Let's Go (Pony)
Let's Go (Pony) is a 1962 song by The Routers. Its infectious “clap clap clap-clap-clap clap-clap-clap-clap Let's Go!" chant became a favorite of cheerleaders and football fans worldwide. The musicians were key members of the famous session musicians known as the Wrecking Crew: Earl Palmer (drums), Plas Johnson (saxophone), Tommy Tedesco (guitar), Bill Pittman (guitar), and Jimmy Bond (bass).
"Let's Go (Pony)" | |
---|---|
Single by The Routers | |
B-side | "Mashy" |
Released | 1962 |
Recorded | April 13, 1962 |
Genre | Pop, Rock |
Label | Warner Bros. Records |
Songwriter(s) | Lanny Duncan, Robert Duncan |
Producer(s) | Joe Saraceno |
Background
Although the songwriting credits are given to local singer Lanny Duncan and his brother Robert Duncan, Lanny had previously recorded the original demo of the song in 1961 as a member of the Starlighters, featuring Tony Valentino on guitar and Jody Rich on bass. The demo was recorded in Glendale, California with engineer Eddie Brackett.[1][2]
Reception and influence
Chartwise, the song made #19 on the Billboard Hot 100,[3] #27 Cashbox and #32 on the UK Singles Chart.[4]
The song was also covered by The Ventures in 1963 as "Let's Go".[5]
The recognizable hand-clapping rhythmic pattern became popular in cheerleading and as a football chant worldwide.[6][7] The rhythm was later used in the Bay City Rollers hit "Saturday Night" in 1976, The Ramones' Phil Spector-produced "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?" in 1980 (which also quotes the phrase "let's go"), art-rock song "Mongoloid" by American band Devo, produced by Brian Eno in 1977[7], and in 1982 Toni Basil's cheerleading anthem "Mickey" ("Oh Mickey, you're so fine...")[6].
References
- "Duncan Brothers". Soulful Detroit. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
- Burgess, Chuck (2007). Love That Dirty Water! The Standells and an Improbable Red Sox Victory Anthem. Rounder Books. ISBN 978-1-57940-146-7.
- "All Instrumental Top 20 Songs, every top 20 instrumental, Sep 1962 - Oct 1966". Tunecaster. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
- "Routers". The Official Charts Company. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
- "Song: Let's Go (Pony) written by Robert Duncan, Lanny Duncan | SecondHandSongs". secondhandsongs.com. Retrieved 2019-05-04.
- Dean, Maury (2003). Rock N Roll Gold Rush: A Singles Un-Cyclopedia. Algora Publishing. p. 448. ISBN 9780875862071.
- Albiez, Sean; Pattie, David (2016-08-11). Brian Eno: Oblique Music. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. p. 223. ISBN 9781441148063.
External links
- "Let's Go (Pony)" at Discogs
- The Routers on IMDb