"Hush" is a song written by American songwriter and pop musician Joe South, for singer Billy Joe Royal. The song was a #14 hit by Somebody's Image (an Australian band fronted by Russell Morris) in 1967; Morris re-released a new recording with his band The Rubes in 1980. It was also recorded by Deep Purple in 1968 and by Kula Shaker in 1997. These groups both had hits with their versions.
Billy Joe Royal version
Billy Joe Royal recorded "Hush" on 12 July 1967 in Nashville with Barry Bailey, future lead guitarist for the Atlanta Rhythm Section, on guitar. Joe South, Royal's regular songwriter/producer, was travelling to Nashville with Royal and writing "Rose Garden" in the car. Royal didn't like it, so South wrote "Hush" for him while leaning on the dashboard. Royal did record "Rose Garden" for his album Billy Joe Royal featuring Hush, though didn't release it as a single. In 1971, "Rose Garden" become an international hit for Lynn Anderson, and was South's most successful song. Royal later regretted not liking the song.
Although it sold more than Royal's previous six single releases, only two of which had ranked on the Billboard Hot 100, his recording of "Hush" had only limited success. It was a minor hit in most markets, peaking on the Hot 100 at #52, with a Canadian pop chart peak of #45. The qualified success of "Hush" was nevertheless sufficient to allow for the release of Royal's second album Billy Joe Royal featuring Hush.
"Hush" did afford Billy Joe Royal a one-off hit on the European continent, reaching #12 on the German singles chart and becoming a Top Ten hit in Belgium (#1), the Netherlands (#5) and Switzerland (#2).
A promo clip for Billy Joe Royal's release of the song was filmed at the boardwalk amusement park and outskirts of an unidentified Southern beach town.