Ying Tong Song: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox song | {{Infobox 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 | ||
| Line 9: | Line 6: | ||
| recorded = | | recorded = | ||
| studio = | | studio = | ||
| genre = *[[ | | genre = *[[Novelty song|Novelty song]] | ||
*[[ | *[[nonsense song|nonsense song]] | ||
| length = 3:29 | | length = 3:29 | ||
| label = [[ | | label = [[Decca Records|Decca]] | ||
| writer = [[Spike Milligan]] | | writer = [[Spike Milligan]] | ||
| producer = [[ | | 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 [[ | 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 [[ | 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 [[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|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 [[ | 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''), 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 [[ | 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=[[ | 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 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. | ||
[[ | [[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]] | ||
| Line 61: | Line 57: | ||
[[Category:1956 songs]] | [[Category:1956 songs]] | ||
[[Category:1973 singles]] | [[Category:1973 singles]] | ||
[[Category:The Goon Show songs]] | |||
Latest revision as of 23:05, 13 March 2023
| "Ying Tong Song" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song by the Goons with Maurice Ponke and His Orchestre Fromage | |
| A-side | "Bloodnok's Rock 'n' Roll Call" |
| Released | 20 September 1956 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 3:29 |
| Label | Decca |
| Songwriter(s) | Spike Milligan |
| Producer(s) | 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".[1]
The Goons
Secombe usually spoke the lead vocals, accompanied by Peter Sellers and Spike Milligan, who would sing along as various Goon Show characters. As Secombe was signed to Philips Records, he did not sing on any of the Goons' Decca recordings of the 1950s, including this song, only speaking his words.[2]
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).[3]
It was a hit in the UK on two occasions: its highest position was No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart in 1956[4] (the original A-side was "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 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.[4][5] The guitar was played by the session musician Ivor Mairants. The song peaked at number 57 in Australia in 1973.[6]
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 in 2005 and a radio play on 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.
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.
The song was the first track of a 1979 comedy album, Primeval Slime by actor Ying Tong John.[7]
The song gave its name to the 2008 stage show Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons.[8]
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, recorded a short version, released in 2005 on his State of Independence EP.
Charts
| Chart (1956) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[4] | 3 |
References
- ^ "Obituary of Harry Edgington". The Evening Post. Wellington, New Zealand: [[Independent Newspapers|]]. 2 December 1993.
- ^ Harry Secombe speaking at the GSPS convention in Brighton in October 1997
- ^ Spike Milligan speaking at the GSPS convention in Brighton in October 1997
- ^ a b c "The Goons: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 February 2020.
- ^ Roberts, David, ed. (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: [[Guinness World Records|]]. p. 232. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 128. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Ying Tong John – Primeval Slime". discogs.com.
- ^ Wren, Celia (2008-03-09). "'Ying Tong'? Why, That's English for Postwar Silliness". Arts & Living. [[The Washington Post|]]. Philadelphia. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-08-22.
