#1 for week of July 7th, 1962.
This is...certainly an odd song to see on this list. I don't mean that in a bad way, but even if you don't know this song by name, you'd probably recognize it if you heard it. "The Stripper" by David Rose is basically exactly what it says on the tin - It's a jazzy burlesque number which is practically tailor-made for stripteases. Needless to say, the summer 1962 must have been full of interesting parties...
Musically, this is a pure jazz instrumental which has tons of cliches of striptease music such as raunchy trombones, every instrument dropping out during strategic moments - except for the drums, and a slow and steady tempo.
Interestingly, this song was recorded way back in 1958, thus making it chronologically one of the earliest tunes on the list. It was later dug out of the mothballs and released as a B-side to David Rose's latest single "Ebb Tide" and naturally, people started flipping the record over to hear its saucy flipside.
This song has been used mostly in parodies over the subsequent years. One notable and humorous occurrence was in an early episode of Monty Python's Flying Circus where Terry Jones', playing a fancy dressed beach goer, is desperate to find a private place to change clothes. Later, he accidentally stumbles into a crowded theater and ends up performing a striptease set to "The Stripper" in true Monty Python fashion.
Many other movies, comedians, and even musicians have used this song in a similar light. It certainly has progressed into more of a novelty tune as opposed to a serious jazz number. I'm still quite baffled that this song was such a smash hit, but then again this is that interesting period between 1959 and 1964 so really anything goes.
Final Verdict - This is certainly the epitome of a "Striptease" musical number. I still think its #1 hit status is a bit unusual. Regardless, you've probably heard this song before but just in case you haven't, give it a listen and you'll have an "Aha!" moment.
Coming Up Next - "Roses Are Red (My Love)" by Bobby Vinton.
Until Next Time - I'm Dr. Rock, insert obligatory stripper pun here -
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