I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)


"I'm Blue " is a song written by Ike Turner and recorded by Ike & Tina Turner's backing trio The Ikettes in 1961. In 2017, Billboard ranked the song No. 63 on their list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.

Overview

Like most of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue's music during this time, it was recorded while the group was on the road. By 1961, the formerly known Artettes had been singing as a backing trio with Ike & Tina for over a year, having been involved since the hit, "A Fool in Love". To bide time in the studio, Ike Turner wrote a song custom-made for the girl group.
Tina Turner herself was involved in the recording, helping to arrange the vocals and could be heard singing along in the background. Ike Turner credited the song's production to him and Tina. Since Ike & Tina recorded for Sue Records, Ike Turner decided to distribute the record to another company, agreeing to sign an advance to Atlantic Records' Atco subsidiary in late 1961 for the song.
Released in November 1961, the song became a national hit reaching No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the R&B chart. "I'm Blue " was the fifth hit single associated with the Ike & Tina Turner Revue and the first of three charting singles for the original Ikettes between 1962 and 1965.

Cover versions and samples

The song would later be covered by:

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Personnel