Pretty Thing

"Pretty Thing" is a 1955 song written by Chess Records bassist-songwriter Willie Dixon and originally performed by Bo Diddley. The song was Diddley's third single release through Checker Records after "Diddley Daddy". The song was later released in the United Kingdom where it became Diddley's first of only two songs appearing on the UK Singles Chart, the other single being "Hey Good Lookin'".[3]

Contents
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 * 1 Single track listings
 * 1.1 US 45 RPM/78 RPM
 * 1.2 UK 45 RPM
 * 2 Recording
 * 3 Chart performance
 * 4 Cover Versions
 * 5 References
 * 6 External links

US 45 RPM/78 RPM[edit]

 * Side one
 * 1) "Pretty Thing"
 * Side two
 * 1) "Bring It to Jerome"

UK 45 RPM[edit]

 * Side one
 * 1) "Pretty Thing"
 * Side two
 * 1) "Road Runner"

Recording[edit]
"Pretty Thing" was recorded by Bo Diddley on July 14, 1955 in Chicago, Illinois – the same day as "Bring It to Jerome". Producing the session were the Chess brothers –Leonard and Phil – and Bo Diddley. The performers on the song were Bo Diddley (vocals, guitar), Jerome Green (maracas), Lester Davenport (harmonica), and Clifton James (drums).[2]

Chart performance[edit]
"Pretty Thing" was Diddley's second charter on the U.S. Billboard R&B Singles chart reaching #4 sometime in 1956, and is Diddley's third highest charter next to "Bo Diddley/I'm a Man" (#1) and "Say Man" (#3).[4]"Pretty Thing" reached #34 on the UK Singles Chart.[5]

Cover Versions[edit]
The Pretty Things made a cover version of the song on their self-titled debut album in March 1965. The Animals recorded a version on a 1963 EP and also released it as a bonus track on Animalisms. Canned Heatreleased a studio version of the song on Vintage in 1970. John Hammond and The Nighthawks recorded a cover version of "Pretty Thing" at Vanguard Records studios in September 1979 and released it on Hot Tracks.[6]