45RPM: #111 You Better Move On - Arthur Alexander (1961)

 You Better Move On / A Shot of Rhythm and Blues

Dot Records

Produced by Rick Hall

Released December 1961 (Dot Records)

1962 (London Records UK)

US R&B Chart #24

US Pop Chart #68

A-Side: You Better Move On

(UK Release 1962)

B-Side: A Shot of Rhythm and Blues

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You Better Move On was the first hit single to be recorded at the FAME Studios (Florence Alabama Music Enterprises) in Muscle Shoals.

Arthur Alexander was a local Bellhop who had already released one single under the name June (short for Junior apparently) Alexander on the Judd Label in 1960 called Sally Sue Brown backed with The Girl That Radiates Charm. He initially turned up at FAME as part of a Quartet, which Rick Hall was having none of! 

You Better Move On was penned by Alexander himself and has been covered by a number of artists down through the years starting with The Rolling Stones in 1964 on their self-titled EP for Decca Records. It was also included on their US Album Release December's Children (and Everybody's) in 1965.

You Better Move On - The Rolling Stones. 

The Boys also covered the song and it was included on their 1979 album To Hell With The Boys (Safari).

You Better Move On - The Boys.

Released 1980

The song has been recorded by a number of artists including Mink DeVille (1981), The Hollies (1964), The Moody Blues (1964 Unreleased), Dean Martin (1973) and The Leaves (1965) to name but a few.

Arthur Alexander was fortunate enough to not only have The Rolling Stones record this song but his 1962 single Anna (Go To Him) was picked up and covered by The Beatles for their Debut Album Please Please Me in 1963.