Yeh, Yeh


"Yeh, Yeh" is a Latin soul song originally written as an instrumental by Rodgers Grant and Pat Patrick, and first recorded by Mongo Santamaría on his album Watermelon Man! in 1963. Lyrics were written for it shortly thereafter by Jon Hendricks of the vocalese group, Lambert, Hendricks & Bavan and this version appeared on their 1963 album At [Newport '63 (Lambert, Hendricks & Bavan album)|At Newport '63].
The vocal version of the song was recorded by Georgie Fame and [the Blue Flames] and released on December 4, 1964. UK demonstration records were titled "Yeah, Yeh, Yeh" and this eventually led to some countries: Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland and South Africa releasing the single using "Yeah, Yeh, Yeh" and Greece using the title, "Yeah, Yeh". Furthermore, some UK initial issues were also incorrectly titled as "Yeah, Yeah".
It was this version which rose to the top of the UK Singles Chart in January 1965, breaking the Beatles' five week hold on the number one spot with "I Feel Fine", and a month later appeared on the US Billboard pop singles chart to peak at #21. In Canada it first appeared in February and peaked at #1 March 1, 1965. The saxophone solo was by Peter Coe, 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.

Charts

Matt Bianco version

British band Matt Bianco covered the song in 1985. It was their first release after the departure of Danny White and Basia Trzetrzelewska. Their rendition reached number 13 on the UK Singles Chart, and the top 10 in Germany and Switzerland. 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 album, depending upon the various countries.
The song's music video was directed by Pete Cornish.

Track listings

  • 7" single
  • '''12" single'''

    Charts

Other cover versions