Go Home Girl
| "Go Home Girl" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Arthur Alexander | ||||
| B-side | "You're the Reason" | |||
| Released | November 1962 | |||
| Genre | Soul | |||
| Length | 2:26 | |||
| Label | Dot Records | |||
| Writer(s) | Arthur Alexander | |||
| Producer(s) | Noel Ball | |||
| Arthur Alexander singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Go Home Girl" is a song written by Arthur Alexander. It was originally released in 1962 as Alexander's follow-up single to "Anna (Go to Him)." It has since been recorded by the Rolling Stones, Ry Cooder, Gary U.S. Bonds and Frank Black.
Like "Anna," "Go Home Girl" was inspired by Alexander's difficulties with his wife. The lyrics portray the singer in love with his best friend's girlfriend, and therefore insisting on breaking off the relationship with the girl in order to preserve his friendship.[1] The music incorporates elements of both country and R&B music.[2] Rubber City Review detects a country music twang in the vocal performance.[3] Author Roben Jones notes that the melody and structure of "Go Home Girl" was similar to that of Alexander's first single "You Better Move On."[4] Instrumentation includes string instruments and Alexander is backed by a chorus in parts.[2] Upon its release, Billboard Magazine predicted that it could be a big hit, based on its "touching quality" and "impelling beat."[2]
Author Michael Gray described the song as "impeccable."[5] No Depression noted that despite not achieving the commercial success of "You Better Move On," "Go Home Girl" as well as "Anna" confirmed that his artistic talent hadn't diminished.[6]
Cover versions
The Rolling Stones recorded "Go Home Girl" on November 14, 1963, in a session in which they also recorded a version of Alexander's first single "You Better Move On."[7] However, this recording has not been officially released.[7] Ry Cooder covered the song on his 1979 album Bop Till You Drop.[8] Mojo Magazine described his portrayal of the brokenhearted singer attempting to act stoic as worthy of an Academy Award.[1] High Fidelity Magazine described the "Mexican-style" guitar part as "splendid," and also praised Tim Drummond's diversified bass guitar lines.[9] Gary U.S. Bonds and Frank Black performed the song as a duet on the 1994 album Adios Amigo: A Tribute to Arthur Alexander.[10][11]
References
- 1 2 The Mojo Collection: 4th Edition. Canongate Books. 2007. p. 426. ISBN 9781847676436.
- 1 2 3 "Singles Reviews". Billboard Magazine. December 22, 1962. p. 19. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ↑ "The Country Soul of Arthur Alexander". Rubber City Review. May 27, 2012. Retrieved 2015-01-11.
- ↑ Jones, R. (2010). Memphis Boys: The Story of American Studios. University Press of Mississippi. p. 333. ISBN 9781604734027.
- ↑ Gray, M. (2006). The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia. Continuum. p. 4. ISBN 9780826469335.
- ↑ "No Depression". No Depression. 2001. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- 1 2 Bonanno, M. (2013). The Rolling Stones: the first 50 years. La Case Books. p. 1959. ISBN 9788897526889.
- ↑ Hartenbach, B. "Bop Till You Drop". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ↑ "High Fidelity". High Fidelity Magazine. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ↑ Erlewine, S.T. "Adios Amigo: A Tribute to Arthur Alexander". Allmusic. Retrieved 2014-04-25.
- ↑ Newman, M. (January 29, 1994). "Paying Tribute to Arthur Alexander; N.Y.'s Lone Star in a Suspended State". Billboard Magazine. p. 12. Retrieved 2014-04-25.