Fever (Little Willie John song)

"Fever" is a song written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell, who used the pseudonym John Davenport. It was originally recorded by Little Willie John in 1956. It has been covered by numerous artists from various musical genres, notably Peggy Lee in 1958.

Contents

Little Willie John

"Fever"
Single by Little Willie John
Released 1956
Genre Rhythm and Blues
Writer(s) Eddie Cooley
John Davenport

The idea for the song was presented to Otis Blackwell by an old friend, Eddie Cooley. Blackwell said: "Eddie Cooley was a friend of mine from New York and he called me up and said 'Man, I got an idea for a song called "Fever", but I can´t finish it. I had to write it under another name because, at that time, I was still under contract to Joe Davis'."[1]

Little Willie John reportedly disliked the song, but was persuaded to record it, on March 1, 1956, by King Records owner Syd Nathan and arranger and producer Henry Glover.[2] His version was released in April 1956 and became a double-sided hit along with the top-ten R&B song "Letter from My Darling". "Fever" reached number one for three weeks on the R&B Best Sellers chart. It also made the pop charts, peaking at number 24 on the Billboard chart.[3]

Peggy Lee

In 1958, Peggy Lee recorded the first cover version of the song, which featured additional lyrics composed by Lee herself without credit. These uncopyrighted lyrics (including the verses beginning "Romeo loved Juliet," and "Captain Smith and Pocahontas") are now generally thought of as a standard part of the song, and have been included in most subsequent covers of "Fever".

Lee's version peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100. It became a signature song for Lee and was nominated for "Record of the Year" at the 1959 Grammy Awards. Elvis Presley released a near identical version to Lee's two years later for his 1960 album, Elvis is Back.

Amanda Lear

"Fever"
Single by Amanda Lear
B-side "Red Tape"
Released 1982
Format 7"
Genre Pop
Length 3:36
Label Ariola Records
Producer Anthony Monn
Amanda Lear singles chronology
"New York"
(1981)
"Fever"
(1982)
"Incredibilmente donna"
(1982)

Song information

Amanda Lear's version of "Fever" was released as a single-only track in 1982. "Red Tape" from the previous year's Incognito album made the B-side. The cover photo of most single releases was taken by Alain-Philippe Malagnac d'Argens de Villèle, Amanda's then-husband.

The singer performed "Fever" in a number of television shows, such as German Ein Kessel Buntes or Italian Premiatissima. However, the single was not a commercial success and didn't chart. "Fever" later appeared in the tracklist of Lear's Super 20 compilation album in 1989.

Music video

The music video was shot in Paris and sees Amanda performing the song on a boat on Seine. Lear's husband is also seen in the video.

Track listing

A. "Fever" - 3:36
B. "Red Tape" - 3:28

Madonna

"Fever"
Single by Madonna
from the album Erotica
Released March 22, 1993
Format 7", cassette, CD
Recorded August 15, 1992
Soundworks Recording
(Astoria, NY)
Genre Dance-pop, house
Length 5:00
Label Maverick, Sire,
Warner Bros.
Writer(s) Eddie Cooley
John Davenport
Producer Madonna
Shep Pettibone
Madonna singles chronology
"Bad Girl"
(1993)
"Fever"
(1993)
"Rain"
(1993)

In 1992, Madonna recorded a cover version of "Fever" for her fifth studio album Erotica. She was in the studio putting down tracks for the album and had just recorded a song called "Goodbye to Innocence".[6] She was going through the final stages of production on it when she suddenly started singing the lyrics to "Fever" over the top of it. Madonna liked the way it sounded so much that she recorded it.[7] "Goodbye to Innocence" was never released on a Madonna album, although it did appear on Just Say Roe, a charity record, and a dub mix of it titled "Up Down Suite" was a bonus track to the "Rain" maxi-single.

Release

"Fever" was released as the fourth single from Erotica on March 22, 1993, by Maverick Records. It was released in the United Kingdom on 12", CD single and as a limited edition 7" picture disc featuring a still from the "Bad Girl" video. In the United States it was never officially released as a single and instead was the B-side to the single "Bad Girl", although the maxi-single of "Bad Girl" predominantly featured "Fever" remixes. In fact "Fever", as played on radio stations and shown on music channels, was not the original but a remixed version instead, a version called Edit 1 and is only commercially available on the German "Rain" CD single and 7" single, although it is known as Edit 2 on the latter format.

"Fever" became her highest debuting single from the Erotica album in the UK, entering at its peak position of #6 and comfortably selling over 85,000 copies, many of which were sold on the back of airplay alone as the video was not ready for release. The single entered just four weeks after the UK number 10 hit "Bad Girl", which was the fourth release from the Erotica album in the UK, with the fifth and final being the number 7 hit "Rain".

The heavy singles release schedule from Erotica in the UK charts was to aid sales of the parent album and keep Madonna songs on the radio airplay schedules. The video wasn't finished in time for release and with "Bad Girl" stalling at number 10 in the UK charts, Warner decided on an earlier than predicted release of "Fever". Warner quickly produced a montage of videos from her earlier works to promote the single. The original Stéphane Sednoaui-produced video has since been made commercially available on the DVD collection, The Video Collection 93:99. In the U.S. it became her fifteenth song to hit number one on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart.

Madonna first performed "Fever" on Saturday Night Live, in January 1993 along with her other hit single "Bad Girl". She also performed "Fever" as the second song of her Girlie Show World Tour. Madonna performed a jazz version of the song on the 1000th show special of The Arsenio Hall Show at the Hollywood Bowl in 1993. In September 2008, a remix of "Fever" (known as the Dance Floor Mix) was used in television promos for the fifth season of Desperate Housewives.[8]

Music video

The music video (directed by Stéphane Sednaoui) was shot on April 10–11, 1993 at Greenwich Studios in Miami, Florida and world premiered on May 11, 1993 on MTV. The music video, set to the tune of the "Edit One" remix, alternately features Madonna with a red wig and silver bodypaint in a variety of costumes dancing in front of funky, kaleidoscopic backgrounds. This can be considered her first foray into the world of special effects before the award winning video to her hit "Bedtime Story" was conceived 2 years later. The costumes in the video are inspired by The King and I and the Balinese influences of Hindu and Buddhism.

Track listing and format

  • UK cassette single / UK 7" single / UK 7" picture disc
  1. "Fever" (album edit)
  2. "Fever" (Murk Boys Radio Edit)
  • UK CD single
  1. "Fever" (album edit)
  2. "Fever" (Hot Sweat 12")
  3. "Fever" (Extended 12")
  4. "Fever" (Shep's Remedy Dub)
  5. "Fever" (Murk Boys Miami Mix)
  6. "Fever" (Murk Boys Deep South Mix)
  • UK 12" single
  1. "Fever" (Hot Sweat 12")
  2. "Fever" (extended 12")
  3. "Fever" (Shep's Remedy Dub)
  4. "Fever" (Murk Boys Miami Mix)
  5. "Fever" (Murk Boys Deep South Mix)
  6. "Fever" (Oscar G's Dope Dub)
  • Fever - Special DJ Limited Edition Remix Package
Disc 1, Side A
  1. "Fever" (Murk Boys Miami Mix)
  2. "Fever" (Oscar G's Dope Dub)
Disc 1, Side B
  1. "Fever" (Murk Boys Deep South Mix)
  2. "Fever" (Back to the Dub 2)
  3. "Fever" (12" instrumental)
Disc 2, Side A
  1. "Fever" (extended 12")
  2. "Fever" (T's Extended Dub A)
  3. "Fever" (T's Extended Dub B)
Disc 2, Side B
  1. "Fever" (Hot Sweat 12")
  2. "Fever" (Shep's Remedy Dub)
  3. "Fever" (Peggy's Nightclub Mix) (Percapella)
  4. "Fever" (Bugged Out Bonzai Dub)
  • Fever - CD reference
  1. "Fever" (edit 1)
  2. "Fever" (edit 2)
  • Fever - UK 12" Promo
Disc 1, Side A
  1. "Fever" (Hot Sweat 12" Mix)
  2. "Fever" (Shep's Remedy Dub)
  3. "Fever" (Dub 1)
Disc 1, Side B
  1. "Fever" (Dub 2)
  2. "Fever" (Bugged Out Bonzai Mix)
  3. "Fever" (Peggy's Nightclub Mix)
Disc 2, Side A
  1. "Fever" (Radio Edit)
  2. "Fever" (Murk Boys Miami Mix)
  3. "Fever" (Murk Boys Deep South Mix)
Disc 2, Side B
  1. "Fever" (Oscar G's Dope Dub)
  2. "Fever" (Back To The Dub 1)
  3. "Fever" (Back To The Dub 2)
  • Rain - Japanese EP
  1. "Rain" (radio remix)
  2. "Waiting" (remix)
  3. "Up Down Suite"
  4. "Rain" (album version)
  5. "Bad Girl" (extended mix)
  6. "Fever" (extended 12")
  7. "Fever" (Shep's Remedy Dub)
  8. "Fever" (Murk Boys Miami Dub)
  9. "Fever" (Oscar G's Dope Mix)
  10. "Rain" (video edit)

Charts

Chart (1993) Peak
position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart 51
Belgian Singles Chart (Flanders)[9] 22
French Singles Chart[10] 31
Irish Singles Chart[11] 6
Italian Singles Chart[12] 12
Japan Oricon Singles Chart 7
U.S. Billboard Hot Dance Club Play[13] 1
UK Singles Chart[14] 6

Beyoncé Knowles version

"Fever"
Promotional single by Beyoncé Knowles
Released February 8, 2010 (US)[15]
February 9, 2010 (UK)[16]
Format Digital download
Recorded 2004
2010
Genre R&B/Soul[15]
Length 3:32
Label Columbia
Writer John Davenport, Eddie Cooley
Producer Chink Santana, Beyoncé Knowles

"Fever" was re-recorded by Beyoncé Knowles on two different occasions. Knowles first recorded her version of "Fever" on September 9, 2003 for her film The Fighting Temptations.[17] Following the release of her first fragrance Heat (2010), she recorded "Fever" again and officially released it in early February 2010 in the United States as well as the United Kingdom. It was included on her EP Heat (2011).

Background and release

Knowles included her version of the classic track "Fever" (1956) on multiple releases. Knowles' original recording of the song was included on the soundtrack album for the 2003 American musical dramedy film, The Fighting Temptations,[17][18] in which Knowles had a leading role in the film.[19][20] Including the song as part of her set-list on the Dangerously in Love Tour, the song was released on Beyoncé: Live at Wembley CD/DVD in 2004.[21] Knowles' original recording was additionally included on the track-listing of her first mixtape Speak My Mind (2005).[21]

After releasing her first fragrance Heat, Knowles re-recorded her version of "Fever" as promotion for the fragrance, using the song in advertisements for the fragrance.[22] The re-recorded 2010 version of the song was later released for digital-download on iTunes on February 8, 2010.[15] Ed Gonzalez of Slant Magazine wrote: "The seductive iciness of Peggy Lee's "Fever" is successfully transplanted with a gumbo sound and sexy Southern comfort."[23]

Video

As promotion for the fragrance, a TV commercial for Heat was directed by Jake Nava,[24] who also shot music videos for Knowles' "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2008), "If I Were a Boy" (2008), "Beautiful Liar" (2007), "Baby Boy" (2003), and "Crazy In Love" (2003).[25] The commercial features Beyoncé in a red satin dress sweating in a steamy room while the newly covered version of "Fever" (1956) plays in the background.[26] Print advertising, shot by Michael Thompson, depicts a sultry Knowles in the same dress worn in the TV campaign.[24]

In an interview with Women's Wear Daily, Knowles described the sexual tone of the video stating: "My sexiest moments are when I’m just getting out of the tub or the shower and I’m clean, so I wanted to incorporate that in the ads.The dress was this liquid-y satin. The song Fever I did years ago and always loved it. [For the commercial] I got to sing it a bit more whispery, more natural."[24] In the accompanying TV advertisement, Knowles is seen in different scenes including Knowles emerging from a steamy bathroom as she sweats and enjoying herself in a bath.[24] Throughout the video, Knowles only wears a red-satin kimono, which has been described as revealing.[24]

Controversy

The commercial for the fragrance found controversy in the U.K. with UK's Advertising Standards Authority.[27] The commercial was banned from the country's daytime TV rotation due to its "sexy imagery" and was only shown after 7:30 in the afternoon.[27] The UK's Advertising Standards Authority commented on the ban decision stating "We considered that Beyoncé's body movements and the camera's prolonged focus on shots of her dress slipping away to partially expose her breasts created a sexually provocative ad that was unsuitable to be seen by young children."[27]

Perfume maker Coty replied to the ban stating that they do not think there is anything too explicit about the TV spot.[27] Coty continued stating that the commercial was "intended to reflect the singer Beyoncé's personal 'sexy chic' style," and while Beyoncé's cleavage is exposed at certain parts of the commercial, Coty continued stating that it is not "overtly graphic or explicitly sexual and at no point was Beyoncé naked."[27]

Knowles, herself, responded to the commercial's ban jokingly stating: "Where's the wind coming from? It started out only [to stay cool], and then it kind of created this effect with my hair. You can only imagine, the show is two and a half hours. It's really, really warm onstage."[28] Mother Tina Knowles additionally commented on the controversy stating that it was "very good" as people purposely went to watch the video and that "upped my sales."[28]

Chart Performance

Charts (2010) peak
position
South Korea Gaon Singles Chart[29] 10


Notable recordings

Selected list of recorded versions

"Fever" was included in the Broadway musical Million Dollar Quartet which opened in New York in April 2010;[30] it was sung in the Broadway production by Elizabeth Stanley as "Dyanne".[31]

References

  1. ^ Eddie Cooley at Black Cat Rockabilly
  2. ^ Peggy Lee Discography
  3. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 301. 
  4. ^ "FEVER 1982 Germany". amandalear_singoli.tripod.com. http://amandalear_singoli.tripod.com/049_fever_82.htm. Retrieved 2011-05-05. 
  5. ^ "Amanda Lear - Fever at Discogs". www.discogs.com. http://www.discogs.com/Amanda-Lear-Fever/master/70187. Retrieved 2011-05-05. 
  6. ^ Madonna-Online.ch - "Shep Pettibone's The Erotica Diaries" - last accessed on June 18, 2006
  7. ^ Mad-eyes.net - "Fever" Single Page - last accessed on October 24, 2005
  8. ^ "“Fever” Used in Desperate Housewives Promo". absolutemadonna.com. 28 August 2008. http://absolutemadonna.com/?p=921. Retrieved 23 September 2011. 
  9. ^ "Radio2 - Top 30". http://top30-2.radio2.be/#/chart-list/316. 
  10. ^ Hit Parade (1993). "Madonna — Fever (European Charts)". hitparade.ch. http://hitparade.ch/showitem.asp?key=63806&cat=s. Retrieved 2008-07-16. 
  11. ^ "Irish Singles Chart (Search)". irishcharts.ie. March 25, 1993. http://www.irishcharts.ie/search/placement. Retrieved 2008-07-16. 
  12. ^ "Madonna: Discografia Italiana" (in Italian). Federation of the Italian Music Industry. 1984-1999. http://www.hitparadeitalia.it/mono/madonna_disco.htm. Retrieved 2010-01-08. 
  13. ^ Allmusic (1993). "Billboard Charts". allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p64565/charts-awards/billboard-singles. Retrieved 2008-07-16. 
  14. ^ Every Hit (1993). "UK Singles Chart (Search)". everyhit.com. http://www.everyhit.com/. Retrieved 2008-07-16. 
  15. ^ a b c "Fever - Single by Beyoncé - Download Fever - Single on iTunes". Itunes US. Apple Inc.. http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/fever-single/id353361561. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  16. ^ "Fever". Amazon UK. Amazon Inc.. http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00379TDFY. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  17. ^ a b "Fever: Beyoncé: MP3 Downloads". Amazon Germany. Amazon Inc.. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00136JGT6. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  18. ^ "Fighting Temptations". Amazon US. Amazon Inc.. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000C83KB. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  19. ^ Heather Phares. "The Fighting Temptations". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-fighting-temptations-r656058/review. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  20. ^ Rebecca Murray. "'The Fighting Temptations (Music From The Motion Picture)' News". About.com. The New York Times Company. http://top40.about.com/od/albums/fr/beyoncebday.htm. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  21. ^ a b "Fever Allmusic. Rovi Corporation". http://www.allmusic.com/song/fever-t13438816. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  22. ^ "Beyoncé Catches ‘Heat’ in Fragrance Ads". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. December 29, 2009. http://www.rap-up.com/2009/12/29/beyonce-catches-heat-in-fragrance-ads/. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  23. ^ Ed Gonzalez (September 14, 2003). "The Fighting Temptations Original Soundtrack". Slant Magazine. http://www.slantmagazine.com/music/review/the-fighting-temptations-original-soundtrack/318. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  24. ^ a b c d e "Scent of a woman: Now you can smell like Beyonce as she launches her own perfume". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers. December 19, 2009. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1237084/Now-smell-like-Beyonce-launches-perfume.html. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  25. ^ "Beyoncé Brings Back Sasha Fierce For Vizio Commercial". Rap Up. Devin Lazerine. November 10, 2010. http://www.rap-up.com/2010/11/20/video-beyonce-brings-back-sasha-fierce-for-vizio-commercial/. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  26. ^ "Beyonce Discusses Launch of 'Heat' Fragrance - Beauty Industry and Products News". Women's Wear Daily. Ralph Erardy, Sr.. http://www.wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/beyonce-discusses-launch-of-heat-fragrance-2398237//?full=true. Retrieved March 26, 2010. 
  27. ^ a b c d e Vena, Jocelyn (November 18, 2010). "Beyonce's Banned Perfume Ad Defended By Company - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV News. MTV Networks. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652556/beyonces-banned-perfume-ad-defended-by-company.jhtml. Retrieved March 26, 2011. 
  28. ^ a b Vena, Jocelyn (November 22, 2010). "Beyonce Laughs Off Heat Commercial Controversy - Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV News. MTV Networks. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1652828/beyonce-laughs-off-heat-commercial-controversy.jhtml. Retrieved March 26, 20115. 
  29. ^ "Fever". South Korea Gaon Chart. http://www.gaonchart.co.kr/main/section/total/list.gaon. Retrieved 18 de outubro de 2010. 
  30. ^ Zielinski, Peter James. "Photo Coverage: Million Dollar Quartet Opens on Broadway". Posted: 12:04 PM; Monday, April 12, 2010.
  31. ^ MDQ Merchandising LLC (2010). “Song List” and “Performing Credits”. In Million Dollar Quartet (p. 5) [CD booklet]. New York City: Avatar Studios; and Chicago: Chicago Recording Company.

External links