"Susie Q" is a song by musician Dale Hawkins recorded late in the rockabilly era in 1957. He wrote it with bandmate Robert Chaisson, but when released, Stan Lewis, the owner of Jewel/Paula Records and whose daughter Susan was the inspiration for the song, and Eleanor Broadwater, the wife of Nashville DJ Gene Nobles, were credited as co-writers to give them shares of the royalties.
Creedence Clearwater Revival released a version on their debut album released in 1968. The band's only Top 40 hit not written by John Fogerty, it peaked at number 11, but made the top ten on others. This song was one of their first big hits. The album version clocks in at 8:37. The single is split into parts one and two on its A and B sides, respectively. The jam session during the coda is omitted in part one. Instead, it fades out with the guitar solo right before the coda, which fades in with part two on the B-side.
Fogerty told Rolling Stone magazine in 1993 that he recorded "Suzie Q" to get the song played on KMPX, a funky progressive-rock radio station in San Francisco, which is why it was extended to eight minutes.
The CCR version of the song was first certified Gold by the RIAA on December 13, 1990 for half a million copies shipped, and Platinum on May 10, 2019 for a million copies in sales and streams.
Lyrics
Oh, Susie Q, Oh, Susie Q,
Oh, Susie Q, Baby I love you, Susie Q.
I like the way you walk, I like the way you talk;
I like the way you walk, I like the way you talk, Susie Q.
Well, say that you'll be true, well, say that you'll be true,
Well, say that you'll be true, and never leave me blue, Susie Q.
Well, say that you'll be mine, well, say that you'll be mine,
Well, say that you'll be mine, baby all the time, Susie Q.
Oh Susie Q, Oh Susie Q,
Oh Susie Q, Baby I love you, Susie Q.
I like the way you walk, I like the way you talk,
I like the way you walk, I like the way you talk, Susie Q.
Oh Susie Q, Oh susie Q,
Oh Susie Q, Baby I love you, Susie Q
Songwriters: Dale Hawkins / Stanley J. Lewis / Eleanor Broadwater
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