The Originals © by Arnold Rypens

Artist: John Lee Hooker
Author: John Lee Hooker/James Bracken
Label: Vee-Jay
Year: 1956

Covers:

1959:: Roland Hayes & Forrest City Joe [as You Got Dimples In Your Jaws]
1964:: Animals [see footnote]
1964:: Steampacket
1964:: Spencer Davis Group [debut single]
1964:: Long John Baldry
1969:: Canned Heat
1970:: Johnny Jenkins
1970:: Allman Brothers Band
1983:: Smokey Wilson
1985:: Dr. Feelgood
1989:: Texas
1991:: Rev Brown & The Early Birds
1992:: Teisco Del Rey
2001:: James Blood Ulmer
2003:: Doyle Bramhall
2018:: Van Morrison

One of The Animals' blackest singles, landing John Lee Hooker's first tv-appearance (Ready Steady Go). That's when Dimples became a hit for him too (on Stateside). All later versions (Spencer Davis, Allman Brothers, SRV) rely on that one. What was The Animals' example? An eight year older version on Vee-Jay, blues label from Chicago, operating in the shadow of Chess. Coauthor James Bracken was one of Vee-Jay's bosses. I've Got My Eyes On You by The Clovers (1954 - Atlantic) may have inspired John Lee, melodically and lyrically.

DIMPLES

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