The Clapping Song
1965 song by Shirley Ellis
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"The Clapping Song" is an American song, written by Lincoln Chase, originally arranged by Charles Calello and recorded by Shirley Ellis in 1965.[citation needed]
The single sold over a million copies, and peaked at number eight in the United States[1] and number six in the UK.[2]
Background
The song was released shortly after Ellis had released "The Name Game". "The Clapping Song" incorporates lyrics from the song "Little Rubber Dolly",[3] a 1930s song recorded by the Light Crust Doughboys, and also features instructions for a clapping game.
Chart performance
| Chart (1965) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canada RPM[4] | 10 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company) | 6 |
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 8 |
| US Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles[5] | 16 |
The song and partial lyrics is mentioned in To The Last Ridge by W. H. Downing, a memoir of an Australian soldier in WW1 published in 1920, referring to an incident in 1916, thus implying that it pre-dates the 1930’s reference above. Page 11 of the 2002 reissue by Grub Street.
Cover versions
- Gary Glitter did a cover version of "The Clapping Song" in 1972, on his debut album Glitter.
- Ian Cussick recorded his version which was released as a single in 1981.[6]
- The song returned to the charts when The Belle Stars covered the song in 1982, on their self-titled LP.[7] This version charted at number 11 in the UK,[2] and number 4 in Australia. It was the 33rd biggest selling single in Australia in 1983.[8]
- Pia Zadora's cover of the song entered the US top 40 in 1983, when it peaked at number 36 on the Hot 100.[9]
- Aaron Carter did a cover version of "The Clapping Song" in 2000, on his second album Aaron's Party (Come Get It).[citation needed]
- Icona Pop released a modified cover of this song in 2015 titled "Clap Snap" on their EP Emergency.[citation needed]
- Queen drummer Roger Taylor covered the song on his 2021 album Outsider. He released it as a single on 16 September 2021.[citation needed]
In media
"The Clapping Song" has been featured in the soundtracks of the movies Scratch, Because of Winn-Dixie, Private Life, Stuber, Poms, All Together Now, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Maestro, Die My Love and How to Make a Killing.
In Flatliners, the song is sung by children on the playground.
On television, it was featured in Round Six of the 2009 season of Dancing With the Stars.