RON AND BILL - " It" [[1959)

[marv2]

Smokey "Bill" Robinson and Ronnie White, co-member of the Miracles. One of the first Tamla records. Keep in mind that this song came out about 23 years before the blockbuster film "E.T" LOL!!!!

[luckyluckyme]

[Motown Eddie]

I've always wondered if Steven Spielberg heard Ron & Bill's "It" and was inspired to make E.T. in 1982.

[arr&bee]

I've heard about[it]for years but this is the first time i've heard it!!!

[marv2]

I've always wondered if Steven Spielberg heard Ron & Bill's "It" and was inspired to make E.T. in 1982.

He would have been a young teenager, age 13 in Cincinnati at the time of this recording so who knows?

[TomatoTom123]

Well... I had read that, hmm, less than enthusiastic review of the song before, but never actually listened to it... turns out, it's not that bad. A bit odd and pointless but likeable in a weird way. Sorta.

An interesting curio in the history of Smokey Robinson & The Miracles.....

[robb_k]

WOW!!! I had not ever heard Little Lisa's version. It's great!!! She sounds a lot like Smokey. I like it with those more modern background tracks. "It" was trying to piggyback on the popularity of "The Purple People Eater". I like "People From Another World" by The Jive Five, best of that genre.

[snakepit]

Not odd or pointless...the USA film industry was churning out lots of sci-fi movies at this time. Gordy saw the potential, as Rob says, to cash in on the current trend.
Nothing new under the sun.

[marv2]

Not odd or pointless...the USA film industry was churning out lots of sci-fi movies at this time. Gordy saw the potential, as Rob says, to cash in on the current trend.
Nothing new under the sun.

Great observation Snakepit. There were a slew of Sci-Fi produced in the late 1950s.

[TomatoTom123]

Not odd or pointless...the USA film industry was churning out lots of sci-fi movies at this time. Gordy saw the potential, as Rob says, to cash in on the current trend.
Nothing new under the sun.

Oh yes, snakepit, I mean it's a bit odd and pointless 60 years on... a bit of novelty nonsense or as the review puts it, "a load of utter arse”!

[jobucats]

WOW!!! I had not ever heard Little Lisa's version. It's great!!! She sounds a lot like Smokey. I like it with those more modern background tracks. "It" was trying to piggyback on the popularity of "The Purple People Eater". I like "People From Another World" by The Jive Five, best of that genre.

I agree that this is actually a very catchy tune and an awesome production with a "killer" instrumental track. Little Lisa had a nice pleasant voice although the limited way the vocal melody was written musically, it doesn't appear to actually showcase her voice, however, it did fit the song's purpose: a nice, fun, song kids could relate to.

[midnightman]

One thing about Motown: they knew when to catch in on trends lol

[snakepit]

The flip was an Every Bros sound a like...
Ron & Bill/ Don & Phil..geddit??

BTW...you often hear of the two Everly Bros, Don and Phil
You rarely hear of the third.....Drinks!!

[marv2]

The flip was an Every Bros sound a like...
Ron & Bill/ Don & Phil..geddit??

BTW...you often hear of the two Everly Bros, Don and Phil
You rarely hear of the third.....Drinks!!

What? LOL!!!!!

[midnightman]

The flip was an Every Bros sound a like...
Ron & Bill/ Don & Phil..geddit??

BTW...you often hear of the two Everly Bros, Don and Phil
You rarely hear of the third.....Drinks!!

Shows you how young they were when they did songs like that. I don't know if they were just playing around or trying to find a sound?

Their first record imitated the Silhouettes after all!

I'm guessing "It" and that other song came before "Bad Girl" and "You Can Depend on Me"?

[snakepit]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i1ljtahd2lk

Flip to "it", "Don't say bye bye"

[marv2]

Here are the Everyly Bros. partying in Detroit with the Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Mary Wilson etc.

Attachment 14019

[snakepit]

See..no sign of "Drinks Everly"
Or their uncle "Smokes"...

[marv2]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=i1ljtahd2lk

Flip to "it", "Don't say bye bye"

That definitely has a 50s , Everly Bros. sound to it.

[lockhartgary]

As stated earlier this is definitely a then trendy song. It's interesting to see/hear how much Smokey's songwriting skills evolved over time.

[marv2]

Smokey and Ronnie White sounded great as a duo.