Funny How Time Slips Away By Jimmy Elledge

[GregDad100]

When my wife called to tell me she was leaving me to go back to her abusive ex-husband, I put this song on a loop and played over and over and cried myself to sleep. It's funny how that seemed to help — a little bit.

[allencou]

jimmy elledge and my late father george coulter were very good friends. from what i hear jimmy was a charactor and everybody loved him. my dad passed away may 24th this year and i played this song for him at his funeral. i still cry today as i listen to this song

[cmulwee001]

Don't know about you, but I always thought a black WOMAN sang this version,but it's a white man!

It was originally done by Billy Walker. It was also covered soulfully in the early eighties by The Spinners. Sheb Wooley; of "Purple People Eater" fame did a spoof called "Funny How Wine Sips Away"with a drunken voice.

[mybosco30]

This version should in the FN Smithsonington

[40warhawkp]

What a great song. It reminds me of all the girlfriends I had when I was a young man. Now I'm 64 and live alone.

[ejgnandt]

The first release of this song was Billy Walker in July 1961. It charted at #23 on the country charts. Elledge was next and he struck Gold in late 1961 reaching #22 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. Arthur Alexander and Johnny Tillotson followed. Willie Nelson did not release his own version until his first album entitled "And Then I Wrote" in Sept 1962.

Elledge's falsetto idea here is memorable. Brenda Lee's 1965 version with a perfect octave leap is even more effective, IMHO.

[hillyhill8645]

Too bad Brooke Benton eclipsed him in my memory of this song. Didn't know this was the original! My bad.

[MrPopsman]

I think this is the best version of this song! Back in 61 I wore out my fist 45 of the song and had to replace. It's stil one of my all time favorite sogs! Peace

[wirttrooper]

I used to dance to this when I was in high school. With out a doubt the only version!

mikeberg44

[rorigiles]

Logging in from Wellington, New Zealand. I had forgotten all about Jimmy Elledge until I heard "Aint It Funny" by Willy Nelson on one of our local radio stations this evening. I immediately logged on to UTube and grabbed this track. Great memories, greay musician. He never got the acclaim he deserved as this song was quite big in New Zealand as I remember. Thanks for the vid!

[1pamy1]

Jimmy and I were good friends in his Mobile days. There were always long lines to see him perform at Willies Nightclub. He really could play a mean piano. He used to play for me after hours. So sorry to hear about the stroke. I often wondered where he was. Too bad he never got the acclaim he deserved.

[40warhawkp]

Excellent! No one does this song as well. Its so sad and reminds me of past girlfriends I once had who are now gone forever. How I miss them.

[tuxguys]

I've heard some great singers try their hands at what I consider to be Willie's masterpiece ("Crazy" notwithstanding), and they've all fallen short.

With the exception of Narvel Felts' version 20 years later, no one has ever nailed this tune like this singer.

Sung properly, it's more difficult, and range-ier than "The Star Spangled Banner."

Definitive.

[TheDreamduster]

This song is one of my favorites.



[ayboogie420]

So nice. We had a Juke box in the cafeteria at my elementary school. It was cool. That was a long time ago. Desperately seeking Joel Elmore!

[geomay1]

Willie Nelson said no other recording of this was as good as Elledge.I absolutley agree. Also, that wonderfull melodic Nashville sound of the early 1960s with the unmistakable Floyd Cramer.It would never again be better.

[lancelot1953]

texpaco,

Thank you so much for the songs/melodies that you put up on the web. I also greatly appreciate the bits and pieces of memorabilia and information about the performers that you include. It is fascinating to know the history behind a song, how it came to make the hit parade, the various versions that were performed and who the studio artists were. This is a piece of our musical history. Thank you again and thank you for all the commentators that add to the information.

L

[MrAltonO]

Known Jimmy for a long time.....He is a class, top-notch person and I am honored to consider him a friend....his talent goes without saying. I haven't seen him in about 10 years but I wish him the best. Alton O. Hauswirth, Jr.

[shrevestylist314]

Jimmy Elledge was a great singer, artist on the piano and performer... he is a close personal friend of my mother... so sad... he had a stroke a few years back and can no longer perform... please continue to celebrate and remeber his music and keep him in your prayers...

[MrLions49]

beautifull song,i was confused when i first heard it i thought the singer was female

thanks 4 this great tune texpaco ray

[martha0436]

love this song brings back such memories 15 years and up also love Floyd Cramer

[martha0436]

love this song brings back such memories 15 years and up

[peajink]

As you know the Anita Kerr singers performed on many of RCA's tracks and Atkins' records as well. That is Floyd Cramer, and Chet atkins on guitar.

[cmulwee001]

For the longest time, I thought a black woman sang this song, turned out it was a white man!

[hawleyjane1]

This song has always just "gotten me" big time. I love Willie's version, but this is just the best!

[carnut2u]

Great song. Sounds like Floyd Cramer on piano. The same arrangement is with Johnny Tillotson.

[qb62ndmaintbn1967]

High school memories from the early sixties courtesy of Willie, Floyd. and of course Jimmy Elledge. My choice for the best version of them all.

[tunesmith09]

Yes, yes, yes to everyone's comments...but is that Floyd Cramer I hear on the piano?...and the Anita Kerr Singers in the background??...please don't forget them...Tunesmith

[texpaco]

@tunesmith09 While Jimmy did play the piano and was known to do some mean versions of Jerry Lee Lewis songs, that was indeed Floyd Cramer playing piano on this recording. I don't know about the background singers.

[adman1048]

@tunesmith09 Floyd Cramer was a successful studio musician before and I'm sure that's him on this tune. Willie Nelson wrote the song

[stephen1622]

No version is as good as Jimmys!! I loved this when I was a kid...........Love it still

[billeagle51]

But you just can not help giving Willie his due, beautiful words, hits me everytime.

[gringo78586]

willie nelson might have wrote it........but nobody but nobody sings it like pineville louisiana's own jimmy elledge. belie dat!

[d820m]

@gringo78586 i like this version and the Joe Hinton version as well...not trying to start an argument here just saying i like both

[TheFalconracer]

Jimmy's hit was on every jukebox in south Louisiana. He lives somewhere in New Orleans. Thanks for the Post!

[davidwalsh66]

i love this version of this much covered song. at first i thought it was a lady singer.

[guildx700]

VERY slick version of this tune. My fav for sure. Thanks Jimmy!

[TheHarmonicWheel]

I met Jimmy Elledge when I was in a radio studio with the DJ at WABB in Mobile, Alabama! I was only about 14, but I knew Jimmy's recording of this song very well, and was stunned o be in his presence when he walked in and sat down! He was very cordial and a really down-to-earth, nice guy! A real high-light in my life! My dad was the manager of WGOK and had gotten me access to the station.

[Delfan1961]

Jimmy's equally terrific follow-up to "Funny How Time Slips Away" was an up-tempo number titled "Can't You See It In My Eyes ?". It did well in Baltimore, but failed to register, nationally, causing a sudden loss of momentum for this very talented vocalist.

[smokeyvelvet42]

This guys got a fantastic voice I always thought he was black,  boy this surprised me. What ever happen to him anyway. He was on of those under rated singers who should have been up there with the best of them. Jimmy you definitely are the man !!!!!!!!!! You have my utmost repect.

[mcdoodad60]

I agree. This is my favorite version and it's the prettiest.

[adp29934]

Definitely the best version of this song.

[veadlsteak]

So beautiful.......words can't express.....

[anthonytorelli]

Great song. December 1961...

[cajunhornet60]

Best Version....heard him in New Orleans in 1965 great voice....

[PaulinaRena]

Jimmy sings this song so beautifully. His version is the first I ever heard. I do love this song - my favorite of all the songs that Willie has written. Even tho other great artists have recorded this classic I always come back to listen to Jimmy first. It's a shame that there are, and have been, many great artists who have had just one no. 1 recording when in fact they have had some in the top numbers which isn't always mentioned. That's too sad. Thank you for posting this. - Paula

[THEMOJOMANsince1959]

@PaulinaRena You are SO RIGHT. One is NOTHING TAKES THE PLACE OF YOU by TOUSSAINT McCALL.  Thank Wolfman Jack for keeping that one alive.

[northerngreywolf]

Always liked this song by Jimmy Ellegedge from when it first came out. Thanks for posting.

[tigerssixty]

Very nice!! Good to hear it again. From the good ole days.

Thanks for posting it.

[w00fdawg]

A friend mentioned this as the defintive version of this song - and he was right! Glorious - thanks for posting this :)

[y00sta]

great as when it was new,and so was i lolmr-warmth

[mahkindofmusic]

Very cool. Thanks for posting.

This was probably the version that Elvis remembered when he recorded the song in 1970

[artjojul]

I heard Jimmy sing this song many times in the early 60's in Mobile, Alabama. No one sang this song better then him. The last I heard of him he had a stroke in New Orleans.

[THEMOJOMANsince1959]

@artjojul It's SO SAD that SO MANY never get truly recognized. Like WOLFMAN JACK everybody just laughed UNTIL HE WAS GONE

[ELRANDY11]

Sounds smooth and heartfelt ..thanks friend for send.. peace ;-) *****

[NossedEvoTwin]

Where but on YouTube?

Great post.

Thanks

[pasco3]

wonderfully sung a great version

thank you for posting

[ether3711]

Nobody could do it better!!

[slickcitynites]

Great Old Tune...i sent it to my X