Ying Tong Song
Encyclopedia
The "Ying Tong Song" was a novelty song
written by Spike Milligan
and performed by The Goons, usually led by Harry Secombe
. It is a nonsense
song, consisting of small verses interspersed by a completely nonsensical chorus.
and Spike Milligan, who would sing along as various Goon Show characters
. As Harry was signed to Philips Records
, he didn't sing on any of the Goons' Decca
recordings of the 1950s, including this song, only speaking his words.
Spike claimed that he wrote this song as a bet with his brother, that he couldn't get a song into the hit parade which had only two chords (in this case G and D7).
It was a hit in the UK on two occasions: its highest position was #3 in the UK charts
in 1956 (the original A-side was "Bloodnok
's Rock and Roll Call"), and it reached a position of #9 when re-issued in 1973.
, in which news figures and celebrities were lampooned in the form of grossly-caricatured rubber puppets, it was not uncommon for Prince Charles to be seen leaving a room quietly singing the Ying-Tong song to himself. This was a reference to the fact that Prince Charles is a fan of the Goon Show.
The song gave its name to the 2008 stage show, Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons.
The Muppets also did a version of the Ying Tong Song in one of their episodes.
Novelty song
A novelty song is a comical or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect. Humorous songs, or those containing humorous elements, are not necessarily novelty songs. The term arose in Tin Pan Alley to describe one of the major divisions of popular music. The other two divisions...
written by Spike Milligan
Spike Milligan
Terence Alan Patrick Seán "Spike" Milligan Hon. KBE was a comedian, writer, musician, poet, playwright, soldier and actor. His early life was spent in India, where he was born, but the majority of his working life was spent in the United Kingdom. He became an Irish citizen in 1962 after the...
and performed by The Goons, usually led by Harry Secombe
Harry Secombe
Sir Harry Donald Secombe CBE was a Welsh entertainer with a talent for comedy and a noted fine tenor singing voice. He is best known for playing Neddie Seagoon, the central character in the BBC radio comedy series The Goon Show...
. It is a nonsense
Nonsense
Nonsense is a communication, via speech, writing, or any other symbolic system, that lacks any coherent meaning. Sometimes in ordinary usage, nonsense is synonymous with absurdity or the ridiculous...
song, consisting of small verses interspersed by a completely nonsensical chorus.
The Goons
Secombe usually spoke the lead vocals, accompanied by Peter SellersPeter Sellers
Richard Henry Sellers, CBE , known as Peter Sellers, was a British comedian and actor. Perhaps best known as Chief Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther film series, he is also notable for playing three different characters in Dr...
and Spike Milligan, who would sing along as various Goon Show characters
The Goon Show cast members and characters
This is a list of regular cast members of the 1950s British radio programme The Goon Show and the characters they portrayed.-Uncle Oscar:...
. As Harry was signed to Philips Records
Philips Records
Philips Records is a record label that was founded by Dutch electronics company Philips. It was started by "Philips Phonographische Industrie" in 1950. Recordings were made with popular artists of various nationalities and also with classical artists from Germany, France and Holland. Philips also...
, he didn't sing on any of the Goons' Decca
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
recordings of the 1950s, including this song, only speaking his words.
Spike claimed that he wrote this song as a bet with his brother, that he couldn't get a song into the hit parade which had only two chords (in this case G and D7).
It was a hit in the UK on two occasions: its highest position was #3 in the UK charts
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in 1956 (the original A-side was "Bloodnok
Major Bloodnok
Major Denis Bloodnok, IND. ARM. RTD. coward and bar is a fictional character from the 1950s BBC Radio comedy The Goon Show. He was voiced by Peter Sellers.-Basis of character:...
's Rock and Roll Call"), and it reached a position of #9 when re-issued in 1973.
Later versions
In the satirical TV sketch show Spitting ImageSpitting Image
Spitting Image is a British satirical puppet show that aired on the ITV network from 1984 to 1996. It was produced by Spitting Image Productions for Central Television. The series was nominated for 10 BAFTA Awards, winning one for editing in 1989....
, in which news figures and celebrities were lampooned in the form of grossly-caricatured rubber puppets, it was not uncommon for Prince Charles to be seen leaving a room quietly singing the Ying-Tong song to himself. This was a reference to the fact that Prince Charles is a fan of the Goon Show.
The song gave its name to the 2008 stage show, Ying Tong: A Walk With the Goons.
The Muppets also did a version of the Ying Tong Song in one of their episodes.