Susan Smith - A Letter from Susan (1962)

Here’s a local hit that is a real gem. Sweet-voiced Susan is listening to the radio while reminiscing about the day she met her love, recalling the hit songs of the ’50’s and early ’60’s that meant so much to them (and us). This is expressed in the recording by the use of sound samples from the actual records. This is what is known as a “break-in“ record, and today would be known as “sampling“. Susan became the wife of Dickie Goodman (who specialized in novelty records featuring “sampling“, with and without his partner Buchanan, such as “The Flying Saucer“ and “Mr. Jaws“). Buchanan, incidentally, co-wrote and co-produced this very record. Susan also recorded under the names Susanna Smith and Suzanna Smith. Did not chart nationally in Billboard, but charted locally in the Top 10 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in November 1962, the top 40 in Springfield, Massachusetts and the Top 60 in Hartford, Connecticut. Written and produced by Howard Greenfield (the songwriting partner of Neil Sedaka) and Bill Buchanan. B-side is “Will You Love Me When I’m Old“.