This week we spotlight another great Willie Dixon classic, with lyrics based on some rather simple but useful everyday wisdom. Popularized by Bo Diddley, the tune’s been recorded by many others through the years, including the Yardbirds, the Nighthawks, Long John Baldry, and Roy Buchanan with Delbert McClinton, as mentioned in our recent post on Alligator Records’ 40th Anniversary Collection.
“You can’t judge sugar
by lookin’ at the cane,
You can’t judge a woman
by lookin’ at her man.
You can’t judge a sister
by lookin’ at her brother,
You can’t judge a book
by lookin’ at the cover.
Oh can’t you see,
whoa, you misjudge me.
Well, I look like a farmer but
I’m a lover –
can’t judge a book
by lookin’ at the cover.
You can’t judge a fish
by lookin’ in the pond,
You can’t judge right
from lookin’ at the wrong.
You can’t judge one
by lookin’ at the other,
You can’t judge a book
by lookin’ at the cover.
Oh can’t you see,
whoa, you can’t judge me.
Ain’t like a farmer but
I’m a lover –
can’t judge a book
by lookin’ at the cover.”
–You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover, Willie Dixon