Footnotes to Plato from the foothills of the Superstition Mountains

Saturday Night at the Oldies: ‘Bill’ Songs

Jeff Hodges of Gypsy Scholar requests some tunes featuring the name 'Bill.'  Pickins are slim, so I'll broaden that out to include 'Willy,' 'Will,' 'Billy,' and William.  

Marvelettes, Don't Mess with Bill

Laura Nyro, Wedding Bell Blues.  "B-i-l-l, I love you so, I always will . . . ."

Crystals, Da Do Ron Ron.  "I met him on a Monday and my heart stood still/Somebody told me that his name was Bill . . . ."

Lonely Heartstring Band, Ramblin', Gamblin' Willy

Dylan wrote it (or adapted it, or co-opted it, or borrowed it, or stole it).

Clancy Bros. version with intro & context by Liam Clancy.  Includes Dylan's haunting "Restless Farewell" and the backstory to it as well.  A must see/hear for the true folk aficionado.

Woody Guthrie, Philadelphia Lawyer. "Wild Bill was a gun-totin' cowhand . . . ."

Bonnie Owens' and Merle Haggard's version


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