Rockin 'Robin
| Rockin 'Robin | |
|---|---|
| Bobby Day | |
| publication | 1958 |
| length | 2:31 |
| Genre (s) | Rock 'n' Roll , R&B |
| Author (s) | Leon René |
| Publisher (s) | Recordo Music Pub. |
| Label | Class Records |
| Cover version | |
| 1972 | Michael Jackson |
Rockin 'Robin is the title of a rock' n 'roll song that was first recorded by Bobby Day in 1958 and became a million seller twice .
History of origin
Bobby Day was the lead singer in the band Hollywood Flames , which changed their name to Satellites in July 1957 . Day composed only a few songs, but Little Bitty Pretty One ( Thurston Harris , October 1957; Jackson Five , April 1972) and Over and Over ( Dave Clark Five , November 1965) turned out to be big hits. Rock-in Robin , however, did not come from Bobby Day, but from Jimmie Thomas alias Leon René, who owned the small class label, and was a hybrid of pop music and rhythm and blues . It's about a robinchirping a brisk song in the trees. The instrumental line- up included Barney Kessel / Renée Hall (guitar), Clifford Scott (tenor saxophone) and Leon “Googie” Renée (piano). The piccolo flute part with the imitated bird voices came from Plas Johnson . He and the whirlwind Earl Palmer (drums) were next to Kessel the core of the later The Wrecking Crew . In addition there was the Maxwell Davis Orchestra, the background vocals were contributed by Davis Ford, Earl Nelson and Curtis Williams, who had left The Penguins for a short time. The syncopated clapping of hands is striking .
Publication and Success
The single Rock-in Robin / Over and Over came on the market in May 1958 (Class Records 229) and in August 1958 reached number 2 on the US pop hit parade . At the same time, the strong B-side advanced to 41st place. In the Rhythm & Blues hit parade it was ranked 1 and was one of the most important crossover hits of 1958. The song became a million seller after it was presented on the Dick Clark Show on October 25, 1958. It was ranked 27th on the Billboard Hot 100 annual charts .
Cover versions
There are at least 27 cover versions . Bob Luman was the first to present a live version during the Town Hall Party (October 28, 1958), Bibi Johns ' German version entitled Rocky Robby was provided with a text by Kurt Feltz (recorded on November 19, 1958). Other versions were by Cliff Richard & the Drifters (December 1958), Dee Dee Sharp (LP Do The Bird ; March 1963), The Hollies (January 1964), Michael Jackson (January 1972), Showaddywaddy (May 2002) or Paul Anka ( LP Rock Swings ; May 2005). Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem sang the song in 1981 under the direction of Janice on an episode of the Muppet Show .
Michael Jackson version
In 1972, the then 13 year old Michael Jackson covered Rockin 'Robin and brought the title new popularity. Of all the cover versions, Jackson's version was the most successful; just like the original, it was number 2 on the Billboard charts. The cover reached number 2 in the Billboard Best Selling Soul Singles . Like the original, Jackson's version also made it into the annual charts of the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number 41. His version sold more than 2 million copies.
Charts
| Charts (1972) | Highest position |
|---|---|
| United States | 2 |
| UK | 3 |
| Canada | 13 |
| Australia | 16 |
| Netherlands | 16 |
| Spain | 19th |