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Don't Mess With Bill

by

The Marvelettes



Album: Greatest Hits      Released: 1965
US Chart: 7     
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The Marvelettes consisted of Gladys Horton, Georgia Dobbins, Juanita Cowart, Georgeanna Tillman and Katherine Anderson - all from Inkster, Michigan. The group was originally known as the "Casinyets." Casinyet was a contraction for "Can't Sing Yet." Horton formed the group to enter a high-school talent competition.

This song was written by William "Smokey" Robinson, who achieved legendary status in the music business himself, first with the Miracles and then as a solo artist. Robinson's hits as an artist have included: "Shop Around," "You've Really Got a Hold on Me," "Mickey's Monkey," "Ooo Baby Baby," "The Tracks of My Tears," "Going to a Go-Go," "More Love," "I Second That Emotion," "Tears Of A Clown," "Being With You," "One Heartbeat," and "Just To See Her." Robinson played a pivotal role at the Motown record label, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy.

Despite assertions to the contrary, the "Bill" mentioned in "Don't Mess With Bill" is not William "Smokey" Robinson. Explained Robinson: "The reason I used that name is it sang well."

In addition to penning many of the hits for his own group, Robinson wrote songs for other Motown artists as well. In addition to songs by the Marvelettes, he also wrote "My Guy" by Mary Wells, "The Way You Do the Things You Do," and "My Girl," by the Temptations, and "Ain't That Peculiar" and "I'll Be Doggone" by Marvin Gaye. Bob Dylan is said to have called Robinson "America's greatest living poet." Robinson has written or co-written over 4,000 songs.

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Comments:

This song became the Marvelettes' third (and last) top-10 pop hit (the other two being the #1 "Please Mr. Postman" in 1961, and the #7 hit "Playboy" in 1962).
- John, Nashville, TN

EVEN THOUGH William "Smokey" Robinson wrote this smash hit song, he also possibly wrote another song that contained the name "Bill" in the title: "Hang On Bill" by an obscure artist named Little Lisa, AKA Lisa Miller, co-songwriter of the Sergio Mendes tune "Never Gonna Let You Go".
- Kristin, Bessemer, AL

I was just thinking, wouldnt it have been FABULOUS if a Motown group like Martha and the Vandellas were given a song like this? the girls wouldnt have thought TWICE about "messing with Bill"!
- Kristin, Bessemer, AL

That's true that the hit song "Don't Mess With Bill" (1966) is sure not about "William" Robinson. In the song The Marvelettes even refer to "Bill" as "...leave my 'Billy' alone"! According to all information and articles, Smokey was never called Bill or Billy. -- Dre
- AnDre, The Bronx, NY

My dear friends, Bill and Sharon Watson are celebrating their 40th anniversary October 2007. I always, ALWAYS, think of them when I hear this song. Love you guys ... Happy anniversary! Carol
- Carol, Monterey, Mexico

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