Tell It Like It Is (song)


"Tell It Like It Is" is a song written by George Davis and Lee Diamond and originally recorded and released in 1966 by Aaron Neville. In 2010, the song was ranked No. 391 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Original version

In 1966, Aaron Neville recorded and released the original version of "Tell It Like It Is" on his album also entitled Tell It Like It Is. In November 1966, the track was issued as a single which peaked in early 1967 at No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The personnel on the original recording included George Davis arranging and playing Baritone Sax, Emory Humphrey-Thompson on trumpet, Deacon John on guitar, Alvin Red Tyler on tenor sax, Willie Tee on piano and June Gardner on drums.

Heart cover

covered "Tell It Like It Is" in 1980. It was a studio recording, however, it was included on their Greatest Hits/Live LP. It was the first of two singles released from the LP, the other one a live recording but both of them cover hits. The song peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 during the winter of 1981 and became their highest-charting single in the United States to that point. It did better in Canada, reaching number four.

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Aaron Neville

Heart

Billy Joe Royal

Year-end charts

Chart Rank
Canada45
US Billboard Hot 10087

Chart Rank
Canada Country Tracks 36
Europe 33
US Country Songs 51