Bird Dog (song)

"Bird Dog"
"Bird Dog"
Single by the Everly Brothers
from the album The Best of The Everly Brothers
A-side	Devoted to You
Released	July 28, 1958
Recorded	July 10, 1958
Genre	Rock and roll
Length	2:20
Label	Cadence 1350
Songwriter(s)	Boudleaux Bryant
The Everly Brothers singles chronology

"Bird Dog" is a song written by Boudleaux Bryant and recorded by the Everly Brothers. It was released in 1958 and was a no. 1 hit on the Billboard Country Chart for six weeks. The song also hit no. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, as well as peaking at no. 2 for three weeks on the R&B charts.

Background

The song deals with the singer's dismay that a boy, by the name of Johnny, is trying to take his girlfriend away. The singer calls him a bird dog as a result of his behavior.

The musical structure is relatively unusual in that it has a 12 bar blues stanza and an 8 bar blues chorus.

Personnel

Don Everly – vocals, guitar
Phil Everly – vocals, guitar
Floyd "Lightnin'" Chance – double bass

Charts

Chart (1958)	Peak position
Italy (FIMI)	8
US Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers	1
US Billboard Hot 100	2
US Billboard Hot R&B Sides	2
Australian Singles Chart	1
Canadian Singles Chart	1
United Kingdom (NME)	2
United Kingdom (Record Mirror)	1

All-time charts

Chart (1958-2018)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100	423

Cover versions

In 1958, Morris And Mitch recorded a version in which was released in the UK.
In 1966, The Newbeats released a version of the song as a single.
In 1975, English Glam rock band Mud recorded a cover of the song on their album Use Your Imagination which reached no. 33 on the UK charts.
In 1978, the Bellamy Brothers, recorded a cover of the song which reached no. 86 on the Hot Country Singles chart.