13 Women & Only One Man In Town

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On Monday, April 12, 1954, Bill Haley & His Comets recorded the song, Rock Around the Clock at the Pythian Temple in New York City. It was released in May of that year and became the biggest hit of the group's career.          

 

Actually, Rock Around the Clock was originally on the "B" side of the single; Thirteen Women & Only One Man In Town was the "A" side. I fell in love with the "A" side, of course, and it's been my favorite song by the Comets! 

 

Thirteen Women (And Only One Man in Town) was written by Dickie Thompson and published in 1954, with sheet music released by Cinephonic Music Co. of London and Darby Music Co. of New York. The song is a down-tempo swing number, not a typical rock and roll track, featuring Haley’s laid-back vocals. Its lyrics humorously depict a post-apocalyptic scenario in which a nuclear explosion leaves one man and thirteen women alive, reflecting anxieties following the first hydrogen bomb test at Bikini Atoll in March 1954.                    

Castle Bravo thermonuclear test, Bikini Atoll, 1954

In 1966 The Renegades of Birmingham, United Kingdom, did a cover of Thirteen Women (And Only One Man in Town); they became popular in Finland in the 1960s and in Italy from 1966 until their breakup in 1971. In 1986, Ron Thompson with The Resistors did a cover, in 1987 The Fuzztones did one, then in 1993 Danny Gatton followed up with his.           

Thirteen Women (And Only One Man In Town)
Song by
Bill Haley and His Comets

Last night I was dreamin'
Dreamed about the H-Bomb
Well the bomb-a went off and I was caught
I was the only man on the ground

There was-a 13 women and only one man in town
Thirteen women and only one man in town
And as funny as it may be
The one and only man in town was me
With 13 women and me the only man around

I had 2 gals every morning
Seein' that I was well fed
And believ-a you me, one sweetened my tea
While another one buttered my bread

Two gals gave me my money
Two gals made me my clothes
And another sweet thing bought me a diamond ring
About forty carats I suppose

Well, 13 women and only one man in town
There was-a 13 women and only one man in town
It was something I can't forget
Because I think of those 13 women yet
Well-a 13 women and only one man around

I had 3 gals dancin' the Mambo
Three gals ballin' the jack
And-a all-a the rest really did their best
Boy they sure were a lively pack

I thought I was in Heaven
And all of these angels were mine
But I woke up and I ended the dream
'Cause I had to get to work on time

Well-a 13 women and only one man in town
There was-a 13 women and only one man in town
No I can't tell where I've been
'Cause I kinda think that someday I'll go back again
To those 13 women and me the only man around
Well-a 13 women and me the only man around
Well-a 13 women and me the only man around

Songwriters: Arrett Rusty Keefer, Dikie Thompson. 

 

 

 

 

 

Bill Haley ~ 13 Women 

 45 RPM record  

 

 

 

 

  Bill Haley ~ Rock Around the Clock 

 45 RPM record 

 

           

Tracklist:

Side 1:

A - Thirteen Women (And Only One Man In Town), written by Dickie Thompson - 2:50

Side 2:

B - (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock, written by Jimmy De Knight, Max C. Freedman-2:08

Companies, etc.

    Manufactured By – Decca Records, Inc.
    Pressed By – Decca Records Pressing Plant, Gloversville

 Credits:

 

      Vocals [Vocal Chorus] – Bill Haley

 

Notes:

Label variation, artist font size differs from similar Gloversville pressings Bill Haley And His Comets - Thirteen Women (And Only One Man In Town) / (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock
and Bill Haley And His Comets - Thirteen Women (And Only One Man In Town) / (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock
and Bill Haley And His Comets - Thirteen Women (And Only One Man In Town) / (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock

Black labels / silver print. Star displayed under the word "Decca" indicating this is a later pressing.

Runouts are stamped.

Barcode and Other Identifiers        

 

    Pressing Plant ID (Printed on label): ✤
    Matrix / Runout (A side label): (86164)
    Matrix / Runout (B side label): (86163)✤
    Matrix / Runout (A side runout, variant 1): 45 86164 5
    Matrix / Runout (B side runout, variant 1): 45 86163 5
    Matrix / Runout (A side runout, variant 2): 45 86164 5
    Matrix / Runout (B side runout, variant 2): 45 86163 6
    Matrix / Runout (A side runout, variant 3): 45 86164 13
    Matrix / Runout (B side runout, variant 3): 45 86163 35 

         

Bill Haley And His Comets – Thirteen Women (And Only One Man In Town) / (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock
Label: Decca – 9-29124
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single, Repress, Gloversville Pressing
Country: US
Released: 1955
Genre: Rock
Style: Rock & Roll

      
     
      

     

     

     

Viewfinder links:       

        

Bill Haley        

The Renegades        

Ron Thompson        

      
Net links:       

        

Cinephonic Music Co.                  

     

YouTube links:       

         

The Fuzztones ~ 13 Women          

Danny Gatton ~ 13 Women               

Bill Haley & His Comets ~ 13 Women & Only One Man In Town  

Chance Halladay ~13 Women & Only One Man In Town               

Ron Thompson & The Resistors ~ 13 Women        

Dickie Thomson ~ 13 Women & Only One Man In Town         

        

        

        

        
        

        

        

        

        

        

        
                 
        
        
        
Styrous® ~ Monday, April 12, 2026         
        

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Ron Thompson & The Resistors articles/mentions

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Ron Thompaon 

photo by Kingmond Young 

     

     

     

     

     

     

mentions:     

       

13 Women (& Only One Man In Town)   

Bill Haley     

     

     

     

 

 

 

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Music People

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The Renegades articles/mentions

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The Renegades 

date & photographer unknown 

     

     

     

     

     

     

mentions:     

      

13 Women (& Only One Man In Town)   

Bill Haley     

     

     

     

 

 

 

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Music People

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Bill Haley & His Comets ~ Rock Around the Clock

 ~        

Rock Around the Clock movie poster - 1952

On April 12, 1954, Bill Haley & His Comets recorded Rock Around the Clock. I have written much about the song which was released a year later in the movie Blackboard Jungle.           

            

I just could not let the date pass without honoring the song again. There are links below to my articles  on the Viewfinder.           

            

            

            

Viewfinder links:         

         

45 RPMs Archive            

Bill Haley & His Comets ~ (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock  

Bill Haley Rocks Around the Clock                

Blackboard Jungle         

Rock Around the Clock        

Rock Around The Clock lyrics        

        

        

        

        

Net links:          

        

        

        

        

        

        

         

YouTube links:         

        

Blackboard Jungle        

Rock Around the Clock        

        

        

        

         

Styrous® ~ Friday, April 11, 2025       

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History

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Otis Redding US postage stamp

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 Otis Redding

commemorative stamp - 1993

 designer: John Berkey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirty-one years ago today, on October 8, 1992, the US Postal Service announced a new series of stamps would be issued to celebrate Rock ‘n’ Roll and Rhythm & Blues music and artists. The first full set entitled the Legends of American Music Series, included Bill Haley, Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, Clyde McPhatter, Dinah Washington, and Otis Redding (links below).             

     

The Redding stamp was issued as part of the Rock ‘n’ Roll/Rhythm & Blues se-tenant set of seven. The design was by John Berkey.  This was the first full set in the Legends of American Music Series, The first day of issue: was on June 16, 1993.    

    

Otis Redding was on a chartered plane that crashed into Lake Monona on Dec. 10, 1967, killing Redding and four members of his backup band, the Bar-Kays while they were flying to a scheduled performance.          

    

    

    

Viewfinder links:    

     

The Bar-Kays     

Bill Haley    

Buddy Holly    

Clyde McPhatter     

Postal stamps on the Viewfinder          

Otis Redding    

Dinah Washington    

    

Net links:     

    

Musical Stamps ~ Legends of American Music Series             

RollingStone ~ Putting Their Stamp on the Music    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

Styrous® ~ Sunday October 8, 2023.   

 

 

 

    

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Glenn Ford ~ A man's man

  ~      

Glenn Ford   

date & photographer unknown

Today is the birthday of film actor, Gwyllyn Samuel Newton Ford, aka Glenn Ford, a Canadian-American actor who often portrayed ordinary men in unusual circumstances. He was born in 1916, in Sainte-Christine-d'Auvergne, Quebec. His father was an engineer with the Canadian Pacific Railway and he was a great-nephew of Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, and was also related to U.S. President Martin Van Buren, one of the founders of the Democratic Party.       

          

Ford made dozens of films some great, some good and some bad; typical of most Hollywood careers. My favorite films of his may not have been considered GREAT but I loved them.              

 

In date order, as Johnny Farrell in Gilda (1946) with Rita Hayworth in her first film role, they sizzled. In a nightclub scene she sang one of my favorite songs, Amado Mio, which was actually sung by Anita Ellis. The song was covered by Dick Haymes in 1946, by Grace Jones on her album Bulletproof Heart in 1990 and by Pink Martini on their 1997 album Sympathique.        

 

 

Glenn Ford & Rita Hayworth
Gilda - 1946

film still

 

 

In 1949 he appeared with Ida Lupino in the film, Lust for Gold, about the legendary Lost Dutchman gold mine, starring Ford as the "Dutchman" and Lupino as the woman he loves. It's a tale of deceit and greed, murder and deception with both characters as swarmy as the other. George Duning wrote the score for the film.           

 

 

Ida Lupino & Glenn Ford
Lust for Gold - 1949

film still

 

 

He appeared with Hayworth again in 1952 in the film, Affair in Trinidad. Once again her singing was dubbed; this time by Jo Ann Greer, who later also sang for her in Miss Sadie Thompson and Pal Joey.           

Affair in Trinidad - 1952 

movie poster

In 1953 he starred in The Big Heat, an American film noir crime film directed by Fritz Lang starring Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, Lee Marvin and Jocelyn Brando. 

 

 

Gloria Grahame & Glenn Ford

The Big Heat -1953
film still

 

 

For me the most impact was the scene where Vince Stone (Lee Marvin) throws a boiling pot of coffee into the face of Debby Marsh (Gloria Grahame) irreparably disfiguring her. Not a pleasant scene to watch.    

 

 

The Big Heat -1953

movie poster
 

 

Then there is my-top-of-the-list favorite of ALL of his films, the stunning 1955 social drama film, Blackboard Jungle, in which he portrays Richard Dadier, a school teacher in an interracial inner-city school, based on the 1954 novel The Blackboard Jungle by Evan Hunter. His wife is played by Anne Francis who would appear a couple of years later as Altaira "Alta" Morbius in the film Forbidden Planet. I have already written at length about the Blackboard Jungle which introduced me to Bill Haley and Rock and Roll (link below).      

Blackboard Jungle - 1953

movie poster

          

In 1978 Ford was superb as the stepdad of Superman and Christopher Reeve was perfectly cast as the Man of Iron.          

 

 

Christopher Reeve as Superman
 

 

I've mentioned his serious films but he has proved he can handle comedy as well. In 1956 there was The Teahouse of the August Moon, in 1959 The Gazebo in which John McGiver pronounced it "The Gaze Bo", in 1961 Cry for Happy. Also in 1961, a film I REALLY liked him in, Pocketful of Miracles as Dave "the Dude" Conway, a gangster with a heart of gold inspired by Apple Annie, played by Bette Davis, and her "lucky" apples. It's a totally sweet and heart warming story.     

 

Bette Davis & Glenn Ford 

Pocketful of Miracles - 1961 

film still
 

 

 

Pocketful of Miracles - 1961
 movie poster

          

          

          

Viewfinder links:

           

Blackboard Jungle          

Glenn Ford           

Gloria Grahame   

Bill Haley            

Rita Hayworth     

Dick Haymes          

Grace Jones           

Fritz Lang        

Pink Martini          

Chuy Reyes ~ Rumba de Cuba @ 10"          

          

Net links:

          

Filmography          

Film Plots ~ 

      Affair in Trinidad           

      The Big Heat      

      Blackboard Jungle     

      Gilda     

      Lust for Gold     

      Pocketful of Miracles      

      Superman     

          

YouTube links:

          

Glenn Ford on his relationships with Rita Hayworth Documentary    

Glen Ford raises chickens in Beverly Hills (1988)       

Peter Ford -  

      Glenn Ford A Life - Part 1           

      Glenn Ford A Life - Part 2           

      Glenn Ford A Life - Part 3          

          

          

          

          

         

Styrous® ~ Saturday, May 1, 2021 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 Movie articles 

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Chrisma ~ Chinese Restaurant lyrics

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*		1		Thank you		4:17
		2		Black silk stocking		2:36
		3		Lola		2:52
		4		C-rock		5:29
		5		What for		3:43
		6		Wanderlust		2:14
		7		Lycee		7:38
		8		Mandoia		4:24
		9		Thank you		4:19
				Total playing time		37:53

Black silk stocking lyrics

Sensitive her feeling, when she's Waking in the morning, Black silk stocking Black silk stocking Put your hand inside it, and she'll tell you where to find it, Black silk stocking Black silk stocking And when she is not talking, be sure she wants some rockin' Black silk stocking Black silk stocking If you're not into rockin' you're best to keep on walking Black silk stocking Black silk stocking You think she's going to leave you, but she only wants to see you in her, black silk stocking Black silk stocking

Lutting instigation, her spell is captivating, Black silk stocking Black silk stocking Provoking whip, lash lash, please stop smoking Black silk stocking Black silk stocking Ho baby, baby no-ones loving, your degeneration Black silk stocking Black silk stocking Oh baby, no-ones loving, your degeneration Black silk stocking Black silk stocking

Lola lyrics

She lives alone Lola, But every night she goes down, to the Chinese where she works very hard there, sipping her cocktails. expenses paid Lola She is performing For a cause, Her glances faking, A deep fascination, She wants information She goes upstairs Lola Clinging on to Another man, She lays him down, down Almond eyes on fire,

Seducing his mind Behind the smoke and Screenz-a, Lola is a Private eye, She well disguises Her lingering actions, No-one suspecting At the Chinese Lola Killed all those Who did her wrong, Her soul is blazing Whith blood thirsty craving, No-one, objecting

C-rock lyrics

Let's rocking
Go back rocking
[etc.]

What for lyrics

What for She likes the way you bore, What for Her foot's inside the door, What for She'll push you to the floor, what for She loves the way you bore What for She likes the way you go What for Her answer's never no, what for She likes to take you so what for She loves you when you're low What for She likes to make you sigh, what for shee seems to get you high what for she's got to get some more what for she loves the way you bore, what for she never did before

What for She likes the way you know What for She likes it very slow, what for Your mind's about to blow, what for And you're just going to owl got it got it got it what for she likes the way you bore, what for She loves the way you bore Take it, take it, take it, take it, take it, what for We're getting to the core What for, we like the way we bore

Wanderlust lyrics

Got the wanderlust you go te the airport and see a plane take off, go to England or take a trip by sea and get off, where you want to get off, write to the boy next door, who always wants to do, what you're just about to do tell him that you like New York city I'm sure he'll like it too - you say you like your nation - so let's take a long vacation Tell your navigator to wait downstairs with his white gloves on, tell him to zip up your bag with his white gloves on take your diamond, so if you've got the money left, you can always sell it here I come, get ready get set fire go, go, go, go, go - you say you like your nation - so let's take a long vacation My transfer agent sens me where I Where I want to go That's a fact He thinks I'm great 'cos I treat him like dirt, like durt, he does me favours But I could do with even better ones, they call him sticky 'cos I treat him like dirt, like dirt, like dirt - you say you like your nation - so let's take a long vacation

Your transit airman is heating up the engine clear your head, go out and get it instead of watching T.V., and stagnating in your bed, by the window thinking of the next record that you're going to buy, you like Maurice with his safety pin so it's gonna be a Punk one - you say you like your nation - so let's take a long vacation Got the wanderlust it's time to go and do, what you've decided to do Go to Milan Or if not just you take a bike to see a sight I feel free you feel free and how about the boy next door, tell him that you like New York I'm sure he'll like it too - you say you like your nation - so let's take a long vacation

Lycee lyrics

I was looking through Through the, the window pane Tears of rain ran down, And blurred a sight so bad, Revolution now, Somehow, I feel afraid I, I heard her cry out loud, echoes insane, shee feel to the ground, her hand reached out in vain Young, Lycee was young, but now, oh there she lay, who will call her name, Victim of blood red flame, she, a living sun will not come back again

I, I saw her face Through the, the window pane, I, still hear her cry I feel, I want to die, I, I saw her face Through the, the window pane, I, still hear her cry I feel I want to die

Mandoia lyrics

I'v gotta in Mandoia An easy hackin in the haia smoking laia I see the hakin of the Maia In Mandoia I feel the iaia to mahoia through my Lala I see the hackin of Ma'haia in Mandoia An easy hackin in the haia smoking laia I see the hakin of the Maia In Mandoia I feel the iaia to mahoia through my Lala I see the hackin of Ma'haia so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... I'v gotta in Mandoia An easy hackin in the haia smoking laia I see the hakin of the Maia In Mandoia I feel the iaia to mahoia through my Lala I see the hackin of Ma'haia I'v gotta in Mandoia An easy hackin in the haia smoking laia

I see the hakin of the Maia In Mandoia I feel the iaia to mahoia through my Lala I see the hackin of Ma'haia so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm... so schön you can komm...

Thank you lyrics

We would like to thank:
Mr. King: for the wonderful chinese food
Moira: for lending us coffee
Yiannis: for inviting us to pay for meals
The japs: for inventing the American finger tip orchestra
The traffic warden: for the 52 parking tickets
The Queen: for her Silver Jubilee...
Romeo Ongarello: for international telecommunications
The publishers: for allowing us to earn 50% OF OUR RIGHTS

We would like to thank: Lonnie Donegan Eddie Cochran Fats Domino Jerry Lee Lewis Little Richard Bill Haley Chuck Berry Wanda Jackson Charlie Watts The Boys Mick Jagger The Saints Bill wyman Iggy Pop Neu (Ney)

Fats and his Cats Dave Anthony Mods Les Paul Sha-Na-Na Roxy Music Buddy Holly Gene Vincent Jimi Hendrix Jonny Kid Brian Jones Jim Morrison Elvis Presley Marc Bolan Louis Armstrong Bing Crosby

and to everyone alse we have forgotten in words but not in thoughts
thoughts, thoughts, thoughts, thoughts, thoughts, thoughts      

       

      

       

      

      

      

      

      

     

Viewfinder links:

     

Vangelis           

Chrisma

Chrisma ~ Chinese Restaurant           

     

YouTube link:

     

Chrisma     

     

     

     

     

     

Styrous® ~ Monday, march 1, 2021   

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