Sweet Little Sixteen

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Written by: Berry
Produced by: Leonard and Phil Chess
Released: Jan. '58 on Chess
Charts: 16 weeks
Top spot: No. 2

Berry understood kids, America, the power of rock & roll and guitar. "Sweet Little Sixteen" celebrated them all -- an ode to an underage rock fan in high-heeled shoes that included a roll call of cities around the country. The Beach Boys fitted the song with new words and called it "Surfin' U.S.A."; in a rare example of justice served, Berry threatened to sue and won writing credit.

Appears on: The Anthology (Chess)

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