Friday August 28, 2020 “Itsy, Bitsy, Teeny, Weeny, Yellow, Polka Dot Bikini” Brian Hyland

Still celebrating summer with probably the longest song of the day title we have had so far, and no doubt one of the most frivolous.

The song’s co-writer Paul Vance said he was inspired to write this song when he saw his two year old daughter in the exact costume referenced in the title.  Is it just me that finds that a bit creepy?  

Sung by then sixteen year old Brian Hyland from Woodhaven, Queens, some of us can relate to that as Brian’s contemporaries.  Maybe we knew Brian?  Not sure if this is good luck or bad but this tune was his first hit, he was only sixteen after all and it would help to set the stage for the genre of music known as bubblegum.

Hyland would have a number of almost as frivolous hits but while doing that he would be working with future legends like producer Snuff Garrett (Del Shannon, Bobby Vee, Johnny Burnette) J.J. Cale (“After Midnight”) and Leon Russell (Joe Cocker, Beach Boys).

He would also have a minor country career after the bubblegum lost it’s flavor (on the bedpost overnght?).

Before you dismiss this bathing suit frivolity, a number one song, the co-writer Paul Vance has said that this bit of fluff earned him a million dollars.  To paraphrase Norman Greenbaum (“Spirit in the Sky”) if this song generated a million dollars what must Paul McCartney be worth ($1.2 bilion by one estimate, only if you were really wondering).

Stay safe and well...and have some newfound respect for cheesy million selling frivolity.

Bop bop bop bop bopopopopopopop

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 Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

So in the locker, she wanted to stay

Two three four stick around we'll tell you more

Bop bop bop bop bopopopopopopop

She was afraid to come out in the open (badadup)

So a blanket around her she wore (badadup)

She was afraid to come out in the open (badadup)

So she sat, bundled up on the shore (badadup)

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 Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini

So in the blanket, she wanted to stay

Two three four the stick around we'll tell you more

Bop bop bop bop bopopopopopopop

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 thee 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 Teenie 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

Guess there isnt any more