Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen by the Sea
{{Short description|1954 English-language song}}
"Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen by the Sea" is a popular song written by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-singles-collection-1952-62-mw0003124911|title=The Singles Collection: 1952-62 - The Four Lads | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic|access-date=30 April 2021|website=AllMusic}} and published in 1954.{{Cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/440236|title=The Four Lads - Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen By The Sea|access-date=30 April 2021|website=45cat.com}} It was a hit in 1954 in both the United States and United Kingdom, albeit for different artists.
The Four Lads
The best-known version in the United States was recorded by the Four Lads with teenage girl Lillian Pasciolla and others{{Cite web|url=https://www.vintagemusic.fm/artist/the-four-lads-2/|title=The Four Lads|website=Vintagemusic.fm|access-date=30 April 2021}} on February 27, 1954.{{Cite web|url=https://secondhandsongs.com/performance/356954|title=Cover versions of Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen by the Sea by The Four Lads|website=Secondhandsongs.com|access-date=30 April 2021}} The recording by the Four Lads was released in the US by Columbia Records as catalog number 40236. Released in May that year, it first reached the Billboard Best Seller chart on July 3, 1954, peaking at number 18.
{{cite book
| last = Whitburn
| first = Joel
| author-link = Joel Whitburn
| title = Top Pop Records 1940-1955
| publisher = Record Research
| year = 1973 }}
Max Bygraves version
The best-known version in the United Kingdom is by Max Bygraves, with his performance recorded on 23 June 1954, with a children's chorus and orchestra directed by Frank Cordell,{{Cite web|url=http://www.45worlds.com/78rpm/record/b10734|title=78 Record: Max Bygraves - Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellenbogen By The Sea (1954)|access-date=30 April 2021|website=45worlds.com}} and released in the UK by His Master's Voice in September 1954 as catalog number B 10734.{{Cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7m237|title=Max Bygraves With Children's Chorus - Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellenbogen By The Sea|access-date=30 April 2021|website=45cat.com}} It entered the UK Singles Chart on 10 September 1954. It spent eight weeks on the chart, peaking at number 7.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/search/singles/gilly-gilly-ossenfeffer-katzenellen-bogen-by-the-sea/|title=Gilly Gilly Ossenfeffer Katzenellen Bogen by the Sea | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=29 April 2021}} The "children" were from the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}}
Media
The song has been featured in the game known as "One Song to the Tune of Another" in the long-running BBC Radio 4 radio comedy panel game, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, such as in Series Nine, Episode 1, where it was performed by Willie Rushton.
Heino Gaze wrote the German lyrics, although the German song title was rendered as "Gilli-Gilli, Oxenpfeffer, Katzenellenbogen". Bibi Johns und Die Starlets, with Franz Thon und das Tanzorchester des NWDR, Hamburg,{{Cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/7mw560|title=Bibi Johns - An Jedem Finger Zehn|access-date=30 April 2021|website=45cat.com}} recorded it in Hamburg on September 5, 1954. The song was released by Electrola (German label owned by EMI).
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{The Four Lads}}
{{authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Al Hoffman
Category:Songs written by Dick Manning
{{pop-standard-stub}}