High noon / Jezebel - Frankie Laine

'High Noon', also known as 'The Ballad of High Noon', was the theme song of the 1952 movie High Noon, starring Gary Cooper. In the movie the song was performed by Tex Ritter, but the American singer Frankie Laine also recorded a version of the song. It actually became the bigger hit of the two.

However, I bought this single because of the other side, an original version of the song 'Jezebel', later also recorded by Marty Wilde. In Laine's words, the song uses "flamenco rhythms to whip up an atmosphere of sexual frustration and hatred while a guy berated the woman who'd done him wrong." The song ends with Laine shouting 'Jezebel!' at the woman who has destroyed him.This is still done by Wilde during his live concerts, to great effect.

My collection: 7" single no. 7694
Found: Record fair, Rotterdam, 15 June 2025
Tracks: 'High Noon' / 'Jezebel'