Bird Dog (song)

"Bird Dog" is a song written by Boudleaux Bryant and recorded by the Everly Brothers.^[4] It was released in 1958 and was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Country Chart for six weeks.^[5] 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.^[6]

"Bird Dog"
Single by the Everly Brothers
from the album The Best of The Everly Brothers
A-side	Devoted to You[1][2]
Released	July 28, 1958
Recorded	July 10, 1958
Genre	Pop[3]
Length	2:20
Label	Cadence 1350
Songwriter(s)	Boudleaux Bryant
The Everly Brothers singles chronology
"All I Have to Do Is Dream" / "Claudette" (1958) "Bird Dog" / "Devoted to You" (1958) "Problems" / "Love of My Life" (1958)

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^[7]

Charts

Chart (1958) Peak position Italy (FIMI) 8 US Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers 1 US Billboard Hot 100 2 US Billboard Hot R&B Sides 2 Australian Singles Chart 1 Canadian Singles Chart 1 United Kingdom (NME) 2[8] United Kingdom (Record Mirror) 1[9]

All-time charts Chart (1958-2018) Position US Billboard Hot 100[10] 423

Cover versions

• In 1958, Morris And Mitch recorded a version which was released in the UK.
• In 1966, The Newbeats released their rendition of the song as a single.^[11]
• 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.