Young Blood

Album: Greatest Hits (1957)
Charted: 8
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is written by the legendary songwriting team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, and was released as the B-side of The Coasters' hit "Searchin'." The Coasters were a spin-off from an earlier group The Robins, with the members Carl Gardner and Bobby Nunn. To this duo, they added Billy Guy and Leon Hughes and became The Coasters. The group had one final re-arrangement a few years later to reach the classic lineup of Carl Gardner, Billy Guy, Cornell Gunter, and Will "Dub" Jones. Their manager was none other than Lester Sill, Leiber and Stoller's longtime mentor.

    Jerry Leiber tells the story of how "Young Blood" was written, in the book Hound Dog: The Leiber & Stoller Autobiography. He was on his way to dinner with the family of Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler, when Jerry gave him a challenge. Wexler sprung the title "Young Blood" on Leiber while they were driving to Wexler's home, and asked him if he could write lyrics to go with it. Leiber asked "How far are we from your house?" and when Wexler told him it was fifteen minutes, Leiber responded "I'll have the lyrics finished before we get there." And he did!
  • The Beatles played this at their audition for Decca Records in 1962. Their version can be found on the album The Beatles Live At The BBC. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Sally - Dublin, Ireland

Comments: 4

  • Jennifur Sun from RamonaNever knew they did a cover of this one, knew they did Searching which for some strange reason doesn't show up on your list of covers.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 14th 1976, Bad Company's covered version of "Young Blood"* entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #72; and nine weeks later on May 16th, 1965 it peaked #20 {for 2 weeks} and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #9 on the Canadian RPM Pop Singles chart...
    Between 1974 and 1999 the British quartet had seventeen Top 100 records; with one making the Top 10, "Feel Like Makin' Love" at #10 for two weeks on September 21st, 1975...
    * The original version of "Young Blood" by the Coasters was one of those rare records were both sides made the Top 10; the flip-side, "Searchin'", peaked at #3.
  • Ethan from HelsinkiJumpin' Jack Flash/Young Blood medley is freaking amazing with Leon Russell at the Concert For Bangladesh.
  • Bianca Sanchez from Alburquerque, NmI love the Way The Beatles sing it. Its Flippin cool especaly when they all say What's ur name I love when Ringo Says it!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-Nighters

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.