View source for Goodness Gracious Me (song)

{{Short description|1960 novelty hit song}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2009}}
[[File:SellersLoren.jpg|thumb|Cover of the 1960 hit single]]
"'''Goodness Gracious Me'''" is a comedy song recorded by [[Peter Sellers]] and [[Sophia Loren]]. Released by [[Parlophone]], it was a top 5 UK single in 1960. It features Sellers acting the role of an [[Indian people|Indian]] doctor, and Loren of his wealthy Italian patient – who fall in love.

== Conception and composition ==
The song was conceived and instigated by [[George Martin]], who was the producer at that time of Peter Sellers's comedy recordings.  Martin commissioned [[Dave Lee (jazz musician)|Dave Lee]] and [[Herbert Kretzmer]] to write the song.  Martin himself produced the recording.  Martin envisaged the song as a recording to be incorporated in the soundtrack of the film ''[[The Millionairess]]'' which was being filmed at that time starring Sellers and Loren.  However, the film's producers did not share his enthusiasm for including the song in the film's soundtrack and did not utilize it.  The studio was however happy to see the song released as a stand-alone single to promote the film.  In becoming a [[chart hit]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19601201/7501/ |title=1960-12-03 Top 40 Official UK Singles Archive |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |date=1960-12-03 |accessdate=2012-01-06}}</ref> it succeeded in publicizing the film.

== Release history ==
Though the song did not feature in ''The Millionairess'' itself, some of the lyrics in the song refer to the film; for example, "There's nothing the matter with it; put it away please" referring to the scene when Epifania shows Dr. Kabir her tongue, pretending to be ill.

The song proved so popular in the United Kingdom that a follow-up song, "Bangers and Mash", was released.  Sellers sang and spoke the part of a [[Cockney]] asking for plain and simple English cooking, Loren singing the part of his Italian wife wanting to serve him traditional Italian food.  Both are featured on collections of Sellers' comedy recordings.

Since early 2010, videos have been created and posted using the scene of Sellers and Loren from the film, with the audio recording of the song as the soundtrack.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03DKl3lOY4k YouTube video showing Sophia Loren and Peter Sellers in character with the song as soundtrack] seen 11 October 2016</ref>

== In popular culture ==
In 1979, heart transplant pioneer, [[Christiaan Barnard]] and Australian actress, [[Chantal Contouri]], performed the song together as part of Channel 7 Perth's annual [[Telethon#Perth|Telethon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ammpt.asn.au/the-golden-years-of-tvw-video-presentation-for-ammpt/  |title=The Golden Years of TVW|date=28 August 2013 |accessdate=2016-03-01}}</ref>

In the 1990s, the song provided the inspiration for the title and theme tune of the [[BBC]] radio and TV [[Goodness Gracious Me (TV & radio)|comedy programme of the same name]], starring British-based Indian characters.

In February 2013, the song was covered by [[Rowan Atkinson]] and [[Pixie Lott]] for a one off telethon ''From the Heart''.<ref>Alex Fletcher, [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a458520/rowan-atkinson-and-pixie-lott-get-saucy-for-from-the-heart-picture.html Rowan Atkinson and Pixie Lott get saucy for 'From The Heart'], ''www.digitalspy.co.uk'', Wednesday, 13 February 2013</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8C2Tm-r0V8 YouTube recording of the Atkinson-Lott performance]</ref>

== References ==
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[[Category:Stereotypes of South Asian people]]
[[Category:Ethnic humour]]
[[Category:1960 songs]]
[[Category:Songs with lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by George Martin]]
[[Category:1960 singles]]
[[Category:Comedy songs]]
[[Category:Novelty songs]]