Giddy Up a Ding Dong

Giddy-Up-A Ding Dong is a rock'n'roll song which rose to prominence in 1956 when it was featured in the film Rock Around the Clock starring Bill Haley. It became a hit in several countries for the group Freddie Bell and the Bellboys and is perhaps their best known recording.

The song was originally written in 1953 by Freddie Bell and his friend Pep Lattanzi, but was not recorded until three years later after the group had signed to Mercury, and were spotted by film producer Sam Katzman. Katzman offered the Bellboys a part in "Rock Around the Clock" and "Giddy Up a Ding Dong" became their first Mercury releasecite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/freddie-bell-giddyupa-ding-dong-singer-781508.html|title=Freddie Bell: 'Giddy-Up-A Ding Dong' singer|publisher=The Independent|work=Obituaries|accessdate=2008-04-15|date=2008-02-13] and was featured in the movie. The song was not a hit in the United States, but did achieve popularity in Australia, France and the UK, where it climbed to number four in the charts. The publicity for the single said, "If these sides don't move you, see a doctor – you're dead." The lyrics to the song are about a horse ride, with a definite western flavor, with the music having a loping, horse like cadence.

The song was also recorded by Tommy Steele.

Other Recordings

* The Sensational Alex Harvey Band
* The Equals
* The Jive Romeros
* Wild Wind

References