Rita May (song)

This article is about the Bob Dylan song. For the writer Rita Mae Brown, see Rita Mae Brown. For the British actress, see Rita May (actress).

{{Infobox Single | Name = Rita May | Cover = Rita May-Memphis Blues cover.jpg | Artist = Bob Dylan | Album = Masterpieces | A-side = Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again | B-side = Rita May | Released = November 30, 1976 | Format = 7" | Genre = Blues Song | Recorded = Columbia Recording Studio E, New York City: July 30, 1975 | Length = 3:14 | Label = Columbia | Writer = music: Bob Dylan; lyrics: Jacques Levy/Bob Dylan | Producer = Don DeVito | Chronology = Bob Dylan discography | Last single = "[[Mozambique (song)|]"
1976 | This single = "Rita May"
1977 | Next single = "Baby Stop Crying"
1977 }}

"Rita May" (sometimes spelled as "Rita Mae") is a song by Bob Dylan, originally recorded during the sessions for the album Desire, but released only as the B-side of a single and on the compilation album, Masterpieces.. Some listeners believe that the lyrics of the song refer to writer Rita Mae Brown, who had complained of the lack of opportunities for casual lesbian sex .

"Rita May" was covered by Jerry Lee Lewis on his 1979 album Jerry Lee Lewis.

Other songs with the same title

Eric Clapton wrote a song titled "Rita Mae" which appears on his 1981 album Another Ticket and was also released as a single, reaching #10 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

Personnel (for the Dylan original)

• Bob Dylan (guitar, vocal, harmonica)
• Emmylou Harris (vocal)
• Rob Rothstein (bass)
• Howard Wyeth (drums)
• Scarlet Rivera (violin)
• Sheena Seidenberg (tambourine & congas)

• Don DeVito (Producer)