For most of September, we're honoring K-Tel's classic 1975 album, 24 Goofy Greats, only we're giving it a Mini Moose twist. Enjoy the jams.
SIDE 1
1. Snoopy vs. The Red Baron - The Royal Guardsmen
Snoopy vs. The Red Baron is a novelty song recorded in 1966 by the Royal Guardsmen. Inspired by the Charles M. Schulz's comic strip Peanuts, Snoopy vs. The Red Baron landed at No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100, just behind I'm a Believer by The Monkees.
2. Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini - Brian Hyland
Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini was written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss and first released in June 1960 by Brian Hyland for his album, The Bashful Blond (1961). The song was a worldwide hit, selling a million copies and landing at the top spot on Billboard Hot 100.
3. Bread and Butter - The Newbeats
Written by Larry Parks and Jay Turnbow, Bread and Butter was released in 1964 by the Newbeats from their album, Bread and Butter and More (1963). The song has been used in dozens of movies, TV shows, and commercials and has been covered by several artists. The original recording spent two weeks at No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100.
4. Mule Skinner Blues - The Fendermen
Mule Skinner Blues (originally titled Blue Yodel No. 8) was written by Jimmie Rodgers and George Vaughn. Rodgers recorded it on July 11, 1930. It's about a down-on-his-luck muleteer who approaches the 'Captain' for work. The Fendermen covered the song in 1960. It was the duo's only hit, peaking at No. 5 on Billboard Hot 100.
5. Rockin' Robin - Bobby Day
Rockin' Robin was written by Jimmie Thomas (a.k.a. Leon René) and first recorded by Bobby Day for his 1958 album, Rockin' with Robin. It was Day's biggest hit, peaking at No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on Billboard R&B. In 1972, Michael Jackson recorded a cover for his solo debut album, Got To Be There, which also became hit.
6. Alley-Oop - The Hollywood Argyles
Alley-Oop was written by Dallas Frazier in 1957. Inspired by V.T. Hamlin’s comic strip, Alley Oop, the song was recorded by one-hit wonder, The Hollywood Argyles, in 1960. It hit the top spot on Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on Billboard R&B. The song’s been covered by several artists, and the lyric ‘look at that caveman go’ is referenced in David Bowie’s song Life on Mars? from his 1971 album, Hunky Dory.
7. Loop de Loop - Johnny Thunder
Written by Teddy Vann and Joe Dong, Loop de Loop was first performed by Johnny Thunder in 1963. Featuring The Bobbettes, the song was Thunder’s only Top 40, peaking at No. 4 on Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 on Billboard R&B. Bobby Rydell also released a version of Loop de Loop from his 1963 album, All the Hits, Vol. 2.
8. Yummy Yummy Yummy - Ohio Express
Yummy Yummy Yummy was written by Arthur Resnick and Joey Levine and first recorded by Ohio Express in 1968. It peaked at No. 4 on Billboard Hot 100 and No. 5 in the UK. Though Ohio Express was a studio band concoction and never appeared on the album all together, Yummy Yummy Yummy has been covered by several artists and used in movies and TV shows like Super Size Me and The Simpsons and in commercials for products like Kinder.
9. Little Green Bag - George Baker Selection
Little Green Bag was recorded by George Baker Selection and released in 1969 from the album, Little Green Bag. The song was originally titled Little Greenback to represent the color of money in the US. They opening lyric is "Lookin' back on a track for a little greenback," but the song was oddly titled Little Green Bag and is now mistaken for an ode to marijuana. It peaked at No. 21 on Billboard Hot 100 in 1969, but after Quentin Tarantino used it in his 1992 movie, Reservoir Dogs, it was launched into cult classic status.
10. The Lion Sleeps Tonight - The Tokens
The Lion Sleeps Tonight was written by Solomon Linda in the 1920s. Originally titled Mbube, meaning ‘lion’ in Zulu, it was released in 1939 for Gallo Record Company in South Africa. George David Weiss translated it to English and several groups covered it, with no commercial success, until 1961 when The Tokens released a version, The Lion Sleep Tonight (Wimoweh), that became a number one hit in the US and has since earned millions in royalties through its consistent use in movies and advertising.
11. Mony Mony - Tommy James & The Shondells
Written by Tommy James and the Shondells, Mony Mony was first released in 1968. The tune’s title came from the neon sign at the top of the Mutual of New York building in NYC, which Tommy James could see from his apartment. Mony Mony landed at No. 3 in the US on Billboard Hot 100. Billy Idol covered the song in 1981 for his EP. He also released a live version in 1987 that hit number one, taking the crown away from Tiffany’s I Think We’re Alone Now, which is also a Tommy James and the Shondells’ cover.
12. Witch Doctor - David Seville
Witch Doctor was written and recorded by David Seville (Ross Bagdasarian, Sr.). The chorus is Seville singing but sped up to double speed. He used the technique on one other song, The Bird on My Head, before using it to create Alvin and the Chipmunks. He re-recorded the song for the 1959 Chipmunk album, Sing Again with the Chipmunks. The original version of Witch Doctor hit No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 and stayed there for three weeks.
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SIDE 2
13. Wooly Bully - Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs
Wooly Bully was released in 1965 by Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs. It peaked at No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100 but stayed on the charts for 18 weeks, the longest time for any song that year. It was the first American record to sell a million copies during the British Invasion. It was nominated for a Grammy, and Billboard named it the number one song of the year, despite never landing at the top spot on the charts.
14. The Name Game - Shirley Ellis
The Name Game was written by Shirley Ellis and Lincoln Chase and released by Ellis in 1964. Despite being a children’s novelty song, The Name Game landed at No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100 and No 4. on Billboard R&B. The song has been covered by dozens of artists and has become a staple tune for parents to entertain their children. Shirley Ellis is also one of the few artists on 24 Goofy Greats who isn’t a one-hit wonder.
15. Green Tambourine - The Lemon Pipers
Written by Paul Leka and Shelley Pinz, Green Tambourine was recorded by The Lemon Pipers and released in November 1967. A song about busking, it is often credited as the first bubblegum pop chart-topper. It spent 13 weeks on Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 1 in 1968. With a B-side of No Help from Me, Green Tambourine was the band’s only hit.
16. Simon Says - 1910 Fruitgum Company
Written by Elliot Chiprut and produced by Jeff Katz and Jerry Kasenetz, Simon Says was first recorded in 1967 by the 1910 Fruitgum Company. The song's based on the children’s game “Simon says.” The band’s biggest hit, it peaked at No. 4 on Billboard Hot 100 and charted in six other countries.
17. Mah Nà Mah Nà - Piero Umiliani
Mah Nà Mah Nà was written by Italian composer Piero Umiliani and released in 1968 for the movie soundtrack to Sweden: Heaven and Hell. The song caught the attention of Sesame Street producer Joan Ganz Cooney and was first performed in the US in 1969 by Jim Henson, as Kermit and Fozzie Bear, and Loretta Long as Susan. After Henson performed on The Ed Sullivan Show a week later, Mah Nà Mah Nà became a hit. In 1971, it was a staple during comedy sequences for The Benny Hill Show, and in 1976, it was used in the premiere episode of The Muppet Show.
18. See You Later, Alligator - Billy Haley & His Comets
Originally titled Later, Alligator and first released in 1955, See You Later, Alligator was written by Robert Guidry in 1950. He recorded it under his professional name, Bobby Charles. Bill Haley & His Comets released their version in 1956. It peaked at No. 6 Billboard Hot 100.
19. Sugar, Sugar - The Archies
Sugar, Sugar was written by Jeff Barry and Andy Kim and originally recorded by The Archies, a fictional teenage band from the cartoon The Archie Show. The song was released in 1969 and spent four weeks at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100.
20. The Birds and the Bees - Jewel Akens
The rumor is The Birds and the Bees was written by Herb Newman, Era Records owner’s twelve-year-old son. It was released in 1964 by Jewel Akens. The song was an international hit, landing on the charts in several countries and peaking at No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100.
21. Nashville Cats - The Lovin' Spoonful
Nashville Cats was released in 1966 by The Lovin’ Spoonful for their album, Hums of The Lovin’ Spoonful. The lyrics reference Sun Records, and the song is about Tennessee guitar players. It landed at No. 26 in the UK and, in the US, it peaked at No. 8 on Billboard Hot 100.
22. Mr. Bass Man - Johnny Cymbal
Mr. Bass Man is a hit single released in 1963 by Johnny Cymbal from his album, Mr. Bass Man (1962). Ronnie Bright, of The Cadillacs, sang the Bass Man part. Though the song was Cymbal's only hit, its success launched him into teen idol status.
23. Bony Moronie - Larry Williams
Bony Moronie was released by Larry Williams in 1957 as the singer/songwriter's third single. The B-side was You Bug Me Baby. Bony Moronie peaked at No. 14 on Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on Billboard R&B. The song's been covered by dozens of artists. It's even said that the Beatles performed the song, first as The Quarrymen, from 1957 to 1961, with John Lennon singing vocals.
24. Jam Up and Jelly Tight - Tommy Roe
Written by Tommy Roe and Freddy Weller, Jam Up and Jelly Tight was recorded by Roe and released as a single in 1969. It hit the Top 10 in Canada and Australia and, in the US, it landed at No. 8 on Billboard Hot 100.
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