Grandad (song)
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| "Grandad" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Clive Dunn | |
| B-side | "I Play the Spoons" |
| Released | 23 October 1970 |
| Genre | Novelty, children’s music |
| Label | EMI Columbia |
| Songwriters | Herbie Flowers, Kenny Pickett |
| Producers | Peter Dulay, Ray Cameron |
"Grandad" is a song written by Herbie Flowers and Kenny Pickett, and recorded by Clive Dunn.
While starring in the long-running BBC situation comedy Dad's Army, Dunn met bassist Herbie Flowers (later of Sky) at a party and on learning he was a songwriter challenged him to write a song for him. Flowers wrote "Grandad" with Creation vocalist Kenny Pickett.[1][2]
The song was released as a single in November 1970,[3] and, aided by promotion such as appearing on children's shows such as Basil Brush and DJ Tony Blackburn claiming it as his favourite record, in January 1971 reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks,[4][5] during which time Dunn celebrated his 51st birthday, and went on to spend a total of 27 weeks on the chart.[4] Dunn never had another hit single, but he did release an album that featured "Grandad" and its B-side "I Play the Spoons", titled Permission to Sing Sir! On the New Zealand Listener charts it peaked at No.3.[6]
From 1979 to 1984, Dunn starred as Charlie "Grandad" Quick in a children's television show titled Grandad,[7] although the series did not use the song as the theme tune.
