Don't Mess With Bill

Album: Greatest Hits (1965)
Charted: 7
Play Video
  • Don't mess with Bill
    Don't mess with Bill
    Don't mess with Bill
    Don't mess with Bill

    Now I know he's the guy who put tears in my eyes
    A thousand times or more
    Oh, but ev'rytime he would apologize
    I loved him more than before

    Hear what I say, girls, keep away, uh huh
    Don't mess with Bill
    No, no, no, no
    Don't mess with Bill

    Leave my Billy alone
    Don't mess with Bill
    Get a guy of your own
    Don't mess with Bill

    Now there's Johnny, there's Joe
    And there's Frank and Jim, just to name a few
    Now Bill's got me and I've got him
    I'm sure there's one for you

    Hear what I say, girls, keep away, uh huh
    Don't mess with Bill
    No, no, no, no
    Don't mess with Bill

    He is mine all mine
    Don't mess with Bill
    I'll say it one more time
    Don't mess with Bill

    Though I tell myself he wants no one else
    'Cause he keeps coming back to me
    Now I'm in no position to want competition
    I want to be sure as can be

    Hear what I say, girls, keep away, uh huh
    Don't mess with Bill
    No, no, no, no
    Don't mess with Bill

    Leave my Billy alone
    Don't mess with Bill
    Get a guy of your own
    Don't mess with Bill

    'Cause he is mine all mine
    Don't mess with Bill
    I'll say it one more time
    Don't mess with Bill Writer/s: SMOKEY ROBINSON, WILLIAM ROBINSON JR.
    Publisher: Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 9

  • Steve from PhillyWhat a GREAT SONG......
    For the record Brad ....the song was written by Smokey Robinson
  • Brad from CanadaLittle Lisa's Hang on Bill was written by Berry, Gwen and Robert Gordy
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn February 14th 1966, the Marvelettes performed "Don't Mess With Bill" on the NBC-TV program 'Hullabaloo!'...
    Two months earlier on December 26th, 1965 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; and on February 20th it peaked at #7 (for 1 week) and spent 12 weeks on the Top 100...
    It reached #3 on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    Sadly, two members of the quintet are no longer with us; lead singer Gladys Catherine Horton (1945 - 2011) and Georgeanna Marie Tillman Gordon (1943 - 1980)...
    May they both R.I.P.
  • Rotunda from Tulsa, Ok"Don't Mess With Bill" from 1965 brings back a lot of memories of starting college, life changes, & new relationships. The song was climbing the charts, getting great airplay, & was a resurgence of The Marvelettes' career. This was followed by the fabulous hit "Hunter Gets Captured by The Game" which I loved just as well. So smooth & with a big beat. I was saddened when Gladys Horton passed a few years back; she was a great force for The Marvelettes' career. Got to see them in concert in L.A. years ago & it was truly worth it. They could really handle a song in live performance. I believe the CD "The Marvelettes: The Ultimate Collection" displays their talents well in big hits and album cuts to show that they were more than what Motown put out there on the marke.
  • John from Nashville, TnThis 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).
  • Kristin from Bessemer, AlEVEN 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 from Bessemer, AlI 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"!
  • Andre from The Bronx, NyThat'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
  • Carol from Monterey, MexicoMy 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
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.

Don Felder

Don FelderSongwriter Interviews

Don breaks down "Hotel California" and other songs he wrote as a member of the Eagles. Now we know where the "warm smell of colitas" came from.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)

Donnie Iris (Ah! Leah!, The Rapper)Songwriter Interviews

Before "Rap" was a form of music, it was something guys did to pick up girls in nightclubs. Donnie talks about "The Rapper" and reveals the identity of Leah.

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.

Emilio Castillo from Tower of Power

Emilio Castillo from Tower of PowerSongwriter Interviews

Emilio talks about what it's like to write and perform with the Tower of Power horns, and why every struggling band should have a friend like Huey Lewis.