Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini

Albert West, Brian Hyland

About Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini

"Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini" is a novelty song telling the story of a shy girl wearing a revealing polka dot bikini at the beach. It was written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss and first released in June 1960 by Brian Hyland, with orchestra conducted by John Dixon. The Hyland version reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, selling a million copies in the US, and was a worldwide hit. The song has been adapted into French as "Itsy bitsy petit bikini" and into German as "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Honolulu-Strand-Bikini", reaching number one on national charts in both languages. Several versions of the song have proved successful in various European countries. In 1990 a version by British pop band Bombalurina, titled "Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and in Ireland. 


Year:
2005
3:07
433 
#2

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She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was as nervous as she could be
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was afraid that somebody would see
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore!

It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today.
An itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini
So in the locker she wanted to stay.
Two, three, four, stick around we'll tell you more!

She was afraid to come out in the open
And so a blanket around her she wore.
She was afraid to come out in the open.
And so she sat bundled up on the shore.
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore!

It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini.
That she wore for the first time today.
An itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini.
So in the blanket she wanted to stay.
Two, three, four, stick around we'll tell you more!

Now she is afraid to come out of the water.
And I wonder what she's gonna do.
'Cause she's afraid to come out of the water.
And now the poor little girl's turning blue.
Two, three, four, tell the people what she wore!

It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini.
That she wore for the first time today.
An itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka-dot bikini.
So in the water she wanted to stay.

From the locker to the blanket,
From the blanket to the shore,
From the shore to the water
Guess there isn't any more.

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Brian Hyland

Brian Hyland (born November 12, 1943) is an American pop recording artist who was particularly successful during the early 1960s. He continued recording into the 1970s. Allmusic journalist Jason Ankeny states, "Hyland's puppy-love pop virtually defined the sound and sensibility of bubblegum during the pre-Beatles era." Although his status as a teen idol faded, he went on to release several country-influenced albums and had further chart hits later in his career. more »

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Written by: Lee Julien Pockriss, Paul J. Vance

Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release and Recognition
"Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini" was first released by Brian Hyland in 1960. The song became Hyland's first major hit, soaring to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Song's Origin
Company executive Paul Vance wrote the song after watching his 2-year-old daughter play with an inflatable beach ball while wearing a bikini.
Song's Theme
The song tells the story of a timid girl in a tiny yellow polka dot bikini who is too afraid to come out from the changing room and into the beach sight, demonstrating the widespread shyness and modesty around wearing such revealing swimwear at the time.
Vocal Technique
Brian Hyland is known for performing the song in a falsetto voice, which added a distinctive touch to it.
Later Covers
The song has been covered numerous times by various artists around the world, including Bombalurina featuring Timmy Mallett in 1990 which made it to number one in the UK Singles Chart.
Cultural Impact
It was one of the first songs to tell a story using a combination of spoken narration and singing, a formula that was later used by many country songs.
Pop Culture Appearance
"Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini" was featured in the films Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993) and Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (1987).
Marketing Success
The song is credited with having helped to popularize the bikini swimsuit in Western society.
Release amidst Controversy
The song was originally banned by the BBC Radio network due to its scandalous nature at the time, but it was eventually lifted after it gained popularity in the United States.
French Version Success
A French version of the song also sold millions of copies in France in 1960, performed by Richard Anthony.

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