Lollipop (1950s pop song)

Infobox Single
Name = Lollipop


Artist = Ronald & Ruby
from Album =
A-side =
B-side =
Released = 1958
Format = 7" single
Recorded = 1957
Genre = Pop music
Length = 2:14
Label = RCA
Writer = Beverly Ross, Julius Dixson
Producer = Julius Dixson
Certification =
Last single = -
This single = "Lollipop" (1958)
Next single = "Love Birds" (1959)
Misc =Infobox Single
Name = Lollipop


Artist = The Chordettes
from Album =
A-side =
B-side =
Released = 1958
Format = 7" single
Recorded = 1958
Genre = Pop music
Length =
Label = Cadence
Writer = Beverly Ross, Julius Dixson
Producer = Archie Bleyer
Certification =
Last single = "Photographs" (1957)
This single = "Lollipop" (1958)
Next single = "Zorro" (1958)
Misc ="Lollipop" is a popular song written by Julius DixsonBen Sisario. "Julius Dixon, 90, Songwriter Known for the 1958 Hit 'Lollipop'," "The New York Times, March 4, 2004, page 16.] [Dixson's name is sometimes spelled Dixon.] and Beverly Ross in 1958 for the duo Ronald & Ruby, which was covered most successfully by The Chordettes.

Origins of song

The recording duo Ronald & Ruby comprised Ronald GumpsFact|date=February 2008See talk page for additional information.] , who was black, and white songwriter Beverly Ross. The recording was originally for the purpose of a demo to shop the song, but RCA got a hold of it and Dixson, who owned the master and had produced the demo, agreed to let RCA release it. Ronald and Ruby's version rose up the chart reaching #20, but when it was learned that Ronald and Ruby were an interracial duo (as were the songwriters, Dixson and Ross), television appearances that had been previously booked were cancelled and interest in the song waned.Fact|date=February 2008

Cover versions

"Lollipop" was then covered in the United States by female vocal quartet The Chordettes, whose version reached #2 and #3 on the Billboard pop and R&B charts, respectively. The song became a worldwide hit. The Chordettes' version reached #6 in the UK, where there was also a cover version by The Mudlarks which made #2.

The Argentinian band Viudas e Hijas de Roque Enroll made a cover of the song, with entirely new lyrics in Spanish. This version of the song was a hit in Argentina in the mid 1980s.

Cultural references

The song was used in the movies "Crazy Mama" (1976), "Shifshuf Naim" (1981), "Stand by Me" (1985), and "Chicken Little" (2005). It was also used in an episode of the American drama and Scrubs.

On the TV sitcom "Cheers", Norm and Cliff sing their own rendition of the song, after sucking helium to give themselves a higher sounding voice.

In "The Simpsons" episode "The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase", in the "Simpson Family Smile-Time Variety Hour" sketch, Jasper tries to sing "Lollipop", but when he tries to do the pop sound effect, his teeth fall out.http://www.snpp.com/episodes/4F20]

In 2005, the video game "Stubbs the Zombie" had a remade version done by Ben Kweller, and was also remixed by Junkie XL for the popular game "Destroy All Humans".

An episode of "Cold Case" on CBS began with the song.

Notes and references