Chewy Chewy
{{Short description|1968 song by Ohio Express}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Chewy Chewy
| cover = Cover for Ohio Express 1968 single Chewy Chewy.jpeg
| type = single
| artist = Ohio Express
| album = Chewy Chewy
| B-side = Firebird
| released = September 1968
| genre =
- Rock{{cite magazine |title=CashBox Record Reviews |date=October 5, 1968 |page=18 |access-date= July 4, 2023|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1968/CB-1968-10-05.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230307043744/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1968/CB-1968-10-05.pdf |archive-date= March 7, 2023|magazine=Cash Box}}
- bubblegum pop{{cite magazine |title=CashBox Record Reviews |date=October 5, 1968 |page=18 |access-date= July 4, 2023|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1968/CB-1968-10-05.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230307043744/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1968/CB-1968-10-05.pdf |archive-date= March 7, 2023|magazine=Cash Box}}
| length = 2:38
| label = Buddah Records
| writer = * Joey Levine
| producer = * Levine
| chronology = Ohio Express
| prev_title = Down At Lulu's
| prev_year = 1968
| year = 1968
| next_title = Sweeter Than Sugar
| next_year = 1969
}}
"Chewy Chewy" is a song by American band Ohio Express. Released in September 1968, it was written and produced by Joey Levine and Artie Resnick.
Background and composition
The 2-minute-38-second song is in the key of C major, changing later in the song to C sharp / D flat major, with a tempo of 121 beats per minute.
The song makes countless references to candy and sugar, and the narrator compares these two sweet treats to the object of his affection, at some point calling her a "living box of candy wrapped up so very fine" with a "mouthful of such sweet things to say". Most of the song's remaining lyrics are nonsense.
It is among Ohio Express' three signature songs, as well as one of bubblegum music's most notable staples.
The instrumental pause at the song's midway point is very evocative of the opening notes of 'Then He Kissed Me' by The Crystals.
Chart performance and reception
Billboard called it an "infectious, happy rhythm novelty in the vein of 'Yummy Yummy Yummy'",{{Cite magazine |title=Billboard - October 5, 1968 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/60s/1968/Billboard%201968-10-05.pdf |magazine=Billboard}} Cashbox called it a "slightly slower tongue-in-cheek rock offering that keeps in line with their bubblegum policy",{{cite magazine |title=CashBox Record Reviews |date=October 5, 1968 |page=18 |access-date= July 4, 2023|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1968/CB-1968-10-05.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230307043744/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1968/CB-1968-10-05.pdf |archive-date= March 7, 2023|magazine=Cash Box}} and Record World called it a "cute bubble gum stick".{{Cite web |title=Record World - October 5, 1968 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Record-World/60s/68/RW-1968-10-05.pdf |website=Record World}}
The song debuted at number one on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart for the week of October 12, 1968, before entering the Billboard Hot 100 at number 72, going on to peak at number 15, and spending a total of 13 weeks on the chart. It also charted in Canada, Australia and the Philippines.
Clips of the song were used in the top 40 hit "Moonflight" by Vic Venus in 1969. It has also been covered by James Last later that year, and by The Vindictives in 1994.
Charts
= Weekly charts =
= Year-end charts =
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1968) !Peak |
| scope="row" |Australia (KMR){{cite book |last=Kent |first=David |title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 |publisher=Australian Chart Book |year=1993 |isbn=0-646-11917-6 |edition=illustrated |location=St Ives, N.S.W. |page= |author-link=David Kent (historian)}}
|38 |
|---|
| scope="row" |Canada (RPM){{Cite web |title=RPM - Best of 1968 - January 6, 1969 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/60s/1969/RPM-1969-01-06.pdf |website=RPM}}
|60 |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
!Chart (1969) !Peak |
| scope="row" |United States (Cashbox){{Cite web |title=Cashbox - December 27, 1969 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/60s/1969/CB-1969-12-27.pdf}}
|91 |
|---|
| scope="row" |Canada (RPM){{Cite web |title=RPM - Best of 1970 - January 10, 1970 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/CANADA/RPM/70s/1970/RPM-1970-01-10.pdf |website=RPM}}
|100 |