| "Farmer John" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Don and Dewey | ||||
| B-side | "Justine" | |||
| Released | February 1959 | |||
| Recorded | 1959 | |||
| Genre | Rhythm and blues | |||
| Length | 2:30 | |||
| Label | Specialty | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Don and Dewey singles chronology | ||||
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"Farmer John" is a song written by Don "Sugarcane" Harris and Dewey Terry, and first recorded by the two as the American R&B duo Don and Dewey, in 1959. Although the original version of the composition did not receive much attention, it was reinvigorated by the garage rock band the Premiers, whose raving remake of the song was released in 1964. The song's raw and partying atmosphere was immensely popular, reaching number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. Following the group's national success, several additional interpretations of "Farmer John" were released, making the tune a classic of garage rock.
In 1965, Swedish rock band Hep Stars released a version of "Farmer John" that reached number one on the Swedish sales charts.