The song "Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey", also known as "Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey! (Goin' Back to Birmingham)", was written by Little Richard and recorded on May 9, 1956 at J&M Studio, New Orleans, Louisiana, (supervised by Bumps Blackwell).
Recording and releases
In 1955, Little Richard recorded two different versions of "Kansas City" by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller: one on September 13 (supervised by Bumps Blackwell), and one on November 29 (with five vocalists, supervised by Art Rupe).[1] The first version, which adheres closely to the original 1952 recording by Little Willie Littlefield for the first two verses, was not released until November 1970, on the compilation album Well Alright![citation needed] The second version, which had been substantially re-worked by Little Richard (in particular, it featured a new refrain starting with words, "Hey, hey, hey, hey; Hey baby, hey child, hey now") was released in March 1959 on The Fabulous Little Richard and in April 1959 as single[1] after the success of the Wilbert Harrison hit.[2]
"Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey" was recorded six months after the second version of "Kansas City", incorporating the same refrain. However, as "Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey" was released in 1958 – with the writing credited solely to Richard Wayne Penniman (Little Richard) – the public perceived it as an earlier recording than "Kansas City".[citation needed]
The Beatles performed the song as early as September 5, 1962, at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, and in December of that year at the Star-Club in Hamburg.[4] In 1964, the group released the albums Beatles for Sale (UK) and Beatles VI (US) featuring an arrangement of "Kansas City" based on the issued Little Richard version.
^ abcLittle Richard – The Specialty Sessions – 8 Album Set (Album set booklet). Little Richard. Ace Records. ABOXLP 1 (set), ABOXBK1 (booklet).{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)