The Song
As far as cover versions went, Showaddywaddy generally covered songs from the 1950s and 1960s. "Just A Country Boy" however was only 2 years old at the time of its release in 1979, the original being recorded in 1977. Showaddywaddy fan Alan Keeling contacted the original songwriter John David, who takes up the story:"I wrote the song on the morning of Elvis's death (16th August 1977), and being a full time songwriter and for no other reason than I wanted to express what I felt. Kingsley Ward who owns the word-famous Rockfield Studios is a close friend and Elvis fanatic. So I popped over there to play it to him as knew he'd appreciate it. He suggested we record it that day! Frankie Allen is a performer who mimicked Elvis in his early days was roped in to sing it. The other musicians all lived locally - Micky Gee (solo electric guitar - Shakin' Stevens, Tom Jones, Joe Cocker, Dave Edmunds etc), Andy Fairweather Low (acoustic rhythm guitar), Dave Charles (drums - played with Dave Edmunds), Ray Martinez (piano - of Airwaves, and later of Showaddywaddy), and me (John David on bass - also played with Airwaves and Dave Edmunds). Ray and I did the backing vocals. We recorded it in the afternoon and mixed it the same day. I am not sure what the intention was apart from to make our own tribute. Some people felt we should release it but we felt that would be 'cashing in'. Frankie Allen is one of the best singers I have ever worked with and at one time was courted by Tom Jones's manager Gordon Mills, but Gordon didn't want Frankie's band, and Frankie wouldn't desert them so so he missed his chance"."Just A Country Boy" appeared on Showaddywaddy's album "Crepes & Drapes" released in November 1979.
Personnel
Lead Vocals: Buddy GaskDrums: Malcolm Allured
Lead Guitar: Russ Field
Bass: Russ Field
Piano: Dave Bartram
Acoustic Guitar: Trevor Oakes
Lyrics
I had a very old friend who never knew about me,He never knew, but he gave me everything I need,
A way of life that shows in everything I say and do,
He gave me enough to see me through.
Just a country boy from Memphis, Tennessee,
No one could have know what fate meant him to be.
Gave him a voice that could ring with every feeling ever known,
But no words could tell just what he meant to me.
Oh I was only ten years old but it seems like yesterday when I first heard him on the radio,
And his music made me dance all night, and sad songs made me cry,
I'll always feel the same way til I die.
And his music made me dance all night, and sad songs made me cry,
I'll always feel the same way til I die.
I was one of the crowd who worshipped him,
I was one of the crowd who told him he was king,
I was one of crowd he had to prove himself to time and time again,
And no mortal men could ever stand the strain.
Oh I was only ten years old but it seems like yesterday when I first heard him on the radio,
And his music made me dance all night, and sad songs made me cry,
I'll always feel the same way til I die.