Ying Tong Song - Revision history

Kurt at 02:07, 24 May 2025

2025-05-24T02:07:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:07, 23 May 2025
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	\| producer = [[Marcel Stellman\|Marcel Stellman]]		\| producer = [[Marcel Stellman\|Marcel Stellman]]
	}}		}}
	The "'''Ying Tong Song'''" (also known by its refrain, which is variously either "'''Ying tong diddle I po'''" or "'''Ying tong yiddle I po'''" rather than the oft-quoted but apparently absent "'''Ying tong iddle I po'''") is a [[novelty song\|novelty song]] written by [[Spike Milligan]] and performed by [[the Goons]], usually led by [[Harry Secombe]]. It is a [[nonsense\|nonsense]] ~~song~~, consisting of small verses interspersed by a completely nonsensical chorus. The origin of the title is said to have come from Harry Secombe's mispronunciation of the name of Milligan's war-time friend and fellow jazz musician, Harry Edgington. When Secombe repeatedly called him "Edgerton", Milligan replied, "it's Edgington, Edgington" and emphasized the point by saying "Yington, Yington".<ref>{{cite news\|title=Obituary of Harry Edgington \|newspaper=[[The Evening Post (New Zealand)\|The Evening Post]] \|publisher=[[Independent Newspapers\|]] \|location=Wellington, New Zealand \|date=2 December 1993}}</ref>		The "'''Ying Tong Song'''" (also known by its refrain, which is variously either "'''Ying tong diddle I po'''" or "'''Ying tong yiddle I po'''" rather than the oft-quoted but apparently absent "'''Ying tong iddle I po'''") is a [[novelty song\|novelty song]] written by [[Spike Milligan]] and performed by [[the Goons]], usually led by [[Harry Secombe]]. It is a [[nonsense song\|nonsense song]], consisting of small verses interspersed by a completely nonsensical chorus. The origin of the title is said to have come from Harry Secombe's mispronunciation of the name of Milligan's war-time friend and fellow jazz musician, Harry Edgington. When Secombe repeatedly called him "Edgerton", Milligan replied, "it's Edgington, Edgington" and emphasized the point by saying "Yington, Yington".<ref>{{cite news\|title=Obituary of Harry Edgington \|newspaper=[[The Evening Post (New Zealand)\|The Evening Post]] \|publisher=[[w:Independent Newspapers\|Independent Newspapers]] \|location=Wellington, New Zealand \|date=2 December 1993}}</ref>

	==The Goons==		==The Goons==
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	The song was the first track of a 1979 comedy album, ''Primeval Slime'' by actor Ying Tong John.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.discogs.com/Ying-Tong-John-Primeval-Slime/release/5949607 \|website=discogs.com \|title=Ying Tong John – Primeval Slime }}</ref>		The song was the first track of a 1979 comedy album, ''Primeval Slime'' by actor Ying Tong John.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.discogs.com/Ying-Tong-John-Primeval-Slime/release/5949607 \|website=discogs.com \|title=Ying Tong John – Primeval Slime }}</ref>

	The song gave its name to the 2008 stage show ''Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons''.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Wren \|first=Celia \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030700950.html \|title='Ying Tong'? Why, That's English for Postwar Silliness \|newspaper=[[The Washington Post\|]] \|department=Arts & Living \|issn=0190-8286 \|date=2008-03-09 \|location=Philadelphia \|access-date=2016-08-22}}</ref>		The song gave its name to the 2008 stage show ''Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons''.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Wren \|first=Celia \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030700950.html \|title='Ying Tong'? Why, That's English for Postwar Silliness \|newspaper=[[w:The Washington Post\|The Washington Post]] \|department=Arts & Living \|issn=0190-8286 \|date=2008-03-09 \|location=Philadelphia \|access-date=2016-08-22}}</ref>

	[[The Muppets\|The Muppets]] also did a version of the "Ying Tong Song" in season 5, episode 20 of The Muppet Show.		[[The Muppets\|The Muppets]] also did a version of the "Ying Tong Song" in season 5, episode 20 of The Muppet Show.

Kurt at 04:05, 14 March 2023

2023-03-14T04:05:41Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:05, 13 March 2023
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	~~{{Use British English\|date=February 2020}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2020}}~~
	{{Infobox song		{{Infobox song
	~~\| name = Ying Tong Song~~
	\| cover = Ying Tong Song.jpg<!--just the file name-->		\| cover = Ying Tong Song.jpg<!--just the file name-->
	\| artist = [[the Goons]] with Maurice Ponke and His Orchestre Fromage		\| artist = [[the Goons]] with Maurice Ponke and His Orchestre Fromage
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	\| recorded =		\| recorded =
	\| studio =		\| studio =
	\| genre = *[[w:Novelty song\|Novelty song]]		\| genre = *[[Novelty song\|Novelty song]]
	*[[w:nonsense song\|nonsense song]]		*[[nonsense song\|nonsense song]]
	\| length = 3:29		\| length = 3:29
	\| label = [[w:Decca Records\|Decca]]		\| label = [[Decca Records\|Decca]]
	\| writer = [[Spike Milligan]]		\| writer = [[Spike Milligan]]
	\| producer = [[w:Marcel Stellman\|Marcel Stellman]]		\| producer = [[Marcel Stellman\|Marcel Stellman]]
	}}		}}
	The "'''Ying Tong Song'''" (also known by its refrain, which is variously either "'''Ying tong diddle I po'''" or "'''Ying tong yiddle I po'''" rather than the oft-quoted but apparently absent "'''Ying tong iddle I po'''") is a [[w:novelty song\|novelty song]] written by [[Spike Milligan]] and performed by [[the Goons]], usually led by [[Harry Secombe]]. It is a [[w:nonsense\|nonsense]] song, consisting of small verses interspersed by a completely nonsensical chorus. The origin of the title is said to have come from Harry Secombe's mispronunciation of the name of Milligan's war-time friend and fellow jazz musician, Harry Edgington. When Secombe repeatedly called him "Edgerton", Milligan replied, "it's Edgington, Edgington" and emphasized the point by saying "Yington, Yington".<ref>{{cite news\|title=Obituary of Harry Edgington \|newspaper=[[The Evening Post (New Zealand)\|The Evening Post]] \|publisher=[[w:Independent Newspapers\|]] \|location=Wellington, New Zealand \|date=2 December 1993}}</ref>		The "'''Ying Tong Song'''" (also known by its refrain, which is variously either "'''Ying tong diddle I po'''" or "'''Ying tong yiddle I po'''" rather than the oft-quoted but apparently absent "'''Ying tong iddle I po'''") is a [[novelty song\|novelty song]] written by [[Spike Milligan]] and performed by [[the Goons]], usually led by [[Harry Secombe]]. It is a [[nonsense\|nonsense]] song, consisting of small verses interspersed by a completely nonsensical chorus. The origin of the title is said to have come from Harry Secombe's mispronunciation of the name of Milligan's war-time friend and fellow jazz musician, Harry Edgington. When Secombe repeatedly called him "Edgerton", Milligan replied, "it's Edgington, Edgington" and emphasized the point by saying "Yington, Yington".<ref>{{cite news\|title=Obituary of Harry Edgington \|newspaper=[[The Evening Post (New Zealand)\|The Evening Post]] \|publisher=[[Independent Newspapers\|]] \|location=Wellington, New Zealand \|date=2 December 1993}}</ref>

	==The Goons==		==The Goons==
	Secombe usually spoke the lead vocals, accompanied by [[Peter Sellers]] and Spike Milligan, who would sing along as [[The Goon Show cast members and characters\|various ''Goon Show'' characters]]. As Secombe was signed to [[w:Philips Records\|Philips Records]], he did not sing on any of the Goons' [[w:Decca Records\|Decca]] recordings of the 1950s, including this song, only speaking his words.<ref>Harry Secombe speaking at the [http://www.thegoonshow.org.uk/ GSPS] convention in Brighton in October 1997</ref>		Secombe usually spoke the lead vocals, accompanied by [[Peter Sellers]] and Spike Milligan, who would sing along as [[The Goon Show cast members and characters\|various ''Goon Show'' characters]]. As Secombe was signed to [[Philips Records\|Philips Records]], he did not sing on any of the Goons' [[Decca Records\|Decca]] recordings of the 1950s, including this song, only speaking his words.<ref>Harry Secombe speaking at the [http://www.thegoonshow.org.uk/ GSPS] convention in Brighton in October 1997</ref>

	Milligan claimed that he wrote this song as a bet, with his brother, that he could not get a song into the hit parade that had only two chords (in this case G and D7).<ref>Spike Milligan speaking at the GSPS convention in Brighton in October 1997</ref>		Milligan claimed that he wrote this song as a bet, with his brother, that he could not get a song into the hit parade that had only two chords (in this case G and D7).<ref>Spike Milligan speaking at the GSPS convention in Brighton in October 1997</ref>

	It was a hit in the UK on two occasions: its highest position was No. 3 in the [[w:UK Singles Chart\|UK Singles Chart]] in 1956<ref name=chart /> (the original [[w:A-side and B-side\|A-side]] was "[[Major Bloodnok\|Bloodnok]]'s Rock 'n' Roll Call") on Decca Records (catalogue no. F 10780), performed by The Goons featuring Major Dennis Bloodnok, Roland Rockcake and His Wholly Rollers, with "The Ying Tong Song" on the [[w:A-side and B-side\|B-side]] performed by The Goons with Maurice Ponke and His Orchestre Fromage. "The Ying Tong Song" reached a position of No. 9 in the UK when re-issued in 1973.<ref name=chart /><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book \|editor-first= David \|editor-last= Roberts \|year=2006 \|title=[[British Hit Singles & Albums]] \|edition=19th \|publisher=[[w:Guinness World Records\|]] \|location=London \|isbn=1-904994-10-5\|page=232}}</ref> The guitar was played by the session musician [[w:Ivor Mairants\|Ivor Mairants]]. The song peaked at number 57 in Australia in 1973.<ref name=aus>{{cite book\|last=Kent\|first=David\|author-link=David Kent (historian)\|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992\|edition=illustrated\|publisher=Australian Chart Book\|location=St Ives, N.S.W.\|year=1993\|isbn=0-646-11917-6\|page=128}}</ref>		It was a hit in the UK on two occasions: its highest position was No. 3 in the [[UK Singles Chart\|UK Singles Chart]] in 1956<ref name=chart /> (the original [[A-side and B-side\|A-side]] was "[[Major Bloodnok\|Bloodnok]]'s Rock 'n' Roll Call") on Decca Records (catalogue no. F 10780), performed by The Goons featuring Major Dennis Bloodnok, Roland Rockcake and His Wholly Rollers, with "The Ying Tong Song" on the [[A-side and B-side\|B-side]] performed by The Goons with Maurice Ponke and His Orchestre Fromage. "The Ying Tong Song" reached a position of No. 9 in the UK when re-issued in 1973.<ref name=chart /><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book \|editor-first= David \|editor-last= Roberts \|year=2006 \|title=[[British Hit Singles & Albums]] \|edition=19th \|publisher=[[Guinness World Records\|]] \|location=London \|isbn=1-904994-10-5\|page=232}}</ref> The guitar was played by the session musician [[Ivor Mairants\|Ivor Mairants]]. The song peaked at number 57 in Australia in 1973.<ref name=aus>{{cite book\|last=Kent\|first=David\|author-link=David Kent (historian)\|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992\|edition=illustrated\|publisher=Australian Chart Book\|location=St Ives, N.S.W.\|year=1993\|isbn=0-646-11917-6\|page=128}}</ref>

	It was used as the title of the [[w:Roy Smiles\|Roy Smiles]] play about Spike Milligan and ''The Goon Show'': ''Ying Tong - A Walk With The Goons'' which was staged in the [[w:West End theatre\|West End]] in 2005 and a radio play on [[w:BBC Radio 4\|BBC Radio 4]] in 2009.		It was used as the title of the [[Roy Smiles\|Roy Smiles]] play about Spike Milligan and ''The Goon Show'': ''Ying Tong - A Walk With The Goons'' which was staged in the [[West End theatre\|West End]] in 2005 and a radio play on [[BBC Radio 4\|BBC Radio 4]] in 2009.

	In the fourth volume of his war memoirs (''[[Mussolini: His Part in My Downfall\|Mussolini, His Part In My Downfall]]''), Milligan mentions that his friend and fellow soldier Edgington was often referred to as Edge-Ying-Tong.		In the fourth volume of his war memoirs (''[[Mussolini: His Part in My Downfall\|Mussolini, His Part In My Downfall]]''), Milligan mentions that his friend and fellow soldier Edgington was often referred to as Edge-Ying-Tong.

	==Later versions==		==Later versions==
	In the satirical TV sketch show ''[[Spitting Image]]'', in which news figures and celebrities were lampooned in the form of grossly-caricatured rubber puppets, it was not uncommon for [[w:Prince Charles\|Prince Charles]] to be seen leaving a room quietly singing the "Ying Tong Song" to himself. This was a reference to the fact that Prince Charles is a fan of [[The Goon Show]].		In the satirical TV sketch show ''[[Spitting Image]]'', in which news figures and celebrities were lampooned in the form of grossly-caricatured rubber puppets, it was not uncommon for [[Prince Charles\|Prince Charles]] to be seen leaving a room quietly singing the "Ying Tong Song" to himself. This was a reference to the fact that Prince Charles is a fan of [[The Goon Show]].

	The song was the first track of a 1979 comedy album, ''Primeval Slime'' by actor Ying Tong John.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.discogs.com/Ying-Tong-John-Primeval-Slime/release/5949607 \|website=discogs.com \|title=Ying Tong John – Primeval Slime }}</ref>		The song was the first track of a 1979 comedy album, ''Primeval Slime'' by actor Ying Tong John.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.discogs.com/Ying-Tong-John-Primeval-Slime/release/5949607 \|website=discogs.com \|title=Ying Tong John – Primeval Slime }}</ref>

	The song gave its name to the 2008 stage show ''Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons''.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Wren \|first=Celia \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030700950.html \|title='Ying Tong'? Why, That's English for Postwar Silliness \|newspaper=[[w:The Washington Post\|]] \|department=Arts & Living \|issn=0190-8286 \|date=2008-03-09 \|location=Philadelphia \|access-date=2016-08-22}}</ref>		The song gave its name to the 2008 stage show ''Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons''.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Wren \|first=Celia \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030700950.html \|title='Ying Tong'? Why, That's English for Postwar Silliness \|newspaper=[[The Washington Post\|]] \|department=Arts & Living \|issn=0190-8286 \|date=2008-03-09 \|location=Philadelphia \|access-date=2016-08-22}}</ref>

	[[w:The Muppets\|The Muppets]] also did a version of the "Ying Tong Song" in season 5, episode 20 of The Muppet Show.		[[The Muppets\|The Muppets]] also did a version of the "Ying Tong Song" in season 5, episode 20 of The Muppet Show.

	[[w:Jon Anderson\|Jon Anderson]], former lead singer for the [[w:progressive rock\|progressive rock]] group [[w:Yes (band)\|Yes]], recorded a short version, released in 2005 on his ''[[w:State of Independence\|State of Independence]]'' EP.		[[Jon Anderson\|Jon Anderson]], former lead singer for the [[progressive rock\|progressive rock]] group [[Yes (band)\|Yes]], recorded a short version, released in 2005 on his ''[[State of Independence\|State of Independence]]'' EP.

	==Charts==		==Charts==
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	{{Reflist}}		{{Reflist}}

	{{Goons}}		{{Goons\|state=collapsed}}

	[[Category:The Goon Show]]		[[Category:The Goon Show]]
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	[[Category:1956 songs]]		[[Category:1956 songs]]
	[[Category:1973 singles]]		[[Category:1973 singles]]
			[[Category:The Goon Show songs]]

Kurt: /* The Goons */

2022-12-05T21:14:05Z

The Goons

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:14, 5 December 2022
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	Milligan claimed that he wrote this song as a bet, with his brother, that he could not get a song into the hit parade that had only two chords (in this case G and D7).<ref>Spike Milligan speaking at the GSPS convention in Brighton in October 1997</ref>		Milligan claimed that he wrote this song as a bet, with his brother, that he could not get a song into the hit parade that had only two chords (in this case G and D7).<ref>Spike Milligan speaking at the GSPS convention in Brighton in October 1997</ref>

	It was a hit in the UK on two occasions: its highest position was No. 3 in the [[w:UK Singles Chart\|UK Singles Chart]] in 1956<ref name=chart /> (the original [[w:A-side and B-side\|A-side]] was "[[Major Bloodnok\|Bloodnok]]'s Rock 'n' Roll Call") on Decca Records (catalogue no. F 10780), performed by The Goons featuring Major Dennis Bloodnok, Roland Rockcake and His Wholly Rollers, with "The Ying Tong Song" on the [[w:A-side and B-side\|B-side]] performed by The Goons with Maurice Ponke and His Orchestre Fromage. "The Ying Tong Song" reached a position of No. 9 in the UK when re-issued in 1973.<ref name=chart /><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book \|editor-first= David \|editor-last= Roberts \|year=2006 \|title=[[British Hit Singles & Albums]] \|edition=19th \|publisher=[[w:Guinness World Records\|]] \|location=London \|isbn=1-904994-10-5\|page=232}}</ref> The guitar was played by the session musician Ivor Mairants. The song peaked at number 57 in Australia in 1973.<ref name=aus>{{cite book\|last=Kent\|first=David\|author-link=David Kent (historian)\|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992\|edition=illustrated\|publisher=Australian Chart Book\|location=St Ives, N.S.W.\|year=1993\|isbn=0-646-11917-6\|page=128}}</ref>		It was a hit in the UK on two occasions: its highest position was No. 3 in the [[w:UK Singles Chart\|UK Singles Chart]] in 1956<ref name=chart /> (the original [[w:A-side and B-side\|A-side]] was "[[Major Bloodnok\|Bloodnok]]'s Rock 'n' Roll Call") on Decca Records (catalogue no. F 10780), performed by The Goons featuring Major Dennis Bloodnok, Roland Rockcake and His Wholly Rollers, with "The Ying Tong Song" on the [[w:A-side and B-side\|B-side]] performed by The Goons with Maurice Ponke and His Orchestre Fromage. "The Ying Tong Song" reached a position of No. 9 in the UK when re-issued in 1973.<ref name=chart /><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book \|editor-first= David \|editor-last= Roberts \|year=2006 \|title=[[British Hit Singles & Albums]] \|edition=19th \|publisher=[[w:Guinness World Records\|]] \|location=London \|isbn=1-904994-10-5\|page=232}}</ref> The guitar was played by the session musician [[w:Ivor Mairants\|Ivor Mairants]]. The song peaked at number 57 in Australia in 1973.<ref name=aus>{{cite book\|last=Kent\|first=David\|author-link=David Kent (historian)\|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992\|edition=illustrated\|publisher=Australian Chart Book\|location=St Ives, N.S.W.\|year=1993\|isbn=0-646-11917-6\|page=128}}</ref>

	It was used as the title of the [[w:Roy Smiles\|Roy Smiles]] play about Spike Milligan and ''The Goon Show'': ''Ying Tong - A Walk With The Goons'' which was staged in the [[w:West End theatre\|West End]] in 2005 and a radio play on [[w:BBC Radio 4\|BBC Radio 4]] in 2009.		It was used as the title of the [[w:Roy Smiles\|Roy Smiles]] play about Spike Milligan and ''The Goon Show'': ''Ying Tong - A Walk With The Goons'' which was staged in the [[w:West End theatre\|West End]] in 2005 and a radio play on [[w:BBC Radio 4\|BBC Radio 4]] in 2009.

	In the fourth volume of his war memoirs (''Mussolini, His Part In My Downfall''), Milligan mentions that his friend and fellow soldier Edgington was often referred to as Edge-Ying-Tong.		In the fourth volume of his war memoirs (''[[Mussolini: His Part in My Downfall\|Mussolini, His Part In My Downfall]]''), Milligan mentions that his friend and fellow soldier Edgington was often referred to as Edge-Ying-Tong.

	==Later versions==		==Later versions==

Kurt: /* References */

2022-12-05T21:11:01Z

References

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:11, 5 December 2022
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	{{Goons}}		{{Goons}}
	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	[[Category:The Goon Show]]		[[Category:The Goon Show]]

Kurt at 22:17, 21 August 2022

2022-08-21T22:17:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:17, 21 August 2022
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	Milligan claimed that he wrote this song as a bet, with his brother, that he could not get a song into the hit parade that had only two chords (in this case G and D7).<ref>Spike Milligan speaking at the GSPS convention in Brighton in October 1997</ref>		Milligan claimed that he wrote this song as a bet, with his brother, that he could not get a song into the hit parade that had only two chords (in this case G and D7).<ref>Spike Milligan speaking at the GSPS convention in Brighton in October 1997</ref>

	It was a hit in the UK on two occasions: its highest position was No. 3 in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in 1956<ref name=chart /> (the original [[A-side and B-side\|A-side]] was "[[Major Bloodnok\|Bloodnok]]'s Rock 'n' Roll Call") on Decca Records (catalogue no. F 10780), performed by The Goons featuring Major Dennis Bloodnok, Roland Rockcake and His Wholly Rollers, with "The Ying Tong Song" on the [[A-side and B-side\|B-side]] performed by The Goons with Maurice Ponke and His Orchestre Fromage. "The Ying Tong Song" reached a position of No. 9 in the UK when re-issued in 1973.<ref name=chart /><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book \|editor-first= David \|editor-last= Roberts \|year=2006 \|title=[[British Hit Singles & Albums]] \|edition=19th \|publisher=[[Guinness World Records]] \|location=London \|isbn=1-904994-10-5\|page=232}}</ref> The guitar was played by the session musician Ivor Mairants. The song peaked at number 57 in Australia in 1973.<ref name=aus>{{cite book\|last=Kent\|first=David\|author-link=David Kent (historian)\|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992\|edition=illustrated\|publisher=Australian Chart Book\|location=St Ives, N.S.W.\|year=1993\|isbn=0-646-11917-6\|page=128}}</ref>		It was a hit in the UK on two occasions: its highest position was No. 3 in the [[w:UK Singles Chart\|UK Singles Chart]] in 1956<ref name=chart /> (the original [[w:A-side and B-side\|A-side]] was "[[Major Bloodnok\|Bloodnok]]'s Rock 'n' Roll Call") on Decca Records (catalogue no. F 10780), performed by The Goons featuring Major Dennis Bloodnok, Roland Rockcake and His Wholly Rollers, with "The Ying Tong Song" on the [[w:A-side and B-side\|B-side]] performed by The Goons with Maurice Ponke and His Orchestre Fromage. "The Ying Tong Song" reached a position of No. 9 in the UK when re-issued in 1973.<ref name=chart /><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book \|editor-first= David \|editor-last= Roberts \|year=2006 \|title=[[British Hit Singles & Albums]] \|edition=19th \|publisher=[[w:Guinness World Records\|]] \|location=London \|isbn=1-904994-10-5\|page=232}}</ref> The guitar was played by the session musician Ivor Mairants. The song peaked at number 57 in Australia in 1973.<ref name=aus>{{cite book\|last=Kent\|first=David\|author-link=David Kent (historian)\|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992\|edition=illustrated\|publisher=Australian Chart Book\|location=St Ives, N.S.W.\|year=1993\|isbn=0-646-11917-6\|page=128}}</ref>

	It was used as the title of the [[w:Roy Smiles\|Roy Smiles]] play about Spike Milligan and ''The Goon Show'': ''Ying Tong - A Walk With The Goons'' which was staged in the [[w:West End theatre\|West End]] in 2005 and a radio play on [[w:BBC Radio 4\|BBC Radio 4]] in 2009.		It was used as the title of the [[w:Roy Smiles\|Roy Smiles]] play about Spike Milligan and ''The Goon Show'': ''Ying Tong - A Walk With The Goons'' which was staged in the [[w:West End theatre\|West End]] in 2005 and a radio play on [[w:BBC Radio 4\|BBC Radio 4]] in 2009.
Line 36:		Line 36:
	The song gave its name to the 2008 stage show ''Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons''.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Wren \|first=Celia \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030700950.html \|title='Ying Tong'? Why, That's English for Postwar Silliness \|newspaper=[[w:The Washington Post\|]] \|department=Arts & Living \|issn=0190-8286 \|date=2008-03-09 \|location=Philadelphia \|access-date=2016-08-22}}</ref>		The song gave its name to the 2008 stage show ''Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons''.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Wren \|first=Celia \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030700950.html \|title='Ying Tong'? Why, That's English for Postwar Silliness \|newspaper=[[w:The Washington Post\|]] \|department=Arts & Living \|issn=0190-8286 \|date=2008-03-09 \|location=Philadelphia \|access-date=2016-08-22}}</ref>

	[[The Muppets]] also did a version of the "Ying Tong Song" in season 5, episode 20 of The Muppet Show.		[[w:The Muppets\|The Muppets]] also did a version of the "Ying Tong Song" in season 5, episode 20 of The Muppet Show.

	[[w:Jon Anderson\|Jon Anderson]], former lead singer for the [[w:progressive rock\|progressive rock]] group [[w:Yes (band)\|Yes]], recorded a short version, released in 2005 on his ''[[w:State of Independence\|State of Independence]]'' EP.		[[w:Jon Anderson\|Jon Anderson]], former lead singer for the [[w:progressive rock\|progressive rock]] group [[w:Yes (band)\|Yes]], recorded a short version, released in 2005 on his ''[[w:State of Independence\|State of Independence]]'' EP.

Kurt at 22:14, 21 August 2022

2022-08-21T22:14:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:14, 21 August 2022
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	{{Infobox song		{{Infobox song
	\| name = Ying Tong Song		\| name = Ying Tong Song
	\| cover = <!--just the file name-->		\| cover = Ying Tong Song.jpg<!--just the file name-->
	\| artist = [[the Goons]] with Maurice Ponke and His Orchestre Fromage		\| artist = [[the Goons]] with Maurice Ponke and His Orchestre Fromage
	\| A-side = Bloodnok's Rock 'n' Roll Call		\| A-side = Bloodnok's Rock 'n' Roll Call
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	\| recorded =		\| recorded =
	\| studio =		\| studio =
	\| genre = *[[Novelty song]]		\| genre = *[[w:Novelty song\|Novelty song]]
	*[[nonsense song]]		*[[w:nonsense song\|nonsense song]]
	\| length = 3:29		\| length = 3:29
	\| label = [[Decca Records\|Decca]]		\| label = [[w:Decca Records\|Decca]]
	\| writer = [[Spike Milligan]]		\| writer = [[Spike Milligan]]
	\| producer = [[Marcel Stellman]]		\| producer = [[w:Marcel Stellman\|Marcel Stellman]]
	}}		}}
	The "'''Ying Tong Song'''" (also known by its refrain, which is variously either "'''Ying tong diddle I po'''" or "'''Ying tong yiddle I po'''" rather than the oft-quoted but apparently absent "'''Ying tong iddle I po'''") is a [[novelty song]] written by [[Spike Milligan]] and performed by [[the Goons]], usually led by [[Harry Secombe]]. It is a [[nonsense]] song, consisting of small verses interspersed by a completely nonsensical chorus. The origin of the title is said to have come from Harry Secombe's mispronunciation of the name of Milligan's war-time friend and fellow jazz musician, Harry Edgington. When Secombe repeatedly called him "Edgerton", Milligan replied, "it's Edgington, Edgington" and emphasized the point by saying "Yington, Yington".<ref>{{cite news\|title=Obituary of Harry Edgington \|newspaper=[[The Evening Post (New Zealand)\|The Evening Post]] \|publisher=[[Independent Newspapers]] \|location=Wellington, New Zealand \|date=2 December 1993}}</ref>		The "'''Ying Tong Song'''" (also known by its refrain, which is variously either "'''Ying tong diddle I po'''" or "'''Ying tong yiddle I po'''" rather than the oft-quoted but apparently absent "'''Ying tong iddle I po'''") is a [[w:novelty song\|novelty song]] written by [[Spike Milligan]] and performed by [[the Goons]], usually led by [[Harry Secombe]]. It is a [[w:nonsense\|nonsense]] song, consisting of small verses interspersed by a completely nonsensical chorus. The origin of the title is said to have come from Harry Secombe's mispronunciation of the name of Milligan's war-time friend and fellow jazz musician, Harry Edgington. When Secombe repeatedly called him "Edgerton", Milligan replied, "it's Edgington, Edgington" and emphasized the point by saying "Yington, Yington".<ref>{{cite news\|title=Obituary of Harry Edgington \|newspaper=[[The Evening Post (New Zealand)\|The Evening Post]] \|publisher=[[w:Independent Newspapers\|]] \|location=Wellington, New Zealand \|date=2 December 1993}}</ref>

	==The Goons==		==The Goons==
	Secombe usually spoke the lead vocals, accompanied by [[Peter Sellers]] and Spike Milligan, who would sing along as [[The Goon Show cast members and characters\|various ''Goon Show'' characters]]. As Secombe was signed to [[Philips Records]], he did not sing on any of the Goons' [[Decca Records\|Decca]] recordings of the 1950s, including this song, only speaking his words.<ref>Harry Secombe speaking at the [http://www.thegoonshow.org.uk/ GSPS] convention in Brighton in October 1997</ref>		Secombe usually spoke the lead vocals, accompanied by [[Peter Sellers]] and Spike Milligan, who would sing along as [[The Goon Show cast members and characters\|various ''Goon Show'' characters]]. As Secombe was signed to [[w:Philips Records\|Philips Records]], he did not sing on any of the Goons' [[w:Decca Records\|Decca]] recordings of the 1950s, including this song, only speaking his words.<ref>Harry Secombe speaking at the [http://www.thegoonshow.org.uk/ GSPS] convention in Brighton in October 1997</ref>

	Milligan claimed that he wrote this song as a bet, with his brother, that he could not get a song into the hit parade that had only two chords (in this case G and D7).<ref>Spike Milligan speaking at the GSPS convention in Brighton in October 1997</ref>		Milligan claimed that he wrote this song as a bet, with his brother, that he could not get a song into the hit parade that had only two chords (in this case G and D7).<ref>Spike Milligan speaking at the GSPS convention in Brighton in October 1997</ref>
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	It was a hit in the UK on two occasions: its highest position was No. 3 in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in 1956<ref name=chart /> (the original [[A-side and B-side\|A-side]] was "[[Major Bloodnok\|Bloodnok]]'s Rock 'n' Roll Call") on Decca Records (catalogue no. F 10780), performed by The Goons featuring Major Dennis Bloodnok, Roland Rockcake and His Wholly Rollers, with "The Ying Tong Song" on the [[A-side and B-side\|B-side]] performed by The Goons with Maurice Ponke and His Orchestre Fromage. "The Ying Tong Song" reached a position of No. 9 in the UK when re-issued in 1973.<ref name=chart /><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book \|editor-first= David \|editor-last= Roberts \|year=2006 \|title=[[British Hit Singles & Albums]] \|edition=19th \|publisher=[[Guinness World Records]] \|location=London \|isbn=1-904994-10-5\|page=232}}</ref> The guitar was played by the session musician Ivor Mairants. The song peaked at number 57 in Australia in 1973.<ref name=aus>{{cite book\|last=Kent\|first=David\|author-link=David Kent (historian)\|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992\|edition=illustrated\|publisher=Australian Chart Book\|location=St Ives, N.S.W.\|year=1993\|isbn=0-646-11917-6\|page=128}}</ref>		It was a hit in the UK on two occasions: its highest position was No. 3 in the [[UK Singles Chart]] in 1956<ref name=chart /> (the original [[A-side and B-side\|A-side]] was "[[Major Bloodnok\|Bloodnok]]'s Rock 'n' Roll Call") on Decca Records (catalogue no. F 10780), performed by The Goons featuring Major Dennis Bloodnok, Roland Rockcake and His Wholly Rollers, with "The Ying Tong Song" on the [[A-side and B-side\|B-side]] performed by The Goons with Maurice Ponke and His Orchestre Fromage. "The Ying Tong Song" reached a position of No. 9 in the UK when re-issued in 1973.<ref name=chart /><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book \|editor-first= David \|editor-last= Roberts \|year=2006 \|title=[[British Hit Singles & Albums]] \|edition=19th \|publisher=[[Guinness World Records]] \|location=London \|isbn=1-904994-10-5\|page=232}}</ref> The guitar was played by the session musician Ivor Mairants. The song peaked at number 57 in Australia in 1973.<ref name=aus>{{cite book\|last=Kent\|first=David\|author-link=David Kent (historian)\|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992\|edition=illustrated\|publisher=Australian Chart Book\|location=St Ives, N.S.W.\|year=1993\|isbn=0-646-11917-6\|page=128}}</ref>

	It was used as the title of the [[Roy Smiles]] play about Spike Milligan and ''The Goon Show'': ''Ying Tong - A Walk With The Goons'' which was staged in the [[West End theatre\|West End]] in 2005 and a radio play on [[BBC Radio 4]] in 2009.		It was used as the title of the [[w:Roy Smiles\|Roy Smiles]] play about Spike Milligan and ''The Goon Show'': ''Ying Tong - A Walk With The Goons'' which was staged in the [[w:West End theatre\|West End]] in 2005 and a radio play on [[w:BBC Radio 4\|BBC Radio 4]] in 2009.

	In the fourth volume of his war memoirs (''Mussolini, His Part In My Downfall''), Milligan mentions that his friend and fellow soldier Edgington was often referred to as Edge-Ying-Tong.		In the fourth volume of his war memoirs (''Mussolini, His Part In My Downfall''), Milligan mentions that his friend and fellow soldier Edgington was often referred to as Edge-Ying-Tong.

	==Later versions==		==Later versions==
	In the satirical TV sketch show ''[[Spitting Image]]'', in which news figures and celebrities were lampooned in the form of grossly-caricatured rubber puppets, it was not uncommon for [[Prince Charles]] to be seen leaving a room quietly singing the "Ying Tong Song" to himself. This was a reference to the fact that Prince Charles is a fan of [[The Goon Show]].		In the satirical TV sketch show ''[[Spitting Image]]'', in which news figures and celebrities were lampooned in the form of grossly-caricatured rubber puppets, it was not uncommon for [[w:Prince Charles\|Prince Charles]] to be seen leaving a room quietly singing the "Ying Tong Song" to himself. This was a reference to the fact that Prince Charles is a fan of [[The Goon Show]].

	The song was the first track of a 1979 comedy album, ''Primeval Slime'' by actor Ying Tong John.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.discogs.com/Ying-Tong-John-Primeval-Slime/release/5949607 \|website=discogs.com \|title=Ying Tong John – Primeval Slime }}</ref>		The song was the first track of a 1979 comedy album, ''Primeval Slime'' by actor Ying Tong John.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.discogs.com/Ying-Tong-John-Primeval-Slime/release/5949607 \|website=discogs.com \|title=Ying Tong John – Primeval Slime }}</ref>

	The song gave its name to the 2008 stage show ''Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons''.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Wren \|first=Celia \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030700950.html \|title='Ying Tong'? Why, That's English for Postwar Silliness \|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] \|department=Arts & Living \|issn=0190-8286 \|date=2008-03-09 \|location=Philadelphia \|access-date=2016-08-22}}</ref>		The song gave its name to the 2008 stage show ''Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons''.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Wren \|first=Celia \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030700950.html \|title='Ying Tong'? Why, That's English for Postwar Silliness \|newspaper=[[w:The Washington Post\|]] \|department=Arts & Living \|issn=0190-8286 \|date=2008-03-09 \|location=Philadelphia \|access-date=2016-08-22}}</ref>

	[[The Muppets]] also did a version of the "Ying Tong Song" in season 5, episode 20 of The Muppet Show.		[[The Muppets]] also did a version of the "Ying Tong Song" in season 5, episode 20 of The Muppet Show.

	[[Jon Anderson]], former lead singer for the [[progressive rock]] group [[Yes (band)\|Yes]], recorded a short version, released in 2005 on his ''[[State of Independence]]'' EP.		[[w:Jon Anderson\|Jon Anderson]], former lead singer for the [[w:progressive rock\|progressive rock]] group [[w:Yes (band)\|Yes]], recorded a short version, released in 2005 on his ''[[w:State of Independence\|State of Independence]]'' EP.

	==Charts==		==Charts==

Kurt: /* Later versions */

2022-07-22T05:02:50Z

Later versions

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:02, 22 July 2022
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	==Later versions==		==Later versions==
	In the satirical TV sketch show ''[[Spitting Image]]'', in which news figures and celebrities were lampooned in the form of grossly-caricatured rubber puppets, it was not uncommon for [[Prince Charles]] to be seen leaving a room quietly singing the "Ying Tong Song" to himself. This was a reference to the fact that Prince Charles is a fan of ~~the~~ [[Goon Show]].		In the satirical TV sketch show ''[[Spitting Image]]'', in which news figures and celebrities were lampooned in the form of grossly-caricatured rubber puppets, it was not uncommon for [[Prince Charles]] to be seen leaving a room quietly singing the "Ying Tong Song" to himself. This was a reference to the fact that Prince Charles is a fan of [[The Goon Show]].

	The song was the first track of a 1979 comedy album, ''Primeval Slime'' by actor Ying Tong John.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.discogs.com/Ying-Tong-John-Primeval-Slime/release/5949607 \|website=discogs.com \|title=Ying Tong John – Primeval Slime }}</ref>		The song was the first track of a 1979 comedy album, ''Primeval Slime'' by actor Ying Tong John.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.discogs.com/Ying-Tong-John-Primeval-Slime/release/5949607 \|website=discogs.com \|title=Ying Tong John – Primeval Slime }}</ref>
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	The song gave its name to the 2008 stage show ''Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons''.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Wren \|first=Celia \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030700950.html \|title='Ying Tong'? Why, That's English for Postwar Silliness \|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] \|department=Arts & Living \|issn=0190-8286 \|date=2008-03-09 \|location=Philadelphia \|access-date=2016-08-22}}</ref>		The song gave its name to the 2008 stage show ''Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons''.<ref>{{cite news \|last=Wren \|first=Celia \|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/07/AR2008030700950.html \|title='Ying Tong'? Why, That's English for Postwar Silliness \|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] \|department=Arts & Living \|issn=0190-8286 \|date=2008-03-09 \|location=Philadelphia \|access-date=2016-08-22}}</ref>

	[[The Muppets]] also did a version of the "Ying Tong Song" in ~~[[List of The Muppet Show episodes\|~~season 5]], episode 20 of [[The Muppet Show]].		[[The Muppets]] also did a version of the "Ying Tong Song" in season 5, episode 20 of The Muppet Show.

	[[Jon Anderson]], former lead singer for the [[progressive rock]] group [[Yes (band)\|Yes]], recorded a short version, released in 2005 on his ''[[State of Independence]]'' EP.		[[Jon Anderson]], former lead singer for the [[progressive rock]] group [[Yes (band)\|Yes]], recorded a short version, released in 2005 on his ''[[State of Independence]]'' EP.

Kurt at 05:01, 22 July 2022

2022-07-22T05:01:38Z

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	{{Use British English\|date=February 2020}}		{{Use British English\|date=February 2020}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2020}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2020}}
	~~{{float_begin\|side=right\|width=250px}}~~
	{{Infobox song		{{Infobox song
	\| name = Ying Tong Song		\| name = Ying Tong Song
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	\| producer = [[Marcel Stellman]]		\| producer = [[Marcel Stellman]]
	}}		}}
	~~{{float_end\|}}~~
	The "'''Ying Tong Song'''" (also known by its refrain, which is variously either "'''Ying tong diddle I po'''" or "'''Ying tong yiddle I po'''" rather than the oft-quoted but apparently absent "'''Ying tong iddle I po'''") is a [[novelty song]] written by [[Spike Milligan]] and performed by [[the Goons]], usually led by [[Harry Secombe]]. It is a [[nonsense]] song, consisting of small verses interspersed by a completely nonsensical chorus. The origin of the title is said to have come from Harry Secombe's mispronunciation of the name of Milligan's war-time friend and fellow jazz musician, Harry Edgington. When Secombe repeatedly called him "Edgerton", Milligan replied, "it's Edgington, Edgington" and emphasized the point by saying "Yington, Yington".<ref>{{cite news\|title=Obituary of Harry Edgington \|newspaper=[[The Evening Post (New Zealand)\|The Evening Post]] \|publisher=[[Independent Newspapers]] \|location=Wellington, New Zealand \|date=2 December 1993}}</ref>		The "'''Ying Tong Song'''" (also known by its refrain, which is variously either "'''Ying tong diddle I po'''" or "'''Ying tong yiddle I po'''" rather than the oft-quoted but apparently absent "'''Ying tong iddle I po'''") is a [[novelty song]] written by [[Spike Milligan]] and performed by [[the Goons]], usually led by [[Harry Secombe]]. It is a [[nonsense]] song, consisting of small verses interspersed by a completely nonsensical chorus. The origin of the title is said to have come from Harry Secombe's mispronunciation of the name of Milligan's war-time friend and fellow jazz musician, Harry Edgington. When Secombe repeatedly called him "Edgerton", Milligan replied, "it's Edgington, Edgington" and emphasized the point by saying "Yington, Yington".<ref>{{cite news\|title=Obituary of Harry Edgington \|newspaper=[[The Evening Post (New Zealand)\|The Evening Post]] \|publisher=[[Independent Newspapers]] \|location=Wellington, New Zealand \|date=2 December 1993}}</ref>

Kurt at 03:22, 21 July 2022

2022-07-21T03:22:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:22, 20 July 2022
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	{{Use British English\|date=February 2020}}		{{Use British English\|date=February 2020}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2020}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=February 2020}}
			{{float_begin\|side=right\|width=250px}}
	{{Infobox song		{{Infobox song
	\| name = Ying Tong Song		\| name = Ying Tong Song
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	\| producer = [[Marcel Stellman]]		\| producer = [[Marcel Stellman]]
	}}		}}
			{{float_end\|}}
	The "'''Ying Tong Song'''" (also known by its refrain, which is variously either "'''Ying tong diddle I po'''" or "'''Ying tong yiddle I po'''" rather than the oft-quoted but apparently absent "'''Ying tong iddle I po'''") is a [[novelty song]] written by [[Spike Milligan]] and performed by [[the Goons]], usually led by [[Harry Secombe]]. It is a [[nonsense]] song, consisting of small verses interspersed by a completely nonsensical chorus. The origin of the title is said to have come from Harry Secombe's mispronunciation of the name of Milligan's war-time friend and fellow jazz musician, Harry Edgington. When Secombe repeatedly called him "Edgerton", Milligan replied, "it's Edgington, Edgington" and emphasized the point by saying "Yington, Yington".<ref>{{cite news\|title=Obituary of Harry Edgington \|newspaper=[[The Evening Post (New Zealand)\|The Evening Post]] \|publisher=[[Independent Newspapers]] \|location=Wellington, New Zealand \|date=2 December 1993}}</ref>		The "'''Ying Tong Song'''" (also known by its refrain, which is variously either "'''Ying tong diddle I po'''" or "'''Ying tong yiddle I po'''" rather than the oft-quoted but apparently absent "'''Ying tong iddle I po'''") is a [[novelty song]] written by [[Spike Milligan]] and performed by [[the Goons]], usually led by [[Harry Secombe]]. It is a [[nonsense]] song, consisting of small verses interspersed by a completely nonsensical chorus. The origin of the title is said to have come from Harry Secombe's mispronunciation of the name of Milligan's war-time friend and fellow jazz musician, Harry Edgington. When Secombe repeatedly called him "Edgerton", Milligan replied, "it's Edgington, Edgington" and emphasized the point by saying "Yington, Yington".<ref>{{cite news\|title=Obituary of Harry Edgington \|newspaper=[[The Evening Post (New Zealand)\|The Evening Post]] \|publisher=[[Independent Newspapers]] \|location=Wellington, New Zealand \|date=2 December 1993}}</ref>

Kurt: 1 revision imported

2022-07-20T17:44:45Z

1 revision imported

← Older revision	Revision as of 12:44, 20 July 2022
(No difference)