Long-time successful songwriter Joy Byers died on May 10 at the age of 82.
Byers had her first hit as a songwriter in 1962 with What’s a Matter Baby (Is It Hurting You) which Timi Yuro took to number 12 on the Hot 100 and 16 on the R&B charts.
A number of her songs were also recorded by Elvis Presley including It Hurts Me, Please Don’t Stop Loving Me and Let Yourself Go.
She was married to producer Bob Johnston who worked with Bob Dylan (Highway 61 Revisited, Blonde on Blonde), Johnny Cash (At Folsom Prison, At San Quentin), Simon & Garfunkel (Sounds of Silence, Parsley Sage Rosemary & Thyme) and Leonard Cohen (Songs From a Room, Songs of Love and Hate) among others. He died in 2015.
Songs written or co-written by Joy Byers:
What’s a Matter Baby (Is It Hurting You) by Timi Yuro (1962 / #12 Pop / #16 R&B)
It Hurts Me by Elvis Presley (1964 / #29 Pop)
When You Loved Me by Brenda Lee (1964 / #47 Pop / #8 Adult Contemporary)
Wishing It Was You by Connie Francis (1965 / #57 Pop / #14 AC)
(No, No) I’m Losing You by Aretha Franklin (1965 / #34 AC)
Ring Dang Doo by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs (1965 / #33 Pop)
Gardenias In Her Hair by Marty Robbins (1967 / #9 Country)
Here Comes Heaven by Eddy Arnold (1967 / #91 Pop / #15 AC / #2 Country)
Let Yourself Go by Elvis Presley (1968 / #71 Pop / #15 U.K.)
