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Storm in a Teacup (The Fortunes song)

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"Storm in a Teacup"
Single by The Fortunes
from the album Storm in a Teacup
B-side"I'm Not Following You"
Released1972
GenrePop
LabelCapitol Records
Songwriter(s)Lyndsey Rubin and Ron Roker
The Fortunes singles chronology
"Freedom Come, Freedom Go"
(1971) 		"Storm in a Teacup"
(1972) 		"Baby by the Way"
(1972)
Official audio
Storm in a Teacup on YouTube

"Storm in a Teacup" is a song written by Lynsey de Paul (credited as Lynsey Rubin) and Ron Roker,[1] recorded by the British group The Fortunes and released as a single in 1972.

Background

[edit]

The recording was arranged by Lew Warburton and produced by Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway. Rod Allen (The Fortunes bassist and vocalist) later spoke about De Paul and recalled "She was great. She kept popping into Cook's and Greenaway's office loaded with songs. One day she walked in with 'Storm' and Roger was knocked out."[2] Indeed, Cook was so knocked out that he recommended that The Fortunes record the song, with him and Greenway as the producers and an arrangement by Lew Warburton.[3]

Upon release the single reached No. 7 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 9 on the Irish Singles Chart (IRMA),[4] No.15 on the New Zealand singles chart[5] and No. 65 on the Australian Kent Music Report in 1972. It also spent two weeks in the Dutch Tipparade.[6] De Paul revealed to OK! magazine in a 1996 interview that it sold three million copies.[7] The song peaked at No. 11 on the Adelaide, Australia 5AD Official Top 40 on 12 May 1972. It was the 84th best selling single in the UK in 1972[8] and ranked number 496 on the Radio Luxembourg Top 500 of the 1970s.[9]

The song is often played on BBC Radio, most recently on the BBC Radio 2 programme The Great British Songbook.[10] In his autobiography, John Lydon states that he loves "Storm in a Teacup",[11] actor and singer Bradley Walsh told NME it was the first song he remembers hearing and buying,[12] and actor John Challis stated that it was one of his favourite songs.[13] Scottish journalist Alastair McKay describes the song as "an extraordinary thing, a swirl of pop soul".[14] Storm in a Teacup was the name of The Fortunes album, also released in 1972 on the Capitol label.[15] Classic Rock History ranked it the best Fortunes song in their Top 10 Songs By The Fortunes, stating "This soulful pop-rock favorite would see The Fortunes record updated versions, first in 1979, then again in 1982, and yet again in 1994. Although nothing beats the original, “Storm in a Teacup” remains The Fortunes’ signature song."[16]

Chart performance

[edit]
Chart (1972) Peak
position
Ireland 9
New Zealand [5] 15
UK [4] 7
Australia 65

Other versions

[edit]

De Paul recorded her own version of the song as the B-side to her first single "Sugar Me" on the MAM record label a few months later.[17] The single was a hit in the UK, Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Australia. This version has been included on a number of her compilation albums, starting with The World of Lynsey de Paul[18] and most recently on the CD Sugar and Beyond.[19] De Paul's version was also featured on the soundtrack of an episode of the German TV series Der Kommissar, entitled "Ein Mädchen nachts auf der Straße".[20] De Paul also performed a live version of the song on the prime time BBC TV show "The Two Ronnies".[21]

"Storm in a Teacup" has been covered by other artists, notably Springfield Revival on their 1973 album, Highlights,[22] the Tremeloes,[23] Tony Hatch and His Orchestra,[24] Alan Caddy Orchestra And Singers,[25] Steven Smith and Father,[26] Bob Rowe,[27] The Mike Morton Congregation,[28] Orchester Konrad Grewe,[29] Cliff Carpenter,[30] folk group "Just Us" on their self-titled album,[31] and also Manchester United F.C. in 1972,[32] (and in 1995 on the CD album Glory! Glory! Man. United).[33] Two Brazilian groups "The Futures"[34] and "Spirit Of Freedom",[35] recorded versions of the song. Danish singer Vojo released his version on his 1976 Polydor album "What a Difference a Day Makes"[36] and as the B-side to his single "Dear Son! Come Home For Christmas".[37]

Engelbert Humperdinck, de Paul's erstwhile label mate, performed his version of "Storm in a Teacup" on his show Engelbert with The Young Generation in 1972.[38] It was also performed by Cliff Richard on episode 13 of his "It's Cliff Richard" BBC TV show.[39]

A French language version of the song, entitled "Dans La Vie, Tout S'Arrange",[40] was recorded by Ginette Reno and released as a single in Canada in 1972,[41] where it peaked at #2 on the French-Canadian Top Ten. It was re-released as a single a second time in 1978[42] and has been included on a number of Reno compilation albums.[43] The song is included in a listing of Quebec's best and most popular songs from the 1970's.[44] More recently, a version of "Dans La Vie, Tout S'Arrange" by Vanessa Duchel/Maxime L was featured on the album Star Académie 2009, from the Canadian reality TV series Star Académie.[45][46] The album reached No.1 on the Billboard Canadian albums chart in April 2009.[47] On 18 April 2022, Roaddust Records announced the world-wide release of "Storm In a Teacup" by Thomas Engström as a single,[48] which was also included on his 2023 album, Pure Pop.[49]

Re-recorded versions

[edit]

In 1979 The Fortunes released the EP single "Movin' Out", written by Billy Joel, which featured a new version of "Storm in a Teacup" as the second track on the B-side.[50] This was followed by the 1982 release by The Fortunes of a new and updated version of the song, taken from their album Their Golden Hits, as a single on the Phillips.[51][52][53][54] De Paul also recorded an updated version of the song as a track on her 1994 album, Just a Little Time.[55]

References

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  1. ^ "Storm in a Teacup". Repertoire.bmi.com. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  2. ^ "The Fortunes". Brumbeat.net. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  3. ^ "The Fortunes - Storm In A Teacup | Releases". Discogs.com. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  4. ^ a b "FORTUNES | full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  5. ^ a b Hung, Steffen. "charts.nz - The Fortunes - Storm In A Teacup". charts.nz. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  6. ^ "The Fortunes - Storm In A Teacup". Top40.nl. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  7. ^ 1 March 1996, issue 1, OK! Weekly Magazine, publisher Northern and Shell
  8. ^ "Top 100 1972 - UK Music Charts". Uk-charts.top-source.info. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  9. ^ "Radio Luxembourg Top 500 van de 70's: 2021". Hitnoteringen.nl. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  10. ^ "Radio 2 Playlist: Great British Songbook - Jessie J, Chris Rea, Roxy Music...'s playlist's Top Tracks - BBC Playlists". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  11. ^ Anger is an Energy: My Life Uncensored, John Lydon, 2016, ISBN 978-0062400239
  12. ^ "Soundtrack Of My Life: Bradley Walsh". Nme.com. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  13. ^ "Seventies Songstress Lynsey de Paul Dies at 64". The Scotsman. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  14. ^ Alternatives to Valium: How Punk Rock Saved a Shy Boy’s Life, Alastair McKay, Publisher Birlinn, 2022, ISBN 1846975816
  15. ^ "The Fortunes – Storm In A Teacup (1972, Red Label, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. 1972. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  16. ^ Zeiler, Millie (25 May 2022). "Top 10 Songs By The Fortunes". Classicrockhistory.com. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  17. ^ "Sugar Me / Storm in a Teacup by Lynsey de Paul (Single; MAM; MO 1286): Reviews, Ratings, Credits, Song list". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  18. ^ "Lynsey De Paul - The World Of Lynsey De Paul". Discogs.com. 1974. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  19. ^ "Lynsey de Paul - Sugar And Beyond Anthology 1972-1974". Discogs.com. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
  20. ^ "Folge 64 : Ein Mädchen nachts auf der Straße". Zauberspiegel-online.de. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  21. ^ ""The Two Ronnies" Episode #2.5 (TV Episode 1972) - IMDb". IMDb.com. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  22. ^ "Springfield Revival - Highlights". Discogs.com. 1973. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  23. ^ "Catalogue of Songs Recorded". Ronroker.com. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  24. ^ "Tony Hatch & His Orchestra* - Hits Symphonic (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs.com. 1972. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  25. ^ "Alan Caddy Orchestra And Singers* - Six Top Hits (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. 1972. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  26. ^ "Steven Smith & Father - Steven Smith & Father & Sixteen Great Songs (Vinyl, LP, Album)". Discogs.com. 1972. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  27. ^ "Bob Rowe (4) - Bob Rowe's Music Box". Discogs.com. 1973. Retrieved 26 July 2018.
  28. ^ "The Mike Morton Congregation - Non Stop Hits Volume Five (Vinyl, LP, Album) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 1972. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  29. ^ "Orchester Konrad Grewe - Schlagerrunde 74". Discogs.com. 1973. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  30. ^ "Cliff Carpenter Und Sein Orchester - Hello Mary-Lou". Discogs.com. 1972. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  31. ^ "Just Us (8) - Just Us". Discogs.com. 1973. Retrieved 1 December 2018.
  32. ^ "Cover versions of Storm in a Teacup by Manchester United F.C. 1972". SecondHandSongs.com. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  33. ^ "Various - Glory! Glory! Man. United". Discogs.com. 1995. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  34. ^ "Various - Cash Box". Discogs.com. 1972. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  35. ^ "Spirit of Freedom – Storm in a Tea Cup / Stay with Me (1972, Vinyl)". Discogs. 1972.
  36. ^ "Vojo* - What A Difference A Day Makes. (1976, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. 1976. Retrieved 16 January 2020.
  37. ^ "Vojo – Dear Son! Come Home For Christmas / Storm In A Teacup (1976, Vinyl)". Discogs.com. 1976. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  38. ^ "TV Pop Diaries 1972". Tvpopdiaries.co.uk. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  39. ^ "Cliff Richard -- TV Series and Specials : An in-depth analysis". Cliffrichardsongs.com. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  40. ^ "Résultats de recherche : Disc-O-Logue - Bibliothèque et Archives Canada". Bac-lac.gc.ca. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  41. ^ "Ginette Reno - Dans La Vie Tout S'arrange (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. 14 November 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  42. ^ "Ginette Reno : Dans La Vie Tout Sarrange". Discogs.com. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  43. ^ "Ginette Reno". Discogs.com. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  44. ^ "TOP Chansons Québec 1970s". Chansonsquebec.com. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  45. ^ "Various - Star Académie 2009 (CD, Album)". Discogs.com. 31 March 2009. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  46. ^ Jason Birchmeier. "Star Academie 2009 - Various Artists | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 October 2016.
  47. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums". Billboard.com. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  48. ^ "Roaddust Records". Facebook.com. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
  49. ^ "Thomas Engström". Music.amazon.com. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  50. ^ "The Fortunes - Movin' Out". Discogs.com. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  51. ^ Billboard, 24 July 1982, p. 56
  52. ^ "The Fortunes - Storm In A Teacup / Own Up (New Versions! recorded 1982) (Vinyl) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 11 August 2016. Retrieved 2 March 2017.
  53. ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts". Offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  54. ^ "Fortunes return via Dutch LP, Billboard 24 Jul 1982, p. 56
  55. ^ "Lynsey De Paul - Lynsey De Paul (CD, Album)". Discogs.com. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
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