Alvin's Harmonica

"Alvin's Harmonica" is a song from the fictional musical group, Alvin and the Chipmunks, which also features additional vocals by Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. who plays David Seville in the song. The song was released as the second single from the group's debut album, Let's All Sing with the Chipmunks in 1958. Like "Witch Doctor" and "The Chipmunk Song", it was adapted as one of the musical segments featured in The Alvin Show.

"Alvin's Harmonica"
Single by David Seville and The Chipmunks
from the album Let's All Sing with The Chipmunks
B-side"Mediocre"
ReleasedFebruary 20, 1959
RecordedJanuary 1, 1959
GenrePop
Length2:39
LabelLiberty
Songwriter(s)Ross Bagdasarian, Sr.
Producer(s)Ross Bagdasarian, Sr.
The Chipmunks singles chronology
"The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)"
(1958)		 "Alvin's Harmonica"
(1959)		 "Ragtime Cowboy Joe"
(1959)

Song

In the song, Alvin is playing his harmonica, when David Seville orders Alvin to stop playing that instrument and sing with the Chipmunks. When Alvin does not answer David's question, whether Alvin is ready to sing, David screams "ALVIN!!!", forcing Alvin to sing with the Chipmunks. When Alvin, in the song, mentions that he only wants to play his harmonica, David repeatedly scolds him, and orders him to sing again.

David eventually gives in and allows Alvin to play the harmonica instead of sing. This results in a rhythm change from a slow 2/4 beat to a "CHA CHA CHA" beat, in which the Chipmunks repeatedly intone "CHA CHA CHA". David angrily scolds Alvin and Chipmunks for changing the innocent rhythm to a CHA CHA CHA beat, getting the people to dance. David screams at Alvin as the song ends. ("ALVIN!!!). Alvin became identified with his harmonica on a Christmas song called "Wonderful Day", from the Chipmunks second Christmas album, in which Alvin received a harmonica to and from himself. ("From me, to me".) Alvin plays the wrong song in a wrong key as the song ends, with David Seville scolding Alvin.

A photo of Alvin with his Harmonica is featured on the album cover of 1964's The Chipmunks Sing the Beatles Hits.

Chart performance

After the group's previous single, "The Chipmunk Song", reached No. 1 on the charts, it was hoped that "Alvin's Harmonica" would reach the Top Ten. The single peaked at No. 3 on Billboard's Pop Singles Chart, becoming the group's second consecutive (and final) Top 10 single on the charts. Since the song was also credited to David Seville by Billboard, the song became his third consecutive Top 10 single on the charts, although it was his first to not reach No. 1.

"Alvin's Harmonica" sold more than 500,000 singles making it a certified gold record.[1]

"Alvin's Harmonica" re-entered the charts in 1961 and 1962, peaking at No. 73 and No. 87, respectively.

Track listing

All tracks are written by Ross Bagdasarian Sr..

No.TitleCredited artistLength
1."Alvin's Harmonica"David Seville and The Chipmunks2:39[2]
2."Mediocre"The Music of David Seville1:50[2]
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References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2000). Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits - 7th Edition. Cincinnati, OH: Billboard Books. p. 563. ISBN 0-8230-7690-3.
  2. "Alvin's Harmonica"/"Mediocre" at discogs.com
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