THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

391-Lorna Bennett-Breakfast in Bed.

1972-Has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 1.16. Breakfast in bed, most likely kippers.

‘Breakfast in Bed’ was written pacifically for Dusty Springfield for her 1969 fifth studio Album ‘Dusty in Memphis,’ by Eddie Hinton, (1944-1995) and Donnie Fritts, (1942-2019) at that time both were employed as songwriters at the ‘Muscle Shoals Sound Studio’ in Sheffield, Alabama, United States. Hinton also played lead guitar for the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, and Fritts is best remembered as the keyboardist for Kriss Kristofferson for over 40 years. The songs chorus includes the line ‘You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me,’ a deliberate attempt to remind people of Dusty’s 1966 UK Number 1 single with that title. When ‘Breakfast in Bed was released as a single by Dusty Springfield (see also best songs 882 and 171) it failed to chart in the UK, and only reached Number 91 in America.

On hearing ‘Breakfast in Bed’ it was the legendary Reggae producer Harry J (1945-2013) (see also best songs 371) who thought it would make in to a great Reggae song. In 1972 Harry J produced three versions, an instrumental by the percussionist Bongo Herman, called ‘African Breakfast (In Bed,’) a version by the Jamaican ‘Toaster’ David ‘Scotty’ Scott, (1951-2003) called ‘Skank in Bed,’ and the recording by Lorna Bennett. On some releases of this song the version by Scotty appears on the ‘B’ side of the seven inch single.

Lorna Bennett was born on June 7th, 1952, in Newton, Saint Elizabeth Parish, Jamaica. It was while performing at an early age she was noticed by the Jamaican record producer Geoffrey Chung (1950-1995) who nurtured her early recording career, before being taken under the wing of Harry J, it was Chung who gave ‘Breakfast in Bed’ it’s Reggae arrangement. Bennett achieved two Number 1 songs in Jamaica, with this track, and also her cover version of ‘Chapel of Love,’ originally recorded by The Dixie Cups. Along side her recording career Bennett also studied Law at university, and on the completion of her degree she gave up music and opened a legal practise in her home town of St Elizabeth, she did return to music again in 2001. Bennett has released one studio Album called ‘This is Lorna’ in 1972, and a total of 20 singles between 1970-2005.

‘Breakfast in Bed’ has been recorded in many genres by numerous artists, but has only charted in the UK top 40 on one occasion. It was the recording by UB40 (see also best songs 537 and 173) featuring Chrissie Hynde which reached Number 6 in 1988.

‘Breakfast in Bed’ tells the story of someone who has been rejected by their current lover, and goes back to an ex for comfort. The ex suggests that they get back to the way that they used to be when they were lovers.

‘You’ve been crying, your face is a mess. Come in baby, you can wipe the tears on my dress. She’s hurt you again I can tell, I know that look so well.’