"Bye Bye Bird"
Single by Sonny Boy Williamson II
A-side"Help Me"
Released1963 (1963)
RecordedChicago, January 11, 1963
GenreBlues
Length2:30
LabelChecker
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Sonny Boy Williamson II singles chronology
"One Way Out" / "Nine Below Zero"
(1962) 		"Bye Bye Bird"
(1963) 		"Trying to Get Back on My Feet" / "Decoration Day"
(1963)

"Bye Bye Bird" is a harmonica-driven blues song written by Willie Dixon and Sonny Boy Williamson II.[1] In 1963, Checker Records issued it as the B-side of Williamson's single "Help Me", which was his last single to reach the record charts.[2]

The song was recorded on January 11, 1963, by Williamson on vocal and harmonica, backed by Lafayette Leake or Billy Emerson on organ, Matt Murphy on guitar, Milton Rector on bass, and Al Duncan on drums.[3]

"Bye Bye Bird" is included on several Sonny Boy Williamson compilation albums, such as More Real Folk Blues (1967) and His Best (1997).[4] A live recording by Williamson from December 8, 1963, at the Crawdaddy Club, in Richmond, England, accompanied by the Yardbirds, is included on Sonny Boy Williamson and the Yardbirds (1966).[5]

The song was recorded by the Moody Blues for their 1965 debut album The Magnificent Moodies.[6]

References

  1. ^ "More Real Folk Blues - Sonny Boy Williamson II | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1988). "Sonny Boy Williamson". Top R&B Singles 1942–1988. Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research. p. 447. ISBN 0-89820-068-7.
  3. ^ Humphrey, Mark (1993). The Essential Sonny Boy Williamson (Album notes). Sonny Boy Williamson II. MCA/Chess Records. p. 22. CHD2-9343.
  4. ^ "Bye Bye Bird - Sonny Boy Williamson II | Song Info". AllMusic. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  5. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Sonny Boy Williamson & the Yardbirds – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
  6. ^ "The Moody Blues: 'Bye Bye Bird' – Appears On". AllMusic. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
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