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+--- Thread: Songs People Should Hear (/showthread.php?tid=2032)
Songs People Should Hear - Music Head - 17-05-2010
![[Image: P10380VGFP1.jpg]](http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/pic200/drP100/P103/P10380VGFP1.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfwFpRnOeGg
from wikipedia
"Time of the Season" is a song by The Zombies, featured on their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle. It was written by keyboard player Rod Argent and recorded at Abbey Road Studios in August 1967.
Several other songs from Odessey and Oracle were released as singles prior to "Time of the Season". Columbia Records supported the album and its singles at the urging of new A&R Rep, Al Kooper. One of the singles Kooper pushed for was the quite uncommercial sounding "Butcher's Tale", which he and Columbia thought might catch on as an anti-war statement, at the time a popular trend. "Time of the Season" was only released at Kooper's urging, after previous singles flopped, and made its breakthrough on early 1969, over a year after the band split up, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 in Canada. It did not chart on the band's native Britain.
The song's characteristics include the unique voice of lead singer Colin Blunstone, the memorable bass riff (which is similar to Ben E. King's hit "Stand By Me"), and Rod Argent's fast-paced psychedelic improvisation. The lyrics are an archetypical depiction of the emotions surrounding the Summer of Love. It is famous for its call-and-response verses "What's your name? (What's your name?) / Who's your daddy? (Who's your daddy?) / (He rich?) Is he rich like me?".
In 1998, Big Beat Records released a CD reissue of Odessey and Oracle containing both the original stereo and mono versions of "Time of The Season". It also featured a newly remixed alternate version containing instrumental backing underneath the vocals during the entire chorus. These instruments were mixed out one of part on the original 1968 stereo and mono versions to create an a cappella vocal section.
"Time of The Season" is frequently used in pop culture to represent the late 1960s. In that sense, it is featured in the films 1969, Awakenings, A Walk on the Moon and Riding the Bullet, all of which depicts the year of 1969. "Time of the Season" is played in the background of The Simpsons episode "D'oh-in In the Wind", in which Homer decides to follow the footsteps of his mother and becomes a hippie. In the South Park episodes "The Mexican Staring Frog of Southern Sri Lanka" and "201" it is used in flashback scenes portraying the Vietnam War. It was also featured in the 2005 film Dear Wendy, it is also referenced in the final words of Dick's letter addressed to Wendy.
The NBC series American Dreams, which depicts the mid and late 1960s in American society, featured the song in its third season episode "So Long, Farewell". "Tell Her No" and "She's Not There", The Zombies' other major hits in the U.S., were also used in the show, the latter being included in the soundtrack of the series.
It is also common for the song to appear in romantic scenes, such as the mentioned above in the film 1969. In the Friends episode "The One With the Flashback", the song is played in a dream sequence where Rachel fantasizes about Chandler. In the final scene of the Will and Grace episode "Marry Me A Little", it is used to represent Grace's joy after getting married with Leo.
"Time of the Season" is also featured in a scene of the 1999 NBC miniseries The '60s. The usage of the song in this particular scene was rather anachronistic, since it was supposed to portray 1965. The film Shanghai Knights, which is supposed to depict 1887, also features the song.
"Time of the Season" has been featured in several TV commercials, such as a 1999 Tampax ad taking place at Woodstock. In a 2006 ad for Sprite, a chorus of flowers with human faces performs an a cappella version of the song. In that same year, it was featured in an ad for the Irish beverage Bulmers Original Cider. It was also used in the advertising campaigns of Nissan Tiida in Greece in 2007 and of Crest in Mexico in 2008.
In sports, it was featured in Free Your Mind, the 16th video in the Transworld Skateboarding series. During the 2006 playoffs, the song was played in the Shea Stadium as the home-team New York Mets took the field.
The song appears on the video game Karaoke Revolution Presents: American Idol Encore and DJ Hero.
It's the time of the season
When the love runs high
In this time, give it to me easy
And let me try
With pleasured hands
To take you and the sun to
Promised lands
To show you every one
It's the time of the season for loving
What's your name?
(What's your name?)
Who's your daddy?
(Who's your daddy? He rich?)
Is he rich like me?
Has he taken
(Has he taken)
Any time
(Any time to show)
To show you what you need to live?
Tell it to me slowly
Tell you what?
I really want to know
It's the time of the season for loving
What's your name?
(What's your name?)
Who's your daddy?
(Who's your daddy? He rich?)
Is he rich like me?
Has he taken
(Has he taken)
Any time
(Any time to show)
To show you what you need to live?
Tell it to me slowly
Tell you what?
I really want to know
It's the time of the season for loving
Songs People Should Hear - Music Head - 18-05-2010
![[Image: 19781.jpg]](http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/19781.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ53qKJaPGQ
from wikipedia
Twenty-Five Miles" is a song written by Johnny Bristol, Harvey Fuqua, and Edwin Starr for Starr's second album, 25 Miles (album) (1970). The song reached #6 on the US singles charts, and #36 in the UK.
Edwin Starr (January 21, 1942 â April 2, 2003) was an American soul music singer. Starr is most famous for his Norman Whitfield produced singles of the 1970s, most notably the number one hit "War".
Starr was born Charles Edwin Hatcher in Nashville, Tennessee in 1942. He and his cousins (soul singers Roger and Willie Hatcher) moved to Cleveland, Ohio where they were raised.
In 1957, Starr formed a doo-wop group, The Future Tones, and began his singing career. Starr lived in Detroit, Michigan in the 1960s and recorded at first for the small record label Ric-Tic, and later for Motown Records after it absorbed Ric-Tic in 1968.
The song which began his career was "Agent Double'O'Soul" (1965), a reference to the James Bond films, which were popular at the time. Other early hits included "Headline News", "Back Street", a cover of The Miracles "Way Over There", and "S.O.S. (Stop Her On Sight)". He recorded more soul music for the next three years before having an international hit in "25 Miles" (1968), which peaked at #6 in the United States the following year.
The biggest hit of his career, which cemented his reputation, was the anti-Vietnam War protest song "War" (1969). Starr's intense vocals transformed a Temptations album track into a #1 chart success, which spent three weeks in that top position on the U.S. Billboard charts, an anthem for the antiwar movement and a cultural milestone that continues to resound a generation later in movie soundtracks and hip hop music samples. It sold over three million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. "War" appeared on both Starr's War and Peace album and its follow-up, Involved. Involved also featured another song of similar construction titled "Stop the War Now", which was a minor hit in its own right.
Moving to England in 1973, Starr continued to record music, most notably recording the song "Hell Up In Harlem" for the 1974 film, Hell Up in Harlem, which was the sequel to Black Caesar, an earlier hit with a soundtrack by James Brown. In 1979, Starr reappeared on the charts with a pair of disco hits, titled "(Eye-To-Eye) Contact" and "H.A.P.P.Y. Radio". "(Eye-To-Eye) Contact" was the more successful of the two, peaking at #65 on the U.S. pop charts, #13 on the R&B chart, #1 on the dance chart, and #6 on the UK Singles Chart. By now he had joined the well-established disco boom, and had further singles out on the record label 20th Century Records. Over the years he released tracks on many labels including Avatar, Calibre, 10 Records, Motown (a return to his former label for a 1989 remix of "25 Miles"), Streetwave and Hippodrome.
In 1985, Starr released "It Ain't Fair". Despite garnering the attention of many in the soul and dance clubs, it fell short of becoming a hit. Starr appeared on the charity number one single "Let It Be" by Ferry Aid in 1987. Later that year, Starr teamed up with the Stock, Aitken and Waterman production company for the club hit "Whatever Makes Our Love Grow". In 1989, a number 17 UK hit by the Cookie Crew called "Got to Keep On" sampled a portion of "25 Miles". This track was then featured on a 1990 dance medley made for the BRIT Awards, which made number 2 in the UK Singles Chart. A club mix of various artists, it included the previous years remix of "25 Miles".
In 1989, Starr also joined Ian Levine's Motorcity Records, releasing six singles and the album Where Is the Sound, as well as co-writing several songs for other artists on the label. Starr resurfaced briefly in 2000 to team up with the UK band Utah Saints to record a new version of "Funky Music Sho Nuff Turns Me On". He appeared again in 2002 to record a song with the British musician Jools Holland, singing "Snowflake Boogie" on Holland's compact disc More Friends; and to record another track with Utah Saints, a so-far-unreleased version of his number one hit "War" â his last ever recording.
Starr remained a hero on England's Northern Soul circuit and continued living in England for the remainder of his life.
On April 2, 2003, at the age of 61, Starr suffered a heart attack and died at his home in Bramcote near Nottingham. He left a wife, Annette Mary Hatcher, a son André Hatcher, and two grandchildren Alonté Renfroe and Maryah Hatcher.
His brother Angelo Starr is now fronting the Team, the band Edwin Starr had been touring with.
Hey hey uh huh huh huh huh oh
Uh huh huh huh huh huh yeah
It's twenty five miles from home
Girl, my feet are hurting mighty bad
Now I've been walking for three days, two lonely nights
You know that I'm mighty mad
But I got a woman waiting for me
That's gonna make this trip worthwhile
You see she's got the kind of lovin' and a kissing
A make a man go stone wild
So I got to keep on walkin'
I got to walk on, oh ho ho
I, I, I, I'm so tired
But I just can't lose my stride
I got fifteen miles to go now
And I can hear my baby calling my name
It's as if as though I'm standing at her front door
I can hear her that doggone plain
Now I'll be so glad to see my baby
And hold her in my arms
Now when I kiss her lips
I turn a back over flip and I'll forget these feet of mine
I got to keep on walkin'
I got to walk on oh ho ho
I, I, I, I, I'm so tired but I just can't lose my stride
Walk on let me tell you ya'll I, I, I, I, I, I'm so tired
But I just can't lose my stride
Come on feet don't fail me now
I got ten more miles to go
I got nine, eight, seven, six, eight, six
I got a five more miles to go
Now over the hill just around the bend
Huh although my feet are tired I can't lose my stride
I got to get to my baby again
Songs People Should Hear - Music Head - 19-05-2010
![[Image: P21588X65F6.jpg]](http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/pic200/drP200/P215/P21588X65F6.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTuPbJLqFKI
from wikipedia
"Sunshine Superman" is a song written and recorded by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan. The "Sunshine Superman" single was released in the United States through Epic Records (Epic 5-10045) in July 1966, but due to a contractual dispute the United Kingdom release was delayed until December 1966, where it appeared on Donovan's previous label, Pye Records (Pye 7N 17241). The "Sunshine Superman" single was backed with "The Trip" on both the United States and United Kingdom releases. It has been described as having, "proven to be [one of the] classics of the era," and as, "the quintessential bright summer sing along".
"Sunshine Superman" reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, and subsequently became the title track of Donovan's third album, Sunshine Superman. A different mix of "The Trip" (without harmonica) is also included in the album. It was the first product from the highly successful three-year collaboration between Donovan and producer Mickie Most and is generally considered to be one of the first examples of the musical genre that came to be known as psychedelia.[citation needed]
The song was written personally for Donovan's future wife Linda Lawrence.
The lyrics of the song mention not only Superman, but also another DC Comics superhero, Green Lantern.
Chart positions were #1 (US), #2 (UK).
Sunshine came softly through my a-window today
Could've tripped out easy a-but I've a-changed my ways
It'll take time, I know it but in a while
You're gonna be mine, I know it, we'll do it in style
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine
I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book now, baby, that I can find
Superman or Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me
I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea, yeah!
A you can just sit there a-thinking on your velvet throne
Yes, about all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
Cause I've made my mind up you're going to be mine
I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book now, baby, all that I can find
Everybody's hustlin' just to have a little scene
When I say we'll be cool I think that you know what I mean
We stood on a beach at sunset, do you remember when?
I know a beach where, baby, a-it never ends
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine
Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm
I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
'Cause I made my mind up you're going to be mine
I'll tell you right now
Any trick in the book now, baby, that I can find
Superman or Green Lantern ain't got a-nothin' on me
I can make like a turtle and dive for your pearls in the sea, yeah!
A you-you-you can just sit there a-thinking on your velvet throne
'bout all the rainbows a-you can a-have for your own
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine
I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
When you've made your mind up forever to be mine
I'll pick up your hand
I'll pick up your hand and slowly blow your little mind
Songs People Should Hear - Music Head - 20-05-2010
![[Image: p00346xai0p.jpg]](http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/pic200/drp000/p003/p00346xai0p.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmpv7BcAo4U
from wikipedia
"Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" is a song by Bob Dylan and the opening track of his 1966 album, Blonde on Blonde.
The song is notable for its unusual instrumentation, being the only song on Blonde On Blonde to feature a brass band, and the somewhat controversial "They'll stone ya" in every line of the verses, plus the refrain of "But I would not feel so all alone--everybody must get stoned!". Robert Shelton's 1986 biography of Dylan No Direction Home (unrelated to the Martin Scorsese documentary No Direction Home), states that the song was banned by many American radio stations and the BBC, due to paranoia about "drug songs".
The song is essentially a simple blues chord progression in the key of F. The parts played by the trombone, tuba, piano, bass, drums, and tambourine remain practically the same in all of the verses, but Dylan's harmonica playing and vocal performance are both wildly varied, and generally not in the same key as other instruments. There can also be heard much laughter and shouting in the background, mixed down to a low volume level, and Dylan himself laughs several times during his vocal delivery. According to Howard Sounes' book Down the Highway: The Life of Bob Dylan, Dylan refused to play the song "straight," meaning sober, and large milkshake cartons of "Leprechaun Cocktails" (normally served in shot glasses) were brought in for the band to consume. Dylan did not touch the alcohol but was high on cannabis, having passed joints around before the recording.[1]
The song reached #2 on the U.S. Pop Singles chart and #7 in the UK.
The song was performed by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs on their 1968 album Nashville Airplane.
The song was covered by The Black Crowes, first released as a B-side from the 1992 "Hotel Illness" single. In 1995, The Black Crowes' version was included on the "Hempilation: Freedom Is NORML" benefit album for the NORML organization.
Ben Fong-Torres recorded a parody entitled Rainy Day Bookstores for the 1998 charity compilation album Stranger Than Fiction.
The song was covered by Sammy Hagar on his 2006 album Livin' It Up. Country music artist, Jessi Colter, recorded a version for her 2006 album, Out of the Ashes. Jimmy Buffett performed a cover version in concert on his 2007 and 2008 tours. A parody/cover of this song can be found on The Meatmen album Toilet Slave.
Well, they'll stone ya when you're trying to be so good,
They'll stone ya just a-like they said they would.
They'll stone ya when you're tryin' to go home.
Then they'll stone ya when you're there all alone.
But I would not feel so all alone,
Everybody must get stoned.
Well, they'll stone ya when you're walkin' 'long the street.
They'll stone ya when you're tryin' to keep your seat.
They'll stone ya when you're walkin' on the floor.
They'll stone ya when you're walkin' to the door.
But I would not feel so all alone,
Everybody must get stoned.
They'll stone ya when you're at the breakfast table.
They'll stone ya when you are young and able.
They'll stone ya when you're tryin' to make a buck.
They'll stone ya and then they'll say, "good luck."
Tell ya what, I would not feel so all alone,
Everybody must get stoned.
Well, they'll stone you and say that it's the end.
Then they'll stone you and then they'll come back again.
They'll stone you when you're riding in your car.
They'll stone you when you're playing your guitar.
Yes, but I would not feel so all alone,
Everybody must get stoned.
Well, they'll stone you when you walk all alone.
They'll stone you when you are walking home.
They'll stone you and then say you are brave.
They'll stone you when you are set down in your grave.
But I would not feel so all alone,
Everybody must get stoned.
Songs People Should Hear - Music Head - 21-05-2010
![[Image: 26026187.png]](http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/26026187.png)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ozqfOzqMvlQ
from wikipedia
"Yummy Yummy Yummy" is a bubblegum pop song by Arthur Resnick and Joey Levine, first recorded by Ohio Express in 1968. Their version reached #4 in the U.S. Pop Singles chart and #5 in the UK Singles Chart. It has since been covered by many artists. Ohio Express was a studio concoction, and none of the "official" members appear on the record. Joey Levine sang lead vocals.
Joey Levine sang "Yummy Yummy Yummy" live for the first time ever in Henderson, Tennessee at the Caravan Of Stars XV, on May 17, 2008.
The Ohio Express was a musical recording unit, mainly active from 1967 through 1970, and occasionally since that time.
Though marketed as a band, it would be more accurate to say that the name "The Ohio Express" served as a brand name used by Jerry Kasenetz and Jeffrey Katz's Super K Productions to release the music of a number of different musicians and acts. The best known songs of The Ohio Express (including their best scoring single, "Yummy Yummy Yummy") were actually the work of an assemblage of studio musicians working out of New York, including singer/songwriter Joey Levine.
Several other "Ohio Express" hits were the work of other, unrelated musical groups, including The Rare Breed, and an early incarnation of 10cc. In addition, a completely separate touring version of The Ohio Express appeared at all live dates, and recorded some of the band's album tracks.
Yummy, Yummy, Yummy.
I got love in my tummy,
And I feel like a-lovin you:
Love, you're such a sweet thing,
Good enough to eat thing
And that's just a-what I'm gonna do.
Ooh love, to hold ya,
Ooh love, to kiss ya,
Ooh love, I love it so.
Ooh love, you're sweeter,
Sweeter than sugar.
Ooh love, I wont let you go.
Yummy, Yummy, Yummy,
I got love in my tummy,
And as silly as it may seem;
The lovin' that you re giving,
is what keeps me livin'
And your love is like
Peaches and cream.
Kind-a like sugar,
Kind-a like spices,
Kind-a like, like what you do.
Kind-a sounds funny.
But love,honey
Honey. I love you.
Yummy, Yummy, Yummy,
I. got love in my tummy,
That your love can satisfy;
Love, you're such a sweet thing,
Good enough to eat thing
And sweet thing, that ain't no lie.
I love to hold ya,
Oh love, to kiss ya,
Ooh love, I love it so.
Ooh love, you're sweeter,
Sweeter than sugar.
Ooh love, I wont let you go.
Songs People Should Hear - Music Head - 22-05-2010
![[Image: P11483JASQP.jpg]](http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/pic200/drP100/P114/P11483JASQP.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU4oEWoS3dI
from wikipedia
"Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" is the second single by singer-actress Cher from her second studio album The Sonny Side of Cher. The song was written by Sonny Bono and released in 1966. The song reached number three in the UK Singles Chart and number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
The single proved successful, charting high on many national charts worldwide. In the United States, it was Cher's biggest solo hit of the 1960s, peaking at #2. The single sold over 3 million copies, in the US alone, by 1984. In 1987, Cher released this song as a single again from her nineteenth album Cher. However, that time, it failed to chart. This was Cher's first top-three hit in the UK, charting at #3. It would be her last top-three hit, until The Shoop-Shoop Song, twenty-two years later. The 1987 version was performed on both Cher's Heart of Stone and Farewell tours.
Also in 1966, Nancy Sinatra released her version of the song on her album How Does That Grab You?. It featured tremolo effect guitar and melancholy singing. This version remained relatively obscure until it was used in the opening scenes of the 2003 movie Kill Bill Volume 1. This exposure caused Sinatra's version to be the one chosen by Audio Bullys when, in 2005, they used a sample of the song for their top ten UK hit "Shot You Down", credited officially to Audio Bullys featuring Nancy Sinatra. Canadian rapper Kardinal Offishall also sampled this version for his single "Bang Bang", which appeared on his mixtape Kill Bloodclott Bill in 2004. Rapper Young Buck sampled Sinatra's version on his song "Bang Bang" from his album Straight Outta Cashville.
Other artists who recorded this song include Stevie Wonder for his 1966 album Down to Earth, The Beau Brummels on their 1966 album Beau Brummels '66, Petula Clark in 1966 for her album I Couldn't Live Without Your Love, Vanilla Fudge for their 1967 album Vanilla Fudge, Bulgarian artist Lili Ivanova included a Bulgarian-language version called "Benk-benk" on an album of her songs released in Russia in 1968 called "More molodosti", Terry Reid for his 1968 album Bang Bang You're Terry Reid, Frank Sinatra for his 1981 album She Shot Me Down, Cliff Richard, Paul Weller on his 2003 compilation album Fly On The Wall - B Sides And Rarities and Isobel Campbell on her 2004 EP Time Is Just the Same. The German artist Rainald Grebe used the refrain for his tragicomic song "Bengt Bangt" in his program "Lagerfeuer des Grauens". Japanese pop/rock singer Minako Honda recorded a Japanese cover on her 1989 album WILD CATS (as MINAKO with WILD CATS), while a Vietnamese version can be heard from singer Mỹ Tâm with the title âKhi xưa ta bé (Bang Bang)â. Ironically, the translation is made from the French version: the DVD cover introduced it as "nhạc Pháp" (French music). This is because most of pre-1975 English songs are popularized in Vietnam indirectly by French singers. Originally, the song has been covered by various Vietnamese singers of many generations and become the staple of any English songbook published in Vietnam.
This song has also been very popular in the Sixties in Italy and has been covered by the following artists: Mina, Dalida and the band Equipe 84. In France, the French version with French-language lyrics written by Claude Carrère and Georges Aber was sung by Sheila, and became a big hit there in summer 1966. Still in France, Jacno and Mareva Galanter did a cover of the French version (2006). In Quebec, Claire Lepage did a French cover in 1966.
I was 5 and he was 6
We rode on horses made of sticks
He wore black and I wore white
He would always win the fight
Bang bang, you shot me down.
Bang bang, I hit the ground.
Bang bang,that awful sound.
Bang bang, my baby shot me....... down
Seasons came and changed the time
And I grew up, I called him mine
He would always laugh and say
"Remember when we used to play".
Bang bang,I shot you down
Bang bang,you hit the ground
Bang bang, that awful sound
Bang bang, I used to shoot you down
Music played and people sang
Just for me, the church bells rang
Hey...hey...hey...hey
Now he's gone, I don't know why
Until this day, sometimes I cry
He didn't even say goodbye
He didn't take the time to lie
Bang bang, you shot me down.
Bang bang, I hit the ground.
Bang bang,that awful sound.
Bang bang, my baby shot me....... down
Songs People Should Hear - Music Head - 23-05-2010
![[Image: 30946015.png]](http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/30946015.png)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQN0zcGWpcg
from wikipedia
"Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" is a novelty song telling the story of a shy girl wearing a revealing polka dot bikini bathing suit at the beach, who in the first verse is too afraid to leave the locker where she has changed into the aforementioned swimwear; in the second, she has made it to the beach but sits on the sand wrapped in a blanket; and in the closing verse, she has finally gone into the ocean, but is too afraid to come out, and stays immersed in the water â despite the fact that she's "turning blue", to quote the song's lyrics â to hide herself from view. It was written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss and first released in June 1960 by Brian Hyland with orchestra conducted by John Dixon as "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini." Hyland's version hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on August 8, 1960 and also made the top 10 in other countries, including #8 on the UK Singles Chart. Trudy Packer recited the phrases beginning with "One, two, three, four" â i.e. "Tell the people what she wore", heard at the end of each verse before the chorus; and "Stick around, we'll tell you more", heard after the first chorus and before the start of the second verse.
In September 2006, the song's co-writer Paul Vance read his own mistaken obituary. Paul Van Valkenburgh, who had long claimed to have written the song, died and the false information was included in the newspaper. The impostor had explained his lack of royalty payments for the song by further claiming that he'd sold the rights to his alleged composition as a teenager. Vance, the song's true co-author, has earned several million dollars from the song since 1960, describing it as "a money machine."
The song was featured in the 1961 Billy Wilder film comedy One, Two, Three â in a key scene, the character Otto (Horst Buchholz), suspected of being a spy, is being tortured by East German police playing the song to him repetitively, eventually with the record off-center to create a weird howling variation of pitch. The actual recording was re-released in 1962 to capitalize on the film's success, but it did not rechart.
A faster version of the song appears on North American commercials for Yoplait Light yogurt. The song is also used in a television commercial for the YWCA, and in films such as Sister Act 2 and Revenge of the Nerds II.
At the beginning of 2006 this song was also used in an advert for TV Easy magazine.
At a time when bikini bathing suits were still seen as too risqué to be mainstream, the song prompted a sudden takeoff in bikini sales and is credited as being one of the earliest contributors to the acceptance of the suit in society. The early 60s saw a slew of surf movies and other film and television productions that rapidly built on the song's momentum.
There have been cover versions in many languages, for example, a French and Italian version by Dalida in 1960. It has also been sung in German with Club Honolulu (Caterina Valente & her brother Silvio Francesco) the same year. It was also remade in 1990 by Bombalurina which featured Timmy Mallett, star of then-popular United Kingdom children's television show, Wacaday. The song reached #1 in the UK Singles Chart on August 19, 1990, and stayed at the position for three weeks. The song was released around the world and topped the charts in over a dozen countries, selling more than a million copies. Another version was made by Devo on the CD Pioneers Who Got Scalped. The video featured Timmy Mallett along with two dancers, Dawn and Annie. Dawn later went onto marry Gary Barlow of Take That fame.
A Spanish version, titled "Bikini Amarillo," very faithful to the original, was an enormous hit for Mexican singer Manolo Muñoz in the 1960s.
Another interesting cover version is El Cohete Americano, a Cuban propaganda song sung by Las D'Aida in Album de la Revolucion Cubana (2000).
In Serbian, it was sung by Ljiljana Petrovic. In Croatian, there is cover by trio Tividi.
A Brazilian version, a little faithful to the original, titled "BiquÃni de Bolinha Amarelinha Tão Pequenininho," was a hit in 1965 when it was sung by Ronnie Cord, and had some re-recordings, as Blitz's 1983 version.
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was as nervous as she could be
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was afraid that somebody would see
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teentie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the locker she wanted to stay
Two, three, four, stick around we'll tell you more
She was afraid to come out in the open
And so a blanket around she wore
She was afraid to come out in the open
And so she sat bundled up on the shore
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teentie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the blanket she wanted to stay
Two, three, four, stick around we'll tell you more
Now she's afraid to come out of the water
And I wonder what she's gonna do
Now she's afraid to come out of the water
And the poor little girl's turning blue
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teentie, weenie, yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the water she wanted to stay
(From the locker to the blanket)
(From the blanket to the shore)
(From the shore to the water)
Yes, there isn't any more
Songs People Should Hear - David Broad - 30-05-2010
Certainly I like this song . Love the version by The Capitals which sadly , got nowhere in the charts here in the UK . Would not know The Go Go's version but that did make number 60 in 1991 here in the UK . Another version of this song which I find that I like is a version that was done by Darts .
Songs People Should Hear - David Broad - 30-05-2010
Love this song . Never knew there were two recordings of it though . Must try and get hold of the other one . Made NO.2 here in the UK . Never knew there were sequels to this but then given how the song ends I could not have seen how there could have been . After all as it goes , "everybody knew it was the end of the line for Big John ." Did always wonder if this had been based on something that really did happen ? Obviously not though it is a sort of thing that could . Funny thing about it though . A man of six foot six back then might be considered outsized , and as can be the case such people are not all that strong . Look at the actor Richerd Keel who played Jaws in a couple of the bond films . They say he is not very strong .
Another point I must mention here is the B side song . This has varied but on the single I have here at home has a song called , "I Wont Go Hunting With You Jake , But I'll Go Chasing Women ." That is definately worth a listen .
Songs People Should Hear - Music Head - 09-06-2010
![[Image: 4525766.jpg]](http://userserve-ak.last.fm/serve/252/4525766.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fymw5ie9Zd4
from wikipedia
Lee Michaels (born Michael Olsen; November 24, 1945, in Los Angeles, California) plays the Hammond organ, piano, and guitar (plus vocals), and is best known for his 1971 Top 10 pop hit, "Do You Know What I Mean".
Michaels began his career with The Sentinals, a San Luis-based surf group that included drummer Johny Barbata, later of The Turtles, Jefferson Airplane, and Jefferson Starship. Michaels joined Barbata in the Strangers, a group led by Joel Scott Hill, before moving to San Francisco. There he joined an early version of The Family Tree, a band led by Bob Segarini. In 1967, he signed a contract with A&M Records, releasing his debut, Carnival Of Life, later that year. As a session musician, he played with Jimi Hendrix, among others.
Michaels' choice of the Hammond organ as his primary instrument was unusual for the time, as was his bare-bones stage and studio accompaniment: usually just a single drummer, most often a musician known as "Frosty" (Bartholomew Eugene Smith-Frost) member of Sweathog (band) or with Joel Larson of The Grass Roots. This unorthodox approach attracted a following in San Francisco, and some critical notice, but Michaels did not achieve real commercial success until the release of his fifth album (Fifth), which produced a surprise U.S. Top 10 hit (#6 in the fall of 1971), "Do You Know What I Mean," and a Top 40 follow-up, a cover version of the Motown standard, "Can I Get A Witness". Michaels recorded two more albums for A&M before signing a contract with Columbia Records in 1973. His Columbia recordings failed to generate much interest, and Michaels went into semi-retirement from the music business by the end of the decade, which was also influenced by his severe hearing loss.
For many years, Michaels owned a chain of restaurants, named "Killer Shrimp", around Southern California. Apparently, after a trip to New Orleans, Michaels invented a dish that his friends liked enough to urge him to open a restaurant. As of 2008, the last two Killer Shrimp locations have closed and there are apparently no plans to reopen.