Everything’s Alright

Written by: Nicky Crouch, John Konrad, Simon Stavely, Stuart James, Keith Karlson
Recorded: July 1973
Producers: Ken Scott, David Bowie
Engineer: Dennis MacKay

Released: 19 October 1973

Available on:
Pin Ups

Personnel

David Bowie: vocals, saxophone
Mick Ronson: guitar, vocals
Trevor Bolder: bass guitar
Mike Garson: piano
Aynsley Dunbar: drums
Ken Fordham: baritone saxophone
Geoff MacCormack: backing vocals

David Bowie recorded a version of the Mojos’ 1964 song ‘Everything’s Alright’ for his seventh album, 1973’s Pin Ups.

The Merseybeat group released ‘Everything’s Alright’ as a single in 1964, which peaked at number nine on the UK singles chart. The song was titled ‘Everything’s Al’ Right’ on the record label.

Unusually for the beat group era, the songwriting credits for ‘Everything’s Alright’ listed all five members of the band. Simon Stavely was a pseudonym for keyboard player Terence O’Toole.

David working hard again. All those totally unique (and campy) backing vocals and the saxes. No rest for the wicked.

Pin Ups featured Aynsley Dunbar on drums. Coincidentally, Dunbar had joined the Mojos in late 1964, although after the release of ‘Everything’s Alright’.

Bowie also performed the song at London’s Marquee Club on 19 October 1973 for the NBC television special The 1980 Floor Show. Featuring some spirited backing vocals from the Astronettes, it was Bowie’s only known performance of the song.

Lyrics

Oh, little baby
You know I’ve been away
Oh, little baby
You know I’ll come today
Don’t you know that

Everything’s alright (everything’s alright, babe)
Everything’s alright (sometime I knew they would)
Everything’s alright (everything’s alright, babe)
Let me hold your hand and be your loving man
(all night, ho ho)
Let me hold your hand and be your loving man
(all night, ho ho)
Let me hold your hand and be your loving man
(all night, ho ho, alright!) alright

Oh, little baby
You know I feel so good
Oh, little baby
I never knew I could
And don’t you know that

Everything’s alright (everything’s alright, babe)
Everything’s alright (sometimes I knew they would)
Everything’s alright (everything’s alright, babe)
Let me give you loving like nobody can
(all night, ho ho)
Let me give you loving like nobody can
(all night, uh ho)
Let me give you loving like nobody can
(all night)
Alright!

Let me hold your hand and be your loving man
Let me hold your hand and be your loving man
Let me hold your hand and be your loving man

No, no, no, no, no, that’s a-loving you
(Must have been you, I’m gonna all night loving you)
No, no, no, no, no
I’ll be good for you

Everything’s alright (everything’s alright, babe)
Everything’s alright ( sometime I knew they would)
Everything’s alright (everything’s alright, babe)
Let me give you loving like nobody can
(all night, ho ho)
Let me give you loving like nobody can
(all night, uh ho)
Let me give you loving like nobody can
(all night)
Alright

Everything’s alright
Everything’s alright
Ooh