Led Zeppelin - “You Shook Me:” Led Zeppelin blatantly stole from Willie Dixon, crediting some of his songs as their own. LZ weren’t the only ones to screw Dixon out of money and songwriting credits. He later sued the band who settled with him. Setting that aside, Robert Plant was a great blues-rock singer and this is a great, great moment from their debut.
The Rolling Stones - “I Just Want To Make Love To You:” The Rolling Stones took their name from a song Muddy Waters wrote but it could have just as easily been a Willie Dixon song as Waters, like Wolf, often recorded Dixon tunes. The Stones heard Muddy’s version and sped it up, rocking it out and making it a hit for themselves. The Stones’ bad boy image was inspired by taking on raunchy blues numbers like this.
Otis Rush - “I Can’t Quit You Baby:” Most people know the Zeppelin version best but it’s Otis’ version of that song Zeppelin copied and covered. As far as I’m concerned, Willie and Otis should have both gotten some money from Page and Plant.
Koko Taylor - “Wang Dang Doodle:” Howlin’ Wolf hated recording this song but it became one of the biggest hits and signature songs for The Queen of The Blues.
Muddy Waters - “I’m Your Hoochie Coochie Man:” This might be one of the most famous songs everybody knows without knowing that they know. This riff, this rhythm, these words- everything about this song is in the DNA of just about every song written since. Muddy’s version stands apart as the definitive one but this has been done by everybody.
Sonny Boy Williamson - “Bring It On Home:” Another Willie Dixon song famously associated with Led Zeppelin but I wanted to talk about the great Sonny Boy Williamson because it clearly influenced Robert Plant’s vocal when Zeppelin later recorded it.
Check out these 10 songs and celebrate the legacy of Willie Dixon. Do you have a different favorite version of a Willie Dixon song? Let’s hash it out in the comments. Happy Birthday, Willie!
Article comments
1 - Connie Phillips
Great playlist! I'm so happy to see you bringing this feature back in a new form.
2 - El Bicho
Looks like I need to crack out so Willie. Thanks for the reminder
3 - Josh Hathaway
Thanks, guys! I played this set for myself last night while writing the feature and I enjoyed every bit of it. I also started thinking about the alternate tracklistings that were possible and it was amazing.
4 - Eric Olsen
great job Josh - love the selections! Did you ever see this bio I did on Dixon?
5 - Josh Hathaway
Thanks, EO. The great thing about this is I can think of 10 more for next year, easy.
I do remember your article on Dixon, commented on it under my former pseudonym.
6 - dscsdcsd
Led Zeppelin credited Willie Dixon for writting both "You Shook Me" and "I Can't Quit You Baby", learn your shit before talkin about it