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1968 single by Manfred Mann

"My Name Is Jack" is a song written by American record producer John Simon[2] and released as a single by British group Manfred Mann in 1968.[3] Their version reached number 8 on the UK Singles Chart.[4] It became an international Top 10 hit, but only reached number 104 in the US.[5]

Background

The lyrics and music were written by John Simon, and his own version was included on the soundtrack of the 1968 film You Are What You Eat.[2] The song tells the story of a resident of the "Greta Garbo Home for Wayward Boys and Girls", which was the nickname of a real hostel, the Kirkland Hotel,[6] in San Francisco, where part of the movie was filmed.[7][8][9] Formerly Sakutaro Nakano`s[10] Kashu Hotel,[11] 1701 Laguna Street, the building became dilapidated and was demolished, and the Christ United Presbyterian Church was opened on the site in 1975.[12] "Superspade", a real-life Haight Ashbury drug dealer, is also mentioned.

Early versions of the Manfred Mann cover also reference "Superspade", but as it is also a slur, the band later re-recorded the song with the more familiar "Superman" in its place, at the request of their US distributor, Mercury.[13]

The song was recorded at one of the first high-profile sessions at the newly constructed Trident Studios in London,[1] which would later become renowned for its use by such artists as the Beatles, David Bowie, Queen, and others.

Personnel

Mike d`Abo – vocals, piano

Manfred Mann – keyboards

Tom McGuinness – guitar

Klaus Voormann – bass guitar

Mike Hugg – drums[14]

Chart history

Cover versions

• 1978 – Moonriders, Nouvelles Vagues
• 1994 – Pizzicato Five, Great White Wonder