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Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep

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"Chirpy Chirpy, Cheep Cheep"
Single by Lally Stott
from the album Chirpy Chirpy, Cheep Cheep
B-side"Henry James"
ReleasedSeptember 1970
Recorded1970
GenreBubblegum pop
Length2:53
LabelPhilips
Songwriter(s)Lally Stott
Producer(s)Lally Stott
Lally Stott singles chronology
"Signora Jones"
(1969) 		"Chirpy Chirpy, Cheep Cheep"
(1970) 		"Jakaranda"
(1971)
"Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep"
Single by Middle of the Road
from the album Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep
B-side"Rainin' 'n Painin'"
ReleasedOctober 1970
Recorded1970
StudioRCA Studios, Rome
GenreBubblegum pop
Length2:56
LabelRCA Victor
Songwriter(s)Lally Stott
Producer(s)
  • Giacomo Tosti
  • Italo Greco
Middle of the Road singles chronology
"Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep"
(1970) 		"Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum"
(1971)
"Chirpy Chirpy, Cheep Cheep"
Single by Mac and Katie Kissoon
from the album The Beginning
B-side"Walking Around"
Released28 May 1971
Genre
Length2:50
Label
  • Young Blood
  • ABC
Songwriter(s)Lally Stott
Producer(s)Miki Dallon
Mac and Katie Kissoon singles chronology
"Acts of Violence"
(1970) 		"Chirpy Chirpy, Cheep Cheep"
(1971) 		"Pigeon"
(1971)

"Chirpy Chirpy, Cheep Cheep" is a song recorded in 1970 by its composer Lally Stott,[1] and made popular in 1971 by Scottish band Middle of the Road for whom it was a UK #1 chart hit.[2] That version is one of fewer than fifty singles ever to have sold in excess of 10 million physical copies worldwide.[3]

History

The original recording of the song by Lally Stott was first released in September 1970 in Italy, where he had been living for several years. It was a hit, becoming a top-twenty hit at the beginning of October. However, the record company Philips were reluctant to release the song overseas, and apparently offered it to two other groups: Scottish folk-pop group Middle of the Road, who were working in Italy at the time, and the Trinidadian brother-and-sister duo Mac and Katie Kissoon. Philips did eventually release Stott's version elsewhere and it topped the charts in Australia and Zimbabwe, as well as being a top-ten hit in South Africa. It was also a minor hit in the US, peaking at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100, something that Middle of the Road never achieved.[4]

Middle of the Road released their version in October 1970 in Italy, though it failed to chart there.[5] It was released in the UK on 15 January 1971 and initially became a hit in continental Europe only, before later growing in popularity in the UK. It entered the UK Singles Chart in the final week of May and reportedly got a boost from DJ Tony Blackburn, who favoured this version over the one by Mac and Katie Kissoon (which had recently been released), and topped the charts three weeks later for five weeks.[6] Mac and Katie Kissoon's version, released in May 1971, had the most success in North America, peaking at number 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 10 on the Canadian RPM chart.

At the time, the song was dismissed by critics[who?] as bubblegum, a view initially held by band leader Ken Andrew: "We were as disgusted with the thought of recording it as most people were at the thought of buying it. But at the end of the day, we liked it."[citation needed]

In 2006 "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" topped a list of unintentionally creepy songs in The Observer.[7] Despite its popular appeal and popular chorus, the song has a theme of child abandonment.

Appearances

The song was featured on the Top of the Pops, Volume 18 album.

It was later referenced in both the Denim song "Middle of the Road" in 1992 and a 1998 episode of the popular Irish sitcom Father Ted which was called Chirpy Burpy Cheap Sheep.

Included on the soundtrack in The Guard (2011) performed by Middle of the Road.

Cover versions

  • 1971 – The song appears as a cover on a television show with Paula Koivuniemi[8]
  • 1971 – Irish singer Jackie Lee covered the song on her second album Jackie's Junior Choice.
  • 1971 – Dolores Vargas "La Terremoto" covered the song in a Spanish language version as "Chipi chipi chipi"[9]
  • 1973 – As a cover on a live record by the Little Angels Children's Folk Ballet of Korea
  • 1990 – The song was covered by British band Lush and released on the compilation album Alvin Lives (In Leeds)
  • 1995 – The song was covered by 4 Ties and released on the compilation album of the same title.[10][11][12][13]
  • 1995 – Norwegian comedy duo Herodes Falsk and Tom Mathisen included a parody version of the song on their album Børre & Gibbs Happy 52 minutter, reinterpreting it as a silly nonsense song with surreal lyrics.[14]
  • 1996 – German pop band Sqeezer interpolated parts of the song in their track "Oweo" on their debut album Drop Your Pants[15]
  • 1998 – A song to the same tune titled "Dobtam a fiúmat" (I Dropped My Boyfriend) was included on the album Hoppá!!! by the Hungarian girl band Baby Sisters
  • 2000 – Danish novelty act Cartoons released a cover to appear on their second and final studio album Toontastic!
  • 2003 – German singer Mickie Krause performed a dance song, "Reiss die Hütte ab", to the same tune, to appear on the compilation Apres Ski Hits 2003
  • 2004 – A song to the same tune titled "Get the Party On" was included on The Cheeky Girls album PartyTime
  • 2006 – German girl group Yamboo covered the song in a Spanglish version to appear on their debut and only album Okama De Mapouka[16]
  • 2006 – German duo Soul Control released a hip-hop version.
  • 2017 – The song was covered by Kylie Minogue on the soundtrack for the movie Swinging Safari
  • 2018 – An instrumental version of the song was covered by Brasilian band Orquesta Serenata Tropical and released on the album Te quiero, te quiero

Language versions

The song has been covered in many languages, including Catalan, Vietnamese, Khmer, Korean, Spanish and German. A Spanish language version was done by Middle of the Road[17] followed by another version by Dolores Vargas.[18] German versions were by Hajo[19] and Mickie Krause who performed a dance song to the same tune, "Reiss die Hütte ab" (Tear The Hut Down) (Apres Ski Hits 2003). Koivistolaiset sang a Finnish language version with lyrics from Vexi Salmi.

Charts

Lally Stott version

Middle of the Road version

Mac and Katie Kissoon version

Weekly charts

Chart (1971) Peak
position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[52] 10
Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[53] 11
UK Singles (OCC)[54] 41
US Billboard Hot 100[55] 20
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[56] 10
US Cash Box Top 100[57] 18

References

  1. ^ "Lally Stott – Free listening, videos, concerts, stats and photos at". Last.fm. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Top of the Pops 2 - Where Are They Now?". BBC. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  3. ^ Moore-Gilbert, Bart (11 March 2002). The Arts in the 1970s: Cultural Closure. Routledge. ISBN 9780415099066.
  4. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (1994). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1993. Record Research. p. 577. ISBN 9780898201048.
  5. ^ Middle Of The Road – Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep / Rainin' 'N Painin (1970, Vinyl), retrieved 17 November 2021
  6. ^ a b "Middle of the Road: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  7. ^ "This is hardcore". TheGuardian.com. 15 October 2006.
  8. ^ "Paula Koivuniemi - Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep 1971". YouTube. 27 April 2013. Archived from the original on 19 July 2015. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  9. ^ "Dolores Vargas - Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep (spanish cover)". YouTube. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  10. ^ "4 Ties – Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep download Mp3, Listen Free Online". Mp3red.ru. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  11. ^ "4 Ties - Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep (File, MP3) at Discogs". Discogs.com. 29 September 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  12. ^ Karine Sanche (31 January 2015). "Propio records, biography discography, recent releases, news, featurings of eurodance company - The Eurodance Encyclopædia". Eurokdj.com. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  13. ^ "4 Ties - Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep". YouTube. 2 August 2011. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  14. ^ "børre & gibb - chirpy chirpy cheap cheap". YouTube. 22 August 2007. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
  15. ^ "Sqeezer - Oweo". YouTube. 18 March 2013. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021.
  16. ^ "Yamboo - Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep". YouTube. 1 August 2011. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021.
  17. ^ "Middle of the Road: ♫ Chirpy chirpy cheep cheep (in spanish) ♫". YouTube. 29 January 2011. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  18. ^ "Dolores Vargas - Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep (spanish cover)". YouTube. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  19. ^ "Hajo Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep 1971". YouTube. 5 August 2013. Archived from the original on 17 March 2016. Retrieved 3 October 2016.
  20. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 296. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  21. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 17 October 1970. p. 66. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  22. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Lally Stott" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  23. ^ "Lally Stott – Chirpy Chirpy, Cheep Cheep" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  24. ^ "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". 2 April 1971. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  25. ^ Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: Singles Chart Book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  26. ^ "I singoli più venduti del 1970". hitparadeitalia.it. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  27. ^ a b "AMR Top Singles of 1971". www.top100singles.net. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  28. ^ a b "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1971". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  29. ^ Nielsen Business Media, Inc. (15 June 1985). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. p. 83. {{cite book}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  30. ^ "Middle of the Road – Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  31. ^ "Middle of the Road – Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  32. ^ "Middle of the Road – Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  33. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 22 May 1971. p. 52. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  34. ^ Timo (13 August 2015). "Sisältää hitin: Levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1960: Artistit MEN - MIK". Sisältää hitin. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  35. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep". Irish Singles Chart.
  36. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Middle of the Road" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  37. ^ "Middle of the Road – Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  38. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 6 November 1971. p. 61. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  39. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 12 June 1971. p. 49. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  40. ^ "flavour of new zealand - search listener". www.flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  41. ^ "Middle of the Road – Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep". VG-lista.
  42. ^ "Hits of the World" (PDF). Billboard. 18 September 1971. p. 59. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  43. ^ a b Salaverri, Fernando (September 1971). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (1st ed.). Spain: Fundación Autor-SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  44. ^ "Låtarna från Kvällstoppen 4 maj 1971".
  45. ^ "Middle of the Road – Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep". Swiss Singles Chart.
  46. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Middle of the Road – Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON Middle of the Road"
  47. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1971". Ultratop. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  48. ^ "danskehitlister.dk". 13 April 2016. Archived from the original on 13 April 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  49. ^ "Jaaroverzichten - Single 1971". www.dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  50. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1971". www.swisscharts.com. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  51. ^ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts". GfK Entertainment (in German). offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  52. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 7585." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  53. ^ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 7531." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  54. ^ "Mac & Katie Kissoon: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company.
  55. ^ "Mac and Katie Kissoon Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  56. ^ "Mac and Katie Kissoon Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  57. ^ Cash Box Top 100 Singles, October 19, 1971
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