Bird Dog (song)

"Bird Dog" is a song written by Boudleaux Bryant and recorded by the Everly Brothers. It was released in 1958 and was a No. 1 hit on the
Billboard Country Chart for six weeks. The song also hit No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, as well as peaking at no. 2 for three weeks on the R&B charts.

Background

The song deals with the singer's dismay that a boy, by the name of Johnny, is trying to take his girlfriend away. The singer calls him a bird dog as a result of his behavior.
The musical structure is relatively unusual in that it has a 12 bar blues stanza and an 8 bar blues chorus.

Personnel

Don Everly – vocals, guitar
Phil Everly – vocals, guitar
Floyd "Lightnin Chance – double bass

Charts

Chart	Peak position
Italy	8
US Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers	1
US Billboard Hot 100	2
US Billboard Hot R&B Sides	2
Australian Singles Chart	1
Canadian Singles Chart	1
United Kingdom	2
United Kingdom	1

Cover versions

In 1958, Morris And Mitch recorded a version which was released in the UK.
In 1966, The Newbeats released their rendition of the song as a single.
In 1975, English Glam rock band Mud recorded a cover on their album Use Your Imagination which reached No. 33 on the UK charts.
In 1978, the Bellamy Brothers recorded it, reaching No. 86 on the Hot Country Singles chart.