First recorded by Mirt Mirley & the Rhythm Steppers (1960).
Also recorded by Dennis Turner (1960), Billy Swan (1974).
Hit versions by Clyde McPhatter (US #7/R&B #4/NOR #6 1962), The Vernons Girls (UK #16 1962), Bobby G. Rice (C&W #46 1971), Kris Kristoffercon & Rite Coolidge (MOR #42 1975), Cindy Church (CAN #44 1997).
From the wiki: “‘Lover Please’ was written by a 16-year old Billy Swan in 1960 and was first recorded by Mirt Mirley & the Rhythm Steppers the same year at Bill Black’s Lyn Lou studio in Memphis, engineered by Chips Moman, and released on Black’s Louis record label. It was commercially unsuccessful. Black went ahead and produced a second recording for his Louis label, this time by Dennis Turner (who had first introduced the teenage Swan to Mirt Mirley), that created some regional interest — especially in St. Louis, MO — but it did not chart nationally.
“Nonetheless, the song came to the attention of producer Shelby Singleton who persuaded Clyde McPhatter (formerly of two dominant 1950s era groups – the Dominoes, and the Drifters) to record ‘Lover Please’. Charting in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, McPhatter’s ‘Lover Please’ would be his last Top 40 hit but would also be his first European hit, peaking at #6 in Norway.
“Other covers followed, including charting arrangements by the Vernons Girls in the U.K. in 1962 and U.S. country singer Bobby G. Rice in 1971. Swan would release his over arrangement of ‘Lover Please’ song on his 1974 album I Can Help.
“Swan’s friend Kris Kristofferson and his then-wife, Rita Coolidge liked his arrangement enough to record their own version of the song in 1975 which reached #42 on the adult contemporary chart. It was featured on their 1974 album Breakaway. Although their arrangement did not make the Country Singles chart, their recording still won the Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 18th Annual Grammy Awards in 1976.”
Dennis Turner, “Lover Please” (1960):
Clyde McPhatter, “Lover Please” (1962):
The Vernons Girls, “Lover Please” (1962):
Bobby G. Rice, “Lover Please” (1971):
Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge, “Lover Please” (1975):
Cindy Church, “Lover Please” (1997):