Elliott Chavers recorded a 1963 R&B/early-rock instrumental called "Butter Beans". The tune is completely unrelated to the "Butter Beans" (or Butterbeans) song with lyrics that everyone has heard.

Bob Cain was the first to record the "Butter Beans" song people have heard with the lyrics. He did it in 1965 (and again in 1969). His orig. version credits Charles D. (Charlie) Colvin & Calvin Burns. His later version just credits Charlie Colvin. There is a great video on YouTube that has both of Cain's versions back to back.

Little Jimmy Dickens recorded his version in 1966 and it credited Chavers, but that was an error. His label probably saw the earliest release with the same title and went with it. He definitely covered Cain's song written by Colvin.

Little David Wilkins recorded his version in 1974 and it credits Colvin.

Little David Wilkins recorded a duet version in 1987 with Johnny Russell and it credits Colvin.

This song has been covered by many others, including Papa Joe Smiddy.