16 Candles (song)
1958 single by The Crests
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"16 Candles" is a 1958 song performed by the Crests and written by Luther Dixon and Allyson R. Khent. The single was originally released in 1958 on Coed Records. (#506)
| "16 Candles" | |
|---|---|
| |
| Single by The Crests | |
| B-side | "Beside You" |
| Released | October 1958 (US) |
| Genre | Doo-wop |
| Label | Coed |
| Songwriters | Luther Dixon and Allyson R. Khent |
Track listing
7" vinyl
- "16 Candles"
- "Beside You"
Chart performance
The song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, while "Stagger Lee" by Lloyd Price was at No. 1.[1] "16 Candles" also went No. 4 on the US R&B chart for 21 weeks in 1959.[2] In Canada it reached No. 5.[3]
In popular culture
This song has appeared prominently in several 'entertainment' contexts, including at least two major Hollywood [motion picture] productions. It was an example of a typical doo-wop song in the 1973 movie American Graffiti[4] and it had somewhat of a 'title role' in the 1984 movie Sixteen Candles.[5]
Covers
- A cover by Jerry Lee Lewis peaked at No. 61 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1986.[6]
- The Jackson 5 did a cover of this song for their album, Maybe Tomorrow. This cover has since been re-released along with their greatest hits albums.[7]
- A rockabilly cover by Stray Cats was used as the title song to the eponymous movie.[citation needed] This version was also featured in the soundtrack of the first season of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.[8]
- A cover by Sha Na Na was performed live and recorded on their album Golden Age of Rock'n'Roll in 1973.