THE CLOVERS - ''LOVE POTION NO.9'' (1959)
TRY MY LOVING ON YOU
Don’t You Know I Love You
Your Cash Ain’t Nothing But Trash
One Mint Julip
Blue Velvet
Devil or Angel
Love Potion Number 9 – United Artists, 1959, Lieber and Stoller
The Clovers were one of the earliest Doo Wop groups, formed in 1948 in Washington DC. The original members were Buddy Bailey, Matthew McQuater, Hal Lucas, Jr and Harold Winley. Bobby Mitchell replaced Buddy Bailey just before they signed to the new Atlantic label in 1950.
The Clovers had 13 Top Ten R ‘n B hits between 1951 to 1954. It was Ahmet Ertegun Atlantic Records founder that wrote and produced many of their early songs.
The Clovers did the original version of Love Potion Number 9. It was copied by and probably made more famous by the Coasters. In the early sixties every beat group in the UK appeared to have done this one! They were not averse to covering other artists songs themselves, however. Their version of Blue Velvet was a cover of the Tony Bennett original, later made more famous by Bobby Vinton.
Tippie and the Clovers had a big hit with Bossa Nova Baby (again written by Lieber and Stoller). My own favourite track was Devil or Angel – probably because I used to have it on an old 78 – an excellent slow doo wop ballad.
Song Lyrics: Love Potion Number 9
Lieber and StollerI took my troubles down to Madame RuthYou know that gypsy with the gold-capped toothShe’s got a pad down at 34th and VineSellin’ little bottles ofLove Potion Number Nine I told her that I was a flop with chicks I’d been this way since 1956She looked at my palm and she made a magic signShe said, “What you need is…Love Potion Number Nine”She bent down and turned around and gave me a winkShe said “I’m gonna make it up right here in the sink”It smelled like turpentine and looked like India inkI held my nose, I closed my eyes, I took a drinkI didn’t know if it was day or nightI started kissin’ everything in sightBut when I kissed the cop down at 34th and VineHe broke my little bottle ofLove Potion Number NineLove Potion Number NineLove Potion Number NineLove Potion Number Nine
The Clovers – Earthlink
Wikipedia: The Clovers