Dizzy (Tommy Roe song)

"Dizzy"
Single by Tommy Roe
from the album Dizzy
B-side "The You I Need"
Released February 1969
Format 7"
Recorded 1968
Genre Bubblegum pop
Length 2:52
Label ABC Records
Writer(s) Tommy Roe, Freddy Weller
Producer(s) Tommy Roe
Certification Gold (RIAA)[1]
Tommy Roe singles chronology
"Sing Along with Me"
(1967)
"Dizzy"
(1969)
"Heather Honey"
(1969)

"Dizzy" is a song originally recorded by Tommy Roe, with instrumental backing from L.A. session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew, which was a worldwide hit single in 1969.[2]

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 #1 in Canada in March 1969.[3]

"Dizzy" has eleven 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 increases to an even higher key, then increases yet again.

It was subsequently recorded by such disparate artists as Boney M, Mike Melvoin and the Deadbeats, Wreckless Eric and Billy J. Kramer.

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.

Charts

Tommy Roe version

Chart (1969) Peak
Position
Australian ARIA Singles Chart[4] 2
Canadian Singles Chart[5] 1
German Media Control Charts[4] 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 eleven 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

  1. "Gold & Platinum Searchable Database - March 30, 2014". RIAA. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
  2. Hartman, Kent (2012). The Wrecking Crew. St. Martin’s Griffin. pp. 261–263. ISBN 978-1-250-03046-7.
  3. "Song artist 457 - Tommy Roe". Tsort.info. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
  4. 1 2 "Song artist 457 - Tommy Roe". Tsort.info. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
  5. Steffen Hung. "Tommy Roe - Dizzy". norwegiancharts.com. Retrieved 2014-03-30.
  6. 1 2 Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 467. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  7. Allmusic.com - Charts & Awards
  8. Vic Reeves & The Wonder Stuff - Dizzy (music video) on YouTube
Preceded by
"Everyday People" by Sly & the Family Stone
Billboard Hot 100 number-one single (Tommy Roe version)
March 15, 1969 - April 11, 1969
Succeeded by
"Medley: Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures)" by The 5th Dimension
Preceded by
"Get Back" by The Beatles
UK number one single (Tommy Roe version)
June 4, 1969
Succeeded by
"The Ballad of John and Yoko" by The Beatles
Preceded by
"The Fly" by U2
UK number one single (Vic Reeves version)
9–16 November 1991
Succeeded by
"Black or White" by Michael Jackson
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