There's A Ghost In My House

[Guest Shutdown66]

Hi Folks,

I really dig this song... what a HIP SHAKER!

From the moment the 'Maestro Fuzztone' kicks in and the lyrics hit that spot in the mind which makes perfect sense not to mention when you have R. Dean Taylor's vocals reverberating around the walls of your bedroom.... you know it's cool!

It's a totally boss track!!

I'd even say this is the finest 'white' cut on Tamla-Motown after Chris Clark.

I am a pretty avid 'Garage 45' collector and would even say, 'There's a Ghost in My House' could be considered as a 'garage' cut to a lesser degree... The Fuzztone guitar, the lyrical reference and there is also a lot of vocal similarities with a 'garage' artist by the name of Paul Martin who had a killer 45 out in 67' called 'It Happened' on Implex recordings.

I just think There's a Ghost in my House is a pretty far-out side

Any of you guys got any fond memories relating to this track??

Edited September 11, 2010 by Shutdown66

[Sean Hampsey]

Some thoughts here.

Groovy!

Sean

[Guest Matt Male]

Any of you guys got any fond memories relating to this track??

Yeah my fondest memory is that i swapped a demo on V.I.P for three records that i actually like

[Guest]

I first heard/danced to this track when I was 14 and loved it. I would will the DJ to play it every Saturday night at the roller disco Fond memories indeed... it's just reminded me of the awesome skates I had with green kryps and precision bearings no less

[Cheltsoulnights]

I remember at the time a story that they had to find him and tell him he was a hit in the UK

The story also categorized him as a forgotten country singer

off the web

Dean recorded his own record, "Let's Go Somewhere" in 1965, a subtle war protest song, but not much happened. In 1966 he recorded "There's A Ghost In My House." but found out from a friend that there was little or no promotion on the record since they were concentrating on promoting the established Motown acts. Four years later in England, a club DJ started playing "There's A Ghost in My House" and it became popular. Other dance clubs picked up on the record and Motown UK released it as a single, and it went to the top of the charts in England and throughout Europe.

[Guest alanbonthrone]

I remember at the time a story that they had to find him and tell him he was a hit in the UK

The story also categorized him as a forgotten country singer

off the web

Dean recorded his own record, "Let's Go Somewhere" in 1965, a subtle war protest song, but not much happened. In 1966 he recorded "There's A Ghost In My House." but found out from a friend that there was little or no promotion on the record since they were concentrating on promoting the established Motown acts. Four years later in England, a club DJ started playing "There's A Ghost in My House" and it became popular. Other dance clubs picked up on the record and Motown UK released it as a single, and it went to the top of the charts in England and throughout Europe.

[The Tempest]

When you're 14 and this hits the decks , you're hooked !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mark S]

A great tune if you like garage have a listen to the version by the Fall .

[Guest mooma]

went to see R Dean Taylor at the VIKINGS CLUB in Goole in the mid 70s all soulies asked for the song silly sod couldnt remeber it????????????? EXIT quite a few folk

sue

[Guest Shutdown66]

A great tune if you like garage have a listen to the version by the Fall .

Yeah I originally heard the Version by 'The Fall' way back in my teenage years and thought nothing of it... Mark E Smith is a good purveyor of switching youngsters onto other cool sounds.

The Fall also almost had a pop at the Northern Soul scene in their track 'Lie Dream of a Casino Soul' ... although with most of Mark E Smith's work, he usually has a pop at anything.

Soul Girl I liked your response to this post, that's the sorta thing I wanted, small insights to people via music... I like hearing how songs relate to people's life.

I also wanna hear how people hate.. 'There's A Ghost in My House'... ie like the guy above who traded a promo copy for 3 records he liked... what were the 3 45's you liked better??

I may start a regular thread of 'How Song's Influenced You'.... next up, lemme think?? ummm Jackie Wilson or Major Lance??

Cheers

Paul

[macca]

On one of the threads that Sean posted, people spoke of the song being perfect for Chris Clark because of its supposed 'whiteness' in terms of delivery and lyrics.

I thought that Chris Clark was another Dusty, in that most of her appeal was down to her sounding convincingly black. As regards the song, it was definitely among the sounds that drew me towards this music and reaction to it at club discos was always interesting. The Funk crowd, unsurprisingly, detested it. 2:34 of dated nonsense and then back to 'Fire 'and 'Me & Baby Brother'. :-)

M

p.s. Why is the lyric 'unblack'? 'Sitting in my easy chair, I feel your fingers running through my hair, looking down in my coffee cup, I can see you face looking up'. Wouldn't Curtis Mayfield or Smokey Robinson write a lyric like that?

Fuzz guitar was also used in 'Why When The Love Is Gone' and nobody has said it sounds 'white'. I think RDT's voice in fine, in the Len Barry sense of being fine.

He's no Otis Redding, admittedly.

Edited September 12, 2010 by macca

[Agentsmith]

little story about this record and how it charted.

it was already a familiar tune to mecca attendees and latterly, everyone else on the scene circa 73/74. a dear departed friend of ours, blue max, was the dj at the catacombs in wolverhampton when emi realised its potential and announced its release. however, any chance of it charting giving motown its biggest commercial hit for several years, was going to be reliant on a scene still in its inaugural years. step forward max, who just so happened to be a record shop owner as well and, also djed at the lafayette club which, strictly speaking was a commercial night on mondays but always managed to get big name radio djs on its billing and radio 1 had the biggest of all. on a particular monday night max hosted breakfast show dj noel edmonds. during the course of events max played r.dean taylor.....noel was blown away having never heard of this tune before!, max promptly made him aware that, infact it was a new release that week.....as a result noel made it his "record of the week", the following week and the rest, they say, is history,.....the record got to number 3 on the national charts and gave taylor some belated recognition and a tour of the u.k.

.....HOW SPOOKY.....AS IM WRITING THIS, ITS BEING PLAYED ON GOLD......SIXTH SENSE OR WHAT???....THE STRANGE WORLD OF NORTHERN SOUL INDEED!

[Guest Bicks]

We used to live opposite a church and at my mum's funeral her coffin was moved in procession from the house accross the road to the church.

Now my dad wanted some music played as we moved the coffin and it was Rod Stewart's Do Ya Think I'm Sexy that was chosen, not a great funeral song I know but one that my mum was famous for singing and dancing to. Anyway I didn't have a blank tape to record it onto so picked up one of my compilation tapes put some sellotape over the corner and recorded Rod's song, I did it twice as I thought that would be enough time for everyone to move out.

When the time came to move out I put the tape in the machine and everyone had a huge smile when Rod came out of the speakers, unfortunately it took longer than I expected to move the coffin and as the end of the second rendition of 'Sexy' finished the tape cut back to what was originally recorded on there, yes you've guessed it 'There's a Ghost in my House', cue lots of disbelieving mourners and one or two smiles as well.

So now whenever I hear this track, which I love, it always reminds me of my mum.

[macca]

That's lovely Bicks, the thread starter wanted the human side, and what could be more human than this. :-)

[Guest Shutdown66]

Bicks.... that is a lovely story... amazing, I think that is great! and is a very touching story... thanks for sharing.

Agentsmith loads of weirdness and coincidences have been happening of late, my friend Paul sent me a Youtube video of a 45 he really dug, and the day before I got the said 45 come through my post box.

Macca I agree the lyrics for 'There's a Ghost In My House' shouldn't even be debated whether they are 'White' or 'Black' in style... the fact of the matter is they are class lyrics which are universal in their theme... if anyone who has been in love and lost that love, well they are the ones who will relate to those lyrics.

I could also hear in my mind Chris Clark doing a mighty version... HOWEVER I feel 'The Temptations' would have made this track blinding.

Hey WATSON DIG THIS....

cheers

Paul

Edited September 12, 2010 by Shutdown66

[phillyDaveG]

Sorry to let the side down, I hate it! Second rate pop.

[funkyfeet]

little story about this record and how it charted.

it was already a familiar tune to mecca attendees and latterly, everyone else on the scene circa 73/74. a dear departed friend of ours, blue max, was the dj at the catacombs in wolverhampton when emi realised its potential and announced its release. however, any chance of it charting giving motown its biggest commercial hit for several years, was going to be reliant on a scene still in its inaugural years. step forward max, who just so happened to be a record shop owner as well and, also djed at the lafayette club which, strictly speaking was a commercial night on mondays but always managed to get big name radio djs on its billing and radio 1 had the biggest of all. on a particular monday night max hosted breakfast show dj noel edmonds. during the course of events max played r.dean taylor.....noel was blown away having never heard of this tune before!, max promptly made him aware that, infact it was a new release that week.....as a result noel made it his "record of the week", the following week and the rest, they say, is history,.....the record got to number 3 on the national charts and gave taylor some belated recognition and a tour of the u.k.

.....HOW SPOOKY.....AS IM WRITING THIS, ITS BEING PLAYED ON GOLD......SIXTH SENSE OR WHAT???....THE STRANGE WORLD OF NORTHERN SOUL INDEED!

R D Taylor was well known to the UK charts via "Indiana Wants Me" which had made number one a few years early and "Gotta See Jane" which made the charts in 1967, so hardly a one hit wonder.

E21BF972-3ACA-A8AC-9DC2-5FD79E0A4DB81.03.01

[Guest POTTERIESPECK]

First time i saw a copy on a deck was from a budget priced LP from Superb Souinds, It says this was a 1977 release. Was the UK Tamala release of THERE'S A GHOST IN MY HOUSE 1974, ME SELF, I PREFER THE FLIP SIDE - LET'S GO SOMEWHERE and always thought the LP was released before the Tamala single.

Edited September 13, 2010 by POTTERIESPECK

[Professorturnups]

Still big at "The Talk" in Norwich - played Saturday night!!

Mark C

[TOAD]

played the INST on friday night:rolleyes:

[Guest Netspeaky]

First time i saw a copy on a deck was from a budget priced LP from Superb Souinds, It says this was a 1977 release. Was the UK Tamala release of THERE'S A GHOST IN MY HOUSE 1974, ME SELF, I PREFER THE FLIP SIDE - LET'S GO SOMEWHERE and always thought the LP was released before the Tamala single.

First plays were off the Big Hits (Tamla Motown) LP prior to Wigan.

[Guest]

R D Taylor was well known to the UK charts via "Indiana Wants Me" which had made number one a few years early and "Gotta See Jane" which made the charts in 1967, so hardly a one hit wonder.

E21BF972-3ACA-A8AC-9DC2-5FD79E0A4DB81.03.01

Anything but a one hit wonder ! The guy was a successful writer.

Wickipedia :

Taylor's next single (1967's "There's A Ghost In My House") was written by the team of Holland/Dozier/Holland along with Taylor, and again produced by Brian Holland and Lamont Dozier. It was also a commercial disappointment in the U.S. - but later it was a #3 hit in the UK in 1974. Taylor was also beginning to blossom as a songwriter for other acts, as "I'll Turn to Stone" by The Four Tops, and "All I Need" by The Temptations were both charting U.S. singles in 1967, co-penned by Taylor.

In 1968, Taylor hit the UK Singles Chart when his self-produced single "Gotta See Jane", (co-written with Brian Holland), became a Top 20 hit.^[2] However, his real success came as a member of the Motown writing and production team known as "The Clan". This production group briefly took over as the prime creators of material for Diana Ross & the Supremes after the Holland/Dozier/Holland team left Motown. Among Taylor's hit co-compositions and co-productions in 1968/69 as a member of The Clan were Diana Ross & the Supremes' #1 U.S. hit "Love Child" and their #10 hit "I'm Livin' in Shame".

• 
  Singles
  
  [edit]Audio Master releases
  • 1962: "At The High School Dance"

[edit]Barry releases

• 1962: "At The High School Dance"
• 1962: "We Fell In Love As We Tangoed"
• 1962: "I'll Remember"(Toronto (CHUM) #23)

[edit]Mala releases

• 1963: "It's A Long Way To St. Louis"

[edit]V.I.P. releases

• 1965: "Let's Go Somewhere" (Toronto (CHUM) #39)
• 1967: "There's A Ghost In My House"
• 1967: "Gotta See Jane" (UK #17, NL #32)

[edit]Rare Earth releases

• 1970: "Indiana Wants Me" (Canada #1, U.S. Billboard #5, U.S. Cashbox #1, UK #2)
• 1971: "Ain't It A Sad Thing" (Canada #35, U.S. #66)
• 1971: "Gotta See Jane" [re-issue] (Canada #12, U.S. #67)
• 1971: "Candy Apple Red" (Canada #69, U.S. #104)
• 1972: "Taos, New Mexico" (Canada #48, U.S. #83, NL #22)
• 1973: "Shadow" (Canada #82)

[edit]Polydor releases

• 1974: "Window Shopping" (UK #36)
• 1974: "Walkin' In The Sun"

[edit]Tamla Motown releases

• 1966: "There's A Ghost In My House"
• 1968: "Gotta See Jane"
• 1971: "Indiana Wants Me"
• 1974: "Don't Fool Around"
• 1974: "There's A Ghost In My House" [re-issue] (UK #3, NL #29)
• 1974: "Gotta See Jane" [re-issue] (UK #41)
• 2004: "There's A Ghost In My House/Gotta See Jane" [re-issue]

[edit]Jane releases

• 1973: "Sweet Flowers"
• 1973: "Bonnie"
• 1974: "Wipe My Tears Away"
• 1974: "Walkin' In The Sun"
• 1975: "Let's Talk It Over"
• 1976: "We'll Show Them All"
• 1976: "Bonnie"
• 1976: "Closer My Love"

[edit]Farr releases

• 1976: "We'll Show Them All"

[edit]Ragamuffin releases

• 1979: "I'll Name The Baby After You"

[edit]Strummer releases

• 1982: "Out In The Alley"
• 1982: "Let's Talk It Over"

[edit]20th Century Fox releases

• 1983: "Let's Talk It Over" (U.S. C&W #90)^[2][3]

Edited September 14, 2010 by mossy

[Agentsmith]

R D Taylor was well known to the UK charts via "Indiana Wants Me" which had made number one a few years early and "Gotta See Jane" which made the charts in 1967, so hardly a one hit wonder.

E21BF972-3ACA-A8AC-9DC2-5FD79E0A4DB81.03.01

yes, i am fully aware of the two previous releases, factually however, this was his first chart for 4 years and, sadly his last. i would have to check the guiness book to confirm no.1 status for indiana though, im pretty sure it got to no.2 u.k.. prolific songwriter...one of his best,....7 rooms of gloom - fourtops and my world is empty without you - supremes. first white male to have a hit for motown here, in states, probably tommy good.

[Agentsmith]

yes, i am fully aware of the two previous releases, factually however, this was his first chart for 4 years and, sadly his last. i would have to check the guiness book to confirm no.1 status for indiana though, im pretty sure it got to no.2 u.k.. prolific songwriter...one of his best,....7 rooms of gloom - fourtops and my world is empty without you - supremes. first white male to have a hit for motown here, in states, probably tommy good.

the sounds superb lp was actually available in 1973, i was at school at the time and remember a mate bringing a copy back from blackpool mecca so, 1977 is a discrepancy.

release date for ghost in my house: 30/3/1967 both demo's and issues were double a-sided

[Pete S]

the sounds superb lp was actually available in 1973, i was at school at the time and remember a mate bringing a copy back from blackpool mecca so, 1977 is a discrepancy.

release date for ghost in my house: 30/3/1967 both demo's and issues were double a-sided

How do you mean DOUBLE A SIDED Rob? I have an issue here (for sale) with Don't Fool Around on the B side.

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

What a fantastic song which i love, along with Chris Clark the best white singers on Motown

he has had this in the UK charts

Gotta See Jane No 17

Indiana Wants Me No 2

There's a Ghost In My House No 3

Window Shopping No 36 and

Gotta See Jane again in 1974 No 41

in American hot 100 he had

Indiana Wants Me No 5

Ain't It a Sad Thing No 66

Gotta See Jane No 67

Candy Apple Red No 104 and

Taos New Mexico No 83

there was no R & B singles in charts there, his album made No 198 there in 1971

i don't like the version by the fall very much

[Prophonics 2029]

When I first read the title of this thread, i was worried that some one had a real problem with a ghost in their house but its only about the record. Doh!.

Edited September 16, 2010 by Prophonics 2029

[Agentsmith]

How do you mean DOUBLE A SIDED Rob? I have an issue here (for sale) with Don't Fool Around on the B side.

i had a v.i.p. copy that was double-a sided not white but multi-coloured demo, in other words ghost on both sides. the one you have pete, i must say is a mystery to me....never seen that before. quote me if im wrong but im sure motown did the same with lets go somewhere, also on v.i.p., appearing as a double a-side on the demo format and no different b-side.

[dthedrug]

First time i saw a copy on a deck was from a budget priced LP from Superb Souinds, It says this was a 1977 release. Was the UK Tamala release of THERE'S A GHOST IN MY HOUSE 1974, ME SELF, I PREFER THE FLIP SIDE - LET'S GO SOMEWHERE and always thought the LP was released before the Tamala single.

HI ALL IT WAS THE CUT FROM THIS LP THAT I HEARD FIRST & BEST CUT IN MY OPINION, PLAYED IN THE STOKE AREA, ALONG WITH BABY HIT AND RUN - CONTORS ALSO OF A CHEAPO LP, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE ISLEY BROSS, "TELL ME IT'S JUST A RUMOR BABY" CAME FROM BUT IF PROMOTED THEY WOULD HAVE HAD THE SAME SUCCES AS "GHOST IN MY HOUSE" 1973/4 WHAT A GREAT 2 YEARS FOR US ALL. DAVE KIL

[45cellar]

HOLLAND :

[Guest smudgesmith]

Whilst record hunting in Texas I found this on

• UK Tamla Motown
  
• Australian Rare Earth
  
• Canadian Motown (Grey with a red Maple leaf)
  
• US VIP
  

All in the same warehouse..........strange world of Northern Soul

[Soul-slider]

Yeah, like you say 'dtdrug', the 'Sounds Superb' LP version is a different take. I never really noticed until someone on here mentioned it a couple of years back.

The UK TMG 45 is everywhere, car boots, charity shops etc, I think I have purchased it for 25p on many an occasion then gave them away to friends who wanted to know a bit about Northern Soul.

Still goes down a treat at our local soul nights.

[Dazdakin]

Sorry to let the side down, I hate it! Second rate pop.

Any tune that charts is "pop" yes?

If it don't chart then and only then can it be singled out as whatever genre it finds itself in.

Rare soul/ Northern Soul is what it is (in the main) because it never received the recognition we know it deserved.

If Don Gardner had charted with "cheatin' kind" it would be a pop record......Yes?

[p0stscript]

Sorry to let the side down, I hate it! Second rate pop.

I liked it as a 'pop' record, but I'm not a purist.

[phillyDaveG]

Any tune that charts is "pop" yes?

If it don't chart then and only then can it be singled out as whatever genre it finds itself in.

Rare soul/ Northern Soul is what it is (in the main) because it never received the recognition we know it deserved.

If Don Gardner had charted with "cheatin' kind" it would be a pop record......Yes?

Err, firstly, the quality of a record has absolutely nothing to do with whether it charted or not, some of the greatest soul records were also hits.

As for "any tune that charts is "pop" - of course it is. "Pop" is short for popular, so if Don Gardner had charted them yes it would have been a popular record, that doesn't stop it being soul. To be honest your post confused me a little.

To be clear, I didn't mean I dislike the record because it's pop, I just dislike it because it doesn't do anything for me in the least.

Edited March 31, 2012 by phillyDaveG

[Rotherham Soul]

Released on motown memories vol 2 in October1968

[Soulfinger]

Released on motown memories vol 2 in October1968

When I found that album aged 13 in 1972 I was blown away, but Barbara McNair was way better than R Dean Taylor (even more so now).