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Long Tall Sally

"Long Tall Sally", also known as "Long Tall Sally (The Thing)",[1][2] is a rock and roll song written by Robert "Bumps" Blackwell, Enotris Johnson, and Little Richard. Richard recorded it for Specialty Records, which released it as a single in March 1956, backed with "Slippin' and Slidin'".

This article is about the song. For the EP by the Beatles, see Long Tall Sally (EP). For the album by the Beatles, see The Beatles' Long Tall Sally. For the clothing retailer, see Long Tall Sally (retailer).

"Long Tall Sally"

March 1956 (1956-03)

February 7, 1956

J&M, New Orleans

2:10

Robert Blackwell

The single reached number one on the Billboard rhythm and blues chart, staying at the top for six of 19 weeks,[3] while peaking at number six on the pop chart. It received the Cash Box Triple Crown Award in 1956. The song as sung by Little Richard is listed at number 55 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[4] It also ranked at number 45 on Billboard's year-end singles of 1956.[5]


It became one of the singer's best-known hits and has become a rock and roll standard covered by hundreds of artists,[6] including Elvis Presley, Fleetwood Mac, the Kinks and the Beatles.


In 1999, the 1956 Little Richard recording of "Long Tall Sally" on Specialty Records was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[7]

 – vocals, piano

Little Richard

 – tenor saxophone

Lee Allen

 – guitar

Edgar Blanchard

 – double bass

Frank Fields

 – drums

Earl Palmer

 – baritone saxophone

Alvin "Red" Tyler

"Long Tall Sally"

"I Took My Baby Home"

February 7, 1964

January 20, 1964

Pye, London

  • Enotris Johnson

 – lead vocal, rhythm guitar, harmonica

Ray Davies

 – backing vocal, lead guitar

Dave Davies

 – backing vocal, bass

Pete Quaife

"Long Tall Sally"

  • April 10, 1964 (1964-04-10) (US)
  • June 19, 1964 (UK)

March 1, 1964

EMI, London

2:02

 – lead vocals, bass

Paul McCartney

 – rhythm guitar, guitar solo (first)[37]

John Lennon

 – lead guitar, guitar solo (second)[37]

George Harrison

 – drums

Ringo Starr