Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)

"Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)"
Single by Benny Spellman
B-side	"Fortune Teller"
Released	1962
Recorded	1962
Genre	R&B
Length	2:23
Label	Minit Records 644
Songwriter(s)	Naomi Neville
Producer(s)	Allen Toussaint
Benny Spellman singles chronology
"Darling No Matter Where" (1960) "Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)" (1962) "Love Is Universal" (1962)

"Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)" is a song first recorded by New Orleans singer Benny Spellman in 1962. It was written by Allen Toussaint under the pseudonym Naomi Neville. The song became Spellman's only hit record, peaking at number 28 on the Billboard R&B chart and number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. The flip side of the single was "Fortune Teller", made famous by The Rolling Stones cover among others.

Toussaint explained the song's origin in an interview with journalist Terry Gross of National Public Radio: "Well, 'Lipstick Traces'...the guy, Benny Spellman, that sang the bass part on "Mother-In-Law" - he didn't know what it was worth at the time we were doing it, but when "Mother-In-Law" came out and sold, and went to number one, let's say, Benny Spellman that sang the bass part made sure that everyone within the sound of his voice got to know that he sang that part. And then he would go around - he would gig - based on [the fact that] he sang the low part on "Mother-In-Law." And he encouraged me...with much force, to write him a song that he could use that concept. And one result of that was the song 'Lipstick Traces.'"^[1]

"Lipstick Traces (on a Cigarette)" was recorded in New Orleans on February 2, 1962. The background vocals were done by label mates Irma Thomas and Willie Harper.^[2]