1960s, R&B

Something You Got

December 14, 2014

Written and first recorded by Chris Kenner (1961).
Hit version by Alvin Robinson (US #54/R&B #6 1964).
Also recorded by Moody Blues (1965), Wilson Pickett (1966), Herman Hitson (1966), Bruce Springsteen (1974).

From the wiki: “‘Something You Got’ was written by New Orleans R&B singer and songwriter Chris Kenner (‘Land of 1000 Dances‘, ‘I Like It Like That‘) who released it in 1961 as a single, with ‘Come and See About Me’ on the B-side, and as an album track on the 1966 album Land of 1000 Dances. Covered later with some acclaim by Wilson Pickett (who also covered Kenner’s ‘Land of 1000 Dances’), ‘Something You Got’ charted only with the 1964 version recorded by Alvin Robinson.”

Hey Joe

March 3, 2014

Written and first recorded by Billy Roberts (1961).
Popular versions by The Leaves (US #31 1966), The Jimi Hendrix Experience (UK #6 1966), Wilson Pickett (US #59/R&B #29/UK #16 1969), Willy DeVille (SPN #1 1992).
Also recorded by Tim Rose (1966), The Golden Cups (1968), Billy Roberts (ca. 1976).

Billy Roberts, “Hey Joe” re-recording (1976?):

From the wiki: “Diverse credits and claims have led to confusion as to the song’s true authorship and genesis. But, the earliest known commercial recording of the song is the late-1965 single by the Los Angeles garage band The Leaves (on Mira 207).

“The Leaves re-recorded the track (for the third time) in 1966, releasing it as a follow-up single (on Mira 222) which became a hit. While claimed by the late Tim Rose to be a traditional Blues song (or often erroneously attributed to the pen of American musician Dino Valenti aka Chet Powers and Jesse Farrow), and who recorded a cover in 1966 that was released in 1967 on Through Rose Colored Glasses, ‘Hey Joe’ was registered for copyright in the U.S. in 1962 by Billy Roberts. Producer Hal Resner has stated there is a live recording of Roberts performing ‘Hey Joe’, dating from around 1961.

Wild Thing

August 3, 2013

Originally recorded by The Wild Ones (1965).
Hit version by The Troggs (US #1/UK #2 1966), Bill Minkin novelty (US #20 1967), Sam Kinison novelty (1988).

From the wiki: “‘Wild Thing’ is a song written by New York City-born songwriter Chip Taylor (brother of actor Jon Voight). Originally recorded by New York City-based band The Wild Ones in 1965 (their 1965 album The Arthur Sound hit #149 on the US Billboard 200), and produced by Gerry Granahan (Patty Duke, Jay & The Americans), ‘Wild Thing’ is best known for its 1966 cover by the English band The Troggs – topping the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at #2 in the UK. ‘Wild Thing’ is ranked #257 on the Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Tagged: Jimi Hendrix