Yeh, Yeh Explained

Yeh, Yeh
Cover:Yeh-yeh-georgie-fame.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames
B-Side:Preach and Teach
Released:4 December 1964
Recorded:1964
Length:2:43
Label:Columbia (EMI) DB 7428
Producer:Tony Palmer
Prev Title:Bend a Little
Prev Year:1964
Next Title:In the Meantime
Next Year:1965

"Yeh, Yeh" (in some territories released as "Yeah, yeh, yeh") is a Latin soul tune that was written as an instrumental by Rodgers Grant and Pat Patrick, and first recorded by Mongo Santamaría on his 1963 album Watermelon Man! Lyrics were written for it shortly thereafter by Jon Hendricks of the vocal group Lambert, Hendricks & Ross.

This version of the song was taken to the top of the UK Singles Chart in January 1965 by Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames (b/w "Preach and Teach", Columbia DB 7428), breaking the Beatles' long-term hold on the number one spot of five weeks with "I Feel Fine",[1] and a month later appeared on the US Billboard pop singles chart to peak at #21.[2] The saxophone solo was by Peter Coe,[3] but was edited out for the US single release. Interviewed after the 2003 Jools Holland Spring Hootennany, where he had played a "dynamite version" of the song, Fame explained that the arrangement had been written by Tubby Hayes.[4]

Matt Bianco cover

British band Matt Bianco covered the song in 1985; their rendition reached number 13 in the UK Singles Chart. The single version was then included in their second eponymous album in 1986, while the CD edition of the album only contained its 12" Dance Mix. Both versions featured on the MC edition of the long playing work, depending upon the various countries. The version also peaked at number 64 in Australia in 1986.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Roberts, David . 2006 . . 19th . Guinness World Records Limited . London . 1-904994-10-5 . 173–174.
  2. Web site: Official Singles Chart UK Top 100 – 5th April 2014 | The UK Charts | Top 40 . Theofficialcharts.com . 2014-04-05.
  3. News: 2024-02-22 . Peter Coe: saxophonist, bandleader and designer . 2024-02-22 . en . 0140-0460.
  4. Web site: John L Walters . Jools Holland's wild Spring Hootenanny . The Guardian . 2 May 2003 . 2014-04-05.
  5. Book: Kent, David. David Kent (historian). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992. illustrated. Australian Chart Book. St Ives, N.S.W.. 1993. 0-646-11917-6. 195.