Love Is Strange
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2007) |
| "Love Is Strange" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "I'm Going Home" |
"Love is Strange" was a crossover hit by American rhythm and blues duet Mickey & Sylvia, which was released in late November 1956 by the Groove record label.[1]
The song was based on a guitar riff by Jody Williams. The co-writers of the song are of some dispute. The song has also been recorded by Buddy Holly and Bo Diddley, among others. The guitar riff was also used by Dave "Baby" Cortez in his 1962 instrumental song "Rinky DinK",
Background and recordings
At a concert at Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C. Mickey & Sylvia heard Jody Williams play a guitar riff that Williams had played on Billy Stewart's debut single "Billy's Blues".[3] "Billy's Blues" was released as a single in June 1956 and the instrumentation combined a regular blues styling with Afro-Cuban styling.[4] Sylvia Robinson claims that she and Mickey Baker wrote the lyrics, while Bo Diddley claims that he wrote them.
The first recorded version of "Love is Strange" was performed by Bo Diddley, who recorded his version on May 24, 1956 with Jody Williams on lead guitar. This version was not released until its appearance on I'm a Man: The Chess Masters, 1955-1958 in 2007.[5] Mickey & Sylvia's version was recorded several months later on October 17, 1956.[2] The song is noted for its spoken dialogue section which goes as follows:
"Sylvia!"
"Yes, Mickey."
"How do you call your Lover Boy?"
"Come here, Lover Boy!"
"And if he doesn't answer?"
"Oh, Lover Boy!"
"And if he still doesn't answer?"
"I simply say..."
(Sung) "Baby/ Oh baby/ My sweet baby/ You're the one."
(The sung part is repeated with Mickey singing the harmony.)
(This is followed by a repeat of the instrumental section before the song's fade.)
Charts and accolades
"Love is Strange" peaked at #1 Billboard magazine's R&B Singles chart and #11 on the Hot 100.[6] In 2004 "Love is Strange" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for its influence as a rock and roll single.[7] The song was featured in Dirty Dancing and included on the soundtrack, which is one of the best-selling albums.
Cover versions
Charting versions
In 1967, Peaches & Herb's version of the song charted on both Billboard's Hot 100 and R&B Singles charts peaking at #13 and 16, respectively. Their version does feature the spoken dialogue and the repeated phrases, similar to the Mickey and Sylvia version. [8] Buddy Holly recorded a version of "Love is Strange" that was not released until 1969, a decade after his death. His version reached #115 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #76 on the RPM 100.[9] In 1971, the song was covered by Sir Paul McCartney in his Wings album, Wild Life. In 1975, Buck Owens and Susan Raye had a Top 20 country hit with the song. The song was also covered in 1990 by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. The recording, the title cut of Rogers' Love is Strange album, was released as a single, and reached #21 on the U.S. country singles chart.
Other versions
Lonnie Donegan recorded a version which appeared on the B-side of his 1957 hit single, "Cumberland Gap". Chubby Checker, accompanied by Dee Dee Sharp, covered the song on the 1960 record "Twist with Chubby Checker". The Everly Brothers released a rendition in 1965 as a single and on their Beat & Soul album. Sonny and Cher also covered the song in 1964, as did Betty Everett and Jerry Butler. Paul McCartney sang it as a duet with wife Linda on the Wings album Wild Life (1971). Ian & Sylvia recorded a country rock-flavored cover in the early 1970s, but their version was unreleased until its inclusion in the 1996 CD The Beginning of the End. Everything but the Girl covered the song on their album Worldwide & again on a subsequent album Acoustic. The song also appears in the film Deep Throat and its soundtrack album, covered by unknown artists. Also in 1998, German synth-pop band Wolfsheim did a cover of the song for their EP Once in a Lifetime. Jackson Browne and David Lindley also covered the song on the live album Love is Strange, which captures live highlights from their 2006 tour of Spain.
Musician B.o.B sampled "Love Is Strange" for his song "My Sweet Baby", from his mixtape B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray (2009).
Pitbull samples part of the song's guitar riff in his song "Back in Time" for the film Men in Black III, which was released in April 2012 by RCA.[10]
References
- ^ a b Ackerman, Paul, ed. (November 24, 1956). "Reviews of New R&B Records". Billboard. 68 (No. 47): 48. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
{{cite journal}}:|issue=has extra text (help) - ^ a b c "Love is Strange" b/w "Love is a Treasure" by Mickey & Sylvia. RCA Victor 45 RPM (447-0599).
- ^ Dahl, Bill. Jody William's Biography at AllMusic. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
- ^ Ackerman, Paul, ed. (June 16, 1956). "Reviews of New R&B Records". Billboard. 68 (No. 24): 44. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
{{cite journal}}:|issue=has extra text (help) - ^ I'm a Man: The Chess Masters, 1955-1958 (Media notes). United States: Hip-O Select. 2007.
{{cite AV media notes}}:|format=requires|url=(help); Unknown parameter|artist=ignored (|others=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|publisherid=ignored (help) - ^ "Charts & Awards: Mickey & Sylvia – Billboard Singles". Allmusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
- ^ "Grammy Hall of Fame (Letter L)". Grammys. United States: National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
- ^ "Charts & Awards: Peaches & Herb – Billboard Singles". Allmusic. United States: Rovi Corporation. Retrieved March 4, 2011.
- ^ "Top Singles - Volume 11, No. 13, May 26 1969" (PHP). Library and Archives Canada. March 31, 2004.
- ^ http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/Pitbull-Back-In-Time.htm
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