It was written in 1955 by Richard Berry (and this is sadly the only decent clip of Berry singing it) and released in 1957 by Berry and his backing band The Pharaohs, (NOT the same Pharaohs as in Sam The Sham and the Pharaohs!), originally as a B-side to 'You Are My Sunshine'. The Most famous version, which most people think is the original version, is of course this one by The Kingsmen. So here comes the boring part....
Bob Dylan zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Black Flag although a much more audible version can be found on my music player on my other profile.
This version by Paul Revere &The Raiders was actually recorded before The Kingsmen version.
Horlicks for the ears, this very tiresome version by The Grateful Dead.
Jack Ely and the Courtmen, seen here in 1999. The original singer with The Kingsmen.
Patti Smith, not sounding her best when she covered it.
Jeff and the RFs, whoever they are!
A nice laid back version here by Toots And The Maytals and another fairly laid back brass version. There's even a festival in honour of the song, which is where this version by The Fabulous Wailers was performed.
A fairly faithful version here by MC5, which sounds as if the Motorhead version came from this although I couldn't find the clip to back that up.
No idea why I included this posey fuck head on here but it proves a point I'll make in a bit about simularities.
One of many versions performed by Iggy Pop. (I've been told I look like him, but I cannot see it)
Used quite famously in this scene from National Lampoon's Animal House. John Belushi recorded a version for the soundtrack album. And it made another cinema appearance in 24 Hour Party People showing how it was done by Jon The Postman
I have other versions on record and tape, but can't find the clips.
The Riff's Been Used In...
Keep the riff in your head and then listen to this classic bit of 80s pop rock, and if any man my age denies ever fancying Wendy James you're a fucking liar!
Slower but the same beat when he starts singing in this clip of The McCoys. It's also evident in the song 'Wild Thing'.
In this version by Iggy Pop, concentrate on the opening guitar riff, and then watch Nirvana steal it on one of their most famous songs! Although if you really wanted to get anal about it, you could play 'Louie Louie' or 'More Than A Feeling' by Boston and come up with 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' (try it).
Now imagine the 'Louie Louie' riff, but much slower. And then just cut a bit off the riff and go faster.
The bass line is also used in this song from one of the worse films ever
Bored? I know I am, please comment if I missed something, or post a video as a comment if you find one.
