Pretty Thing
| "Pretty Thing" | |||||||||||
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| File:Pretty Thing Bo Diddley.jpg
The 1963 single release of "Pretty Thing" by Pye International Records.
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| Single by Bo Diddley | |||||||||||
| from the album Bo Diddley | |||||||||||
| B-side | "Bring It to Jerome" | ||||||||||
| Released | November 1955[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 | |||||||||||
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"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 released 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]
Contents
Single track listings
US 45 RPM/78 RPM
- Side one
- "Pretty Thing"
- Side two
- "Bring It to Jerome"
UK 45 RPM
- Side one
- "Pretty Thing"
- Side two
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.[3]
Cover Versions
The Pretty Things made a cover version of the song on their eponymous 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.[5]
References
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