"Fever" is a Blues/R&B song which was written by the African-American singers/songwriters Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell. Both men had more success in the music business writing songs for other people than they did as performers under their own names. Blackwell in particular was a relatively unheralded early songwriter of many rock-n-roll hits. Elvis Presley considered Blackwell to be a favorite songwriter. Some of the Blackwell written Presley hits include such songs as "All Shook Up", "Don't Be Cruel", and "Return to Sender". Blackwell also co-wrote "Great Balls of Fire" for Jerry Lee Lewis. "Fever" first was a hit for teen African-American singer Little Willie John in 1956. Afterwards, as was often the practice in those days and today, it was covered to even greater acclaim by Euro-American singer Peggy Lee. Lee's sultry voiced version turned up the sex appeal although ironically Lee dropped some of the original lyrics because they were thought to be too risque for the white market. Much as would latter happen with Aretha Franklin's version of Otis Redding's "Respect", most people probably know Lee's version of the song instead of Little Willie John's. There have been many different singers who have done versions of the song including Madonna, La Lupe, Beyonce and Buddy Guy. I like Little Willie John's version best although Buddy Guy's overwrought James Brown approved take on the song is certainly worthwhile listening. All of the good versions of the song, regardless of who is interpreting it, capture the utterly irrational and insistent nature of love and lust. People do things that they otherwise wouldn't do and may later regret under those influences. When that part of our brain is fully engaged insanity or fever may be the best way of describing the experience. Little Willie John was from Detroit. Despite only standing 5'4" (hence the nickname) Little Willie John was a pugnacious fellow with a quick temper who rarely backed down from fights. He died at age 30 in prison in the late sixties where he was serving time on manslaughter charges. A drunk 6'2 "fan" punched Little Willie John in the mouth. Little Willie retaliated by stabbing his assailant to death. Little Willie John was an influence on James Brown among other singers. As with Peggy Lee, Little Willie John's song "All Around the World" is likely better known as Little Milton's "Grits Ain't Groceries".
Little Willie John
You never know how much I love you Never know how much I care When you put your arms around me I get a feeling that's so hard to bear You give me fever
When you kiss me Fever when you hold me tight Fever (fever, burn through) in the morning And fever all through the night
Listen to me, baby Hear every word I say No one could love you the way I do 'Cause they don't know how to love you my way You give me fever
{Chorus} Bless my soul, I love you Take this heart away Take these arms I'll never use And just believe in what my lips have to say You give me fever
{Chorus} Sun lights up the daytime Moon lights up the night My eyes light up when you call my name 'Cause I know you're gonna treat me right You give me fever {Chorus}
