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Ralph Spurlin Jr. (songwriter)

Ralph Spurlin Jr. was an American lyricist of the 1950s who wrote songs with the Boston songwriter Arthur Korb, including "The Prince of Players" (recorded in 1958 by Tommy Frederick and the Hi-Notes and later by Jimmy Lloyd and John E. Paul) and "The Iron Horse".

Sourcing: strong 7 reference · 9 government · 2 news

Ralph Spurlin Jr. was an American songwriter and lyricist. He is credited with Arthur Korb as co-writer of "The Prince of Players".[1][2][3] The U.S. Copyright Office catalogs list nine Korb–Spurlin songs registered between 1954 and 1960, most of them crediting Spurlin with the words.[4][3][5][6][7][8] Korb (1909–2003) was a Harvard-educated Boston songwriter whose songs included "Go On with the Wedding" and "Autumn Avenue".[9]

"The Prince of Players"

The Copyright Office catalog for July–December 1957 lists "The Prince of Players", with words by Ralph Spurlin Jr. and words and music by Arthur Korb, registered by Plymouth Pub. Co. in October 1957. A new arrangement was registered by Edward B. Marks Music Corp. in January 1958.[3][10] The earliest recording listed on Discogs is a January 1958 single by Tommy Frederick and the Hi-Notes on Carlton Records (Carlton 450-1). The A-side label wrongly credits the song to Korb and Brenton Dickson, so Discogs marks Spurlin's credit as uncredited.[2] Hit Parader magazine printed the lyric in May 1958, credited to Korb and Spurlin, with an Edward B. Marks copyright.[11]

Discogs also lists two British versions. Jimmy Lloyd, with Wally Stott and his orchestra and chorus, recorded it for Philips in 1958 as a 10-inch 78 rpm single. John E. Paul's version, arranged by Johnny Harris, was released by Decca in October 1967. Both labels credit Korb and Spurlin by name.[12][13]

"The Iron Horse" and other songs

The Copyright Office's 1954 catalog of unpublished music lists "The Iron Horse", with words by Ralph Spurlin Jr. and words and music by Arthur Korb, registered on July 21, 1954.[4] When Hit Parader printed the lyric in April 1956, it credited the song to Korb, Spurlin and Milt Yakus.[14] Discogs lists a 1955 MGM single by the Four Horsemen (MGM K12159) with "Go On With The Wedding" on one side and "The Iron Horse" on the other. That listing puts Spurlin's name on "Go On With The Wedding" and credits "The Iron Horse" to Korb, Charlie Purvis and Yakus.[1][15] The Wikipedia article on "Go On with the Wedding", a 1956 hit for Patti Page, credits it to Korb, Purvis and Yakus and does not mention Spurlin.[16] Both the 1954 copyright registration and Hit Parader attach Spurlin's name to "The Iron Horse" rather than to "Go On with the Wedding".

Other Korb–Spurlin songs in the copyright catalogs are:

  • "Black Diamond" (1956) and "Just a Friend" (1956).[5]
  • "The Gambler's Bouquet" (1956, registered by Piedmont Music Co.).[5]
  • "Hangover Heart" (1957).[6]
  • "Autumn Avenue" (1957; registered again by Piedmont Music Co. later that year, and registered by Piedmont as a published edition with piano accompaniment in December 1964).[3][17]
  • "I've Been Blessed" (1960, Newton Music Co.).[7]
  • "Lovers' Leap" (1960).[8]

Spurlin also registered one song on his own, "Wolf Pack", in September 1952.[18]

No biographical details about Ralph Spurlin Jr. were found in the sources consulted.

See also

  • Spurlin records and recordings (collectible vinyl) · Products & Brands strong
    A guide to collectible vinyl records by or credited to people named Spurlin, from Tommy Spurlin's 1950s rockabilly 45s to Jack Spurlin's country singles, Tracy Spurlin's 1986 soul 12-inch and LPs with Spurlin sidemen.
  • Spurlins in music · Culture strong
    A roundup of musicians and music credits under the Spurlin name, from 1950s rockabilly and small-label country 45s to a 1980s soul single, jazz sidemen, a Christian metal guitarist, Bill Clinton's high-school band director, a university marching band director, a record-company sales representative and present-day streaming artists.
  • Spurlin collectibles and memorabilia · Products & Brands weak
    A guide to collectible objects and products that bear the Spurlin name: Spurlin Dairy milk bottles, Spurlin Sales farm-equipment advertising, Spurlin Ceramics tiki mugs, 1950s Spurlin records, signed art and craft pieces, and modern novelty goods.

References

  1. ↑ ↑ Ralph Spurlin, Jr. — Discogs artist page — name variations "R. Spurlin, Jr." and "Spurlin, Jr."; four credited recordings, 1955–1967 Reference
  2. ↑ ↑ Tommy Frederick And The Hi-Notes – The Prince Of Players / I'm Not Pretending (Carlton 450-1, January 1958) — Discogs — writing credit "Arthur Korb, Ralph Spurlin, Jr. [Uncredited]"; note "A-side incorrectly credits Brenton Dickson" Reference
  3. ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series, Part 5: Music, July–Dec 1957 — U.S. Copyright Office, via Internet Archive — "The Prince of Players; w Ralph Spurlin, Jr., w & m Arthur Korb", © Plymouth Pub. Co., 8 Oct 1957; "Autumn Avenue" (23 Aug 1957, and © Piedmont Music Co., 18 Nov 1957); "Black Diamond" (© Hometown Music Co., 23 Aug 1957) Government
  4. ↑ ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series, Part 5B: Unpublished Music, Jan–Dec 1954 — U.S. Copyright Office, via Internet Archive — "The Iron Horse; w Ralph Spurlin Jr., w & m Arthur Korb", 21 Jul 1954 (EU365026) Government
  5. ↑ ↑ ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series, Part 5B: Unpublished Music, Jan–Dec 1956 — U.S. Copyright Office, via Internet Archive — "Black Diamond" (1 Jun 1956), "Just a Friend" (5 Nov 1956) and "The Gambler's Bouquet" (© Piedmont Music Co., 19 Dec 1956) Government
  6. ↑ ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series, Part 5: Music, Jan–June 1957 — U.S. Copyright Office, via Internet Archive — "Hangover Heart; w Ralph Spurlin Jr., w & m Arthur Korb", 5 Mar 1957 Government
  7. ↑ ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series, Part 5: Music, Jan–June 1960 — U.S. Copyright Office, via Internet Archive — "I've Been Blessed; w Ralph Spurlin, Jr., w & m Arthur Korb", © Newton Music Co., 25 Jan 1960 Government
  8. ↑ ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series, Part 5: Music, July–Dec 1960 — U.S. Copyright Office, via Internet Archive — "Lovers' Leap; w Ralph Spurlin, w & m Arthur Korb", © Arthur Korb & Ralph Spurlin, Jr., 31 Oct 1960 Government
  9. ↑ Arthur Korb — Wikipedia Reference
  10. ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series, Part 5: Music, Jan–June 1958 — U.S. Copyright Office, via Internet Archive — "The Prince of Players", arrangement © Edward B. Marks Music Corp., 27 Jan 1958 (EP115980) Government
  11. ↑ Hit Parader, May 1958 — Internet Archive — lyric of "The Prince of Players", credited to Arthur Korb and Ralph Spurlin, Jr.; © 1957, 1958 Edward B. Marks Music Corp. News
  12. ↑ Jimmy Lloyd With Wally Stott And His Orchestra And Chorus – The Prince Of Players / Ever Since I Met Lucy (Philips P.B.795, 1958) — Discogs — UK 10-inch 78 rpm; written by Arthur Korb and Ralph Spurlin, Jr. Reference
  13. ↑ John E. Paul – Prince Of Players / I Wanna Know (Decca F 12685, 1967) — Discogs — UK release October 27, 1967; arranged by Johnny Harris Reference
  14. ↑ Hit Parader, April 1956 — Internet Archive — lyric of "The Iron Horse", credited to Arthur Korb, Ralph Spurlin and Milt Yakus News
  15. ↑ The Four Horsemen – Go On With The Wedding / The Iron Horse (MGM K12159, 1955) — Discogs — vocals by Lee Foster; writer credits as listed on Discogs Reference
  16. ↑ Go On with the Wedding — Wikipedia — written by Arthur Korb, Charlie Purvis and Milton Yakus Reference
  17. ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series, Part 5: Music, Jan–June 1965 — U.S. Copyright Office, via Internet Archive — "Autumn Avenue; m & lyric by Arthur Korb & Ralph Spurlin, Jr., piano acc.", © Piedmont Music Co., 18 Dec 1964 Government
  18. ↑ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series, Part 5B: Unpublished Music, Jan–Dec 1952 — U.S. Copyright Office, via Internet Archive — "Wolf Pack; w, m & © Ralph Spurlin Jr.", 4 Sep 1952 (EU286642) Government

#music #songwriter #1950s #lyricist

Last reviewed 2026-09-24.