Little Darlin'

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the jazz standard of the same year, see Li'l Darlin'.
"Little Darlin'"
Single by The Diamonds
from the album America's Favorite Song Stylists
B-side"Faithful and True"
ReleasedFebruary 8, 1957
GenreRock and roll, Doo-wop
Length2:05[1]
LabelMercury
Songwriter(s)Maurice Williams
"Little Darlin'"
Song by Elvis Presley
from the album Moody Blue
ReleasedJuly 19, 1977
RecordedApril 24, 1977
GenreRock
Length1:56
LabelRCA Records
Songwriter(s)Maurice Williams

"Little Darlin'" is a popular Top 40 song, made famous by the Diamonds.[2]

The Gladiolas' version

It was written by a 16-year-old Maurice Williams with both melody and doo-wop accompaniment strongly emphasizing a Calypso rhythm. First recorded in January 1957 by Williams' group the Gladiolas, it was quickly released as a single on Excello Records, a small swamp blues label owned by Nashville record man Earnie Young, who was responsible for creating the song's Latin feel, naming the group and ensuring Williams would retain the song's publishing. The recording, inspired by a book Williams was writing, and originally called "Little Darlin'/ The Beginning," is noted for its trademark doo-wop falsetto by Fred Mangum and its spoken bridge by Williams ("My Darlin' I need you ..."). The Gladiolas were from Lancaster, South Carolina, where they had been together since high school. The Gladiolas version peaked at No. 11 on the R&B charts in April 1957, but barely dented the Hot 100. By 1959, Williams' group eventually became "Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs" with the rock 'n roll-R&B hit "Stay".

The Gladiolas' version was included in Robert Christgau's "Basic Record Library" of 1950s and 1960s recordings, published in Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies (1981).[3]

The Diamonds' version

the No. 3 song for 1957. In Canada, the song was No. 11 on the premiere CHUM Chart, May 27, 1957.[4]

The Diamonds' version is generally considered superior.

Allmusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine argues that the Diamonds "Little Darlin'" is an unusual example of a cover being better than the original:

[T]he Diamonds' take remained the bigger hit, and over the years, the better-known version. Normally, this would have been an outrage, but there's a reason why the Diamonds' version has sustained its popularity over the years: it's a better, fiercer recording. Both versions are good, even if they're a little silly, because it's a good doo wop song, giving each member of the quartet a lot to do. At times, the vocal phrases verge on self-parody -- the "ai-ya-yi-yai-yai-ya"'s or the "wella-wella"'s -- which may be why The Diamonds' version is superior.[5]

On the Pop Chronicles, host John Gilliland claimed that their version was in fact a parody of the genre.[2] Nonetheless, "Little Darlin'" (primarily the Diamonds' version, but to some extent the Gladiolas' version) remains an all-time rock 'n roll R&B classic.[2]

Other recordings

See also

References

  1. ^ "The Diamonds - Little Darlin' / Faithful And True (Vinyl)". Discogs.com. 1957-02-08. Retrieved 2016-08-29.
  2. ^ a b c d Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 11 - Big Rock Candy Mountain: Early rock 'n' roll vocal groups & Frank Zappa" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries. Track 5.
  3. ISBN 0899190251
    . Retrieved March 16, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
  4. ^ "CHUM Hit Parade - May 27, 1957".
  5. ^ [1] [dead link]
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