A-side "Little Girl" Released 1966 (1966) Recorded 9 January 1966 | B-side "You" Format 7" single Genre Garage rock | |
"Little Girl" is a popular song recorded by the California group the Syndicate of Sound, and written by Don Baskin and Bob Gonzalez of the band. It reached the US national pop charts in June 1966, peaking at #5 on Cash Box and #8 on Billboard.
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Background
After winning a Bay Area "Battle of the Bands" contest in 1965, the Syndicate of Sound recorded a single "Prepare For Love", which was ultimately unsuccessful. Don Baskin and Bob Gonzales then wrote "Little Girl", which was recorded for Hush Records and released in early 1966. After becoming a regional hit around the San Jose California area, Bell Records picked it up for national distribution, where it charted as high as #8 on Billboard. Bell Records then offered them a contract for an album. Prior to going into the studio to record the album, Larry Ray was replaced on lead guitar by Jim Sawyers. The album was recorded in three weeks and the band then embarked on a nationwide tour supporting among others, Paul Revere & the Raiders, the Young Rascals, and The Yardbirds.
Other recordings
The Residents recorded the song as part of their Third Reich 'n Roll album of 1976.
A version by British group The Banned was a UK hit in 1977, reaching #36 in December.
Another version was made by The Dead Boys on their first album Young, Loud and Snotty also released in 1977.
Australian group Divinyls released their own version of the song titled "Hey Little Boy" in 1988. It went to #23 on the Australian charts.
R.E.M. played the song in their very early shows.