Lovey Dovey
"Lovey Dovey" | |
---|---|
Single by The Clovers | |
A-side | "Little Mama" |
Released | 1954 |
Genre | R&B |
Length | 2:54 |
Label | Atlantic Records 45-1022 |
Writer(s) | Memphis Edward Curtis, Ahmet Ertegun |
"Lovey Dovey" is a popular American rhythm and blues song originating in the 1950s and written by Eddie Curtis and Ahmet Ertegun, with the latter usually credited using his songwriter's pseudonym "Nugetre" - Ertegun spelled backwards. The song deals with the singer's relationship with his sweetheart and is performed in a light-hearted style.[1]
Numerous artists have recorded the song. The song's initial recording by The Clovers is probably the most notable, as it reached #2 for five weeks on the R&B charts in 1954.[2] Cover versions have been recorded by:
- Clyde McPhatter in 1959, reached #12 R&B and #49 pop
- Buddy Knox in 1961, reached #25 pop
- Dick Dale in 1962
- The Coasters in 1964
- Bunny Sigler in 1967 ("Lovey Dovey"/"You're So Fine"), reached #86 pop
- Otis Redding and Carla Thomas in 1967 (released as a single in 1968, following Redding's death), reached #21 R&B and #60 pop
- Delbert McClinton in 1976, for the Genuine Cowhide album
Legacy
Lyrics from "Lovey Dovey" (particularly "You're the cutest thing, That I ever did see, I really love your peaches, Wanna shake your tree"), were used by Steve Miller in his 1974 chart-topping single "The Joker". "The Joker" in turn was later sampled on another number one hit, "Angel" by Shaggy, giving Ahmet Ertegun credit as a songwriter on the latter.[3]
References
- ↑ Propes, Steve (1973). Those Oldies But Goodies: A Guide to 50's Record Collecting. The Macmillan Company, New York. p. 33.
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 124.
- ↑ Bronson, Fred (March 31, 2001). "US Pop Stars Go 'Over' The Top". Chart Beat. Google Books: Billboard magazine. p. 94. Retrieved July 12, 2015.