Backed by a propulsive beat and some fiery guitar playing, this rendition has become one of the most popular versions.

George Thorogood and The Destroyers – “Who Do You Love?”

“Who Do You Love?” (1978 – original from 1956)

This is a cover of a Bo Diddley tune from the early days of rock’n’roll. While Diddley’s now-classic version never made it onto the charts, this hard-rocking blues version by George Thorogood got plenty of exposure on FM radio, and became one of Thorogood’s signature tunes.  

The Bo-Beat Goes On

“Who Do You Love?”  has been covered by numerous other artists, including Ronnie Hawkins, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and The Doors. It is featured in the 1978 documentary “The Last Waltz,”  when Hawkins joins The Band on stage for an excellent live version.   

For this rendition, Thorogood added the lyrics, “Snakeskin shoes, baby, put 'em on your feet, Got the good-time music and the Bo-Diddley beat.”  Backed by a propulsive “Destroyers beat,”  and some fiery guitar playing, this has become one of the most well-known and popular versions.   _{(Image source)}

George Thorogood and The Destroyers

George Thorogood is a US blues-rock singer / songwriter / guitarist. 

Boogie Blues

Since the 1970s, with his band The Destroyers (alternately called The Delaware Destroyers), Thorogood has created plenty of “high-energy boogie-blues” – both in his original songs and in fine covers of various blues and rock’n’roll classics such as “Who Do You Love?” 

From Blue to Gold

Thorogood and his band have been active for over 45 years, during which time they released over 20 albums, and sold over 15 million copies worldwide. Six of their records have gone Gold, and 2 have gone Platinum.   _{(Image source)}

I walked 47 miles of barbed wire
I got a cobra snake for a necktie
A brand new house on the road side
And it's a-made out of rattlesnake hide
Got a brand new chimney put on top
And it's a-made outta human skull
Come on, take a little walk with me, baby
And tell me, Who do you love?

Who do you love?    [2x]

Around the town, I use a rattlesnake whip
Take it easy, baby, don't you give me no lip

Who do you love?    [2x]

I've got a tombstone hand and a graveyard mind
I'm just 22 and I don't mind dying

Who do you love?    [3x]

Now, Arlene took a-me by my hand
She said "Lonesome George, you don't understand
Who do you love?"

The night were dark and the sky were blue
Down the alleyway a house-wagon flew
Hit a bump and somebody screamed
You should've heard what I'd seen

Who do you love?    [3x]

Yeah, I've got a tombstone hand and a graveyard mind
Just 22, baby, I don't mind dying
Snake-skin shoes, baby, put them on your feet
Got the good-time music and the Bo-Diddley beat

Who do you love?    [2x]

I walked 47 miles of barbed wire
I got a cobra snake for a necktie
A brand new house on the road side
And it's made out of rattlesnake hide
Got a band new chimney put on top
And it's made outta human skull
Come on, take a little walk with me, child
Tell me, Who do you love?

Who do you love?    [2x]

        Bo Diddley – “Who Do You Love?”    
          _{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}

Lyrics by Bo Diddley, courtesy of – Genius.com
Reference – Wikipedia
Reference – Wikipedia

Into your ears … through 5 channels

 The various posts are categorized into 5 channels _{(Right-Click to see details)}
         1 – “Music to Your Ears” (MTYE)
         2 – “Cover Versions”
         3 – “Honor Roll”
         4 – “Documentaries”
         5 – “Mock’n’Roll”

More “Cover Versions” ...

         Cover Versions – Music to Your Ears – "Posts 1~20"  

         Cover Versions – Music to Your Ears – "Posts 21~40"  

Links to my other series ...

          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 1"
          Lou Reed – "Anthology of Memorable Lyrics, Part 2"

          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part One – My Lyrics Posts 3~30”
          Great Lyrics, a compilation – “Part Two – My Lyrics Posts 31~60”  

          Vocab-Ability – "Introduction to Vocab-Ability"  
          Vocab-Ability – "Index"  to all Chapters and Sections  

          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part One – Notes 1~50"  
          Notes from Under the Tatami Mats – "Part Two – Notes 51~87"