BO DONALDSON AND THE HEYWOODS - "Who Do You Think You Are" (1974)

[imajeepster]

i love youtube. Thanks for bringing back this song from so long ago. It was on the radio all summer and I can still remember my backyard and the radio playing.

[shulman2]

One of my favorites. Wonder what happened to this group? Thanks for posting.

[RTT8001]

This was my favorite song as a kid in the Fall of 1974. I played the hell out of it at that time along with "Rock Me Gently" and "I Shot the Sheriff."

[passanis]

This song is for you Mary. I have forgiven but I can't forget-even after 38 years

[foreilly1958]

Thanks Mr. T. I needed that.

[frankp3]

This takes me back...thank you.

[DMCGREEK]

Anyone know where I can get this song on CD or download?? Itunes doesn't have it and I checked Ebay too... I know that they made a CD a few years back, but paying $20 for a couple of songs I want is out of the question.. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

[MrTrashcan1]

@DMCGREEK Download and install Realplayer on your computer. Use it to download the video from YT. Then when you play the file you'll see a button show up on the screen for "convert" which allows you to convert it into a wave, mp3 or anything you like.

[DMCGREEK]

@MrTrashcan1 Thank you so much!!! :)

[frankp3]

@DMCGREEK email me at fpalazzi@juno.com and I'll send this song to ya.

[DMCGREEK]

@frankp3 Hey thanks a lot!!! I will email you now! Much appreciated! :-D

[BLP1261]

@DMCGREEK It's on one of those Rhino "Have A Nice Day" compilations but I can't tell you which volume it's on offhand.

[annikastarr]

HEY DUDE IF YOU REALLY WAHT TO GO BACKTO THE 70S, GO TO BUFFALO. I LIVED THERE THEN AND JUST WENT BACK THIS SPRING. NOTHING HAS CHANGED. IT WAS GREAT!

[Sarasdad91]

I know that Des Dyer from Jigsaw wrote this and they did a very good version of this song and so did Candlwyck green, which was allot like Jigsaw's version, but Bo's is still the best.

[MrTrashcan1]

@Sarasdad91 Agree--all three versions are great, but I'm partial to Bo's, too.

[imperial73]

@Sarasdad91 wow I didnt know that. My friend made me a tape in the 90s that had this version. I since have found the '45, and billboard says it made #15 later in 1974.

[lawrenceweinzimer]

SoulTrain was where I first saw them perform this song. Song is great example of a rhetorical question that withstands the test of time.

[regantaylor7]

This was the B side of Billy dont be a hero

[mrob75]

@regantaylor7 No, this was not the B side of Billy Don't Be A Hero....It was Bo Donaldson and the Heywood's follow up hit to Billy.

[MrTrashcan1]

@mrob75 It was not the B side of Billy in its original release. Over the years oldies have been re-released by different labels and it's likely that both hits were included on a single 45 at a later date. It's extremely rare that both an original A and B side became hits. When it did happen, it was mostly with groups that pounded out tons of hits in rapid succession, like the Beatles.

[mrob75]

@MrTrashcan1 Right! That's what I was explaining to "reagantaylor7"...Both songs were independent records. I was not the one who said this song was a "B" side...Again that was "reagantaylor7" who said that.

[MrTrashcan1]

@mrob75 Sorry, I clicked the wrong post to respond to.

[burbank133]

Their best song!!!!!

[BarnsleyTimelord]

You've gotta be kidding! Pointing out gramatical mistakes in popsong lyrics! Where would you start? Where would you end? Perhaps they should have called the Who, the Whom!

This version isn't a patch on Jigsaw's by the way!

[Morcaiden]

I could not get this song out of my head all day -- didn't know who sang it, either! Thanks for posting :-D

[inhighspeed]

Should be "Whom" do you think you are, but oh well. Great 70's pop.

[MrTrashcan1]

@inhighspeed That is correct. Actually it was Des Dyer, a Brit, who wrote the song, so blame them. They should know better. :)

[zickie2000]

ME TOO. LOVED THE CARS AND LOVED THE MUSIC..

[classie60]

Anybody have Bo donaldson & the Heywoods singing "OUR LAST SONG TOGETHER"..?..tHEY DID IT BRILLIANTLY.

[bpederson01]

I want to go back too but have to settle for youtube.

Camping to an AM radio with only one clear station that played the hits.

[destinymaj]

I wonder why there were never any live performances of this song. It is better than Billy Don't Be A Hero.

[coachbk1]

I somehow missed this one the first time around. It is better than "Billy Don't Be A Hero", which was a huge hit. This is good pop music!

[rondeco30]

First time I heard this version , it's good but I still think Candlewick Green is best ... even better than Jigsaw !

[ksjhwkr1]

I grew up listening to this music and it is still great. it brings back the great memorys of high school and the muscle cars and girls

[Jimbo700]

Ahhhh, the pride and joy of Cincinnati... Bo Donaldson and his Heywoods.

I'm really beginning to like this Mr Trashman.

Another great tune I played when I was just starting in radio.

[Sarasdad91]

What I love about this music is, it's music. I don't know what ithe stuff is called today, but it is not this.

[mrob75]

I always thought this song was even better than "BIlly"! Great memories from the fall of 1974...Great music back then, no?

[thespeez]

@mrob75 I was only in 4th grade at the time; but yeah, this, Carole King's "Jazzman", Gordon Lightfoot's "Carefree Highway", the Rolling Stones' music from that period, along with most all the #1s from "I shot the Sheriff" to "Cat's In The Cradle" with maybe a few exceptions.

[mrob75]

@thespeez Casey Kasem used to call 1974 "The Year of the Rock" because of:

Rock On (David Essex) Rock The Boat (Hughes Corporation) Rock Your Baby (George McCrae) and Rock Me Gently (Andy Kim)! And if I remember correctly "pet rocks" were all the rage during this time as well!

[conniesue1961]

I love this song!! Have it on a 45, but the quality is not as good as this. Thank you posting it. I will play it again and again.

[cippy2k]

a forgotten 45 why dont oldies station play oldies instead of the same songs over and over

[RTT8001]

Played the heck out of this 45 on my little record player in early Fall 1974.

[BestMusicExpert]

Great song, St. Etienne had a nice remake of this song in 1993.

[Nickie0016]

Love this song so much!!!!

[lindaenos]

Complex and Complicated but loved it!!!! :)

[nissansentraglx]

like everyone else, this takes me back to being like 7 yrs old again. some great songwriting back then! today's is crap!

[Lokigaea]

Same here....liked this better than "Billy..."....got to met the original group back in the 70's, they were very friendly, no problem with getting autographs, etc.....

[trucking604]

I've always like this song better then "Billy don't Be A Hero". Wish the oldie stations would play it once in a while???

[mystikrhythms61]

Never could figure out what a "Heywood" was...

[kovik62]

This song is connected with a special time in my life back in the fall and winter of '74. I still love it today.

[ejslurb2007]

You're right, Trashcan, this song was a whole lot better than "Billy."  In fact, I think this is classic American pop at it's best. So how come no one sings music like this these days? Maybe Greg Kihn is right, maybe, "They don't write 'em like that anymore." If so, that's why the music industry is in jeopardy, baby ... oooooooooh!!!

[MsEmy47]

Thanks for the memories,also from Cincinnati,i missed listening to them

[chrisbacos]

This is the second time today I played this song. I forgot about it.

It sounds good after all these years.

[DaveWollenberg]

The Heywoods hit #15 in Billboard, with this cover of the Jigsaw song, 9-21-74. God bless ya, for postin' it. Thanx!

[kathanson1956]

It was really neat to grow up down the street from Bo Donaldson. They all preformed at one of our huge block parties and that was right before they signed their first record deal.

[imajeepster]

much better song than "Billy don't be a hero!"

[estebandavilaruiz22]

the wonder years in song, only for experts ( good )

[Waynescott1]

This is the lost 1970's Buckinghams record..lol

[mbrianna66]

very nice

[kathie823]

I miss the 70s!

[auggdogrules]

highly underated group.rock on with the sweet melodies..............

[Robo1415]

I remember this song from my high school years...

[imajeepster]

@Robo1415 me too...high school sucked. But there was some good music. LOL

[danim371]

One of my favorite songs of the 70s. God, I so want to go back!

[shmuli9]

I love this song. It's SO 1970s. I think I'll go feather my hair with a curling iron/brush combo,

[Shawnecoleen]

Thanks for posting this! Man I miss the 70's!

[Puchi1959]

So glad still this song is remembered for so many people...

Great tune of a great era of music...thanks for posting!!

[GravDiga]

@louheff just poking some fun, nice song a bit repetitive but it tells a story...unlike the crap we hear today 'like a G6 like a G6 like a G6 :S like a G 6(does anyone even know what a G6 is?) like a G6' lss(long story short) i hate a lot modern music

[GravDiga]

@louheff I'm not really gay but i love this song :D

[ignoblius]

Does anybody remember "The Wonderful World of Disney" that aired on NBC in the 60s and early 70s? Once a year they showed a special filmed at Disneyland, and their 1974 special featured BD&tHW performing this tune from the elevating stage at Tomorrowland.

[MrTrashcan1]

@ignoblius Don't remember the song being featured, but as a member of nitpicker's anonymous I'd just like to correct the title of the TV show. :) It was originally called "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color." Later in reruns and recompilation is was changed to "The Wonderful World of Disney."

[room529]

@MrTrashcan1 I was there when they were filming it!!! I remember thinking, as a Zepplin fan and a young guitar player, "right...Billy Don't Be A Hero...sheesh!" Then they came on (or up) and blew me away. Rocking guitar player, great vocals, tight drums, excellent solos, not exactly my style, but slick and TOGETHER!!! Never saw a better band at Disneyland, and that's something, given that the one thing Disney ALWAYS gets right is the music.

[kskin]

MrTrashca1! This was the 1st 45 ever bought! I also remember them on American Bandstand! Thanks Mr. T!

[gorillamummy]

@ignoblius I remember seeing them play live in front of the castle at Disney World, right around that time.

[tsrla]

Thanks MrTrashcan1...a blast of fun.

[auggdogrules]

great song,forgot all about it,but i won't now,thanks for download !

[mattanddi62]

I have never lost track of this song and have it on my Ipod. But....I haven't heard it played in Seattle in over 30 years.

[jrb664]

Re: previous post-got my game shows mixed up; it was "Hollywood Squares". It was still bizarre

[tsrla]

@jrb664 Wasn't it Celebrity Sweepstakes (hosted by actor Jim McKrell)?

[jrb664]

Saw Bo Donaldson on "Tic Tac Dough" about '76or '77-bizarre

[rudyg39]

What an absolutely great pop song! Thank you!

[perpetual61]

Every once in well this Song Pops into my Head and I spend the Rest of the Day Singing it until I fall A sleep. It just goes to show That songs like This never truly leave you they stay with you as the Years go by, Because a Good Song is Always a Good Song No Matter What.

[stagetechgirl]

Ahhhhh, I love this song....saw them when I was a kid at Knott's Berry Farm....I wished I would of been older...man, they were hot! I keep playing this song over and over again. HA....BOYS I'm a big girl now...where are you!?!? ha!

[jfq722]

This is a really good song/record. Even the opening, with the initial two beats, is echoed throughout and in the last verse with the repeating two piano 'beeps' cutting in. Fits in nice with the 'crossroads' / 'lights changing' reference.

[hardhittndoug]

Wow, this is the song that I heard and then went out and bought the album for. Great posting.

[beckyhammonbest]

Best one they did!

[rudyg39]

Awesome song!

[Jazeekat]

love it thanks



[beinzee]

Haven't heard this for a long time. Yes, I think it's better than their 1st release. Thanks!!

[greyasoc]

Any idea where I can get the MP3 version of this song from? I can't seem to find it on any of the popular websites like iTunes, Napster, Amazonmp3, WalMart. I found the Jigsaw version...but the Bo Donaldson version was the true "hit". The only song from Bo Donaldson that anyone seems to have in stock is "Billy Don't Be a Hero".

[70s80sMusicFan]

Love it!! Remember it playing on the radio in the Fall of 1974! I loved my teen years.

Thanks for putting this song on YouTube.

[thespeez]

@70s80sMusicFan - Yeah, I was in fourth grade at the time. I like this song then; still do.

[jerichodon]

now this is great music which you dont hear these day thank you

[jalagunes]

Alina its for you, do you remember me

[jwacaa81]

often imitated never replicated.

[primogennaio]

This is the best that they did.  Brings back nostalgic memories. If only I could bring back those days and the great music they had. Most music made today can't compare to what was done in the 50s, 60s, 70s, early 80s.

[yesand2005]

A *really* overlooked song ... just heard it on our local low-power community-supported FM station yesterday, probably for the first time in 30 years ... and didn't realize that Jigsaw did the original. Thanks for posting!

[dingecibbs]

the lights are changin' baby............luv that

[jfq722]

@dingecibbs Yep. Love that line too. Its a good song AND a good record.

[peskhs53]

Totally agree - better than 'Billy' - better melody!

[elprado1963]

I agree, this is a really good song..

[Robo1415]

This is a great song...memories of high school.

[999YORK]

They had two great hits. Great lead singer. Miss the 70's. Music died around 1990 when rap music came along.

[primogennaio]

@999YORK Rap music isn't music, it's disharmonius noise.

[GeorgieGirl66]

I tried to get Who Do You Think You Are by

Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods as a single on

I Tunes but it seemed all they had was

Billy dont be a hero or you had to purchase the entire album. Any advise on where to get just

the single.

[PapaBean1214]

dam! back in the day in 74! in my beroom with the suitcase record player listening to a stack of 45's!  days long past, a simpler time.

[angusthethird]

I think they premiered this song OUTSIDE on a Saturday NBC show called "Go". I think I remember seeing the broadcast on June 22, 1974, the last week of "Billy, Don't Be A Hero's" being at #1. Their follow-up. (The song was still receiving big time airplay in Detroit as late as the week of July 20th.) Thanks Bo and Mike, for the memories!

[lakeladymel]

No,I like Jigsaw's version better. Love Bo,but ,no,this isn't the top version of this song. Jigsaw, rocks it more !!!

[ponygirlup]

i m glad to have found this. this song still enters my mind and i cant get it out. at least i remembered who recorded it because other versions drown this out during searches.

great video for this song! thanks!

[Iwantherboots]

I love this tune, and wish it existed in a karaoke disc. A friend of mine and myself are going to start a company. We are both musicians, I'm actually a private music instructor working on eventually getting a degree. We're going to contact ASCAP and make sure the original author will give permission to use this tune, Then, I'm going to write the musical arrangement and make charts, since I don't know where to locate the sheet music. Mike Gibbons always looks so serious when he sings.

[4kane]

I remember when Bo and the boys performed this on "American Bandstand". So thrilled that you posted this. Thank you!!

[cmulwee001]

This song is a cover OF a cover. First recorded by the band Jigsaw, of which two of the members wrote this song.

Candlewick Green then did an alomst note for note cover, the only main difference being the voices. Then came Bo-Do's version, the one that most of us all know. But do check out the previos vesions by Jiggsaw and Candle wick Green. There both here on You Tube

[markess48]

Great song!

[trailboyus66]

HAPPY THANKSGIVING BO....

[hardlines4]

Thank- You Des Dyer of " Jigsaw" for writing this great tune..A time when we had REAL music!!!

[jettwonder]

This song is a classic.

[77pintoboy]

Thing i love about this music is it takes me back to all i had to worry about is what kind of licorice im gonna buy when i got to the store or who had a crush on me or just the simple things that make your heart go GA GA

[50Emerald]

This song is a great rocker from fall, 1974 The trouble with recording a super song like this is that the group can never again equal it!

[Treaty4]

Thanks renee800.

[Treaty4]

Question: Where on earth did all these gorgeous guys come from? Love the song!

[reneee800]

OHIO

[monkeypoo47]

great song! too bad they keep yanking down saint etiennes version of this. almost as good

[frumnyc]

I liked this better than Billy, too

[DjDaDj3]

wow my uncle was in this band!

[rav4rulz]

Which of the guys is your uncle? I saw them on American Bandstand when "Billy" came out. I was 12!

[DjDaDj3]

Gary Coveyou

[MsHannah1997]

When I was 14, my friend and I were crazy about this group! I loved Mike Gibbon's voice and still do! This song was my favorite from this group. We even had concert tickets to see them, but Bo had some health problems and they canceled the concert. We were so disappointed. I had two of their albums. Would love to see the Idol concert but don't know if they are still performing.

[wilkes85]

my mom's still got this LP from when she was a kid. I think I'll go listen to it!

BTW thanks for uploading this!

Their recorded version of Billy don't be a hero doesn't seem to be on YT. I think I'll upload that. All there is is that shit version by paper lace.

[Yellow586]

When I was little, my drama teacher alternated between this and Billy for warm up music. I've always wondered what the song was and now I know.

[oakandwillow]

I like this piece a lot... I heard it was inspired by the Chicago band THE BUCKINGHAMS... The horns are good, but I think they could have toned down the organ in favor of more piano played at the low end. Otherwise an excellent work.

[dingecibbs]

the lights are changin' baby... I love that part

[peetie25]

love the cymbals at 2:25.

[45rpmSINGLES]

This song was written by Des Dyer of British band Jigsaw ( of `Sky High` fame ) and I`ve just uploaded their original recording

[trailboyus66]

If I paid more attention I would have read this. I came across the Jigsaw version by accident last week and sent it out to my friends. Yes I like this the best but Jigsaw is one of my all time favorite songs "Sky High"....

[Enbefito]

Mi agradecimiento a Mr Trashcan1 por volver a reincorporar este video que es magnífico. Así si vale la pena admirar y escuchar a este grupo de los años 70´s que es mi preferido y de otras personas más. Gracias

[trailboyus66]

This is the best video for this song. Thank God that it's back up again.

I wrote Bo sometime ago. He answered me with a real nice response. Yes they do look at what we have to say from time to time.

Very good.

[boopkid]

This wonderfully melodic song is often played here in New Orleans on the WTIX oldies station. A great "forgotten" song and the best one they ever did. Thanks for posting this.

[MrTrashcan1]

Glad to hear it's being played. Thanks for your comment.

[RedSoxFan4eva1000]

@MrTrashcan1 Thanks for posting this awesome song my all time favorite,been looking forever as NO radio stations EVER play this nor any other great classic lost 45's Made my day as I just stumbled on this site!!!!

[thefirefighter2011]

@boopkid

what position in 1974 did that song peaked at?

[thefirefighter2011]

@thefirefighter2011

never mind it was at number 15 in late 1974

[Sarasdad91]

Welcome back Mr Trashcan, thought we lost ya, good to have this song back to listen to, now ill add it to my fav,s again. Thanks

[MrTrashcan1]

Thank you, my friend, glad you found me again.

[jessesgirl1956]

I have been looking for this song! Awesome!! Thank you for posting!!

[MrTrashcan1]

My pleasure.  Glad you like it so much.

[SeLeNaFaN2325]

Thank you for this song.I love it!

[vanhill7099]

@jessesgirl1956 better than candlewick green's version. Bo Donaldson did a better job with this song than candlewick green.

[Sarasdad91]

@vanhill7099 Candlewick green's version was almost identical to Jigsaw's version. Jigsaw wrote this song. But I still love Bo's much more.

[peeterpoon]

It is hard to find a song with more catchy upbeat hooks than this one. Great job again, Mr. T1!

[SeLeNaFaN2325]

Thank for this great song!