"Bird Dog" is a song written by Boudleaux Bryant and recorded by the Everly Brothers. It was released in 1958 and was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Country Chart for six weeks. The song also hit No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 (stalled behind Domenico Modugno's "Nel blu, dipinto di Blu (Volare)" and Tommy Edwards' "It's All in the Game"), as well as peaking at no. 2 for three weeks on the R&B charts.
Background The song deals with the singer's dismay that a boy, by the name of Johnny, is trying to take his girlfriend away. The singer calls him a bird dog as a result of his behavior.
The musical structure is relatively unusual in that it has a 12 bar blues stanza and an 8 bar blues chorus.
Personnel Don Everly – vocals, guitar Phil Everly – vocals, guitar Floyd "Lightnin Chance – double bass
Charts
Chart (1958)PeakpositionItaly (FIMI)8 US Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers1 US Billboard Hot 1002 US Billboard Hot R&B Sides2 Australian Singles Chart1 Canadian Singles Chart1 United Kingdom (NME)2 United Kingdom (Record Mirror)1
All-time charts Chart (1958-2018) PositionUS Billboard Hot 100423
Cover versions In 1958, Morris And Mitch recorded a version which was released in the UK. In 1958 Gary Cooper and the Sportsmen Quartet sang the song on The Jack Benny Program In 1966, The Newbeats released their rendition of the song as a single.The Newbeats, "Bird Dog" single release Retrieved April 25, 2015 In 1975, English Glam rock band Mud recorded a cover on their album Use Your Imagination which reached No. 33 on the UK charts. In 1978, the Bellamy Brothers recorded it, reaching No. 86 on the Hot Country Singles chart.
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