The 1964 hit song, ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’ by Manfred Mann has become one of the most iconic songs of the ’60s era. The song was written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, who had previously created the Crystals hit, ‘Da Doo Ron Ron.’ However, they struggled to recreate the gibberish gold they struck with the previous hit and settled on ‘Do Wah Diddy’ after experimenting with many other variations.
The song was first recorded in 1963 by the Exciters, but the female version failed to gain much success. The British group Manfred Mann later added an extra ‘Diddy’ to the title and recorded the song. The single quickly became a chart-topping hit, reaching #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, UK Singles, Canadian Top Singles, and Swedish charts.
The song’s success can be attributed to its catchy tune and Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich’s songwriting genius. The lyrics are fun and light-hearted, and the tune is upbeat and easy to dance to. The song’s popularity was further increased by the British Invasion of the early 1960s, which brought the Beatles and other British groups to America.
Manfred Mann’s version of the song was a huge success, but it wasn’t the first recording of the song. The Exciters recorded the song in 1963, but it failed to impact the charts. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who produced the track, were surprised by its lack of success since they had been very successful. However, when they heard Manfred Mann’s version, they knew it was a hit.
The success of ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’ inspired many other British bands to record covers of American songs. The Beatles had already recorded covers of songs by American girl groups, such as The Shirelles’ ‘Boys’ and The Marvelettes’ ‘Please Mr. Postman.’ Manfred Mann’s version of ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’ was an instant hit and helped establish the group as one of the most successful bands of the British Invasion.
The audience’s reaction to the song was overwhelmingly positive, and it quickly became a classic hit that still resonates with music lovers today. Fans of the song comment on how it has stood the test of time and its popularity has not waned even after almost six decades. One of the top-rated YouTube comments on the song’s video, posted by Hobbs N Shaw, says, “Paul Jones still one of the best voices in the business.” Other comments praise the song’s catchy tune and ability to bring back memories of the ’60s.
‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’ is one of the most iconic songs of the ’60s, and it continues to be popular today. The song’s catchy tune and fun lyrics have made it a timeless classic that still resonates with music lovers of all ages. Watch this video and share it with your friends because it is one of the most memorable songs of the 1960s that will never go out of style.
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