Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Dizzy Miss Lizzy

Written and first recorded by Larry Williams (US #69 1958).
Also recorded by Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks (1959), The Fabulous Echoes (1965), The Plastic Ono Band (1969).
Hit album version by The Beatles (1965).

From the wiki: “‘Dizzy Miss Lizzy’ was composed and first recorded by Larry Williams (‘Nobody‘) in 1958, sharing some similarities with the Little Richard-composed hit ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’. Williams’ original recording peaked at #69 on the Billboard Hot 100 but failed to chart R&B.

“The song has been covered many times, including, and most notably by, the Beatles on the 1965 Help! album. (The recording was initially intended for the 1965 American album Beatles VI, along with the Larry Williams cover, ‘Bad Boy’, recorded by the group on the same day.) Paul McCartney has stated that he believes ‘Dizzy Miss Lizzy’ to be one of the Beatles’ best recordings.

“Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks, with Levon Helm on drums, recorded ‘Dizzy Miss Lissy’ in New York City at Bell Sound studios in April, 1959. A decade later, in 1969 it would be at Hawkins’ house that John Lennon and Yoko Ono would stay during their infamous week in Toronto, Ontario, leading up to their Toronto Rock ‘n Roll Revival appearance, which produced the live recording of ‘Dizzy Miss Lizzy’ the Plastic Ono Band’s Live Peace in Toronto 1969 album.

“‘Dizzy Miss Lizzy’ was also a favorite overseas. The Hong Kong band, the Fabulous Echoes, recorded a cover in 1965. The group, with a popular following in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Japan, traveled to the US in ’65 for a series of shows at the Thunderbird Lounge in Las Vegas. Ed Sullivan happened to attend one of their performances and, impressed with what he saw and heard, signed the band to do two appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.”

Ronnie Hawkins & the Hawks, “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” (1959):

The Fabulous Echoes, “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” (1965):

The Beatles, “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” (1965):

The Plastic Ono Band, “Dizzy Miss Lizzy” live performance (1969):

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