"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
Charts
Chart (1958)
|
Peak position
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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
|
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.