Dizzy (Tommy Roe song)
| "Dizzy" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Tommy Roe | ||||
| from the album Dizzy | ||||
| B-side | "The You I Need" | |||
| Released |
November 1968 (US) January 1969 (AUS) March 14, 1969 (UK) | |||
| Format | 7" | |||
| Recorded | 1968 | |||
| Genre | Bubblegum pop[1] | |||
| Length | 2:52 | |||
| Label | ABC Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Tommy Roe, Freddy Weller | |||
| Producer(s) | Steve Barri | |||
| Tommy Roe singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Dizzy" is a song originally recorded by Tommy Roe; it became an international hit single in 1969.[2] Instrumental backing was provided by the Los Angeles session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew.
Co-written by Roe and Freddy Weller, "Dizzy" was a major hit on both sides of the Atlantic, reaching number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in March 1969, for one week on the UK Singles Chart in June 1969, and was number one in Canada in March 1969.[3]
"Dizzy" has 11 key changes total between a total of four keys. One key is used for the verses, while the choruses get three keys. The key used for the verses is the lowest, while the choruses start off in a higher key, quickly increase to an even higher key, then increase yet again.
It was subsequently recorded by such disparate artists as Boney M, Mike Melvoin and the Deadbeats, Wreckless Eric, and Billy J. Kramer. A 1991 cover by Vic Reeves and The Wonder Stuff reached number one in the UK Singles Chart.
In 1989, it was sampled by De La Soul on a remix by Chad Jackson of their track "The Magic Number" from their album Three Feet High and Rising. In 1994, it was covered by Babe on their album 4 Babe pesme, the Babe version being entitled "Dizel".
In 2005, "Dizzy" was used in the soundtrack of The Sandlot 2.
Personnel
- Tommy Roe - vocals
- Hal Blaine - drums
- Joe Osborn - bass
- Ben Benay - guitar
- Larry Knechtel - piano
- Jimmie Haskell - string arrangement
Charts
Tommy Roe version
| Chart (1969) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian ARIA Singles Chart[3] | 2 |
| Canadian Singles Chart[5] | 1 |
| German Media Control Charts[3] | 4 |
| Norwegian VG-lista Singles Charts[6] | 4 |
| UK Singles Chart[7] | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100[8] | 1 |
Vic Reeves version
On 14 October 1991 a cover of "Dizzy" recorded by English comedian Vic Reeves and the alternative rock band The Wonder Stuff was released in the United Kingdom, reaching number one in the UK Singles Chart in the third week of release and staying there for two weeks.[7] This added another key change to the 11 that already exist (from F major to G major).
The music video features Reeves and the band performing on stage, with a row of washing machines in the background. Vic's comedy partner Bob Mortimer appears in the background with Wonder Stuff frontman Miles Hunt, playing a tambourine and singing backing vocals.[9]
This version appeared on the PlayStation 2 videogame Dancing Stage Max.
Darts player Dave Chisnall uses this version as his walk-on stage song.
The Reeves arrangement was recorded by Bob the Builder, with the lyrics referring to Bob's concrete mixer, Dizzy.
| Chart (1991) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles Chart | 1 |
References
- ↑ Fuhr, Michael (2015). Globalization and Popular Music in South Korea: Sounding Out K-Pop, Routledge. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
- ↑ Hartman, Kent (2012). The Wrecking Crew. St. Martin’s Griffin. pp. 261–263. ISBN 978-1-250-03046-7.
- 1 2 3 "Song artist 457 - Tommy Roe". Tsort.info. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
- ↑ Kotal, Kent (11 March 2013). "Forgotten Hits: TOMMY ROE". Forgottenhits60s.blogspot.com. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2006-03-15. Retrieved 2008-12-12.
- ↑ Steffen Hung. "Tommy Roe - Dizzy". Norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
- 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 467. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ↑ Allmusic.com - Charts & Awards
- ↑ Vic Reeves & The Wonder Stuff - Dizzy (music video) on YouTube