Peak
14
Weeks
13
Score
1,639
Chart Year
1965
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This was written by psychologist Dr. Milton "Mitt" Addington and recorded as a single (TCF Hall 102) by Dickey Lee. The song was inspired by a story that ran in a Memphis newspaper in 1964, written by a 15-year-old girl named Cathie Harmon. Dr. Addington credited her and shared his royalties from the song with her. The original article by Cathie Harmon was possibly inspired by the legend of Resurrection Mary, described as a shy young woman with very cold hands. A number of young men reportedly encountered her at dance parties in Chicago beginning in the 1930s. Escorted or given a ride home, she typically asks to be dropped off at Resurrection Cemetery on Archer Avenue, where she vanishes, asking her escort not to follow her. In 1939 a man named Jerry Palus met her at the Liberty Grove dance hall and she told him her actual home address; going there the following day, he found an older woman who verified that she had had such a daughter, who had died many years before. Her picture was identical to the girl Jerry had escorted to the graveyard. Radio stations like to program this during Halloween specials
Last night at the dance I met Laurie So lovely and warm, an angel of a girl Last night I fell in love with Laurie Strange things happen in this world As I walked her home She said it was her birthday I pulled her close and said "Will I see you anymore?" Then suddenly she asked for my sweater And said that she was very, very cold I kissed her goodnight At her door and started home Then thought about my sweater And went right back instead I knocked at her door and a man appeared I told why I'd come, then he said "You're wrong, son You weren't with my daughter How can you be so cruel To come to me this way? My Laurie left this world on her birthday She died a year ago today" A strange force drew me to the graveyard I stood in the dark I saw the shadows wave And then I looked and saw my sweater Lyin' there upon her grave Strange things happen in this world
| Week | Chart Date | Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 15, 1965 | 90 | 36 |
| 2 | May 22, 1965 | 74 | 52 |
| 3 | May 29, 1965 | 60 | 66 |
| 4 | Jun 5, 1965 | 49 | 77 |
| 5 | Jun 12, 1965 | 47 | 79 |
| 6 | Jun 19, 1965 | 29 | 97 |
| 7 | Jun 26, 1965 | 22 | 104 |
| 8 | Jul 3, 1965 | 16 | 110 |
| 9 | Jul 10, 1965 | 14 | 112 |
| 10 | Jul 17, 1965 | 17 | 109 |
| 11 | Jul 24, 1965 | 21 | 105 |
| 12 | Jul 31, 1965 | 21 | 105 |
| 13 | Aug 7, 1965 | 46 | 80 |