the Billboard country chart, reaching number 1 in December, becoming the first song to top the component "Country & Western Records Most Played By Folk Disk Jockeys" chart (on December 10, 1949). Like Laine's version, Ford's version contained whipcracking sound effects and shouting by the driver as he spurs on the mules. Vaughn Monroe's version was released by RCA Victor Records as a 78rpm single (catalog number 20-3600A) and a 45rpm single (catalog number 47-3106) (in the United States). It was released by EMI on the His Master's Voice label as catalog number B 9836. The record first reached the Billboard chart on November 18, 1949 and lasted nine weeks on the listing, peaking at number 10. Monroe also sang the song in the 1950 Republic Western Singing Guns. He played an outlaw who became town marshal with the intent of stealing a shipment of gold, and sang the song while at the reins of what appeared to be a stagecoach. Other versions Woody Herman and The King Cole Trio, with Irving Ashby, Joe Comfort and Gene Orloff, made a recording of "Mule Train" on November 7, 1949 in New York City, as well as the track "My Baby Just Cares For Me", which were both released by Capitol Records as a single, catalog number 787, which gave label credit to Herman for "Mule Train" and to the trio for "My Baby Just Cares For Me". Burl Ives recorded a version of the song in the 1950s, featuring the snapping of the whips, and yells. Gordon MacRae made a recording on October 21, 1949, which was released by Capitol Records in the United States as the flip side of the single "Dear Hearts and Gentle People" (which he also recorded on October 21, 1949). Les Welch and his Orchestra made a recording in Australia in February, 1950, which was released by Pacific Records (in Australia). The song was subsequently recorded in England by Frank Ifield in the 1960s. In 1950, Gene Autry sang the tune in a film of the same title. In 1950, a satirical version of the song, "Chinese Mule Train," was recorded by Spike Jones and his City Slickers, with banjoist Freddy Morgan (misspelled on the record like "Fleddy Morgan" as a joke) providing the Chinese-like vocals. It was issued on RCA Victor. The song appeared on Rod McKuen's 1958 album Anywhere I Wander. In 1960, Bo