
Peak
3
Weeks
26
Score
6,429
Chart Year
1954
Soon after Hamblen released his version, Rosemary Clooney recorded a version of "This Ole House" with Buddy Cole and His Orchestra. It featured bass vocals by Thurl Ravenscroft and topped the charts in the US and the UK.[10][11][12] In the US, it was released as the flip side to "Hey There", which also reached number one. However, in the UK, it was released as the A-side, with the flip side "My Baby Sends Me". When reviewed in Billboard, it was described as "a bright, bouncy rendition from the thrush, supported solidly by an unbilled male singer and the Buddy Cole ork. Tho not as strong as the flip. It has a sparkle that could make it grab juke loot."[13] A version similar to the Clooney version was also recorded by UK singer Alma Cogan in 1954, but without chart success.
This ole house once knew his children This ole house once knew his wife This ole house was home and comfort As they fought the storms of life This ole house once rang with laughter This ole house heard many shouts Now he trembles in the darkness When the lightnin' walks about Chorus: Ain't a-gonna need this house no longer Ain't a-gonna need this house no more Ain't got the time to fix the shingles Ain't got time to fix the floor Ain't got time to oil the hinges Nor to mend the window pane Ain't a gonna need this house no longer He's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints This ole house is a-gettin' shaky This ole house is a-gettin' old This ole house lets in the rain This ole house lets in the cold Oh, his knees are a-gettin' chilly But he feel no fear of pain 'cause he sees an angel peekin' Through a broken window pane Chorus ---- musical interlude ---- This ole house is afraid of thunder This ole house is afraid of storms This ole house just groans and trembles When the night wind flings its arms When the night is a-gettin' feeble This old house is a-needin' paint Just like him it's tuckered out But he's a-gettin' ready to meet the saints Chorus
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jul 28, 1954 | 20 | 106 |
| 2 | Aug 4, 1954 | 14 | 112 |
| 3 | Aug 11, 1954 | 10 | 116 |
| 4 | Aug 18, 1954 | 9 | 117 |
| 5 | Aug 25, 1954 | 6 | 120 |
| 6 | Sep 1, 1954 | 6 | 120 |
| 7 | Sep 8, 1954 | 4 | 122 |
| 8 | Sep 15, 1954 | 3 | 123 |
| 9 | Sep 22, 1954 | 4 | 122 |
| 10 | Sep 29, 1954 | 5 | 121 |
| 11 | Oct 6, 1954 | 3 | 123 |
| 12 | Oct 13, 1954 | 4 | 122 |
| 13 | Oct 20, 1954 | 3 | 123 |
| 14 | Oct 27, 1954 | 3 | 123 |
| 15 | Nov 3, 1954 | 3 | 123 |
| 16 | Nov 10, 1954 | 3 | 123 |
| 17 | Nov 17, 1954 | 3 | 123 |
| 18 | Nov 24, 1954 | 5 | 121 |
| 19 | Dec 1, 1954 | 5 | 121 |
| 20 | Dec 8, 1954 | 7 | 119 |