If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body (Would You Hold It Against Me)

Album: The Two and Only (1979)
Charted: 3 39
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Songfacts®:

  • This song boasts one of the most interesting titles in country music, and as Howard Bellamy told Songfacts, it originated from a phrase coined by one the 20th century's most enduring comedians. Says Bellamy, "I have to give credit for that line to Groucho Marx. That's going way back. Of course you've heard of the Marx Brothers. Groucho used to have a show on TV when we were growing up - which I hate to even admit how long ago that was - but he had a show called You Bet Your Life, and he'd have guests on, and different quiz questions. And Groucho smoked a cigar - that tells you how long ago it was, he smoked cigars on a TV show. He'd use that line occasionally, he'd say, 'If I said you had a beautiful body, would you hold it against me?' and shake his cigar and kind of raise his eyebrows. So we had heard that line growing up, and our family always had a weird southern sense of humor, and they'd use that line around a lot. So it just came one day that it'd be a great song title."
  • This song was re-recorded with Dolly Parton for the Bellamy Brothers 2006 Angels and Outlaws album.
  • In 2011, Britney Spears released a song called "Hold It Against Me" with the lyrics, "If I said I want your body now, would you hold it against me?"

    The Bellamy Brothers released this statement in response: "Hey, Brit, if I said you ripped off our song, would you hold it against me?" said Howard Bellamy. Added brother David, "If you listen to the lyrics of Britney Spears' new single, you'll find some major similarities... She's a talented gal. But professionally, well, in all honesty, we feel completely ripped off. Where's the originality?"
  • The Bellamy Brothers are best known for their first single: the 1976 #1 hit "Let Your Love Flow." They soon faded from the pop charts but were embraced by country fans, and "If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body..." became the first of their 10 #1 Country hits.

Comments: 3

  • Mkw from PompeyLuke , I came gere for that comment after just hearing Lyin Eyes lol
  • Lee Johnson from WiltshireAnd the Bellamys only prevented their asses getting sued by Britney's people by publicly apologizing for the comment. It's a great title for a song, but no one person or organization owns those words outright.
  • Luke from Manchester, UkMajor similarities between this song's rhythm and melody and Lyin' Eyes by the Eagles.
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