The Exciters, Tell Him | COVERS

In the 20^th edition of COVERS (2023), The Exciters delivers a compelling rendition of “Tell Him,” originally recorded by Johnny Thunder.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and totally cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers, as opposed to the original/most famous performer.  It is open to both established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 20^th edition of COVERS (2023), 🎙 The Exciters delivers a compelling rendition of 🎵 “Tell Him”, originally recorded by 🎙 Johnny Thunder. 

“If you want him to be / The very part of you / Make you want to breathe / Here’s the thing to do.” Clearly, 🎙 The Exciters had to 🎵 “Tell Him” things to win him over.  The things the group told us made us believe that their 1962 hit, which reached no. 4 on the pop charts, was the original version of the song. ACTUALLY, this gem, composed by 🎼 ✍  Bert Russell (real name Bert Berns), was originally penned as 🎵 “Tell Her” and first recorded by 🎙 Johnny Thunder (Gil Hamilton) in 1962. Before The Exciters would release the original, beloved version as “Tell Him,” Ed Townsend would record a second version of “Tell Her!”  Of course, it should come as no shock that the most popular version of “Tell Him,” which has been covered a lot, comes from The Exciters.

“Tell Him” is incredibly fun, even six decades later.  There is an innocence and a vintage vibe that makes this tongue in cheek record such a gem.  The vocals are exuberant, as is the spirit of the song itself.  These girls want to secure the guy, so “Tell Him” provides a prescription of sorts. Is the prescription simplistic and dated? There is an argument for such, but still, there’s relevance: “Tell him that you’re never gonna leave him / Tell him that you’re always gonna love him / Tell him, tell him, tell him, tell him right now.” Woo! Still, we must remember, “Tell Him” was “Tell Her,” so arguably, the guy had to “Swallow his foolish pride” originally.  Regardless, 🎵 “Tell Him” is a certified classic.  Hard to believe this bop is a cover!

via GIPHY

🎙 The Exciters • 💿 Tell Him • 🏷 Capitol • 🗓 2012

The Exciters, “Tell Him”: Covers No. 20 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner /The Musical Hype; Paul Brennan from Pixabay;  Sdf Rahbar on Unsplash]