lester Bangs

Posted 15 years ago by Hairfarmer    [ Reply ]
Iliff Park Saloon, Aurora, CO 1987 - pathetic. Basically just this song over and over and over....
Posted 15 years ago by DD gypsyman    [ Reply ]
 RobRyan wrote:
It's a nice pop song and its best feature is that it's not Joe Cocker.
 
{#Clap}

Posted 15 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
It's a nice pop song and its best feature is that it's not Joe Cocker.
Posted 15 years ago by RobRyan    [ Reply ]
 RobRyan wrote:
SO much better than the Joe Cocker abomination!
 

Goes without saying, really.

But this really is a great song, compared with Joe Cocker or not. Just wish it were longer.
Posted 15 years ago by holborne    [ Reply ]
What's really amazing about this record is that the lead singer, Alex Chilton, was only 16 when it was recorded!

The best thing to come out of Memphis since I-40 West! {#Wave}
Posted 15 years ago by toterola    [ Reply ]
 RobRyan wrote:
SO much better than the Joe Cocker abomination!
 
The Arbors did a really great version of this one in '69. It had a swirling, psychedelic twist to it.
Quite enjoyable!
I still have it on a 45.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Arbors

I think I'll upload it.



Posted 15 years ago by KurtfromLaQuinta    [ Reply ]
Fun, fun, fun, fun
Posted 15 years ago by coffee-eyes    [ Reply ]
Shortest. Song. Ever.
Posted 15 years ago by radiojunkie    [ Reply ]
Thanks for perking up my Saturday morning again!! {#Bounce}
Posted 16 years ago by Shesdifferent    [ Reply ]
WonderLizard wrote:
That was so-o-o-o confusing. I thought like if I save up 10 copies of the 45 and sent 'em in to the label, they'd send Alex Chilton back.


I just choked on my candy bar! {#Roflol}
Posted 16 years ago by wilcogirl11    [ Reply ]
gimme the ticket....!

Posted 16 years ago by Stingray    [ Reply ]
annoffalese wrote:
can you still get free stuff through the mail with with box tops?
That was so-o-o-o confusing. I thought like if I save up 10 copies of the 45 and sent 'em in to the label, they'd send Alex Chilton back.
Posted 16 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
Much better than "my bb snt me a txt".
Posted 16 years ago by rcurrier    [ Reply ]
thewaxtadpole wrote:
Why didn't his baby phone him instead of writing a letter? Then he'd have plenty of time, even for a slow train.
Just not the same somehow if the guy says "My baby just sent me an email..."
Posted 16 years ago by big_gare    [ Reply ]
children by the millions, wait for Alex Chilton to come around
Posted 16 years ago by Pharlap    [ Reply ]
smackiepipe wrote:
I like that Monkee's-era bebop bubblegum organ during the chorus and outro.
I think that's a Farfisa organ....I like it, too.
Posted 16 years ago by Pyro    [ Reply ]
Why didn't his baby phone him instead of writing a letter? Then he'd have plenty of time, even for a slow train.
Posted 17 years ago by thewaxtadpole    [ Reply ]
What a CLASSIC!
Posted 17 years ago by nigelr    [ Reply ]