Irma Thomas's 1963 hit, “Ruler of My Heart”, dominates today's offering. It's the original, and best, of the versions I've heard. And it's vastly superior to Otis Redding's rip-off “Pain in My Heart”. The urgency of Redding's delivery obliterates the slow sway of Allen Toussaint's original composition. And with it, the image of 'Old Muddy' slowly meandering it's way past New Orleans into the sea. No other song I can think of, so directly invokes the sense of laid back, hot and sweaty, summer evenings on the tropical Gulf Coast.
English Folk
- Died for Love John Roberts and Tony Barrand
- Seamen Bold The Copper Family
- The Ellen Vannin Tragedy The Spinners
- Light Years Away Notts Alliance
- The Gypsy Lad Alan Bell
- Jezebel Waltz Barry Dransfield
- Capt Wedderburn's Courtship Roy Harris
- The Day Me Whippet Wouldn't Run Mike Nicholson
- Ribbon Bow Dorris Henderson & John Renbourn
- In Good King Arthur's Day Simply English
1964
- Bianco rosso giallo rosa Sonia e le Sorelle
- Je n'aime que lui (I Adore Him) Karen Bessy
- Due case due finestre Franco Tozzi
- La La La La La Jocelyne Journo
- Really Gonna Shake Sandra Barry & The Boys
- Vesuvius Centurions
- Come And Get These Memories Anna King
- Non dimenticar... Johnny Dorelli
- When I Was a Cowboy (Cow Cow Yicky Yicky Yea) Limeliters
- Camino de la felicidad Los TNT
Ruler of My Heart
- Ruler of My Heart Big Band Splash
- Ruler of My Heart Irma Thomas
- Ruler of My Heart Linda Ronstadt
- Ruler of My Heart Norah Jones
- Ruler of My Heart Pegi Young & The Survivors
- Ruler of My Heart Rita Clarke
- Ruler of My Heart Sister Suzie
- Ruler of My Heart Susan & The SurfTones
- Ruler Of My Heart Swingadelic
- Ruler of My Heart The Dirty Dozen Brass Band featuring Norah Jones
Portuguese
- Responde agora Jerry Adriani
- Chorando No Parque Puruca
- Menina de Trança Claudio Fontana
- Minha canção Elizabeth
- Nunca amei um homem igual a você Cleide Alves
- Promessa Los Bossambistas
- Eu que amo somente a ti (Io che amo solo te) José Ricardo
- No Dia em Que Jesus Voltar Renato e Seus Blue Caps
- Boneca De Cera, Boneca De Pano Wanderléa
- Sim, Foi Voce Cyro Aguiar