“Little Sister” is a rock and roll song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman. It was originally released as a single in 1961 by American singer Elvis Presley, who enjoyed a No. 5 hit with it on the Billboard Hot 100. The single (as a double A-side with “(Marie’s the Name) His Latest Flame”) also reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart. Although “Marie” was the bigger chart hit, “Little Sister” had a lot more staying power, becoming one of Elvis’ classics. Lead guitar was played by Hank Garland and the rhythm guitar was played by Scotty Moore with backing vocals by the Jordanaires featuring the distinctive bass voice of Ray Walker.
Presley performs it as part of a medley with “Get Back” in the 1970 rockumentary film Elvis: That’s the Way It Is. “Little Sister” would later be covered by such artists as Dwight Yoakam, Robert Plant, The Nighthawks, and Pearl Jam. A version by Ry Cooder, from his album Bop Till You Drop, was a number-one hit in New Zealand.
The lyric makes mention of “Jim Dandy” which was the title of a 1956 tune“Jim Dandy” by LaVern Baker. An answer song to “Little Sister”, with the same melody but different lyrics, was recorded and released under the title “Hey, Memphis” by Baker on Atlantic Records (Atlantic 2119-A) in September 1961.
Little sister, don’t you
Little sister, don’t you
Little sister, don’t you kiss me once or twice
And say it’s very nice and then you run
Little sister, don’t you do what your big sister done
Well, I dated your big sister
And I took her to a show
I went for some candy along came Jim Dandy
And they snuck right out of the door
Little sister, don’t you
Little sister, don’t you
Little sister, don’t you kiss me once or twice
And say it’s very nice and then you run
Little sister, don’t you do what your big sister done
Every time I see your sister
Well, she’s got somebody new
She’s mean and she’s evil like that little old boll weevil
Guess I’ll try my luck with you
Little sister, don’t you
Little sister, don’t you
Little sister, don’t you kiss me once or twice
And say it’s very nice and then you run
Little sister, don’t you do what your big sister done
Well, I used to pull your pigtails
And pinch your turned-up nose
But you been a growin’ and, baby, it’s been showin’
From your head down to your toes
Little sister, don’t you
Little sister, don’t you
Little sister, don’t you kiss me once or twice
And say it’s very nice and then you run
Little sister, don’t you do what your big sister done
Little sister, don’t you do what your big sister done
Little sister, don’t you do what your big sister done
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