"Almost Grown" is a song written and recorded by

Chuck Berry Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who pioneered rock and roll. Nicknamed the " Father of Rock and Roll", he refined and developed rhythm and blues into th ...

. It was released as a double A-side with "

Little Queenie "Little Queenie" is a song written and recorded by Chuck Berry. Released in March 1959 as a double A-side single with " Almost Grown", it was included on '' Chuck Berry Is on Top'' (1959), Berry's first compilation album. He performed the song in ...

Background

The song was released as Chess single 1722, and was later notable when featured in the 1973 film ''

American Graffiti ''American Graffiti'' is a 1973 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by George Lucas, produced by Francis Ford Coppola, written by Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz and Lucas, and starring Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard (billed as Ronny ...

'', and on its soundtrack album.

Recording

The song was recorded on February 17, 1959, at Chess Studios in Chicago, Illinois. *

, vocals and guitar * Johnnie Johnson on

piano The piano is a stringed keyboard instrument in which the strings are struck by wooden hammers that are coated with a softer material (modern hammers are covered with dense wool felt; some early pianos used leather). It is played using a keybo ...

* Willie Dixon on bass *

Fred Below Frederick Below, Jr. (September 6, 1926 – August 13, 1988) was an American blues drummer, best known for his work with Little Walter and Chess Records in the 1950s. According to Tony Russell, Below was a creator of much of the rhythmic struc ...

on drums * The background vocals on Berry's recording are by Etta James and The Marquees aka Harvey & the New Moonglows, featuring the young Marvin Gaye.

Track listing

7" Vinyl # "Almost Grown" # "Little Queenie"

Chart performance

The song reached number thirty-two on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart and number three on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart.

Covers

* The song was covered by

The Animals The Animals (also billed as Eric Burdon and the Animals) are an English rock band, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 1960s. The band moved to London upon finding fame in 1964. The Animals were known for their gritty, bluesy sound and ...

on their 1963 album of the same name. * Australian band Ol' 55 covered the song on their album ''

Take It Greasy ''Take It Greasy'' is the debut studio album to be released by Australian 1950's retro band Ol' 55. The album peaked at number 3 on the Australian Kent Music Report and was certified 3× platinum. At the time, 1950s music and culture had gain ...

'' (1976). * French version by Eddy Mitchell called "C'est la vie, mon chéri" on his album '' Rocking in Nashville'' (1974) * The song has also been covered by The Ivy League and David Bowie

References

Chuck Berry songs The Animals songs 1959 songs Chess Records singles Songs written by Chuck Berry 1959 singles {{1950s-single-stub