Song #33 - "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" - Brian Hyland

#1 for week of August 8th, 1960. 

     Welp, we've stumbled full force into bubblegum land with this song. You only have to read the name of it and the songs gets stuck in your head like an earworm. Bubblegum pop wouldn't really become a genre, so to say, until around 1968. Regardless, Brian Hyland captured the genre's essence 7 years earlier. 

     Bubblegum refers to any music that is very saccharine and sugary in lyric and music content, and often has a straightforward locomotion rhythm. Syllables such as "Bah", and "La", are often used as lyrics, and most infamously, the song DOES NOT leave your head no matter how much you like, hate, or abhor the song. "Itsy Bitsy..." meets all of that criteria, and more. 

     Unlike other novelty songs like, "Alley Oop", which appeals to me due to its gritty production, the production on "Itsy Bitsy..." is a bit too pristinely polished with vocals being pushed forward the most in the mix. The whole way the song is sung makes it feel almost like a children's song, especially the pre-and post chorus spoken word lines. 

     If you pay attention to the lyrics, which describe the girl's embarrassment of wearing said bikini, they are actually kind of funny. However, three listens and the song gets really old and loses all humor. However, at least it wasn't sung by The Chipmunks! ... or was it?!?!?!!?!?!

     The song nowadays is so engraved in pop culture, mostly by cover versions, and it is used in everything from yogurt commercials to diet ads. I imagine for some it's a guilty pleasure due to the fact that it at least sounds musically consonant. Of course, now you are probably humming it in your head, either with delight or you are saying, "ARRGG! Why did you have to get that song stuck in my head Dr. Rock?!?!"

Final Verdict - You probably don't need to hear this song as you already know how it goes. Still, you may not be familiar with the original version, so maybe give it a listen strictly as a curiosity. However, I can't say it's something I'd want to play again. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a song I need to desperately get out of my head...

                  Coming Up Next - "It's Now Or Never" by Elvis. 

                              Until Next Time - Dr. Rock -