The Girl Can't Help It (song)

Last updated
"The Girl Can't Help It"
Single by Little Richard
from the album Little Richard
B-side "All Around the World"
ReleasedDecember 1956
RecordedOctober 16, 1956
Genre Rock and roll
Label Specialty Records
Songwriter(s) Bobby Troup
Little Richard singles chronology
"She's Got It"
(1956)
"The Girl Can't Help It"
(1956)
"Lucille/Send Me Some Lovin'"
(1957)

"The Girl Can't Help It" is the title song to the film The Girl Can't Help It , with words and music by songwriter Bobby Troup. It was performed by Little Richard and was released in December 1956. In the US, the song peaked at No. 49 on the Billboard Top 100 singles chart and No. 7 on the R&B Best Sellers Chart. [1] Overseas, "The Girl Can't Help It" peaked at No. 9 in the UK Singles Chart. [2] It was included on the Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time at No. 413. Originally, Fats Domino was lined up to record the track, which was not written as a rock song. [3]

Contents

Cover versions and adaptations

The Animals covered it on both their US debut album The Animals , on MGM Records and their UK debut album also called The Animals , on Columbia (EMI) in 1964. In 1965 by the Everly Brothers, in 1969 by the Flamin' Groovies, in 1970 by Led Zeppelin, in 1975 by Mick Ronson, and in 2001 by Babes in Toyland.[ citation needed ] The first single by UK band Darts, released in 1977, was a medley of "Daddy Cool" and "The Girl Can't Help It".

American singer Fergie sampled the song for her 2007 single "Clumsy". [4] It was also used in commercials for Rowntrees Fruit Pastilles in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The advertising slogan was "You just can't help chewing".[ citation needed ]

A gender-reversed version, "The Boy Can't Help It", appears on Bonnie Raitt's 1979 album The Glow . [5] Emerson, Lake & Palmer repurposed the music, with new lyrics, to create their 1971 song "Are You Ready Eddy?", on their album Tarkus .

Notes and references

  1. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 356.
  2. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 324. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  3. Liner Notes by Ray Tapping, for Little Richard The Speciality Sessions Box Set, 1989
  4. Sanneh, Kelefa (2007-06-23). "Singing, Dancing, Stamina: The Work of Pop Stardom (Published 2007)". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2020-12-02.
  5. Jason Elias. "The Glow - Bonnie Raitt | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 2020-05-09.


Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bonnie Tyler</span> Welsh singer (born 1951)

Gaynor Sullivan, known professionally as Bonnie Tyler, is a Welsh singer who is known for her distinctive husky voice. Tyler came to prominence with the release of her 1977 album The World Starts Tonight and its singles "Lost in France" and "More Than a Lover". Her 1978 single "It's a Heartache" reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, and number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bonnie Raitt</span> American musician

Bonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer and guitarist. In 1971, Raitt released her self-titled debut album. Following this, she released a series of critically acclaimed roots-influenced albums that incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk, and country. She was also a frequent session player and collaborator with other artists, including Warren Zevon, Little Feat, Jackson Browne, The Pointer Sisters, John Prine and Leon Russell.

<i>Nick of Time</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Bonnie Raitt

Nick of Time is the tenth studio album by the American singer Bonnie Raitt, released on March 21, 1989. It was Raitt's first album to be released by Capitol Records. A commercial breakthrough after years of personal and professional struggles, Nick of Time topped the Billboard 200 chart, selling five million copies, and won three Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, which was presented to Raitt and producer Don Was. In 2003, the album was ranked number 229 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, then was re-ranked at number 230 on the 2012 list. As of September 2020, it is ranked at number 492. The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. In 2022, the album was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)</span> 1965 single by the Four Tops

"I Can't Help Myself " is a 1965 hit song recorded by the Four Tops for the Motown label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beyoncé discography</span>

American singer Beyoncé has released seven studio albums, five live albums, three compilation albums, five EPs, one soundtrack album, two karaoke albums, and 83 singles. To date, Beyoncé has sold over 200 million records worldwide as a solo artist, and a further 60 million as part of Destiny's Child, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Billboard ranked her as the 37th greatest artist of all time.

Fascination Records is a United Kingdom-based record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as an imprint of Polydor Records. The label was launched in spring of 2006, and is managed by former TOTP Magazine editor Peter Loraine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Britten</span> Musical artist

Terence Ernest Britten is an English-Australian singer-songwriter and record producer, who has written songs for Tina Turner, Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John, Status Quo and Michael Jackson amongst many others. Britten won the Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1985 for "What's Love Got to Do with It".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherish (group)</span> American girl group

Cherish is an American R&B music group consisting of sisters Fallon, Felisha, Farrah, and Neosha King. Originating from Atlanta, Georgia, both their parents are musicians, their father having been in the band Professions of Sounds, who frequently toured with acts such as the Emotions and Earth, Wind & Fire. The group was signed to Capitol Records and Sho'nuff Records. They experienced chart success with the hit song "Do It to It".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Something to Talk About (Bonnie Raitt song)</span> 1991 single by Bonnie Raitt

"Something to Talk About" is a song written by Canadian singer-songwriter Shirley Eikhard and recorded by American singer Bonnie Raitt for her 1991 album Luck of the Draw. It was released to US radio on June 3, 1991. Two single versions were released: a 7-inch single with the B-side "One Part Be My Lover" and a 12-inch single with these two songs and "I Ain’t Gonna Let You Break My Heart Again". In turn, this song was included on the EP version of Raitt’s 2000 single of "The Fundamental Things" taken from her 1998 album Fundamental. It was also included in 2003’s greatest hits compilation The Best of Bonnie Raitt. Live versions appear on 1995's Road Tested and 2006's Bonnie Raitt and Friends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Never Too Much (song)</span> 1981 single by Luther Vandross

"Never Too Much" is the debut song written, composed, produced, and performed by Luther Vandross. The R&B song was released in 1981, as the lead single from Vandross's debut album Never Too Much. The title track hit number one on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, reached number four on the US Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, and peaked at number 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

"Superstar" is a 1969 song written by Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell with a songwriting credit also given to Delaney Bramlett that has been a hit for many artists in different genres and interpretations in the years since; the best-known versions are by the Carpenters in 1971, and by Luther Vandross in 1983.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can't Make You Love Me</span> 1991 single by Bonnie Raitt

"I Can't Make You Love Me" is a song written by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin and recorded by American singer Bonnie Raitt for her eleventh studio album, Luck of the Draw (1991). Released as the album's second single in 1991, "I Can't Make You Love Me" became one of Raitt's most successful singles, reaching the top-20 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and the top-10 on the Adult Contemporary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clumsy (Fergie song)</span> 2007 single by Fergie

"Clumsy" is a song recorded by American singer Fergie for her debut studio album, The Dutchess (2006). The song was released as the album's fifth single on September 25, 2007. It was written by Fergie, Bobby Troup and will.i.am, who also produced the track. It was partially recorded in Los Angeles and in the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. "Clumsy" is a pop, bubblegum pop and R&B song. The song's lyrics about being clumsy and in love flow alongside its computerized and bleeping beat taken from "The Bubble Bunch" by Jimmy Spicer, as well as a sample of "The Girl Can't Help It", originally performed by Little Richard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Britt Nicole</span> American singer-songwriter (born 1984)

Brittany Nicole Waddell, better known by her stage name Britt Nicole is an American vocalist, songwriter and recording artist. She has mainly charted as a Christian pop artist, but in 2012 found her debut mainstream single, "Gold", and, in 2013, "Ready or Not", in the Mainstream Top 40. Her fourth studio album, Gold, was nominated for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album at the 55th Grammy Awards. She is signed to Sparrow and Capitol Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fergie discography</span>

American singer Fergie has released two studio albums, thirteen singles, and twenty music videos. Throughout her career, she has sold over 35 million albums and 60 million singles worldwide. According to Recording Industry Association of America, Fergie has sold 27.5 million albums & singles in the United States. Fergie was ranked 16th on Billboard's 2000s Top Female Artist of the Decade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bonnie Raitt discography</span> Cataloging of published recordings by Bonnie Raitt

This article lists the discography of American blues and rock singer and songwriter Bonnie Raitt.

"I'm in Love Again" is a 1956 single by Fats Domino. The song was written by Domino and his longtime collaborator, Dave Bartholomew. The single was Domino's fifth number one on the R&B Best Sellers list, where it stayed at the top for seven weeks. "I'm in Love Again" also peaked at number three for two weeks on the pop chart. "I'm in Love Again" was a double-sided hit for Domino as the B-side of the pop standard, "My Blue Heaven".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Mix discography</span>

British girl group Little Mix have released six studio albums, one compilation album, 33 singles and 40 music videos. As of 2021, the group have amassed 44 chart entries on the UK Singles Chart, with five number ones and 19 top-ten singles. According to the Official Charts Company, Little Mix have sold over 28 million singles and 3.6 million albums in the UK. They have collated over 12 billion streams across all streaming platforms, and have sold over 50 million records worldwide, making them one of the world's best-selling girl groups. In 2021, they became the first girl group to spend a total of 100 weeks within the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Sneakin' Up On You</span> 1994 single by Bonnie Raitt

"Love Sneakin' Up On You" is a song by American blues singer Bonnie Raitt. Released in March 1994 from her 12th album, Longing in Their Hearts (1994), the song topped Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart for three weeks and reached number 19 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The song also charted in Germany and the United Kingdom. In 1995, it was nominated for both the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and the Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Meiert Avis directed the song's music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick of Time (song)</span> 1990 single by Bonnie Raitt

"Nick of Time" is a song by American blues musician Bonnie Raitt. Taken as the third single from her 10th solo album of the same name (1989), the song was released in May 1990. The song debuted at number 94 and reached its peak of 92 a week later on the Hot 100 chart. It also earned a top 10 placement on the Adult Contemporary Chart.