Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Dance (Roll) with Me, Henry

First recorded and co-written (as “The Wallflower”) by Etta James (R&B #1 1955).
Other hit version (as “Dance with Me, Henry”) by Georgia Gibbs (US #1 1955).
Re-recorded (as “Dance with Me, Henry”) by Etta James (1958).

From the wiki:”‘The Wallflower’ (also known as ‘Roll with Me, Henry’ and ‘Dance with Me, Henry’) was one of several answer songs to ‘Work with Me, Annie’, by Hank Ballard & the Midnighters. Written by Johnny Otis (‘Willie and the Hand Jive‘), Hank Ballard (‘The Twist‘) and Etta James, James recorded ‘The Wallflower’ for Modern Records, with uncredited vocal responses from Richard Berry (‘Louie, Louie‘). It became a R&B hit, James’ first, topping the U.S. R&B chart for 4 weeks. In 2008, James received a Grammy Hall of Fame Award for her original 1955 recording.

“James’ original 1955 recording was considered too risque to play on pop radio stations. In 1955, the song – now titled ‘Dance with Me, Henry (Wallflower)’ – was covered for the pop music market by Georgia Gibbs – with uncredited vocal responses from Thurl Ravenscroft (the booming voice behind Tony the Tiger’s ‘They’re grrreat!’ in Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes television commercials, and as the vocalist for the song ‘You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch’). Gibbs’ recording topped Billboard’s ‘Most Played in Jukeboxes’ for three weeks in May 1955.”

“In 1958, Etta James covered her own song using the title ‘Dance with Me, Henry’.”

Georgia Gibbs, “Dance with Me Henry” (1955):

Etta James, “Dance with Me, Henry” (1958):

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