B-side "You're the Reason" Genre Soul Label Dot Records | Released November 1962 Length 2:26 Writer(s) Arthur Alexander | |
"Go Home Girl" is a song written by Arthur Alexander. It was originally released in 1962 as Alexander's follow-up single to "Anna." It has since been recorded by the Rolling Stones, Ry Cooder, Gary U.S. Bonds and Frank Black.
Contents
Arthur Alexander version
Like "Anna," "Go Home Girl" was inspired by Alexander's difficulties with his wife. The lyrics portray the singer in love with his best friend's girlfriend, and therefore insisting on breaking off the relationship with the girl in order to preserve his friendship. Alexander biographer Richard Younger describes the song as taking "the moralistic view of a man who decides that it is wrong to romance his best friend's girl." The music incorporates elements of both country and R&B music. Rubber City Review detects a country music twang in the vocal performance. Author Roben Jones notes that the melody and structure of "Go Home Girl" was similar to that of Alexander's first single "You Better Move On." Instrumentation includes string instruments and Alexander is backed by a chorus in parts. Younger points out a number of similarities between "Go Home Girl" and Alexander's previous releases, including "sparse drum and piano figure," "choppy guitars," "off-beat cymbals" and "lush female vocals."
Upon its release, Billboard Magazine predicted that it could be a big hit, based on its "touching quality" and "impelling beat." Author Michael Gray described the song as "impeccable." No Depression noted that despite not achieving the commercial success of "You Better Move On," "Go Home Girl" as well as "Anna" confirmed that his artistic talent hadn't diminished.
Alexander rerecorded the song under the title "Go on Home Girl" for his 1972 self-titled album.
Cover versions
The Rolling Stones recorded "Go Home Girl" on November 14, 1963, in a session in which they also recorded a version of Alexander's first single "You Better Move On." However, this recording has not been officially released. Ry Cooder covered the song on his 1979 album Bop Till You Drop. Mojo Magazine described his portrayal of the brokenhearted singer attempting to act stoic as worthy of an Academy Award. High Fidelity Magazine described the "Mexican-style" guitar part as "splendid," and also praised Tim Drummond's diversified bass guitar lines. Gary U.S. Bonds and Frank Black performed the song as a duet on the 1994 album Adios Amigo: A Tribute to Arthur Alexander.