Wheels (The String-A-Longs song)

"Wheels"
Single by The String-A-Longs
B-side Am I Asking Too Much
Released 1960
Label Warwick
Writer(s) Richard Stephens, Jimmy Torres, Norman Petty
Producer Norman Petty
The String-A-Longs singles chronology
Wheels
(1960)		 "Brass Buttons"

Wheels is The String-A-Longs' biggest hit single (their debut release), in 1961 (released in 1960). The tune peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the number 8 single of 1961 according to Billboard.[1] The track reached number 8 in the UK Singles Chart.[2] It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[3]

In Britain later the same year the tune was revived by the Joe Loss Orchestra as "Wheels Cha Cha"; it reached #21. It became popular in France later in 1961 under the title "Dans le cœur de ma blonde".

Billy Vaughn's version was at number one in the 1961 German singles charts with the song for 14 weeks; in the USA he reached #28.

Johnny Duncan released a vocal version with lyrics by Johnny Flamingo in 1963.[4]

Hot Butter also recorded a version.

References

  1. ^ "Billboard Top 100 - 1961". http://longboredsurfer.com/charts.php?year=1961. Retrieved 2008-06-20. 
  2. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 536. ISBN 1-904994-10-5. 
  3. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 140. ISBN 0-214-20512-6. 
  4. ^ http://www.musicdish.com/mag/index.php3?id=7875 Up Close with Keith McCormack and Aubrey deCordova of the Legendary String-A-Longs