Don't Mess with Bill

For the 1980 documentary film, see Don't Mess with Bill (film).

"Don't Mess with Bill" is a million-selling Gold-certified 1966 single recorded by The Marvelettes for Motown Records' Tamla label.^[1] Written and produced by Smokey Robinson, "Don't Mess with Bill" features a lead vocal by Wanda Young. The single peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1966, and at number three on Billboard's R&B singles chart. "Don't Mess with Bill" was the Marvelettes' final Top 10 single.^[2][3]

"Don't Mess with Bill"
Single by The Marvelettes
from the album The Marvelettes Greatest Hits
B-side	"Anything You Wanna Do"
Released	November 26, 1965
Recorded	Hitsville USA; June 1965
Genre	Soul, pop
Length	2:51
Label	Tamla T 54126
Songwriter(s)	Smokey Robinson
Producer(s)	Smokey Robinson
The Marvelettes singles chronology
"Danger Heartbreak Dead Ahead" (1965) "Don't Mess with Bill" (1965) "You're the One" (1966)

Background

The titular "Bill" referenced is not an allusion to the song's author, Bill "Smokey" Robinson.^[1] Robinson reports that he chose the name because it fit the lyrics, not because it was his. ^{[citation needed]}

Cash Box described it as a "funky medium-paced pop-blues shuffler about love-struck gal who serves notice on one and all to leave her fella alone."^[4]

Personnel

• Lead vocals by Wanda Young Rogers
• Background vocals by Gladys Horton, Katherine Anderson and the Andantes: Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps
• Instrumentation by the Funk Brothers^[5]
  • Bass – James Jamerson
  • Congas – Eddie "Bongo" Brown
  • Drums – Benny Benjamin
  • Guitar – Robert White
  • Organ – Earl Van Dyke
  • Baritone saxophone – Andrew "Mike" Terry
  • Tenor saxophone solo – Norris Patterson
  • Trombone – Don White, Paul Riser
  • Trumpet – Floyd Jones, John Trudell
  • Vibraphone – Jack Ashford

Chart performance

Chart (1965-1966)	Peak position
US Billboard Hot 100	7
US Top Selling Rhythm & Blues Singles (Billboard)	3

Other versions

Mona Lisa Young
Born	Los Angeles, California
Known for	"Lovers" by World Class Wreckin Crew(1988), Saint Tropez(1982-1983)
Notable work	Knife(1983), Partners in Pleasure(1992)
Website	http://www.monalisayoung.com, https://www.discogs.com/sell/item/2398930244

• It was included as part of The Spinners "Superstar Medley" and released on the 1975 "Spinners Live!" album.^[6]
• "Don't Mess with Bill" has also been recorded and released by Mona Lisa Young.

References

1. The Complete Motown Singles Vol 5: 1965 [CD liner notes]. New York: Hip-O Select/Motown/Universal Records.
2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 379.
3. Don't Mess with Bill at Allmusic
4. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. December 18, 1965. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
5. Liner notes. The Complete Motown Singles Vol. 5: 1965, Hip-O Select – B0006775-02, USA, 04 Aug 2006
6. The Spinners Live! LP