About The Song
“Long Tall Sally” is a rock and roll song written by Robert “Bumps” Blackwell, Enotris Johnson, and Little Richard. Little Richard recorded the song for Specialty Records, releasing it as a single in March 1956 with “Slippin’ and Slidin'” as the B-side. The single reached number one on the Billboard rhythm and blues chart, holding the top spot for six of 19 weeks, and peaked at number six on the pop chart. It received the Cash Box Triple Crown Award in 1956 and is listed at number 55 on Rolling Stone’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The song became one of Little Richard’s most well-known hits and a rock and roll standard, covered by numerous artists, including Elvis Presley, Fleetwood Mac, the Kinks, and the Beatles. In 1999, Little Richard’s 1956 recording of “Long Tall Sally” on Specialty Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The song’s history involves a challenge to create an up-tempo and fast-paced song that Pat Boone couldn’t cover successfully. It was inspired by a few lines written by a young girl who wanted Little Richard to record a song to help pay for her aunt Mary’s medical treatment. The recording session took place on February 7, 1956, at J&M Studio in New Orleans, with Little Richard’s energetic piano playing and raw, aggressive vocal style contributing to the song’s success.
The lyrics include the lines: “Well, Long Tall Sally She’s built for speed She’s got everything that Uncle John needs”
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Lyrics
Gonna tell Aunt Mary ’bout Uncle John
He claims he has the music
But he has a lot of fun
Oh baby
Yes baby
Wooh baby
Havin’ me some fun tonight, yeahWell, long tall Sally
She’s really sweet
She got everything that Uncle John need
Oh baby
Yes baby
Wooh baby
Havin’ me some fun tonight, yeahWell, I saw Uncle John with bald head Sally
He saw Aunt Mary comin’
And he jumped back in the alley
Oh baby
Yes baby
Wooh baby
Havin’ me some fun tonight, yeahWell, long tall Sally
She’s built for speed
She got everything that Uncle John need
Oh baby
Yes baby
Wooh baby
Havin’ me some fun tonight, yeahWell, I saw Uncle John with bald head Sally
He saw Aunt Mary comin’
And he jumped back in the alley
Oh baby
Yes baby
Wooh baby
Havin’ me some fun tonight, yeahWe gonna have some fun tonight
Have some fun tonight, wooh
Have some fun tonight
Everything’s all right
Have some fun
Have me some fun tonight