IKETTES: Single

I’m Blue (1961)

I’m Blue (The Gong-Gong Song) is the first and very successful solo single from The Ikettes. It’s a very melodic song with Tina Turner on the backing vocals. A different version was also included on the album (G)Old & New in 1974. The title track was re-issued on the sampler I’m Blue in 2004, but the b-side track is only available on this single.

Writer: Ike Turner
Producer: Ike Turner
Release: November 1961
Label: Atco (USA) / London (UK)
Format: 7“ Vinyl
Charts: USA: #3 (R&B) / #19 (Pop)
Album: Non album tracks

Billboard - February 10, 1962

The group was originally formed to provide the background singing for the vocal duo, Ike and Tina Turner. The Ikettes toured extensively with the Ike and Tina Turner revue and on a one-nighter were called upon to do a tune of their own. Their performance was received most favorably, and from then on the song became a feature number in the show. The tune was „I‘m Blue (The Gong-Gong Song).“ Because of the enthusiastic reception the girls received, lke Turner was convinced that they should record the tune. Atco Records bought the disk and The lkettes had a hit on their first record. It's the hot chart item, moving up steadily to capture the No. 28 slot this week on the Hot 100.