Wake Up Little Susie

Last updated
"Wake Up Little Susie"
Wake up Suzie everly Bros.jpg
Single by The Everly Brothers
from the album The Everly Brothers
B-side "Maybe Tomorrow"
ReleasedSeptember 2, 1957
RecordedAugust 16, 1957
Studio RCA Victor (Nashville)
Genre
Length1:57
Label Cadence
Songwriter(s)
The Everly Brothers singles chronology
"Bye Bye Love"
(1957)
"Wake Up Little Susie"
(1957)
"This Little Girl of Mine"
(1958)

"Wake Up Little Susie" is a popular song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and published in 1957.

Contents

The song is best known in a recording by the Everly Brothers, [2] issued by Cadence Records as catalog number 1337. The Everly Brothers record reached No. 1 on the Billboard Pop chart and the Cash Box Best Selling Records chart, despite having been banned from Boston radio stations for lyrics that, at the time, were considered suggestive, according to a 1986 interview with Don Everly. [3] "Wake Up Little Susie" also spent seven weeks atop the Billboard country chart [4] and got to No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was ranked at No. 318 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". [5] In 2017, the 1957 recording by The Everly Brothers was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. [6]

Song premise

The song is written from the point of view of a high school boy to his girlfriend, Susie. In the song, the two go out on a date to a cinema (perhaps a drive-in), only to fall asleep during the movie. They do not wake up until 4 o'clock in the morning, well after her 10 o'clock curfew. They then contemplate the reactions of her parents and their friends. The boy fears that having stayed out so late, they've both now lost their good reputations.

Personnel

Charts

All versions
Chart (1957–58)Peak
position
US Honor Roll of Hits ( Billboard ) [8] 1
The Everly Brothers version
Chart (1957–58)Peak
position
UK2
US Best Sellers in Stores ( Billboard ) [9] 1
US C&W Best Sellers in Stores ( Billboard ) [10] 1
US Most Played by Jockeys ( Billboard ) [11] 1
US Most Played C&W by Jockeys ( Billboard ) [10] 1
US Most Played R&B by Jockeys ( Billboard ) [12] 1
US R&B Best Sellers in Stores ( Billboard ) [13] 1
Simon & Garfunkel version
Chart (1982)Peak
position
Canada Adult Contemporary ( RPM ) [14] 5
US Billboard Hot 100 [15] 27
US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) [16] 5

Simon & Garfunkel version

"Wake Up Little Susie"
Wake up Suzie simon&garfunkel.jpg
Single by Simon & Garfunkel
from the album The Concert in Central Park
B-side "Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard"
Released1982
Recorded1981
Genre Rock and roll, country, rockabilly
Length2:20
Songwriter(s)
Simon & Garfunkel singles chronology
"My Little Town"
(1975)
"Wake Up Little Susie"
(1982)

Simon and Garfunkel have cited the Everly Brothers as strong influences on their own music. Their live version of "Wake Up Little Susie", recorded in the duo's concert in New York's Central Park on September 19, 1981, reached #27 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1982, and is the duo's last Top 40 hit. [17]

During Simon and Garfunkel's "Old Friends" tour in 2003–2004, they performed this song and others in a segment with the Everly Brothers, who toured in support.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Sound of Silence</span> Song by Simon & Garfunkel

"The Sound of Silence" is a song by the American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, written by Paul Simon. The duo's studio audition of the song led to a record deal with Columbia Records, and the original acoustic version was recorded in March 1964 at Columbia's 7th Avenue Recording Studios in New York City for their debut album, Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M., released that October to disappointing sales. An overdubbed electric remix was released the following year and went to number one on the Billboard singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Earth Angel</span> 1954 single by The Penguins

"Earth Angel", occasionally referred to as "Earth Angel (Will You Be Mine)", is a song by American doo-wop group the Penguins. Produced by Dootsie Williams, it was released as their debut single in October 1954 on Dootone Records. The Penguins had formed the year prior and recorded the song as a demo in a garage in South Central Los Angeles. The song's origins lie in multiple different sources, among them songs by Jesse Belvin, Patti Page, and the Hollywood Flames. Its authorship was the subject of a bitter legal dispute with Williams in the years following its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roxanne (The Police song)</span> 1978 single by the Police

"Roxanne" is a song by British rock band the Police. The song was written by lead singer and bassist Sting and was released as a single on 7 April 1978, in advance of their debut album Outlandos d'Amour, released on 3 November. It was written from the point of view of a man who falls in love with a prostitute. When re-released on 12 April 1979, the song peaked at No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reach Out I'll Be There</span> 1966 song by the Four Tops

"Reach Out I'll Be There" (also formatted as "Reach Out (I'll Be There)") is a song recorded by American vocal quartet Four Tops from their fourth studio album, Reach Out (1967). Written and produced by Motown's main production team, Holland–Dozier–Holland, the song is one of the most widely-known Motown hits of the 1960s and is today considered the Four Tops' signature song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Exhale (Shoop Shoop)</span> 1995 single by Whitney Houston

"Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston, featured on the soundtrack for the film Waiting to Exhale. It was released as the lead single from the soundtrack on November 6, 1995, by Arista Records. The song was written and produced by Babyface. A mid-tempo R&B and soul ballad, composed in the key of D-flat major, the song's lyrics speak about growing up and learning to let go. The song garnered mostly positive reviews from critics, many of whom noted Houston's vocal maturity in the song.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run to You (Whitney Houston song)</span> 1993 single by Whitney Houston

"Run to You" is a song performed by American singer and actress Whitney Houston, released on June 21, 1993, by Arista Records as the fourth single from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album (1992). It was written by Jud Friedman and Allan Rich, and produced by David Foster. Originally intended to be a break-up song, it was approved by the production and stars. However, a month later, the director of The Bodyguard called, saying he liked the song so much, but he'd rather have it to be a love song so the entire song was rewritten, except for the title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Have to Do Is Dream</span> 1958 song by Boudleaux Bryant

"All I Have to Do Is Dream" is a song made famous by the Everly Brothers, written by Boudleaux Bryant of the husband-and-wife songwriting team Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, and published in 1958. The song is ranked No. 141 on the Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song is in AABA form.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Change the World</span> 1996 song by Wynonna Judd

"Change the World" is a song written by Tommy Sims, Gordon Kennedy, and Wayne Kirkpatrick and recorded by country music artist Wynonna Judd. A later version was recorded by English singer Eric Clapton for the soundtrack of the 1996 film Phenomenon. Clapton's version was produced by R&B record producer Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.

"I Only Have Eyes for You" is a song by composer Harry Warren and lyricist Al Dubin. The song was written for the 1934 film Dames, in which it was performed by Dick Powell. Several other successful recordings of the song were made in 1934, and it later became a hit for the Flamingos in 1959 and Art Garfunkel in 1975.

"Don't Leave Me This Way" is a song written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff and Cary Gilbert. It was originally released in 1975 by Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes featuring Teddy Pendergrass, an act signed to Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label. "Don't Leave Me This Way" was subsequently covered by American singer Thelma Houston in 1976 and British duo the Communards in 1986, with both versions achieving commercial success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mrs. Robinson</span> 1968 single by Simon & Garfunkel

"Mrs. Robinson" is a song by American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel from their fourth studio album, Bookends (1968). The writing of the song was begun before the 1967 film The Graduate, which contained only fragments of it. The full song was released as a single on April 5, 1968, by Columbia Records. Produced by Simon & Garfunkel and Roy Halee, the song was written by Paul Simon, who offered parts of it to movie director Mike Nichols alongside Art Garfunkel after Nichols rejected two other songs intended for the film. The Graduate's soundtrack album uses two short versions of "Mrs. Robinson". The song was additionally released on the Mrs. Robinson EP in 1968, which also includes three other songs from the film: "April Come She Will", "Scarborough Fair/Canticle", and "The Sound of Silence".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Again (Lenny Kravitz song)</span> 2000 song by Lenny Kravitz

"Again" is a song by American rock musician Lenny Kravitz, being the only new song from his first Greatest Hits album, released in 2000. Written, arranged and produced by himself, "Again" was initially set to be on his sixth studio album; however, Kravitz found that the song didn't fit the tone of the album, releasing it instead as the lead single from the compilation on September 22, 2000, through Virgin Records. The mid-tempo rock ballad finds Kravitz wondering if he will ever see his former lover again and if they will reunite once more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Need to Know (Marc Anthony song)</span> Single by Marc Anthony

"I Need to Know" is a song by American singer Marc Anthony for his eponymous fourth studio album. It was released as the lead single from the album on August 16, 1999. Written and produced by Anthony and Cory Rooney, "I Need to Know" is a song about a man who longs to know how a woman feels about him. The song blends the musical styles of several genres, including R&B and Latin music; the instruments used include synthesized violin and piano sounds, timbales and congas. Anthony recorded a Spanish-language version of the song, translated by Angie Chirino and Robert Blades, titled "Dímelo".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fakin' It (Simon & Garfunkel song)</span> 1967 song by Simon & Garfunkel

"Fakin' It" is a song recorded by American music duo Simon & Garfunkel for their fourth studio album, Bookends (1968). The song was initially released only as a single on July 7, 1967 through Columbia Records. It was later compiled into the second half of Bookends.

<i>Bridge over Troubled Water</i> 1970 studio album by Simon & Garfunkel

Bridge over Troubled Water is the fifth and final studio album by the American folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, released on January 26, 1970, by Columbia Records. Following the duo's soundtrack for The Graduate, Art Garfunkel took an acting role in the film Catch-22, while Paul Simon worked on the songs, writing all tracks except Felice and Boudleaux Bryant's "Bye Bye Love".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I.G.Y. (What a Beautiful World)</span> 1982 single by Donald Fagen

"I.G.Y. " is a song written and performed by American songwriter, singer and musician Donald Fagen. It was the first track on his platinum-certified debut solo album The Nightfly, and was released in September 1982 as its first single. It charted within the top 30 on the Billboard Hot 100, Mainstream Rock, R&B Singles and Adult Contemporary charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Here We Go Again (Ray Charles song)</span> 1967 song by Ray Charles

"Here We Go Again" is a country music standard written by Don Lanier and Red Steagall that first became notable as a rhythm and blues single by Ray Charles from his 1967 album Ray Charles Invites You to Listen. It was produced by Joe Adams for ABC Records/Tangerine Records. To date, this version of the song has been the biggest commercial success, spending twelve consecutive weeks on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at number 15.

References

  1. Roberts, David (2015). "The Everly Brothers - "All I Have to Do Is Dream". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. New York: Universe. p. 99.
  2. The Everly Brothers interviewed on the Pop Chronicles (1969)
  3. Hurst, Jack (August 3, 1986). "Everly Brothers Again Waking Up Nation To Innocent, Wonderful". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 117.
  5. "500 Greatest Songs of All Time: The Everly Brothers, 'Wake Up Little Susie'". Rolling Stone . April 7, 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
  6. "GRAMMY Hall Of Fame | Hall of Fame Artists | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com.
  7. "Lightnin Chance". YouTube. 10 June 2010. Archived from the original on 2021-12-18. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  8. "Honor Roll of Hits: The Nation's Top Tunes for Survey Week Ending October 19". Billboard . October 28, 1957. p. 48. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  9. "Best Sellers in Stores for Survey Week Ending October 5, 1957". Billboard . October 14, 1957. p. 40. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  10. 1 2 "C&W Best Sellers in Stores for Survey Week Ending October 26, 1957". Billboard . November 4, 1957. p. 40. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  11. "Most Played by Jockeys for Survey Week Ending October 26, 1957". Billboard . November 4, 1957. p. 40. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  12. "Most Played R&B by Jockeys for Survey Week Ending October 26". Billboard . November 4, 1957. p. 58. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  13. "R&B Best Sellers in Stores for Survey Week Ending October 5". Billboard . October 14, 1957. p. 55. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  14. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 6470." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. June 19, 1982. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  15. "Simon & Garfunkel Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  16. "Simon & Garfunkel Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  17. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN   0-89820-089-X