"Bad Boy" is a song by rock and roll singer Marty Wilde, released as a single in November 1959. It peaked at number 7 on the UK Singles Chart and number 45 on the Billboard Hot 100.[3][4]
| "Bad Boy" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Marty Wilde | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | 18 November 1959[1] | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 2:22 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | Marty Wilde | |||
| Producer(s) | Ivor Raymonde | |||
| Marty Wilde singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Release and reception
editAnnouncing the release of the single in Disc, producer Jack Good wrote that "It's Been Nice", written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, was the "top side". However, he also said that he thought "Bad Boy" was "a toss-up which [would] develop as the top side".[1] Promoting the single several weeks later, it was described as a "double-sided smash… Bad Boy coupled with It's Been Nice".[5]
Mort Shuman had intended to give "It's Been Nice" to Elvis Presley, but instead gave it to Wilde after the two struck up an instant friendship.[6]
In the US and Canada, "Bad Boy" released with the B-side "Teenage Tears", which had been the B-side to Wilde's previous single "Sea of Love". "Bad Boy" was released in the US at the beginning of January 1960 and became the first of two hits there for Wilde.[7]
Reviewed in Melody Maker, "Bad Boy" was described as "easy going, with a folk-sounding air about it".[8]
Track listing
edit7": Philips / PB.972
- "Bad Boy" – 2:22
- "It's Been Nice" – 1:55
7": Epic / 5-9356 (US & Canada)
- "Bad Boy" – 2:22
- "Teenage Tears" – 2:20
Charts
edit| Chart (1960) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report) | 41 |
| Canada (CHUM)[9] | 47 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[3] | 7 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[4] | 45 |
| US Cash Box Top 100[10] | 50 |
Cover versions
edit- In December 1959, American rock and roll singer Robin Luke released a cover of the song as a single.[11]
- In 1960, Australian rock and roll singer Dig Richards covered the song on his album Bad Boy.[12]
- In 1964, French singer Françoise Hardy released a French-language version, titled "Pas gentille", on her album Mon amie la rose.
- In 1965, South African band Gene Rockwell and the Falcons covered the song on their album The Many Faces of Gene Rockwell.[13]
- In 1966, Danish band Sir Henry and His Butlers covered the song on their album A Portrait of Sir Henry and His Butlers.[14]
- In 1976, British singer Freddie Starr released a cover of the song as a single.[15]
- In 1980, American rockabilly singer Robert Gordon covered the song on his album Bad Boy.[16]
References
edit- ^ a b "His wildest rocker" (PDF). Disc. 7 November 1959. p. 4. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (February 19, 2021). "The Number Ones: Kim Wilde's "You Keep Me Hangin' On". Stereogum. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
...though one Marty Wilde single, the fun little rockabilly original "Bad Boy," reached #45 in 1960.
- ^ a b "Marty Wilde: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
- ^ a b "Marty Wilde Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
- ^ "Marty Wilde" (PDF). Disc. 21 November 1959. p. 1. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ Vickers, Graham (2013-08-28). Pomus & Shuman: Hitmakers Together & Apart. Omnibus Press. pp. 63–64. ISBN 978-0-85712-800-3.
- ^ "Marty Wilde - Bad Boy". 45cat.com. Retrieved 2021-07-28.
- ^ "Pop Singles" (PDF). Melody Maker. 28 November 1959. p. 6. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ "CHUM Hit Parade, week of March 14, 1960". chumtribute.com. 14 March 1960. Archived from the original on 2021-07-28. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending March 5, 1960". Cash Box magazine. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
- ^ "Robin Luke - Bad Boy". 45cat.com. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
- ^ "Dig Richards – Bad Boy (1960, Vinyl)". discogs.com. 1960. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
- ^ "Gene Rockwell And The Falcons – The Many Faces Of Gene Rockwell (1965, Vinyl)". discogs.com. 1965. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
- ^ "Sir Henry & His Butlers – A Portrait Of Sir Henry And His Butlers (1966, Vinyl)". discogs.com. 1966. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
- ^ "Freddie Starr - Bad Boy". 45cat.com. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
- ^ "Robert Gordon (2) - Bad Boy". discogs.com. 1980. Retrieved 2021-07-29.
