"Cradle of Love" is a song released in 1960 by Johnny Preston written by Jack Fautheree & Wayne Gray.

Background

The lyrics of "Cradle of Love" quote several well known nursery rhymes with variations that tie them to the song's title. The song's chorus quotes

Rock-a-bye Baby "Rock-a-bye baby in the tree top" (sometimes "Hush-a-bye baby in the tree top") is a nursery rhyme and lullaby. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 2768. Words First publication The rhyme is believed to have first appeared in print in ...

, the first verse quotes

Jack Be Nimble "Jack Be Nimble" is an English language nursery rhyme. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 13902.1882 Lyrics The most common version of the rhyme is: :Jack be nimble, :Jack be quick, :Jack jump over :The candlestickI. Opie and P. Opie, ...

, the second verse quotes

Hey Diddle Diddle "Hey Diddle Diddle" (also "Hi Diddle Diddle", "The Cat and the Fiddle", or "The Cow Jumped Over the Moon") is an English nursery rhyme. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 19478. Lyrics and music A version of the rhyme is Hey diddle diddl ...

, and the third verse quotes

Jack and Jill "Jack and Jill" (sometimes "Jack and Gill", particularly in earlier versions) is a traditional English nursery rhyme. The Roud Folk Song Index classifies the commonest tune and its variations as number 10266, although it has been set to severa ...

Chart performance

*In the US, the song spent 15 weeks on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 7,Hot 100 - Johnny Preston Cradle of Love Chart History
''Billboard.com''. Retrieved April 4, 2018. and No. 15 on '' Billboard''s Hot R&B Sides.The Billboard Hot R&B Sides
, '' Billboard'', May 23, 1960. p. 42. Accessed October 14, 2015 *Outside the US, it went to No. 2 in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

,Johnny Preston - Full Official Chart History

Official Charts Company The Official Charts (legal name: The Official UK Charts Company Limited) is a British inter-professional organization that compiles various "official" record charts in the United Kingdom, Ireland and France. In the United Kingdom, its charts in ...

. Retrieved April 4, 2018. No. 4 on Canada's CHUM Hit Parade, No. 5 on Norway's ''VG''-lista,Johnny Preston - Cradle of Love
''norwegiancharts.com''. Accessed July 25, 2015 No. 7 in Australia, David Kent, Australian Top 20 Singles - Week Ending April 30, 1960 and No. 15 in Japan.Billboard Music Week Hits of the World
, '' Billboard'', June 26, 1961. p. 39. Accessed December 17, 2015.

Cover versions

*Using the name "Bobby Stevens", Ray Pilgrim recorded a version of the song in 1960.Ray Pilgrim UK Releases
, raypilgrim.co.uk. Accessed October 15, 2015

References

1960 songs 1960 singles Johnny Preston songs Mercury Records singles {{1960s-R&B-song-stub