Green Tambourine

The Lemon Pipers

About Green Tambourine

"Green Tambourine" is a song about busking, written and composed by Paul Leka (who also produced it) and Shelley Pinz. It was the biggest hit by the 1960s Ohio-based rock group The Lemon Pipers, as well as the title track of their debut album, Green Tambourine. The song was one of the first bubblegum pop chart-toppers and became a gold record. Released toward the end of 1967, it spent 13 weeks on the U. S. Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 1 on February 3, 1968, and sold over a million copies. The record remained on the chart for three months. It was also the first U. S. No. 1 hit for the Buddah label. The Lemon Pipers never repeated this success, though their "Rice Is Nice" and "Jelly Jungle", both also written by Leka and Pinz, made the charts in 1968. 


Year:
2008
81 
#2

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Drop your silver in my tambourine
Help a poor man fill his pretty dream
Give me pennies, I'll take anything
Now listen while I play
My green tambourine

Watch the jingle jangle start to chime
Reflections of the music that is mine
When you toss a coin you'll hear it sing
Now listen while I play
My green tambourine

Drop a dime before I walk away
Any song you want I'll gladly play
Money feeds my music machine
Now listen while I play
My green tambourine

Listen while I play

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


The Lemon Pipers

The Lemon Pipers were a 1960s psychedelic pop band from Oxford, Ohio, known chiefly for their song "Green Tambourine", which reached No. 1 in the United States in 1968. The song has been credited as being the first bubblegum pop chart-topper. more »

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Written by: PAUL LEKA, SHELLY PINZ

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Date & Billboard Ranking
"Green Tambourine" by The Lemon Pipers was released in November 1967. In February 1968, it became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 for one week.
Genre Classification
This song is considered one of the earliest successful releases in a genre later dubbed 'bubblegum pop'.
Band Origin
Despite their psychedelic sound, The Lemon Pipers were initially a hard rock band from Oxford, Ohio.
Songwriters
"Green Tambourine" was written by famed songwriting duo, Paul Leka and Shelley Pinz. They were also known for producing the song.
Cover Versions
Given its popularity, "Green Tambourine" has been covered numerous times by different artists, including Status Quo, Lawrence Welk, and Robert Goulet. It was also performed by a fictional band, the Bedbugs, in an episode of "The Simpsons."
Performance on TV
The song made an appearance on the Dick Clark hosted American Bandstand.
Inclusion in Films
Over the years, "Green Tambourine" has been featured across multiple film soundtracks, such as in the 2005 film "Transamerica", and the 2009 film, "Taking Woodstock."
Album Feature
This song was notably included in the Lemon Pipers' 1968 LP album, "Green Tambourine."
Recognition for the Genre
"Green Tambourine" is often recognized as one of the first bubblegum pop chart-toppers in the history of popular music.
Commercial Usage
In recent years, the song has been used in various advertisements, including for Hyundai and Target.
Song Theme
The song’s lyrics suggest a nebulous form of transaction – the singer will play his green tambourine if ‘given the chance’. This may have psychedelic implications given the period of its release.
Song Length
The running time of the original song is approximately 2 minutes and 26 seconds.

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1968

    Billboard #1


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