Shirley (song)

"Shirley" is a song originally released by John Fred and the Playboys in December 1958 by Montel Records. It was the band's debut single and reached number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1959.[1] The song became an international hit in 1982 when it was covered by Shakin' Stevens, peaking at number 6 on the UK Singles Chart.[2]

"Shirley"
Single by John Fred and the Playboys
B-side"My Love for You"
ReleasedDecember 1958 (1958-12)
Format7-inch single
StudioCosimo Recording Studios, New Orleans
Genre
Length2:05
LabelMontel
Songwriter(s)
  • John Fred Gourrier
  • Tommy Bryan
John Fred and the Playboys singles chronology
"Shirley"
(1958)		 "Mirror, Mirror (On the Wall)"
(1959)

John Fred and the Playboys version

"Shirley" was recorded at Cosimo Matassa's recording studios in New Orleans when John Fred was just 17 years old, after local dance promoter in Baton Rouge, Sam Montalbano was impressed by the band.[3][4] Fats Domino's backing band helped out on the recording as Domino recorded "Whole Lotta Lovin'" prior to John Fred and the Playboys' recording session.[5] The success of the song led Fred to appear on Alan Freed's New York show The Big Beat.[6] The single might have been more successful had Fred not turned down the opportunity to appear on American Bandstand to instead play for his high school basketball team.[7]

Charts
Chart (1959) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[1] 82

Shakin' Stevens version
"Shirley"
Single by Shakin' Stevens
from the album Give Me Your Heart Tonight
B-side"I'm for You"
ReleasedApril 1982 (1982-04)
Format7-inch single
StudioEden Studios, Chiswick
GenreRock and roll
Length2:47
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
  • John Fred Gourrier
  • Tommy Bryan
Producer(s)Stuart Colman
Shakin' Stevens singles chronology
"Oh Julie"
(1982)		 "Shirley"
(1982)		 "Give Me Your Heart Tonight"
(1982)

Shakin' Stevens released a cover of the song in April 1982 under Epic Records as the second single from his album Give Me Your Heart Tonight.

Charts
Chart (1982) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[8] 4
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[9] 10
Germany (Official German Charts)[10] 7
Ireland (IRMA)[11] 4
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[12] 12
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] 11
Norway (VG-lista)[14] 3
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[15] 3
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[16] 4
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[2] 6

References
  1. "Shirley by John Fred And The Playboys | Billboard The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  2. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  3. Broven, John (1987). South to Louisiana: The Music of the Cajun Bayous. Pelican Publishing. ISBN 978-0-88289-608-3.
  4. "John Fred". mogc. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  5. "John Fred". The Independent. 2005-04-18. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  6. "John Fred and his Playboy Band | Way Back Attack". www.waybackattack.com. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  7. "John Fred | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  8. "Austriancharts.at – Shakin' Stevens – Shirley" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  9. "Ultratop.be – Shakin' Stevens – Shirley" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  10. "Offiziellecharts.de – Shakin' Stevens – Shirley". GfK Entertainment Charts.
  11. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Shirley". Irish Singles Chart.
  12. "Nederlandse Top 40 – Shakin' Stevens" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  13. "Dutchcharts.nl – Shakin' Stevens – Shirley" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  14. "Norwegiancharts.com – Shakin' Stevens – Shirley". VG-lista.
  15. "Swedishcharts.com – Shakin' Stevens – Shirley". Singles Top 100.
  16. "Swisscharts.com – Shakin' Stevens – Shirley". Swiss Singles Chart.
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