YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY THE COVER

Original Bo Diddley version

You can't judge an apple by looking at the tree
You can't judge honey by looking at the bee
You can't judge a daughter by looking at the mother
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover, oh

Can't you see, whoa, you've misjudged me
I look like a farmer but I'm a lover
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover, oh

Ah, whoa-whoaaa, aw!
Aw, come on in here closer baby, hear what else I got to say
You got your radio turned down too low, turn it up! Aw

You can't judge sugar by looking at the cane
You can't judge a woman by looking at her man
You can't judge a sister by looking at her brother
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover, oh

Can't you see, whoa, you've misjudged me
I look like a farmer but I'm a lover
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover, come on

Aw, how am I doing, baby?
Aw
Yeah

You can't judge a fish by looking in the pond
You can't judge right from looking at the wrong
You can't judge one by looking at the other
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover, oh

Can't you see, whoa, you can't judge me
I look like a farmer but I'm a lover
You can't judge a book by looking at the cover, oh

Info

YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY THE COVER is a song written by Willie Dixon and originally released by Bo Diddley as a single in 1962 and was also included on his album Bo Diddley later that year. The above lyrics are for the original Bo Diddley version of YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY THE COVER as released in 1962.

Bo Diddley -- "You Can't Judge A Book By The Cover / I Can Tell"

7" single - Checker (1019) - USA, 1962

Bo Diddley -- Bo Diddley

LP - Checker (LP 2984) - USA, 1962

Mono issue.

Bruce Springsteen's Version

Bruce Springsteen performed Bo Diddley's YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY THE COVER live with The Castiles. See the officially released live 16 Sep 1967 version for more details.

Available Versions

List of available versions of YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK BY THE COVER on this website:

Page last updated: 22 Aug 2016