The Song - Fever

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