Lovey Dovey

"Lovey Dovey"
Single by The Clovers
A-side	"Little Mama"
Released	1954
Genre	R&B
Length	2:54
Label	Atlantic Records 45-1022
Writer(s)	Memphis Edward Curtis, Ahmet Ertegun

"Lovey Dovey" is a popular American rhythm and blues song originating in the 1950s and written by Eddie Curtis and Ahmet Ertegun, with the latter usually credited using his songwriter's pseudonym "Nugetre" - Ertegun spelled backwards. The song deals with the singer's relationship with his sweetheart and is performed in a light-hearted style.^[1]

Numerous artists have recorded the song. The song's initial recording by The Clovers is probably the most notable, as it reached #2 for five weeks on the R&B charts in 1954.^[2] Cover versions have been recorded by:

• Clyde McPhatter in 1959, reached #12 R&B and #49 pop
• Buddy Knox in 1961, reached #25 pop
• Dick Dale in 1962
• The Coasters in 1964
• Bunny Sigler in 1967 ("Lovey Dovey"/"You're So Fine"), reached #86 pop
• Otis Redding and Carla Thomas in 1967 (released as a single in 1968, following Redding's death), reached #21 R&B and #60 pop
• Delbert McClinton in 1976, for the Genuine Cowhide album

Legacy

Lyrics from "Lovey Dovey" (particularly "You're the cutest thing, That I ever did see, I really love your peaches, Wanna shake your tree"), were used by Steve Miller in his 1974 chart-topping single "The Joker". "The Joker" in turn was later sampled on another number one hit, "Angel" by Shaggy, giving Ahmet Ertegun credit as a songwriter on the latter.^[3]

References

1. Propes, Steve (1973). Those Oldies But Goodies: A Guide to 50's Record Collecting. The Macmillan Company, New York. p. 33.
2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 124.
3. Bronson, Fred (March 31, 2001). "US Pop Stars Go 'Over' The Top". Chart Beat. Google Books: Billboard magazine. p. 94. Retrieved July 12, 2015.

External links

• The Clovers / Lovey Dovey, at The Apollo Theatre on YouTube