Don't Mess with Bill

"Don't Mess with Bill" is a million-selling Gold-certified 1966 single recorded by The Marvelettes for Motown Records' Tamla label.[1] Written and produced by Smokey Robinson, "Don't Mess with Bill" features a lead vocal by Wanda Young. The single peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1966, and at number three on Billboard's R&B singles chart. "Don't Mess with Bill" was the Marvelettes' final Top 10 single.[2][3]

For the 1980 documentary film, see Don't Mess with Bill (film).
"Don't Mess with Bill"
Single by The Marvelettes
from the album The Marvelettes Greatest Hits
B-side"Anything You Wanna Do"
ReleasedNovember 26, 1965
Format7" single
RecordedHitsville USA; June 1965
GenreSoul, pop
Length2:51
LabelTamla
T 54126
Songwriter(s)Smokey Robinson
Producer(s)Smokey Robinson
The Marvelettes singles chronology
"Danger! Heartbreak Dead Ahead"
(1965)		 "Don't Mess with Bill"
(1965)		 "You're the One"
(1966)

The titular "Bill" referenced in the song is not an allusion to the song's author, Bill "Smokey" Robinson.[1] Robinson reports that he chose the name because it fit the lyrics, not because it was his. "Don't Mess With Bill" has also been recorded and released by Monalisa Young. It was also included as part of The Spinners "Superstar Medley" and released on the 1975 "Spinners Live!" album.[4]

Personnel

References
  1. The Complete Motown Singles Vol 5: 1965 [CD liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 379.
  3. Don't Mess with Bill at Allmusic
  4. The Spinners Live! LP
  5. Liner notes. The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 5: 1965, Hip-O Select – B0006775-02, USA, 04 Aug 2006


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