But It's Alright

Described as being "driven by one of the catchiest guitar hooks in the history of rock & roll and a devastating vocal performance",^[1] the song was first released by Calla Records in 1966, as a single and on the album of the same name. Subsequent to acquiring the Calla Records catalogue, Warner Bros.-Seven Arts re-released the song in 1969, as a single and on the album The Great J.J. Jackson.

The single was recorded in the United Kingdom, and was one of the first R & B hit singles to have been recorded in England.^[2] The song featured some of Britain's top jazz musicians of the day, including Terry Smith on guitar, Dick Morrissey on tenor sax and John Marshall on drums.^[3]

When first released in 1966, the song reached number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 4 on the Hot R&B Singles chart.^[4] When re-released in May 1969, they reached number 45, and remained on the charts for nine weeks.^[5] In Canada, it reached number 63.^[6] A Spanish language version was also recorded by Jackson and released in 1969.^[7]

• In 1967, Brother Jack McDuff, with David "Fathead" Newman, covered "But It's Alright", as an instrumental version, on their album Double Barrelled Soul. The song was also released as a single.^[8]
• It was also covered in 1967 by Eddie Floyd and included on Floyd's album, Knock on Wood.
• In 1969, a version was recorded by Wilmer & the Dukes.^[9]
• In 1976 a cover was included on The Best of Redbone by Redbone.
• In 1981, Australian band Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons covered the song, which was released as a single from their Step Lively album.^[10][11]
• In 1994, Huey Lewis and the News covered the song for their album Four Chords & Several Years Ago. It was released as a single, which included the studio version and a live rendition.^[12] The single reached number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 5 on the Adult Contemporary chart.^[13] An EP CD single was released in Germany by Elektra Records.