"The Letter" is a song written by Wayne Carson and first recorded by the Box Tops in 1967. It was the group's first and most successful single and reached No. 1 in the US and Canada. Here is my cover of it with the Yazoo Ramblers, which I posted to the channel on June 27, 2026.
Lead singer Alex Chilton delivered it in a gruff blue-eyed soul style, and the song launched his career. Joe Cocker's 1970 version became his first top ten single.
Why I picked it
Rambling on home.
Credits
- Song: The Letter
- Original artist: the Box Tops
- Written by: Wayne Carson
- Played by: Cal and friends
Session notes
- Posted to YouTube: June 27, 2026
- Length: 1:52
Join the ramble
Song Stories is where I share the story behind each cover on Cal Carter's Yazoo Ramblers Channel. I record the covers in my garage in Milton, GA, and I put the story and the credits here. If this song means something to you, tell me about it in the YouTube comments. I'd like to hear it.
If you are new here, the playlist below has the rest of the Yazoo Ramblers covers, and my music page has them all in one place.
Keep rambling
- Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0h6FHKPFZ38
- More of my covers: https://www.gulfshoreslife.com/the-yazoo-ramblers-band-covers
- Playlist: Yazoo Rambler Covers - Americana & Blues Classics Covers: The Yazoo Ramblers Sessions (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaYy11pUoiVYXStCbXs7Th_FcOKuj5TMR)
- Previous song story: Walk Away Renée
- Next song story: Can't You See
Be a Rambler: subscribe to youtube.com/@yazooramblers