Smiley Lewis (5 July 1913 – 7 October 1966) was a New Orleans rhythm and bl… Read Full Bio ↴Smiley Lewis (5 July 1913 – 7 October 1966) was a New Orleans rhythm and blues musician.
Lewis was born in DeQuincy, Louisiana, U.S., with the given name of Overton Amos Lemons.
He began to play music in New Orleans, in his mid-teens. Lewis had hit songs in 1952 with "The Bells Are Ringing", and in 1955 with the original recorded version of "I Hear You Knocking" (written by Dave Bartholomew and Pearl King).
Lewis' own song "Blue Monday" was covered by Fats Domino. Whilst Elvis Presley's cover of the Lewis song "One Night" (altering one risque lyric) was #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #1 on UK Singles Chart.
Dave Edmunds' cover of "I Hear You Knocking" also reached number one in the UK. His version of the song lyric actually name checks Lewis (alongside Chuck Berry and Huey Smith).
Lewis' track "Shame, Shame, Shame" appeared on the soundtrack of the film, Baby Doll in 1956, but failed to find entry to the R&B chart.
Lewis died in the autumn of 1966 from stomach cancer. He was all but forgotten outside of his New Orleans home base.
Lewis was born in DeQuincy, Louisiana, U.S., with the given name of Overton Amos Lemons.
He began to play music in New Orleans, in his mid-teens. Lewis had hit songs in 1952 with "The Bells Are Ringing", and in 1955 with the original recorded version of "I Hear You Knocking" (written by Dave Bartholomew and Pearl King).
Lewis' own song "Blue Monday" was covered by Fats Domino. Whilst Elvis Presley's cover of the Lewis song "One Night" (altering one risque lyric) was #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, and #1 on UK Singles Chart.
Dave Edmunds' cover of "I Hear You Knocking" also reached number one in the UK. His version of the song lyric actually name checks Lewis (alongside Chuck Berry and Huey Smith).
Lewis' track "Shame, Shame, Shame" appeared on the soundtrack of the film, Baby Doll in 1956, but failed to find entry to the R&B chart.
Lewis died in the autumn of 1966 from stomach cancer. He was all but forgotten outside of his New Orleans home base.
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I Hear You Knockin' - Blues Greats
Smiley Lewis Lyrics
Blue Monday Blue Monday, how I hate blue Monday Got me workin'…
I Hear You Knocking You went away and left me long time ago Now you…
Lillie Mae Oh Lillie Mae, don't go away Oh Lillie Mae, don't go…
One Night One night of sin, Is what I'm now paying for The things…
Shame, Shame, Shame Shame shame shame on you Miss Roxy Shame shame shame on…
Tee Nah Nah Tee Nah Nah, Tee Nah Nah... Yes we learn and reckon…