Slippin' and Slidin'

The version of Slippin' and Slidin' recorded by Little Richard in February 1956 is not just a rock and roll track, but a studio shout that condensed the controlled chaos defining his scene. Richard's piano here isn't mere accompaniment: it's a pneumatic hammer striking every beat with an urgency that leaves no room for breath. The song stemmed from an earlier blues, but he flipped the rhythm, sped up the tempo, and turned what was a leisurely stroll into a slide of energy. The title itself—playing with the idea of slipping and hiding—reflects that sense of motion that never stops, as if the song were always about to tumble off the mixing desk.

The track carries a curious history behind it. Originally written by Eddie Bo (Edwin Bocage) in 1956 under the title I'm Wise, Little Richard adapted it that same year, changed the title, and recorded it for his debut album, Here's Little Richard. The version that ended up on the single alongside Long Tall Sally was chosen after several studio attempts, becoming an instant classic. Later, in 1964 and 1965, Richard re-recorded it for other labels, even live, but none captured that raw electricity of 1956. John Lennon also included it on his cover album Rock 'n' Roll in 1975, proving this song's hook transcends decades without losing an ounce of its power.