Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah facts for kids

"Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" is a famous song from the 1946 Disney movie Song of the South. Allie Wrubel wrote the music, and Ray Gilbert wrote the words. The song was sung by James Baskett in the film.

This song won an Academy Award for Best Original Song. It was the second Disney song ever to win this award. The first was "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio (1940). In 2004, "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" was ranked number 47 in a list of top songs from American movies.

About the Song's Name

Disney historian Jim Korkis said that Walt Disney himself likely made up the words "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah." Walt Disney liked to use fun, made-up words in his movies. Other examples include "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo" and "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

The song's rhythm and sound might have been inspired by an old folk song. This folk song was called "Zip Coon" and had a line that went "Zip a duden duden duden zip a duden day."

Famous Versions of the Song

The Walt Disney Company never released the original song as a single record. However, many other artists have recorded their own versions.

• Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers had a popular version in late 1947 and early 1948. It reached number 8 on the music charts.
• The Modernaires with Paula Kelly also had a hit with the song in 1946. Their version reached number 11 on the Billboard charts.
• Sammy Kaye & His Orchestra also reached number 11 on the Billboard charts in 1946.
• The King's Men sang a version on a radio show called Fibber McGee and Molly.
• The Dave Clark Five recorded their version in 1964. It appeared on their albums The Dave Clark Five Return! and A Session with the Dave Clark Five.
• Louis Armstrong included the song on his 1966 album, Disney Songs the Satchmo Way.

Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans Version

"Zip-a-Dee Doo-Dah"
Single by Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans
from the album Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah
B-side	"Flip and Nitty"
Released	1962
Studio	Gold Star Studios, Los Angeles
Genre	Pop
Length	2:40
Label	Philles
Songwriter(s)	Allie Wrubel, Ray Gilbert
Producer(s)	Phil Spector
Bob B. Soxx and the Blue Jeans singles chronology
"Zip-a-Dee Doo-Dah" (1962) "Why Do Lovers Break Each Other's Heart" (1962)

Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans was a music group from Los Angeles. They recorded their own version of "Zip-a-Dee Doo-Dah" in 1962. Famous music producer Phil Spector helped them make this song.

How it Was Recorded

They used a group of talented studio musicians known as the Wrecking Crew. This song was important because it was the first time Phil Spector fully used his "Wall of Sound" recording technique. This technique made the music sound very full and powerful.

The Beatles' George Harrison once talked about how the sound was created. He said that during recording, the microphone for the guitar was overloaded. This made the guitar sound distorted. Phil Spector liked this new sound and told them to keep it. Years later, people tried to copy this sound, which led to the invention of the fuzz box for guitars.

Chart Success

In 1963, the Bob B. Soxx & the Blue Jeans version became very popular. It reached number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also reached number 7 on the Hot R&B Singles chart. In the UK Singles Chart, it peaked at number 45.

This song was part of the group's only album, also called Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah. It was released on the Philles Records label.

Song Details

The single record included two songs:

• "Zip-a-Dee Doo-Dah" – 2:40 long
• "Flip and Nitty" – 2:20 long

The people who sang on this version were:

• Bobby Sheen – lead singer
• Darlene Love – background vocals
• Fanita James – background vocals

See also

In Spanish: Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah para niños