Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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EDWARDS, Tommy

(b 17 Feb. '22, Richmond VA; d 22-- 3 Oct. '69) Songwriter, singer. Entered show business age nine; played piano, sang in Richmond late '40s; wrote 'That Chick's Too Young To Fry' for Louis Jordan. Signed by MGM on strength of demo record of his own song 'All Over Again'; hit with 'The Morning Side Of The Mountain' (no. 24) and 'It's All In The Game' (no. 18) '51. Latter tune was written '12 as 'Melody in F major' by banker, amateur flautist Charles Gates Dawes, who was later US Vice-President under Coolidge '25--9; words were added by Carl Sigman '51. MGM allegedly intended to drop Edwards '58, but suggested a remake of 'Game' in stereo at what would have been his last session: the backing was also updated; the rockaballad was no. 1 for six weeks in '58 and sold 3.5 million by '71. The song has reached the top 30 in both UK and USA in three different versions, incl. Cliff Richard '63--4, the Four Tops '70. Edwards had five more top 40 hits '58--60 incl. remakes of 'Mountain', 'Please Mr Sun' ('52 hit by Johnnie Ray), 'I Really Don't Want To Know'.