Little Richard - Good Golly, Miss Molly

First performance: 23/09/1975

Coverinfo

Although Bruce has never performed it in full, Bruce has used the first two verses of 'Good Golly Miss Molly' as part of Detroit Medley, a medley of various songs - including in this medley, depending on the period:
 
Bruce performed the song included in the Detroit medley 418 times:

All known live performances
 

Songinfo

"Good Golly, Miss Molly" is a song first recorded in 1956 by Little Richard and released in January 1958 as Specialty single 624 and next in July 1958 on Little Richard. The song, a jump blues, was written by John Marascalco and producer Robert "Bumps" Blackwell. Although it was first recorded by Little Richard, Blackwell produced another version by The Valiants, who imitated the fast first version recorded by Little Richard, not released at this time. Although the Valiants' version was released first (in 1957), Little Richard had the hit. Like all his early hits, it quickly became a rock 'n' roll standard and has subsequently been recorded by hundreds of artists. Little Richard first heard the phrase "Good golly, Miss Molly" from a Southern DJ named Jimmy Pennick. He modified the lyrics into the more suggestive "Good golly, Miss Molly/You sure like to ball". Little Richard himself later claimed that he took the music from Ike Turner's piano intro to Jackie Brenston's influential 1951 rock and roll song "Rocket 88", and used it for "Good Golly, Miss Molly". "I always liked that record," Richard recalled, "and I used to use the riff in my act, so when we were looking for a lead-in to 'Good Golly, Miss Molly', I did that and it fit."
 
 
 

Bruce on the artist

2020-05-20 SiriusXM Studio, New York City
During the SiriusXM radio Lockdown DJ show Volume 4, "From His Home to Yours" broadcast on Wednesday, May 20, Bruce played 3 songs of Little Richard who recently passed away. He played:
 
1. Born on the Bayou (only the intro)
2. Tutti Fruti
3. Get Down With It
 
Bruce's comment on Little Richard:
"That is the purest rock 'n' roll voice of all time, and it belongs to the Georgia Peach, the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Little Richard, who we lost in early May. That was one of the founding fathers of rock and roll and its preeminent vocal genius. And there he profoundly explained in my opinion why and how he does what he does. He came out of Macon, Georgia to take the nation, the world and your body and soul by storm. His art was filled with absurdity, dead seriousnees, great humor and sex, sex, sex. He is one of a handful of men who changed the face of world culture. He crossed racial boundaries, he challenged gender norms and he had the time of his life. Here once again is the High Priest of Rock and Roll. A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop, a-lop-bam-boom! Rest in peace, Richard. "
  
Bruce had 3 appearances together with Little Richard :
 
1995-11-19 Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA
Frank Sinatra 80th Birthday Concert

1989-01-18 Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City, NY
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Together with Little Richard in an all starr performance
  
1988-01-20 Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City, NY 
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: Together with Little Richard in an all starr performance
 
 
 

Lyrics

Good Golly Miss Molly, sure like to ball
Whoa, Good Golly Miss Molly, sure like to ball
Oh when you're rocking and a-rolling can hear your mama call

From the early, early morning till the early, early night
When you caught Miss Molly rocking at the House of Blue Lights

Good Golly Miss Molly, sure like to ball
Oh when you're rocking and a-rolling can hear your momma call

Momma, poppa told me, "Son, you better watch your step"
If you knew my poppa, momma has to watch my pa herself"

Good Golly Miss Molly, sure like to ball
Oh when you're rocking and a-rolling can hear your mama call
Ahhh!

Good Golly Miss Molly, sure like to ball
Whoa, Good Golly Miss Molly, sure like to ball
Oh when you're rocking and a-rolling can hear your mama call

I'm going to the corner, gonna buy a diamond ring
Would you pardon me, kiss me ting-a-ling-a-ling

Good Golly Miss Molly, sure like to ball
Oh when you're rocking and a-rolling can hear your mama call