Today’s Forgotten 45 @ 45!

James Taylor – Handy ManThis song has had many lives on the charts.

Jimmy Jones and songwriter Otis Blackwell wrote “Handy Man” back in the late 50s. In 1959, Jones recorded a slightly different version that was in a major key and more upbeat. The melody had changed as well, making it nearly unrecognizable from an earlier recording of it by The Sparks Of Rhythm.

Jimmy Jones’ version hit #2 on the Hot 100.

In 1964, Del Shannon also covered it, taking it to # 22 and then in 1977, James Taylor recorded a more romantic version and releasing it on his ‘JT’ record, taking it to #4.