"The Race Is On" is a song written by Don Rollins (not to be confused with the Don Rollins who co-wrote "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" for Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett) and made a hit on the country music charts by George Jones and on the pop and easy listening charts by the unrelated Jack Jones.
George's version was the first single released from his 1965 album of the same name.
Released as a single in September 1964, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and at number 96 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1965.
Jack's version topped Billboard's Easy Listening chart and reached number 15 on the Hot 100 the same year.
The two recordings combined to reach number 12 on the Cashbox charts, which combined all covers of the same song in one listing and thus gave George Jones his only top-40 hit.
The song uses thoroughbred horse racing as the metaphor for the singer's romantic relationships.
Rockabilly artist Dave Edmunds, in collaboration with the Stray Cats, whose debut album Edmunds had recently produced, recorded a version for his 1981 album, Twangin.... Released as a single, it peaked at number 34 on the UK charts, but failed to chart in the United States.
A - Dave Edmunds With The Stray Cats - The Race Is On (2:03)
Written-By – Rollins
B - Dave Edmunds - (I'm Gonna Start) Living Again If It Kills Me (3:05)
Companies, etc.
- Distributed By – WEA Records Ltd.
- Copyright © – Swan Song
- Published By – Burlington Music Co. Ltd.
- Published By – Plangent Visions Music Ltd.
- Published By – Chrysalis Music Ltd.
- Pressed By – WEA Records Pressing Plant, West Drayton
Credits
- Cover [Photo] – Gavin Cochrane
- Lacquer Cut By – Porky
- Producer – Dave Edmunds
From Swan Song LP SS 16034 "Twangin..."
Notes
