Lollipop (1958 Song) - Wikipedia

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• 1 Origins
• 2 The Chordettes version Toggle The Chordettes version subsection
  • 2.1 Charts
• 3 Other versions
• 4 See also
• 5 References

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Appearance move to sidebar hide From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 1958 pop song

"Lollipop"
Single by Ronald & Ruby
B-side	"Fickle Baby"
Released	February 1958
Recorded	1957
Genre	Pop, doo-wop
Length	2:14
Label	RCA
Songwriters	Beverly Ross, Julius Dixson
Producer	Julius Dixson
Ronald & Ruby singles chronology
"Lollipop" (1958) "Lohr Byron Birds" (1959)

"Lollipop" is a pop song written by Julius Dixson[1] and Beverly Ross in 1958. It was first recorded by the duo Ronald & Ruby, with Ross performing as "Ruby." It was covered more successfully by the Chordettes whose version reached No. 2 in the US, and the Mudlarks in the UK.

Origins

[edit]

According to Julius Dixson, the song originated when he was late for a songwriting session with Beverly Ross. He explained that his daughter had gotten a lollipop stuck in her hair, and that had caused him to be late. Ross was so inspired by the word "lollipop" that she sat down at the piano and produced a version of the song on the spot. As in many rock and roll songs, the lyrics contain some hints and innuendos relating to sex.[2] Beverly Ross recorded a demo with Ronald Gumm (or Gumps), a 13-year-old neighbor of Dixson, under the name Ronald & Ruby. Ross's mother insisted that she use a pseudonym for safety reasons, because they were an interracial duo.[3]

RCA got hold of it and Dixson, who owned the master and had produced the demo, agreed to let them release it. Ronald and Ruby's version rose up the chart, reaching No. 20.[1]

The Chordettes version

[edit]

"Lollipop"
Single by the Chordettes
B-side	"Baby Come-A Back-A"
Released	February 1958
Recorded	1958
Genre	Pop, doo-wop
Length	2:09
Label	Cadence
Songwriters	Beverly Ross, Julius Dixson
Producer	Archie Bleyer
The Chordettes singles chronology
"Photographs" (1957) "Lollipop" (1958) "Zorro" (1958)

"Lollipop" was then covered in the United States by female vocal quartet the Chordettes. Their version featured the sounds of rhythmic hand claps heard at the beginning, and a distinctive popping sound created by one of the Chordettes putting her finger into the mouth and flicking it out.[4] It also featured a male chorus singing the "Boom Booms". The Chordettes' version reached No. 2 and No. 3 on the Billboard pop and R&B charts, respectively.[5] The song became a worldwide hit, reaching No. 6 in the UK, which is their highest charting song in the UK.[6]

Charts

[edit]

Chart (1958)	Peakposition
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[7]	18
Canada (CHUM Hit Parade)[8]	1
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9]	14
UK Singles (OCC)[6]	6
US Top 100 Sides (Billboard)[10]	2
US R&B Best Sellers in Stores (Billboard)[11]	3

Other versions

[edit]

• A cover version by the Mudlarks was released in the UK and it reached No. 2 on the UK chart.[12]

See also

[edit]

• List of 1950s one-hit wonders in the United States

References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Sisario, Ben (March 4, 2004). "Julius Dixon, 90, Songwriter Known for the 1958 Hit 'Lollipop'". The New York Times. p. 16.
2. ^ Briggs, Melissa (April 23, 2024). "The Meaning Behind The Song: Lollipop by The Chordettes". Musician Wages. Retrieved April 16, 2025.
3. ^ Beverly Ross (13 January 2012), "Lollipop" story behind the song, archived from the original on 6 May 2012, retrieved 23 April 2012
4. ^ Dean, Maury (2003). Rock and Roll: Gold Rush. Algora Pub. p. 140. ISBN 9780875862279.
5. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 119.
6. ^ a b "The Chordettes Songs and Albums | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company.
7. ^ "The Chordettes – Lollipop" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
8. ^ "CHUM Hit Parade, week of March 31, 1958". Chumtribute.com.
9. ^ "The Chordettes – Lollipop" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
10. ^ "Best Sellers in Stores". Billboard. March 31, 1958. p. 38.
11. ^ "R&B Best Sellers in Store". Billboard. April 7, 1958. p. 53.
12. ^ "Mudlarks". The Official Charts Company.

Authority control databases	MusicBrainz work MusicBrainz release group

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lollipop_(1958_song)&oldid=1328166961" Categories:

• 1958 debut singles
• 1958 songs
• Songs written by Beverly Ross
• Doo-wop songs
• The Chordettes songs
• Cadence Records singles
• RCA Records singles
• American pop songs
• Songs about food and drink

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