Introduction:
Love Bug, a light-hearted and playful country tune, was recorded by American country music legend George Jones in 1965. While Jones himself is synonymous with the genre, the songwriter credits for Love Bug go to Buzz Cason and Sandy Posey. Billy Sherrill, a producer who would become instrumental in shaping Jones’ later career, was at the helm for this recording.
Released during a period of immense creative fertility for Jones, Love Bug found its place on the album George Jones and Gene Pitney (Recorded in Nashville!). This particular album was a collaborative effort between Jones and fellow country music artist Gene Pitney. While it wasn’t one of Jones’ biggest selling albums, it showcased his distinctive vocals and his ability to deliver a song with both sincerity and a touch of playfulness.
Love Bug itself wasn’t a chart-topping hit for Jones, but it did find a place on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. More importantly, the song became a popular addition to Jones’ live setlist, and remained a favorite among fans for years to come. It exemplified a particular aspect of Jones’ vocal style that his fans adored – his ability to infuse even a light-hearted song with a touch of melancholy and longing.
Love Bug‘s enduring legacy lies in its portrayal of the giddy feeling of new love. The lyrics, though not explicitly mentioned in the introduction, use the metaphor of a love bug to capture the all-encompassing feeling of infatuation. The narrator compares his excitement and nervousness around his love interest to the way one might feel after being bitten by a love bug. This light-hearted imagery perfectly embodies the song’s overall mood of joyful exuberance.
While Love Bug may not be one of George Jones’ most well-known recordings, it stands as a testament to his versatility as a country singer. The song showcases his ability to deliver a playful tune with the same conviction he brought to his more serious songs. Love Bug remains a delightful track for fans of George Jones and country music as a whole.
Video:
https://youtu.be/nsryzCWqrLg?si=MUhtr6cxYJwpStX3
Lyrics:
Well, I was ruling the roost, and I had all the chicks to myselfAnd then suddenly it happened, that funny little feeling I feltYeah, I tried to outrun it, but it finally caught up with meBut how could I run from something that I can’t see?
Oh, that little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the love bugNobody’s ever seen it, but it’s got the whole world shook upIt all started with a little bitty kiss and a hugIt’s a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the love bug
Well, I always thought that I had me a pretty good styleBut I lost that race by a good old country mileYeah, I was walking all around with my head held way up highAnd then it fooled me, hit me, really took me by surprise
Oh, that little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the love bugNobody’s ever seen it, but it’s got the whole world shook upIt all started with a little bitty kiss and a hugIt’s a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the love bug
It’s a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the love bug