To kick off the “Cover the Decades” series of competitions, we are starting with the 1956 classic, “Fever”.
About “Fever”
Fever was written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell, under the pseudonym John Davenport and recorded by Little Willie John in 1956. Since then, this hit has been covered by many artists, including Peggy Lee in 1958,
Elvis in 1960, Joe Cocker in 1989 and countless others. Heck, more recently, Michael Bublé, Madonna, and Beyoncé have tackled this song.
Here are a few examples, including the original: (and find the lyrics and chords for the original below)
1956 - Little Willie John
Elvis
Madonna
Beyonce
Lyrics/Chords (from ultimate-guitar.com)
Fever (Little Willie John) (2:43) (Davenport, Cooley)
Lyrics by http://www.lyricstime.com/little-willie-john-fever-lyrics.html
King single #4935, Pop Chart #24 July 7, 1956, R&B Chart #1
With Jon Thomas-piano, Bill Jennings-guitar, Edwyn Conley-bass
Edison Gore-drums, Ray Felder & Rufus Gore-tenor sax
Intro: 2x Bbm, 2x Bbm6, 2x Bbm6, F7#9 F7, Bbm
(1)Bbm (2)Bbm7
You never know how much I love ya
(3)Bbm6 (4)Bbm Bbm7 Bbm
Never know how much I care
(5)Bbm (6)Bbm7
When you put your arms around me, I get a
(7)F7/#9 F7 (8) Bbm
feelin' that's so hard to bear, You give me fever
Ch. (1 bar) When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever (fever, burn through) in the mornin’
An’ fever all through the night (+ 1 bar)
Listen to me, baby
Hear ev'ry 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
Ch. (1 bar) When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever (fever, burn through) in the mornin’
An’ fever all through the night (+ 1 bar)
Bless my soul, I love you
Take this heart away
Take these arms I'll never use An' just be-
lieve in what my lips have to say, You give me fever
Ch. (1 bar) When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever (fever, burn through) in the mornin’
An’ fever all through the night (+ 1 bar)
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
Ch. (1 bar) When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever (fever, burn through) in the mornin’
An’ fever all through the night
Umm-mmm-mmm-mm-mmm-mm
Umm-umm-umm-um-um
Umm-mmm-mmm-mm-mmm-mm
Umm-umm-umm. End: F7#9