Gene Chandler's epic 45's Flip Side of 'There Goes The Lover' titled 'What Can I Do' written by Reverend James Cleveland was also superbly interpreted by the Tripps on Victoria as the B-Side of their 'Give It Back' single but then titled 'Here Comes The Heart'Aches'.

45Cat.com dates the release of the Gene Chandler in August of 1967 as it was reviewed in Billboard as a new release on the 19 of that month. And 45Cat.com has the date of the Tripps in September 1967. So one month later. But both sides of the Tripps were actually written by the Reverend.

Gene chandler only has that sole track written by that prolific and renowned Reverend singer. Then on the Gene Chandlers 45 the Copyright companies give Jalynne and BRC but with another title mind you... Where the Tripps are registered under Savoy Music BMI. Savoy the famous gospel record label where the Reverend was.

And both the Tripps songs were deposited in October (Give It Back) and September 1967 (Here Comes The Heart'Aches) respectively. So definitely after Gene Chandler's release. But whose version was actually really out first ? I'd have always thought that the Tripps was first but maybe not. As it could be a deal gone sour re-recording.

The copyright dates can never really be proof of a release date. This can be done post the actual record's release. Procrastinate... So it can't be used as evidence. The Tripps 45 also got two press releases FWIW. Was one pressed to supply popular demand ? Or were they both 'regional' releases ? It even got a printed white paper 'promo' sleeve...

    

 

 

 

 

I would say the Gene Chandler was the first to be released. The single was reviewed in the August 19th Billboard but as you can see by this survey (dated August 10,1967) it was already out. I can't find the Tripps 45 being mentioned anywhere before October, 1967.