Who Do You Love? (Bo Diddley song)
| "Who Do You Love?" | |
|---|---|
Checker 78 rpm single label
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| Single by Bo Diddley | |
| B-side | "I'm Bad" |
| Released | 1956 |
| Format | 10-inch 78 rpm & 7-inch 45 rpm records |
| Recorded | Chicago, March 24, 1956 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 2:18 |
| Label | Checker (no. 842) |
| Writer(s) | Ellas McDaniel a.k.a. Bo Diddley |
| Producer(s) |
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| ISWC | T-070.247.967-1 |
| "Who Do You Love" | |
|---|---|
French single picture sleeve
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| Single by Quicksilver Messenger Service | |
| from the album Happy Trails | |
| B-side | "Which Do You Love" |
| Released | March 1969 |
| Format | 7-inch 45 rpm record |
| Recorded | Fillmore East, New York City and/or Fillmore West, San Francisco 1968 |
| Genre | Psychedelic rock |
| Length | 3:35 |
| Label | Capitol (no. P–2557) |
| Writer(s) | E. McDaniels a.k.a. Bo Diddley |
"Who Do You Love?" is a song written by American rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley. Recorded in 1956, it is one of his most popular and enduring works. The song represents one of Bo Diddley's strongest lyrical efforts and uses a combination of hoodoo-type imagery and boasting. It is an upbeat rocker, but the original did not use the signature Bo Diddley beat rhythm.
"Who Do You Love?" was part of Bo Diddley's repertoire throughout his career, but none of his various recordings reached the record charts. The song has been interpreted and recorded by numerous musicians in different styles, often adding a Bo Diddley beat. Popular renditions include those by Ronnie Hawkins and George Thorogood, with charting singles by the Woolies, Tom Rush, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Juicy Lucy.
Guitarists' contributions to the various renditions of the song have been noted by music critics and writers. Beginning with blues guitarist Jody Williams' prominent fills and solo on Bo Diddley's original recording, the guitar work by Robbie Robertson (Hawkins), John Cipollina (Quicksilver), Glenn Ross Campbell (Juicy Lucy), and Thorogood on later adaptations has been also acknowledged.
Bo Diddley wrote "Who Do You Love" in 1956. The idea came to him in Kansas City, where he heard a group of children trying to out-brag one another using a particular rhythm. "It was like an African chant, and I wanted words that would suit it", Bo Diddley recalled. Inspired by Muddy Waters 1954 hit "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man", he wanted to outdo songwriter Willie Dixon's lyrical swagger:
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Wikipedia