Back in the U.S.A.
"Back in the U.S.A." | ||||
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Single by Chuck Berry | ||||
B-side | "Memphis, Tennessee" | |||
Released | June 1959 | |||
Recorded | February 17, 1959 | |||
Studio | Chess (Chicago)[1] | |||
Genre | Rock and roll | |||
Label | Chess 1729 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Chuck Berry | |||
Producer(s) | Leonard Chess, Phil Chess | |||
Chuck Berry singles chronology | ||||
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"Back in the U.S.A." is a song written by Chuck Berry that was released in 1959 and was a top 40 hit. A cover version in 1978 by Linda Ronstadt was also a hit.
Chuck Berry version
Recording
The song was recorded in Chicago, Illinois, on February 17, 1959.
- Chuck Berry, vocals and guitar
- Johnnie Johnson on piano
- Willie Dixon on bass
- Fred Below on drums
- Etta James and The Marquees, backup vocals
The background vocals on Berry's recording are by Etta James and The Marquees, aka Harvey & the New Moonglows, featuring the young Marvin Gaye.
The session was produced by Leonard and Phil Chess, and the song was released as Chess single 1729.[3]
Alan Dale and The Casuals version
Alan Dale issued the song in
Linda Ronstadt version
"Back in the USA" | ||||
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Single by Linda Ronstadt | ||||
from the album Living in the USA | ||||
B-side | "White Rhythm & Blues" | |||
Released | August 1, 1978 | |||
Genre | Rock[4] | |||
Length | 3:02 | |||
Label | Asylum | |||
Songwriter(s) | Chuck Berry | |||
Producer(s) | Peter Asher | |||
Linda Ronstadt singles chronology | ||||
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Ronstadt had heard the Berry original while being driven around Los Angeles by
The single of Ronstadt's version rose as high as number 11 in
Personnel
- Linda Ronstadt – lead vocals
- Dan Dugmore – electric guitar
- Waddy Wachtel – electric guitar, background vocals
- Don Grolnick – piano
- Kenny Edwards – bass, background vocals
- Russell Kunkel– drums
- Peter Asher – background vocals
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Other versions
- "Back in the USA" was famously parodied by The Beatles with their song "Back in the U.S.S.R." from their self-titled 1968 album The Beatles (aka the White Album).[15]
- MC5 covered the song in 1970 on their second album, also titled Back in the USA.
- In 1972, a live version of the song appeared on the album Edgar Winter's White Trash.
- The song was covered by Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers in 1976 on their self-titled second album.
- Gene Summers included "Back in the USA" on his 1983 album 'Live' In Scandinavia, and he has also used the song as his opening number on numerous occasions.[16]
- Chris Robinson and Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes performed this song during Berry's induction into the Kennedy Center Honors in 2000.
- In Kidsongs Sing Out, America!, the song title is called "Living in the USA" instead of "Back in the USA".
- It was the closing song in Bryn Mawr, PAon February 5, 1975.
References
- ^ "The Chuck Berry Database: Details For Recording Session: 17. 2. 1959". A Collector's Guide to the Music of Chuck Berry. Dietmar Rudolph. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- ^ "Inductee explorer | Rock & Roll Hall of Fame". Rockhall.com. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
- ^ Berry, Chuck, Chuck Berry: The Anthology, CD, 088 1120304-2, MCA Records, Chess, 2000, liner notes
- ISBN 978-0-571-28198-5.
- ISBN 0-306-81398-X.
- ISBN 0-415-93748-5.
- ^ "Forum - 1970 (ARIA Charts: Special Occasion Charts)". Australian-charts.com. Archived from the original on 2016-06-02. Retrieved 2016-12-26.
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
- ^ "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs (A-B)".
- ISBN 0-89820-089-X
- ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, October 28, 1978". Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
- ^ Canada, Library and Archives (17 July 2013). "Image : RPM Weekly". Bac-lac.gc.ca. Retrieved 26 April 2021.
- ISBN 0-89820-142-X.
- ^ "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 30, 1978". Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2017.
- ^ Miles, Barry, Paul McCartney:Many Years From Now, Henry Holt and Company, New York,1997 p. 422
- ^ Gene Summers "Live" In Scandinavia LP Sunrock Records #SRLP 841, 1983, Sweden. "Back In The USA" concert's opening track.