Don't Mess with Bill

For the 1980 documentary film, see Don't Mess with Bill (film).
"Don't Mess with Bill"
Single by The Marvelettes
from the album The Marvelettes Greatest Hits
B-side "Anything You Wanna Do"
Released November 26, 1965
Format 7" single
Recorded Hitsville USA; June 1965
Genre Soul/pop
Length 2:51
Label Tamla
T 54126
Writer(s) Smokey Robinson
Producer Smokey Robinson
The Marvelettes singles chronology
"Danger! Heartbreak Dead Ahead"
(1965)		 "Don't Mess With Bill"
(1965)		 "You're the One"
(1966)

"Don't Mess with Bill" is a million-selling Gold certified 1966 single recorded by The Marvelettes for Motown Records' Tamla label. Written and produced by Smokey Robinson, "Don't Mess with Bill" features a lead vocal by Wanda Young. The single peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1966, and at number three on Billboard's R&B singles chart. "Don't Mess with Bill" was the Marvelettes' final Top 10 single.

The titular "Bill" referenced in the song is not an allusion to the song's author, Bill "Smokey" Robinson. Robinson reports that he chose the name because it fit the lyrics, not because it was his. "Don't Mess With Bill" has also been recorded and released by Monalisa Young.

Personnel

The Marvelettes
Gladys Horton † · Katherine Anderson · Wanda Young · Anne Bogan · Georgeanna Tillman † · Wyanetta Cowart · Georgia Dobbins
Albums

Please Mr. Postman (1961) · The Marvelettes Sing aka Smash Hits of '62 (1962) · Playboy (1962) · The Marvelous Marvelettes (1963) · The Marvelettes Recorded Live on Stage (1963) · The Marvelettes Greatest Hits (1966) · The Marvelettes (1967) · Sophisticated Soul (1968) · In Full Bloom (1969) · The Return of The Marvelettes (1970) · The Marvelettes Anthology (1975) · The Best of The Marvelettes (1975)
Singles
(US/UK Top 40)

"Please Mr. Postman" (1961) · "Twistin' Postman" (1961) · "Playboy" (1962) · "Beechwood 4-5789" (1962) · "Too Many Fish in the Sea" (1965) · "I'll Keep Holding On" (1965) · "Don't Mess with Bill" (1966) · "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game" (1967) · "When You're Young and in Love" (1967) · "My Baby Must Be a Magician" (1968)
Categories

Albums · Songs
Book:The Marvelettes