Pretty Thing

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"Pretty Thing"

The 1963 single release of "Pretty Thing" by Pye International Records.
Single by Bo Diddley
from the album Bo Diddley
B-side "Bring It to Jerome"
Released November 1955 (1955-11)[1]
Format 7" 45 RPM, 10" 78 RPM
Recorded July 14, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois[2]
Genre Rock and roll, rhythm and blues
Length 2:48
Label Checker
Writer(s) Willie Dixon
Producer(s) Leonard Chess, Phil Chess, Bo Diddley[2]
Bo Diddley U.S. singles chronology

"Diddley Daddy"
(June 1955)
"Pretty Thing"
(November 1955)
"Diddy Wah Diddy"
(December 1956)

Bo Diddley U.K. singles chronology
"Bo Diddley"
(July 1963)
"Pretty Thing"
(September 1963)
"Bo Diddley Is a Lover"
(October 1963)

"Pretty Thing" is a 1955 song written by Chess Records bassist-songwriter Willie Dixon and originally performed by Bo Diddley. The song was Diddley's third single release through Checker Records after "Diddley Daddy". The song was later release in the United Kingdom where it became Diddley's first of only two songs appearing on the UK Singles Chart, the other single being "Hey Good Lookin'".[3]

Single track listings

US 45 RPM/78 RPM

Side one
  1. "Pretty Thing"
Side two
  1. "Bring It to Jerome"

UK 45 RPM

Side one
  1. "Pretty Thing"
Side two
  1. "Road Runner"

Recording

"Pretty Thing" was recorded by Bo Diddley on July 14, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois – the same day as "Bring It to Jerome". Producing the session were the Chess brothers – Leonard and Phil – and Bo Diddley. The performers on the song were Bo Diddley (vocals, guitar), Jerome Green (maracas), Lester Davenport (harmonica), and Clifton James (drums).[2]

Chart performance

"Pretty Thing" was Diddley's second charter on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart reaching #4 sometime in 1956, and is Diddley's third highest charter next to "Bo Diddley/I'm a Man" (#1) and "Say Man" (#3).[4] "Pretty Thing" reached #34 on the UK Singles Chart.[5]

Cover Versions

The Pretty Things made a cover version of the song on their self-titled debut album in March 1965. The Animals recorded a version on a 1963 EP and also released it as a bonus track on Animalisms. Canned Heat released a studio version of the song on Vintage in 1970. John Hammond and The Nighthawks recorded a cover version of "Pretty Thing" at Vanguard Records studios in September 1979 and released it on Hot Tracks.[6]

References

  1. "This Week's Best Buys". Billboard: 49. November 26, 1955. Retrieved December 24, 2010. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 His Best (CD liner). Bo Diddley. United States: Chess Records/MCA Records. 1997. CHD-9373. http://aln3.albumlinernotes.com/Bo_Diddley_His_Best.html.
  3. http://archive.is/20130119051440/http://www.chartstats.com/artistinfo.php?id=1661
  4. "Bo Diddley - Billboard Singles". Allmusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 28, 2010. 
  5. ""Pretty Thing" by Bo Diddley" (PHP). Chartstats. United Kingdom: The Official Charts Company. Retrieved December 24, 2010. 
  6. Eder, Bruce. "Overview: Hot Tracks by John Hammond, Jr.". Allmusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved December 24, 2010. 

External links

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