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Don't Mess with Bill

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Wikipedia article




'"Don't Mess with Bill"' is a million-selling Gold-certified 1966 single recorded by The Marvelettes for Motown Records' Tamla label.The Complete Motown Singles Vol 5: 1965 [CD liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records. Written and produced by Smokey Robinson, "Don't Mess with Bill" features a lead vocal by Wanda Young. The single peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1966, and at number three on 'Billboard's' R&B singles chart. "Don't Mess with Bill" was the Marvelettes' final Top 10 single.[ Don't Mess with Bill at Allmusic]

Background



The titular "Bill" referenced is not an allusion to the song's author, Bill "Smokey" Robinson. Robinson reports that he chose the name because it fit the lyrics, not because it was his.

'Cash Box' described it as a "funky medium-paced pop-blues shuffler about love-struck gal who serves notice on one and all to leave her fella alone."

Personnel



*Lead vocals by Wanda Young Rogers

*Background vocals by the Andantes: Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps

*Instrumentation by the Funk BrothersLiner notes. 'The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 5: 1965', Hip-O Select B0006775-02, USA, 04 Aug 2006

**Bass James Jamerson

**Congas Eddie "Bongo" Brown

**Drums Benny Benjamin

**Guitar Robert White

**Organ Earl Van Dyke

**Baritone saxophone Andrew "Mike" Terry

**Tenor saxophone solo Norris Patterson

**Trombone Don White, Paul Riser

**Trumpet Floyd Jones, John Trudell

**Vibraphone Jack Ashford

Chart performance



Other versions



*It was also included as part of The Spinners "Superstar Medley" and released on the 1975 "Spinners Live!" album.[https://www.amazon.com/Spinners-Live/dp/B000009QJF/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1444525896&sr=1-1&keywords=spinners+live The Spinners Live! LP]

*"Don't Mess with Bill" has also been recorded and released by Monalisa Young.

References



Category:The Marvelettes songs

Category:1965 songs

Category:1966 singles

Category:Songs written by Smokey Robinson

Category:Motown singles

Category:Song recordings produced by Smokey Robinson


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