You're Sixteen

Last updated

"You're Sixteen"
You're Sixteen Johnny Burnette.jpg
Single by Johnny Burnette
from the album Johnny Burnette
B-side "I Beg Your Pardon"
ReleasedOctober 1960
RecordedSeptember 1960, United Recorders, Hollywood, California
Genre Pop [1]
Length1:56
Label Liberty (U.S.)
London (UK)
Songwriter(s) Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman
Producer(s) Snuff Garrett
Johnny Burnette singles chronology
"Dreamin'"
(1960)
"You're Sixteen"
(1960)
"Little Boy Sad"
(1961)

"You're Sixteen" is a song written by the Sherman Brothers (Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman). It was first performed by American rockabilly singer Johnny Burnette, whose version peaked at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100 in December 1960 and number 3 in the UK in 1961. [2] The song was covered by Ringo Starr in 1973 and this version reached number one in the US.

Contents

The version by Burnette was included on the soundtrack to the 1973 film American Graffiti , directed by George Lucas. [3]

Chart history

Personnel

The personnel on the Johnny Burnette version included:

Ringo Starr version

"You're Sixteen"
You're Sixteen Ringo Starr.jpg
UK picture sleeve
Single by Ringo Starr
from the album Ringo
B-side "Devil Woman"
ReleasedDecember 3, 1973 (US)
February 8, 1974 (UK)
RecordedSeptember 1973
Genre
Length2:46
Label Apple
Songwriter(s) Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman
Producer(s) Richard Perry
Ringo Starr singles chronology
"Photograph"
(1973)
"You're Sixteen"
(1973)
"Oh My My"
(1974)

Ringo Starr's version was released as a single in the United States [nb 1] on December 3, 1973, and in the UK [nb 2] on February 8, 1974. [10]

In January 1974, the song, taken from the album Ringo , hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The performance reunited Ringo Starr with his former Beatles bandmate Paul McCartney. Although McCartney is credited on the liner notes of the album Ringo as having played the solo on a kazoo, reviewer Michael Verity has quoted the song's producer Richard Perry as revealing that it wasn't actually a kazoo: "In fact, the solo on 'You're Sixteen,' which sounds like a kazoo or something, was Paul singing very spontaneously as we played that track back, so he’s singing the solo on that." [11] Starr's version remains one of the few No. 1 singles to feature a 'kazoo-sound' solo. Harry Nilsson sang backing vocals on Starr's version; Nicky Hopkins is heard playing the piano, including going up and down the scale in the instrumental fade of the song. In Ringo's version, the melody and the chords were different in the bridge section, which led to a minor key, while the original version used only major keys. The ending featured Starr singing the chorus from Clarence "Frogman" Henry's hit song "(I Don't Know Why) But I Do" before breaking into a chorus of "What Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor?" at the fade.

Its 1978 music video, an excerpt of Starr's TV movie Ringo , features Carrie Fisher as Starr's love interest. [12]

Critical reception

Upon release, a reviewer for Cash Box called Ringo's version "fantastic and perfect for the '70's," going on to say that "not only is the vocal perfect, and steady, for this delightful easy going rocker, but the music is the perfect complement." [13] Record World said that the "background vocals by Nilsson add just the right spice." [14]

Chart history

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Those Years Ago</span> 1981 single by George Harrison

"All Those Years Ago" is a song by the English rock musician George Harrison, released in May 1981 as a single from his ninth studio album Somewhere in England. Having previously recorded the music for the song, Harrison tailored the lyrics to serve as a personal tribute to his former Beatles bandmate John Lennon, following the latter's murder in 1980. Ringo Starr is featured on drums, and Paul McCartney overdubbed backing vocals onto the basic track. The single spent three weeks at number 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100, behind "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes, and it peaked at number 13 on the UK Singles Chart. It also topped Canada's RPM singles chart and spent one week at number 1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary listings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only You (And You Alone)</span> Pop song composed by Buck Ram

"Only You (And You Alone)" (often shortened to "Only You") is a pop song composed by Buck Ram. It was originally recorded by The Platters with lead vocals by Tony Williams in 1955.

<i>Ringo</i> (album) 1973 studio album by Ringo Starr

Ringo is the third studio album by English musician Ringo Starr, released in 1973 on Apple Records. It peaked at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart and No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and has been certified platinum by the RIAA. In Canada, it reached No. 1 on the RPM national albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ben (song)</span> Song written by Don Black and composed by Walter Scharf

"Ben" is a song written by Don Black and Walter Scharf for the 1972 film of the same name. It was performed by Lee Montgomery in the film and by Michael Jackson over the closing credits. Jackson's single, recorded for the Motown label in 1972, spent one week at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, making it Jackson's first number one single in the US as a solo artist. Billboard ranked it as the number 20 song for 1972. It also reached number 1 on the ARIA Charts, spending eight weeks at the top spot. The song also later reached a peak of number 7 on the UK Singles Chart. In 2004, the song appeared in The Ultimate Collection.

<i>Blast from Your Past</i> 1975 compilation album by Ringo Starr

Blast from Your Past is a compilation album by English rock musician Ringo Starr, released on Apple Records in 1975. It is both Starr's first compilation LP and his final release under his contract with EMI. It was also the last album to be released on the Beatles' Apple label until it was revived in the 1990s.

"Too Young" is a popular song, with music written by Sidney Lippman and lyrics by Sylvia Dee. A recording of the song was released by Nat King Cole in 1951, which reached No. 1 in the United States and became the best-selling song of the year. The song was an early attempt by music labels to appeal to the younger demographics and its success later led to a boom in music that catered to the young. Another successful version was released by Donny Osmond in 1972.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Photograph (Ringo Starr song)</span> 1973 single by Ringo Starr

"Photograph" is a song by English rock musician Ringo Starr that was released as the lead single from his 1973 album Ringo. Starr co-wrote it with George Harrison, his former bandmate from the Beatles. Although they collaborated on other songs, it is the only one officially credited to the pair. A signature tune for Starr as a solo artist, "Photograph" was an international hit, topping singles charts in the United States, Canada and Australia, and receiving gold disc certification for US sales of 1 million. Music critics have similarly received the song favourably; Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic considers it to be "among the very best post-Beatles songs by any of the Fab Four".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If (Bread song)</span> 1971 single by Bread

"If" is a song written by American singer-songwriter David Gates in 1971. Originally popularized by his group Bread, "If" charted at No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 when released as a single in 1971 and No. 6 in Canada. It also spent three weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. Easy Listening chart, and one week at the top of the Canadian AC chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ooo Baby Baby</span> 1965 song by The Miracles

"Ooo Baby Baby" is a song written by Smokey Robinson and Pete Moore. It was a 1965 hit single by The Miracles for the Tamla (Motown) label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Let 'Em In</span> 1976 single by Wings

"Let 'Em In" is a song by Wings from their 1976 album Wings at the Speed of Sound. It was written and sung by Paul McCartney and reached the top 3 in the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. It was a No. 2 hit in the UK; in the U.S. it was a No. 3 pop hit and No. 1 easy listening hit. In Canada, the song was No. 3 for three weeks on the pop chart and No. 1 for three weeks on the MOR chart of RPM magazine. The single was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over one million copies. It can also be found on McCartney's 1987 compilation album, All the Best! A demo of the song, featuring Denny Laine on lead vocal, was included as a bonus track on the Archive Collection reissue of Wings at the Speed of Sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No No Song</span> 1975 single by Ringo Starr

"No No Song" is a 1974 song by English musician Ringo Starr. Written by Hoyt Axton and David Jackson, it appeared on Starr's 1974 album, Goodnight Vienna. It was released as a single in the US on 27 January 1975, backed with "Snookeroo," and reached No. 1 in Canada, #3 in the Billboard charts, becoming his 7th and last top 10 hit. It also reached No. 1 on Cash Box charts in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna</span> 1975 single by Ringo Starr

"(It's All Down to) Goodnight Vienna" is a song written by John Lennon, and released by Ringo Starr as the opening title track to his 1974 album Goodnight Vienna. A brief reprise closes the album. Released as the third single, this version is a medley combination of the two. The single was released in the US on 2 June 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snookeroo</span> 1975 single by Ringo Starr

"Snookeroo" is a song written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and released by Ringo Starr on his 1974 album Goodnight Vienna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take It Away (Paul McCartney song)</span> 1982 single by Paul McCartney

"Take It Away" is a single by the English musician Paul McCartney from his third solo studio album Tug of War (1982). The single spent sixteen weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, reaching #10 and spending five consecutive weeks at that position. It reached #15 in the UK. The music video, directed by John Mackenzie, features former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and long-time producer George Martin, both of whom played on the track, as well as actor John Hurt, Linda McCartney and Barbara Bach.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey! Baby</span> 1961 single by Bruce Channel

"Hey! Baby" is a song written by Margaret Cobb and Bruce Channel, first recorded at Clifford Herring Studios in Ft. Worth Tx, and recorded by Channel in 1961, first released on LeCam Records, a local Fort Worth, Texas label. After it hit, it was released on Smash Records for national distribution. Channel co-produced the song with Major Bill Smith and released it on Mercury Records' Smash label. It reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, starting the week ending March 10, 1962.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memphis, Tennessee (song)</span> Original song written and composed by Chuck Berry

"Memphis, Tennessee", sometimes shortened to "Memphis", is a song by Chuck Berry, first released in 1959. In the UK, the song charted at number 6 in 1963; at the same time Decca Records issued a cover version in the UK by Dave Berry and the Cruisers, which also became a UK Top 20 hit single. Johnny Rivers's version of the song was a number two US hit in 1964.

<i>Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo Starr</i> 2007 greatest hits album by Ringo Starr

Photograph: The Very Best of Ringo Starr is a career-spanning best-of compilation album by Ringo Starr and is the first such album since the releases of 1975's Blast from Your Past and 1989's Starr Struck: Best of Ringo Starr, Vol. 2. The album was released in the UK on 27 August 2007, and in the US on 28 August.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Song Sung Blue</span> 1972 single by Neil Diamond

"Song Sung Blue" is a 1972 hit song written and recorded by Neil Diamond, inspired by the second movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto #21. It was released on Diamond's album Moods, and later appeared on many of Diamond's live and compilation albums. The song was a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States for one week, the week of July 1, and it spent twelve weeks in the Top 40. It also reached #14 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oh My My (Ringo Starr song)</span> 1974 single by Ringo Starr

"Oh My My" is a song by English musician Ringo Starr from his 1973 album Ringo. It was also issued as the third single from the album, becoming a top-five hit in the United States and Canada. The recording was produced by Richard Perry and includes backing vocals by Merry Clayton and Martha Reeves.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reelin' and Rockin'</span> 1957 song by Chuck Berry

"Reelin' and Rockin'" is a song written and recorded by Chuck Berry. It was originally recorded in 1957 and released as the B-side of "Sweet Little Sixteen".

References

Footnotes
  1. US Apple 1870 [8]
  2. UK Apple R 5995 [9]
Citations
  1. Breihan, Tom (May 6, 2019). "The Number Ones: Ringo Starr's "You're Sixteen"". Stereogum . Retrieved June 19, 2023. "You're Sixteen," his biggest hit...[is] a bubbly, string-sweetened piece of rockabilly silliness...
  2. You're Sixteen Chart Positions Retrieved June 16, 2012.
  3. Breihan, Tom (May 6, 2019). "The Number Ones: Ringo Starr's "You're Sixteen"". Stereogum . Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  4. 1 2 Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 ISBN   0-89820-089-X
  5. "Cash Box Top 100 1/07/61". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  6. "Sixties City – Pop Music Charts – Every Week Of The Sixties". www.sixtiescity.net.
  7. "Cash Box YE Pop Singles – 1961". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on May 17, 2015. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  8. Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 183. ISBN   9780753508435.
  9. Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. p. 182. ISBN   9780753508435.
  10. Harry, Bill (2004). The Ringo Starr Encyclopedia. London: Virgin Books. pp. 182, 183. ISBN   9780753508435.
  11. Michael Verity, "Number 1 With A Bullet: Ringo Starr's 'You're Sixteen'" Retrieved May 24, 2013.
  12. Unterberger, Andrew (December 27, 2016). "Carrie Fisher's Musical Connections, From Mother Debbie Reynolds to Ex Paul Simon". Billboard. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  13. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. December 8, 1973. p. 18. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
  14. "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. December 15, 1973. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  15. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (doc). Australian Chart Book, St Ives, N.S.W. ISBN   0-646-11917-6.
  16. 1 2 "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada", Collectionscanada.gc.ca{{citation}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  17. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – You're Sixteen". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  18. Flavour of New Zealand, 9 Mar 1974
  19. "SA Charts 1965 – March 1989" . Retrieved September 5, 2018.
  20. "Cash Box Top 100 2/02/74". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2017.
  21. "National Top 100 Singles for 1974". Kent Music Report. December 30, 1974. Retrieved January 15, 2022 via Imgur.
  22. Canada, Library and Archives (July 17, 2013). "Image: RPM Weekly". Library and Archives Canada .
  23. "Top Discs of '74 (BRMB)". Record Mirror . January 11, 1975. p. 6.
  24. "Top 100 Hits of 1974/Top 100 Songs of 1974". www.musicoutfitters.com.
  25. "Cash Box YE Pop Singles – 1974". tropicalglen.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved July 9, 2017.