My Ding-a-Ling
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"My Ding-a-Ling" was a 1972 novelty hit record for Chuck Berry, and his only U.S. number-one single on the pop charts.
The song was recorded by Dave Bartholomew in 1952. In 1954, The Bees released a version entitled "Toy Bell." Berry recorded a version called "My Tambourine" in 1958, but the version which topped the charts was recorded live during the Lanchester Arts Festival at the Locarno ballroom in Coventry, England, on 3rd February 1972.
[edit] Lyrics
The songs tells of how the singer received two silver bells on a string from his grandmother, who calls them his ding-a-ling. According to the song, he plays with it in school, and holds on to it in dangerous situations like swimming across a creek infested with snapping turtles. The lyrics consistently exercise the double entendre with ding-a-ling standing in for the male sexual organ. In the final chorus, Berry gives the game away:
- Now this here song it ain't so sad
- Cutest little song that you ever had
The singer then admonishes "those of you who will not sing" and concludes that they "must be playing with their own ding-a-ling".
The Average White Band guitarist Onnie McIntyre played guitar on the single.
[edit] Controversy
The lyrics with their sly tone and innuendo (and the cheerful enthusiasm of Berry and the live audience) caused many radio stations to refuse to play it, and British morality campaigner Mary Whitehouse tried unsuccessfully to get the song banned. Moreover, pop critics generally dislike the song and say that it is unworthy for someone who was so important in early rock 'n' roll. Nevertheless, Berry still likes it and on the recording calls it "our Alma Mater".
This controversy was lampooned in The Simpsons episode "Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire", in which a student attempts to sing the song during the Springfield Elementary School's Christmas pageant. He barely finishes the first line of the refrain before an irate Principal Skinner rushes him off of the stage. The joke was repeated during a school talent show in "Lisa's Pony".
[edit] Charts
Its two weeks at number one in the Billboard Hot 100 were preceded by Michael Jackson's "Ben" and followed by Johnny Nash's "I Can See Clearly Now". It was also Berry's only number-one hit in the UK.
| Preceded by "Ben" by Michael Jackson |
Billboard Hot 100 number one single October 21, 1972 |
Succeeded by "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash |
| Preceded by "Clair" by Gilbert O'Sullivan |
UK number one single November 21, 1972 |
Succeeded by "Long Haired Lover From Liverpool" by Little Jimmy Osmond |
[edit] References
- The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (5th edition)
- In The Simpsons episode Lisa's Pony an unnamed child sings the song at the talent show.
- worldpress.org
