"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]

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^[13]

Chart history

Cover versions

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

References