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Only Sixteen
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Wikipedia article
"'Only Sixteen'" is a song by American singer-songwriter Sam Cooke, released in May 1959. The song was a top 15 hit on 'Billboard's' Hot R&B Sides chart and also charted within the top 30 of the 'Billboard' Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. In the UK it was covered, and taken to No. 1, by Craig Douglas.
Background
"Only Sixteen" was inspired by the sixteenth birthday of Lou Rawls' stepsister, Eunice. The song was originally intended for actor Steve Rowland, who often hung around the Keen studio. Rowland asked Cooke to write a song for him, and Cooke borrowed the bridge from an earlier song of his, "Little Things You Do". Rowland's manager disliked the song, and Cooke re-recorded it for himself.Guralnick, Peter (2005). 'Dream Boogie: The Triumph of Sam Cooke'. New York: Back Bay Books, p. 280-81. First edition, 2005.
Personnel
Credits adapted from the liner notes to the 2003 compilation 'Portrait of a Legend: 19511964'.
*Sam Cooke vocals
*Clifton White guitar
*Ren Hall guitar
*Adolphus Asbrook bass guitar
*Charles Blackwell drums
Chart performance
The Supremes version
The Supremes recorded a version, first released on their tribute album 'We Remember Sam Cooke' (1965). In 1968, it was released as an A-side single in Scandinavia, as Diana Ross & the Supremes, where it reached number three in Sweden. The B-side, "Some Things You Never Get Used To" was released elsewhere as an A-side, becoming a top 40 hit in the US, Canada and UK.
Charts
Dr. Hook version
Dr. Hook released a version of "Only Sixteen" in the winter of 1975. Their version was the most successful chart release of the song. It reached number six on the US 'Billboard' Hot 100 and number five on the 'Cash Box' Top 100. Dr. Hook's version spent 22 weeks on the charts and became a Gold record. The song was banned by the BBC.
Chart performance
Weekly chartsYear-end charts
Certifications
Other cover versions
*Terry Black released a version of the song in Canada in 1965 where it reached number 14.
*The Supremes recorded it on their 1965 album 'We Remember Sam Cooke'.
*Jamaican artist Cornell Campbell also recorded a reggae version of the song.
Samples
*E-40 and The Click sampled it on their first record, singing the hook in the intro.
See also
*List of UK Singles Chart number ones of the 1950s
References
Category:Songs about teenagers
Category:1959 songs
Category:1959 singles
Category:1965 singles
Category:1975 singles
Category:1976 singles
Category:Songs written by Sam Cooke
Category:Sam Cooke songs
Category:Terry Black songs
Category:The Supremes songs
Category:UK Singles Chart number-one singles
Category:Keen Records singles
Category:Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show songs
Category:Song recordings produced by Ron Haffkine
Category:Capitol Records singles
Category:Songs banned by the BBC
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