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

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The Remasters

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep Purple

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?