Only Sixteen

"Only Sixteen" was inspired by the sixteenth birthday of Lou Rawls's stepsister, Eunice.^[3] It was originally intended for actor Steve Rowland, who often hung around the Keen studio. Rowland asked Cooke to write a song for him, and Cooke borrowed the bridge from an earlier song of his, "Little Things You Do". Rowland's manager disliked the result, and Cooke re-recorded it for himself.^[3][4] The composition was originally credited to Barbara Campbell, a pseudonym used for Cooke, Lou Adler and Herb Alpert. Cooke married the real Barbara Campbell in October 1959.^[5][6] "Only Sixteen" was, in fact, solely written by Cooke.^[7]

Credits adapted from the liner notes to the 2003 compilation Portrait of a Legend: 1951–1964.^[3]

• Sam Cooke – vocals
• Clifton White – guitar
• René Hall – guitar
• Adolphus Asbrook – bass guitar
• Charles Blackwell – drums

"Only Sixteen"
Swedish single picture sleeve
Single by The Supremes
from the album We Remember Sam Cooke
B-side	"Some Things You Never Get Used To"
Released	1968
Recorded	1965
Genre	Rhythm and blues, soul, pop
Length	2:24
Label	Tamla Motown
Songwriter(s)	Sam Cooke
Producer(s)	Harvey Fuqua · Hal Davis · Marc Gordon
The Supremes singles chronology
"Forever Came Today" (1968) "Only Sixteen" (1968) "Love Child" (1968)

The Supremes recorded a version, first released on their tribute album We Remember Sam Cooke (1965).^[10] In 1968, it was released as an A-side single in Scandinavia, as Diana Ross & the Supremes,^[11] where it reached No. 3 in Sweden.^[12] The B-side, "Some Things You Never Get Used To" was released elsewhere as an A-side, becoming a top 40 hit in the US,^[13] Canada,^[14] and the UK.^[15]

"Only Sixteen"
Side A of the US single
Single by Dr. Hook
from the album Bankrupt
B-side	"Let Me Be Your Lover"
Released	December 1975
Genre	Pop
Length	2:46
Label	Capitol
Songwriter(s)	Sam Cooke
Producer(s)	Ron Haffkine
Dr. Hook singles chronology
"The Millionaire" (1975) "Only Sixteen" (1975) "A Little Bit More" (1976)

Dr. Hook released a version of "Only Sixteen" in the winter of 1975 and it was the most successful chart release of the song. It reached No. 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 on Cash Box. Dr. Hook's version spent 22 weeks on the charts and became a Gold record.

• Terry Black released a version in Canada in 1965 where it reached No. 14.^[26]
• The Supremes recorded it on their 1965 album We Remember Sam Cooke.
• Jamaican artist Cornell Campbell also recorded a reggae version.