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Pretty Thing

"Pretty Thing"
Pretty Thing Bo Diddley.jpg
The 1963 single release of "Pretty Thing" by Pye International Records.
Single by Bo Diddley
from the album Bo Diddley
B-side "Bring It to Jerome"
Released November 1955 (1955-11)
Format 7" 45 RPM, 10" 78 RPM
Recorded July 14, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois
Genre Rock and roll, rhythm and blues
Length 2:48
Label Checker
Songwriter(s) Willie Dixon
Producer(s) Leonard Chess, Phil Chess, Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley U.S. singles chronology
"Diddley Daddy"
(1955)
"Pretty Thing"
(1955)
"Diddy Wah Diddy"
(1956)
"Diddley Daddy"
(June 1955)
"Pretty Thing"
(November 1955)
"Diddy Wah Diddy"
(December 1956)
Bo Diddley U.K. singles chronology
"Bo Diddley"
(July 1963)
"Pretty Thing"
(September 1963)
"Bo Diddley Is a Lover"
(October 1963)

"Pretty Thing" is a 1955 song written by Chess Records bassist-songwriter Willie Dixon and originally performed by Bo Diddley. The song was Diddley's third single release through Checker Records after "Diddley Daddy". The song was later released in the United Kingdom where it became Diddley's first of only two songs appearing on the UK Singles Chart, the other single being "Hey Good Lookin'".

"Pretty Thing" was recorded by Bo Diddley on July 14, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois – the same day as "Bring It to Jerome". Producing the session were the Chess brothers – Leonard and Phil – and Bo Diddley. The performers on the song were Bo Diddley (vocals, guitar), Jerome Green (maracas), Lester Davenport (harmonica), and Clifton James (drums).

"Pretty Thing" was Diddley's second charter on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart reaching #4 sometime in 1956, and is Diddley's third highest charter next to "Bo Diddley/I'm a Man" (#1) and "Say Man" (#3). "Pretty Thing" reached #34 on the UK Singles Chart.

The Pretty Things made a cover version of the song on their eponymous debut album in March 1965. The Animals recorded a version on a 1963 EP and also released it as a bonus track on Animalisms. Canned Heat released a studio version of the song on Vintage in 1970. John Hammond and The Nighthawks recorded a cover version of "Pretty Thing" at Vanguard Records studios in September 1979 and released it on Hot Tracks.


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