DESCRIPTION:
From '' Lonnie Donegan Hit Parade Vol. II ''
Label: Pye Nixa ‎– NEP.24040
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, EP
Country: UK
Released: 1957

Tracklist
A1 Cumberland Gap
A2 Love Is Strange
B1 Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O
B2 I'm Alabammy Bound

Vocals – Lonnie Donegan
Guitar – Denny Wright, Lonnie Donegan
Drums – Nicky Nicholls
Bass – Micky Ashman

Engineer [Balance] – Joe Meek
Supervised By – Denis Preston

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"Love is Strange" was a crossover hit by American rhythm and blues duet Mickey & Sylvia, which was released in late November 1956 by the Groove record label.

The song was based on a guitar riff by Jody Williams.
The song was written by Bo Diddley under the name of his wife at the time, Ethel Smith, and was recorded by Bo and Buddy Holly, among others.
The guitar riff was also used by Dave "Baby" Cortez in his 1962 instrumental song "Rinky Dink", also credited to Diddley.

Background and recordings

At a concert at Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C. Mickey and Sylvia heard Jody Williams play a guitar riff that Williams had played on Billy Stewart's debut single "Billy's Blues".
"Billy's Blues" was released as a single in June 1956 and the instrumentation combined a regular blues styling with Afro-Cuban styling.
Sylvia Robinson claims that she and Mickey Baker wrote the lyrics, while Bo Diddley claims that he wrote them.

The first recorded version of "Love Is Strange" was performed by Bo Diddley, who recorded his version on May 24, 1956 with Jody Williams on lead guitar.
This version was not released until its appearance on I'm a Man: The Chess Masters, 1955–1958 in 2007.

Mickey & Sylvia's version was recorded several months later on October 17, 1956.
In 1962, a second studio recording was made at Bell Sound Studios in NYC with legendary drummer Bernard " Pretty " Purdie. At the age of 18, this would be Purdie's first paid session work.
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie would become the most recorded drummer in history, inspiring and recording actively to date.
The song is noted for its spoken dialogue section which goes as follows:
"Sylvia!"
"Yes, Mickey."
"How do you call your Lover Boy?"
"Come here, Lover Boy!"
"And if he doesn't answer?"
"Oh, Lover Boy!"
"And if he still doesn't answer?"
"I simply say..."
(Sung) "Baby/ Oh baby/ My sweet baby/ You're the one."
(The sung part is repeated with Mickey singing the harmony.)
(This is followed by a repeat of the instrumental section before the song's fade.)

Charts and accolades

"Love Is Strange" peaked at #1 Billboard magazine's R&B Singles chart and #11 on the Hot 100.

In 2004 "Love Is Strange" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for its influence as a rock and roll single.

The song was featured in Dirty Dancing and included on the soundtrack, which is one of the best-selling albums of all time.

It also gained a following after appearing in Deep Throat.

The song was also featured in Casino, and the Terrence Malick film Badlands.

The song also is played in the 2000 HBO hit show "The Sopranos", season two, episode 6 (The Happy Wanderer).

Mickey and Sylvia's version is heard in a 2013 TV commercial for Nationwide Insurance.

Cover versions

Charting versions

In 1967, Peaches & Herb's version of the song charted on both Billboard's Hot 100 and R&B Singles charts peaking at #13 and 16, respectively. Their version does feature the spoken dialogue and the repeated phrases, similar to the Mickey and Sylvia version.

Buddy Holly recorded a version of "Love is Strange" that was not released until 1969, a decade after his death.
His version reached #115 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and #76 on the RPM 100.

In 1971, the song was covered by Paul McCartney on his Wings album Wild Life.

In 1975, Buck Owens and Susan Raye had a Top 20 country hit with the song.

The song was also covered in 1990 by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. The recording, the title cut of Rogers' Love Is Strange album, was released as a single, and reached #21 on the U.S. country singles chart.

The Everly Brothers released a rendition in 1965 as a single, which reached # 11 in the UK in 1965, and on their Beat & Soul album.