Before Joe Tex really made it big, he moonlighted as a songwriter for various artist. None of his records he'd been releasing made a dent on any of the charts until 1964, so he had to pay his bills somehow, right.

One of the first songs he claimed to have written is the famous tune, known as "Fever" which was given to Little Willie John. Tex and John were label mates. Joe wrote a song, but apparently sold it to his label because he was behind on rent.

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He quickly wrote an answer record, Pneumonia.

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Fast forward a few years later, when another label mate of his, James Brown recorded his tune, "Baby, You're Right" for King in 1960. It became a #2 Soul Hit, top 50 pop hit for James by the summer of 61. Joe released his version as a single in March of 61, but being the last single released on Anna Records, there was probably no promotion behind it and it went unheard. JB's version was released as a single in July of that year.

James Brown's version

Joe's version can be heard at 10:50

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1961

In 1961, he wrote a song for an artist Al Garner, "Scout for General Lee." But it was two other track, one from Jerry Butler and a group named Jerry Woodard & His Esquires that he made the most noise with. The Butler tune is a somewhat answer to Tex's own tune, "Wicked Woman." It goes back about a year, when Tex made an answer record to Butler's "He'll Never Break Your Heart." For his troubles, he recieved a royalty check for $40,000, the most money he'd seen in his 7 year career up to that point.

Jerry Woodard & His Esquires: Old Time Lover

Jerry Butler: The Wicked Man

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1962

A few year earlier, he had befriended a young singer named Ernie K-Doe. Tex had tought him some moves he'd go on to use in his show. K-Doe hit with "Mother In Law" and who else but the answer man himself to write one for him. Tex gave him "Get Out Of My House."

Ernie K-Doe: Get Out Of My House

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1963

Two more K-Doe songs followed the next year. And also, one of the K-Doe songs was recorded by an artisat, Jimmy Elledge.

Ernie K-Doe: Suffering So

Ernie K-Doe: Penny's Worth of Happiness

Jimmy Elledge: Penny's Worth of Happiness

Boot Hog Pefferly and The Loafers: I’m Not Going To Work Today

Cosmo: Things I Like To Do

Cosmo: Small Town Gossip

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1964

Jerry Woodard & His Esquires: Lying’s Just a Habit, John

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1967

In 1967, he wrote for Little Willie John's sister, Mabel John. Also that year, looks like his label Dial tried there hand at a vocal group and gave Tex the job of writing their first song.

Mabel John: Don't Hit Me No More

The Dialtones: If You Don’t Know, You Just Don’t Know

Bobby Marchan: I Just Want What Belongs To Me

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1968

Paul Kelly: We’re Gonna Make It (After While)

cool

He produced an album in 1968 for country singer, Diana Trask.