Who Do You Love?

Bo Diddley

About Who Do You Love?

"Who Do You Love?" is a song written by American rock and roll pioneer Bo Diddley. Recorded in 1956, it is one of his most popular and enduring works. The song represents one of Bo Diddley's strongest lyrical efforts and uses a combination of hoodoo-type imagery and boasting. It is an upbeat rocker, but the original did not use the signature Bo Diddley beat rhythm. "Who Do You Love?" was part of Bo Diddley's repertoire throughout his career, but none of his various recordings reached the record charts. The song has been interpreted and recorded by numerous musicians in different styles, often adding a Bo Diddley beat. Popular renditions include those by Ronnie Hawkins and George Thorogood, with charting singles by the Woolies, Tom Rush, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and Juicy Lucy. Guitarists' contributions to the various renditions of the song have been noted by music critics and writers. Beginning with blues guitarist Jody Williams' prominent fills and solo on Bo Diddley's original recording, the guitar work by Robbie Robertson (Hawkins), John Cipollina (Quicksilver), Glenn Ross Campbell (Juicy Lucy), and Thorogood on later adaptations has been also acknowledged. 


Year:
1957
169 

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

I walk 47 miles of barbed wire
I use a cobra-snake for a necktie
I got a brand new house on the roadside
Made from rattlesnake hide
I got a brand new chimney made on top
Made out of a human skull
Now come on take a walk with me, arlene
And tell me, who do you love?

Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 

Tombstone hand and a graveyard mine
Just 22 and I don't mind dying

Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 

I rode a lion to town, use a rattlesnake whip
Take it easy arlene, don't give me no lip

Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 

Night was dark, but the sky was blue
Down the alley, the ice-wagon flew
Heard a bump, and somebody screamed
You should have heard just what I seen

Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 

Arlene took me by my hand
And she said ooowee bo, you know I understand

Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 
Who do you love? 
Who do you love?

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Bo Diddley

Ellas Otha Bates (December 30, 1928 – June 2, 2008), known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter (usually as Ellas McDaniel), and rock and roll pioneer. He was also known as The Originator because of his key role in the transition from the blues to rock, influencing a host of acts, including Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, The Velvet Underground, The Who, The Yardbirds, Eric Clapton,Elvis Presley,The Beatles, and George Michael, among others. He introduced more insistent, driving rhythms and a hard-edged electric guitar sound on a wide-ranging catalog of songs, along with African rhythms and a signature beat (a simple, five-accent rhythm) that remains a cornerstone of rock and pop. Accord… more »

3 fans

Written by: Ellas McDaniel

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


3 facts about this song

Bo Diddley
"Who Do You Love?" was written and performed by Bo Diddley and was released in 1956. - The song was said to have been inspired by a Muddy Waters song called "Hoochie Coochie Man". - It is a rhythmic piece that is considered a classic example of Diddley's signature rock "shuffle" beat. - Bo Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2004, his song "Who Do You Love?" was included in the Rolling Stone magazine's list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Quicksilver Messenger Service
The American psychedelic rock band, Quicksilver Messenger Service, covered "Who Do You Love?" for their "Happy Trails" album in 1969. - Their version is almost 26 minutes long and takes up the entire first side of the "Happy Trails" LP. - The rendition is broken into parts, with the first part (Part 1) featuring a repetitive one-chord jam, and the second part (Part 2) showcasing a five-minute guitar solo. - This cover is often considered one of their best-known songs and has become an essential part of their live performances.
Tom Rush
Folk and blues singer Tom Rush covered "Who Do You Love?" in his 1970 album titled "Wrong End of the Rainbow". - Unlike the original and Quicksilver's version, Rush's cover featured a more laid-back, acoustic style, typical of the folk genre during that era. - Although Rush was known more for his own compositions and other covers like Joni Mitchell's "The Circle Game", his unique version of "Who Do You Love?" was positively received. - Tom Rush is often credited for introducing the world to the songwriting talents of artists like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, and Jackson Browne, which makes his take on "Who Do You Love?" notable due to his recognized musical influence.

Discuss the Who Do You Love? Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Who Do You Love? Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/750190/Bo+Diddley/Who+Do+You+Love%3F>.

    Missing lyrics by Bo Diddley?

    Know any other songs by Bo Diddley? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Who Do You Love?

    295K
    3,099     49

    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Reginald Kenneth Dwight is better known by what name?
    A Jim Morrison
    B Elton John
    C Paul Anka
    D Frank Zappa

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Bo Diddley tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Who Do You Love?

    »