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Tell It Like It Is (song)

January 01, 1970

For the song by Tracy Chapman, see New Beginning (Tracy Chapman album).

"Tell It Like It Is" is a song written by George Davis and Lee Diamond and originally recorded and released in 1966 by Aaron Neville. In 2010, the song was ranked No. 391 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.[1]

"Tell It Like It Is"
One of side-A labels of the US single
Single by Aaron Neville
from the album Tell It Like It Is
B-side"Why Worry"
ReleasedNovember 9, 1966
Recorded1966
GenreR&B, pop
Length2:40
LabelPar-Lo
Songwriter(s)
  • George Davis
  • Lee Diamond
Producer(s)Unbeatable
Aaron Neville singles chronology
"Over You"
(1960) 		"Tell It Like It Is"
(1966) 		"She Took You for a Ride"
(1968)

Aaron Neville version edit

In 1966, Aaron Neville recorded and released the original version of "Tell It Like It Is" on his album also entitled Tell It Like It Is (Par-Lo Records). In November 1966, the track was issued as a single which peaked in early 1967 at No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 (behind "I'm a Believer" by the Monkees) and No. 1 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.[2] The personnel on the original recording included George Davis arranging and playing baritone saxophone, Emory Humphrey-Thompson (Umar Shariff) on trumpet, Deacon John on guitar, Alvin "Red" Tyler on tenor saxophone, Willie Tee on piano and June Gardner on drums.

In 2015, the version of the song recorded in 1966 by Aaron Neville was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.[3]

Weekly charts for the Aaron Neville version
Chart (1966–1967) Peak
position
Canadian RPM Top Singles [4] 8
Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks 2
US Billboard Hot 100[5] 2
US Billboard Rhythm & Blues Singles 1
Year-end charts for the Aaron Neville version
Chart (1967) Rank
Canada[6] 35
US Billboard Hot 100[7] 76

Andy Williams version edit

His 1975 version touched the top 50 in the Canadian country charts,[8] and was #16 in the AC charts.[9]

John Wesley Ryles version edit

"Tell It Like It Is"
Single by John Wesley Ryles
from the album John Wesley Ryles
B-side
  • "Run Right Back"
  • Same song (Promotional releases only)
ReleasedJanuary 1976
GenreCountry
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • George Davis
  • Lee Diamond
Producer(s)Johnny Morris
John Wesley Ryles singles chronology
"Reconsider Me"
(1971) 		"Tell It Like It Is"
(1976) 		"When a Man Loves a Woman"
(1976)

In 1976, American Country singer John Wesley Ryles covered the song for his 1977 self-titled album, which also included a cover of When a Man Loves a Woman. Ryles's version became a minor hit, reaching Number 83 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.[10]

Chart (1976) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs[10] 83

Heart version edit

"Tell It Like It Is"
 
Single by Heart
from the album Greatest Hits Live
B-side"Strange Euphoria"
ReleasedNovember 1980
RecordedSeptember 1980
GenreBlues rock
Length3:49 (Single Version)
4:30 (Album Version)
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
  • George Davis
  • Lee Diamond
Producer(s)Heart
Heart singles chronology
"Bebe le Strange"
(1980) 		"Tell It Like It Is"
(1980) 		"Unchained Melody"
(1981)

Heart covered "Tell It Like It Is" in 1980. It was a studio recording included on their Greatest Hits/Live album. It was the first of two singles released from the album, the other one a live recording but both of them cover hits. The song peaked at Number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the winter of 1981 and became their highest-charting single in the United States to that point. It had higher success in Canada, reaching Number 4.[11]

Record World commented that Ann Wilson's "sensitive vocal" gives the song "a woman's point of view" and that Nancy Wilson "adds hot guitar passion."[12]

Weekly charts for the Heart version
Chart (1980–1981) Peak
position
Canada RPM Top Singles[11] 4
New Zealand (RIANZ)[13] 4
US Billboard Hot 100 8
US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks 43
US Cash Box Top 100 14
Year-end charts for the Heart version
Chart (1981) Rank
Canada[14] 45
US Billboard Hot 100[15] 87

Billy Joe Royal version edit

"Tell It Like It Is"
 
Single by Billy Joe Royal
from the album Tell It Like It Is
B-side"I Was Losing You"
ReleasedJanuary 1989
RecordedOctober 1988
GenreCountry
Length3:00
LabelAtlantic
Songwriter(s)
  • George Davis
  • Lee Diamond
Producer(s)Nelson Larkin
Billy Joe Royal singles chronology
"It Keeps Right On Hurtin'"
(1988) 		"Tell It Like It Is"
(1989) 		"Love Has No Right"
(1989)

In 1988, American country soul[16] singer Billy Joe Royal recorded a cover for His seventh studio album of the same name. Royal's version was released in January 1989 and reached Number 2 both on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Canada Country charts respectively.[10]

Weekly charts for the Billy Joe Royal version
Chart (1989) Peak
position
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[17] 2
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[18] 2
Year-end charts for the Billy Joe Royal version
Chart (1989) Rank
Canada Country Tracks (RPM)[19] 36
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[20] 33
US Country Songs (Billboard)[21] 51

Don Johnson version edit

"Tell It Like It Is"
 
Single by Don Johnson
from the album Let It Roll
B-side"Angel City"
ReleasedJune 1989[22]
GenrePop
Length4:30
LabelEpic
Songwriter(s)
  • George Davis
  • Lee Diamond
Producer(s)Keith Diamond
Don Johnson singles chronology
"Till I Loved You"
(1988) 		"Tell It Like It Is"
(1989) 		"Other People's Lives"
(1989)

Also in 1989, American actor and singer Don Johnson covered the song for his second studio album Let It Roll. Johnson's version was successful in Europe, especially in Germany, reaching Number 2 there.[23]

Chart (1989) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[24] 13
France (Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique)[25] 6
Germany (GfK Entertainment charts)[26] 2
Netherlands (Dutch Charts)[22] 6
Switzerland (Swiss Hitparade)[27] 6
UK Singles Chart[28] 84

Certifications edit

Region Certification Certified units/sales
France (SNEP)[29] Silver 200,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References edit

  1. ^ "The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". RollingStone.com. 11 December 2003. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
  2. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 426.
  3. ^ https://www.grammy.com/awards/hall-of-fame-award#t
  4. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - February 18, 1967" (PDF).
  5. ^ "Aaron Neville Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  6. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles of 1967 - January 6, 1968" (PDF).
  7. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1967/Top 100 Songs of 1967". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  8. ^ "RPM Top 50 Country Singles - January 10, 1976" (PDF).
  9. ^ "RPM 50 AC - January 31, 1976" (PDF).
  10. ^ a b c Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  11. ^ a b . www.bac-lac.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 18 November 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  12. ^ "Hits of the Week" (PDF). Record World. November 22, 1980. p. 1. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  13. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart | The Official New Zealand Music Chart". Nztop40.co.nz. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  14. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  15. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1981/Top 100 Songs of 1981". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  16. ^ "Billy Joe Royal Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.
  17. ^ "Top RPM Country Tracks: Issue 6336." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. May 1, 1989. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  18. ^ "Billy Joe Royal Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  19. ^ "RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1989". RPM. December 23, 1989. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  20. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 of 1989" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 51. 23 December 1989. p. 6. Retrieved 17 January 2020 – via American Radio History.
  21. ^ "Best of 1989: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 1989. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  22. ^ a b "Don Johnson - Tell It Like It is".
  23. ^ http://www.officialcharts.de/ersuche.asp?kategorie=chart&interpret_suche=don+johnson&titel_suche=&jahr=&cat=s [dead link]
  24. ^ "austriancharts.at - Don Johnson". Hung Medien. Retrieved December 15, 2011.
  25. ^ Steffen Hung. "Don Johnson - Tell It Like It Is". lescharts.com. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  26. ^ "German Charts (Singles) > Don Johnson" (in German). charts.de Media Control Charts. Retrieved October 2, 2021.[dead link]
  27. ^ "Don Johnson - Tell It Like It is".
  28. ^ "Tell it like it is | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts.
  29. ^ "French single certifications – Don Johnson – Tell it Like it Is" (in French). InfoDisc. Select DON JOHNSON and click OK. 

External links edit

  • Hannusch, Jeff (2010-11-01). "Classic Songs of Louisiana: Aaron Neville's "Tell It Like It Is" - OffBeat Magazine". Offbeat.com. Retrieved 2016-09-29.
  • Aaron Neville - Tell It Like It Is on YouTube
  • Heart - Tell It Like It Is on YouTube

January 01, 1970
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For the song by Tracy Chapman see New Beginning Tracy Chapman album Tell It Like It Is is a song written by George Davis and Lee Diamond and originally recorded and released in 1966 by Aaron Neville In 2010 the song was ranked No 391 on Rolling Stone magazine s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time 1 Tell It Like It Is One of side A labels of the US singleSingle by Aaron Nevillefrom the album Tell It Like It IsB side Why Worry ReleasedNovember 9 1966Recorded1966GenreR amp B popLength2 40LabelPar LoSongwriter s George DavisLee DiamondProducer s UnbeatableAaron Neville singles chronology Over You 1960 Tell It Like It Is 1966 She Took You for a Ride 1968 Contents 1 Aaron Neville version 2 Andy Williams version 3 John Wesley Ryles version 4 Heart version 5 Billy Joe Royal version 6 Don Johnson version 7 Certifications 8 References 9 External linksAaron Neville version editIn 1966 Aaron Neville recorded and released the original version of Tell It Like It Is on his album also entitled Tell It Like It Is Par Lo Records In November 1966 the track was issued as a single which peaked in early 1967 at No 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 behind I m a Believer by the Monkees and No 1 on the US Hot R amp B Hip Hop Songs chart 2 The personnel on the original recording included George Davis arranging and playing baritone saxophone Emory Humphrey Thompson Umar Shariff on trumpet Deacon John on guitar Alvin Red Tyler on tenor saxophone Willie Tee on piano and June Gardner on drums In 2015 the version of the song recorded in 1966 by Aaron Neville was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame 3 Weekly charts for the Aaron Neville version Chart 1966 1967 Peakposition Canadian RPM Top Singles 4 8 Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks 2 US Billboard Hot 100 5 2 US Billboard Rhythm amp Blues Singles 1 Year end charts for the Aaron Neville version Chart 1967 Rank Canada 6 35 US Billboard Hot 100 7 76Andy Williams version editHis 1975 version touched the top 50 in the Canadian country charts 8 and was 16 in the AC charts 9 John Wesley Ryles version edit Tell It Like It Is Single by John Wesley Rylesfrom the album John Wesley RylesB side Run Right Back Same song Promotional releases only ReleasedJanuary 1976GenreCountryLabelABCDotSongwriter s George DavisLee DiamondProducer s Johnny MorrisJohn Wesley Ryles singles chronology Reconsider Me 1971 Tell It Like It Is 1976 When a Man Loves a Woman 1976 In 1976 American Country singer John Wesley Ryles covered the song for his 1977 self titled album which also included a cover of When a Man Loves a Woman Ryles s version became a minor hit reaching Number 83 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart 10 Chart 1976 Peakposition US Hot Country Songs 10 83Heart version edit Tell It Like It Is nbsp Single by Heartfrom the album Greatest Hits LiveB side Strange Euphoria ReleasedNovember 1980RecordedSeptember 1980GenreBlues rockLength3 49 Single Version 4 30 Album Version LabelEpicSongwriter s George DavisLee DiamondProducer s HeartHeart singles chronology Bebe le Strange 1980 Tell It Like It Is 1980 Unchained Melody 1981 Heart covered Tell It Like It Is in 1980 It was a studio recording included on their Greatest Hits Live album It was the first of two singles released from the album the other one a live recording but both of them cover hits The song peaked at Number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the winter of 1981 and became their highest charting single in the United States to that point It had higher success in Canada reaching Number 4 11 Record World commented that Ann Wilson s sensitive vocal gives the song a woman s point of view and that Nancy Wilson adds hot guitar passion 12 Weekly charts for the Heart version Chart 1980 1981 Peakposition Canada RPM Top Singles 11 4 New Zealand RIANZ 13 4 US Billboard Hot 100 8 US Billboard Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks 43 US Cash Box Top 100 14 Year end charts for the Heart version Chart 1981 Rank Canada 14 45 US Billboard Hot 100 15 87Billy Joe Royal version edit Tell It Like It Is nbsp Single by Billy Joe Royalfrom the album Tell It Like It IsB side I Was Losing You ReleasedJanuary 1989RecordedOctober 1988GenreCountryLength3 00LabelAtlanticSongwriter s George DavisLee DiamondProducer s Nelson LarkinBilly Joe Royal singles chronology It Keeps Right On Hurtin 1988 Tell It Like It Is 1989 Love Has No Right 1989 In 1988 American country soul 16 singer Billy Joe Royal recorded a cover for His seventh studio album of the same name Royal s version was released in January 1989 and reached Number 2 both on the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Canada Country charts respectively 10 Weekly charts for the Billy Joe Royal version Chart 1989 Peakposition Canada Country Tracks RPM 17 2 US Hot Country Songs Billboard 18 2 Year end charts for the Billy Joe Royal version Chart 1989 Rank Canada Country Tracks RPM 19 36 Europe Eurochart Hot 100 20 33 US Country Songs Billboard 21 51Don Johnson version edit Tell It Like It Is nbsp Single by Don Johnsonfrom the album Let It RollB side Angel City ReleasedJune 1989 22 GenrePopLength4 30LabelEpicSongwriter s George DavisLee DiamondProducer s Keith DiamondDon Johnson singles chronology Till I Loved You 1988 Tell It Like It Is 1989 Other People s Lives 1989 Also in 1989 American actor and singer Don Johnson covered the song for his second studio album Let It Roll Johnson s version was successful in Europe especially in Germany reaching Number 2 there 23 Chart 1989 Peakposition Austria O3 Austria Top 40 24 13 France Syndicat National de l Edition Phonographique 25 6 Germany GfK Entertainment charts 26 2 Netherlands Dutch Charts 22 6 Switzerland Swiss Hitparade 27 6 UK Singles Chart 28 84Certifications editRegion Certification Certified units sales France SNEP 29 Silver 200 000 Sales figures based on certification alone Shipments figures based on certification alone References edit The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time RollingStone com 11 December 2003 Retrieved 2008 09 10 Whitburn Joel 2004 Top R amp B Hip Hop Singles 1942 2004 Record Research p 426 https www grammy com awards hall of fame award t RPM Top 100 Singles February 18 1967 PDF Aaron Neville Chart History Hot 100 Billboard RPM Top 100 Singles of 1967 January 6 1968 PDF Top 100 Hits of 1967 Top 100 Songs of 1967 Musicoutfitters com Retrieved 2016 09 29 RPM Top 50 Country Singles January 10 1976 PDF RPM 50 AC January 31 1976 PDF a b c Whitburn Joel 2008 Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008 Record Research Inc ISBN 978 0 89820 177 2 a b Archived copy www bac lac gc ca Archived from the original on 18 November 2016 Retrieved 17 January 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint archived copy as title link Hits of the Week PDF Record World November 22 1980 p 1 Retrieved 2023 02 07 NZ Top 40 Singles Chart The Official New Zealand Music Chart Nztop40 co nz Retrieved 2016 09 29 Item Display RPM Library and Archives Canada Collectionscanada gc ca Retrieved 2016 09 29 Top 100 Hits of 1981 Top 100 Songs of 1981 Musicoutfitters com Retrieved 2016 09 29 Billy Joe Royal Songs Albums Reviews Bio amp More AllMusic AllMusic Top RPM Country Tracks Issue 6336 RPM Library and Archives Canada May 1 1989 Retrieved August 28 2013 Billy Joe Royal Chart History Hot Country Songs Billboard RPM Top 100 Country Tracks of 1989 RPM December 23 1989 Retrieved August 28 2013 Eurochart Hot 100 of 1989 PDF Music amp Media Vol 6 no 51 23 December 1989 p 6 Retrieved 17 January 2020 via American Radio History Best of 1989 Country Songs Billboard Prometheus Global Media 1989 Retrieved August 28 2013 a b Don Johnson Tell It Like It is http www officialcharts de ersuche asp kategorie chart amp interpret suche don johnson amp titel suche amp jahr amp cat s dead link austriancharts at Don Johnson Hung Medien Retrieved December 15 2011 Steffen Hung Don Johnson Tell It Like It Is lescharts com Retrieved 2022 08 09 German Charts Singles gt Don Johnson in German charts de Media Control Charts Retrieved October 2 2021 dead link Don Johnson Tell It Like It is Tell it like it is full Official Chart History Official Charts Company Official Charts French single certifications Don Johnson Tell it Like it Is in French InfoDisc SelectDON JOHNSONand clickOK External links editHannusch Jeff 2010 11 01 Classic Songs of Louisiana Aaron Neville s Tell It Like It Is OffBeat Magazine Offbeat com Retrieved 2016 09 29 Aaron Neville Tell It Like It Is on YouTube Heart Tell It Like It Is on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Tell It Like It Is song amp oldid 1220591872, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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