Simon Says (1910 Fruitgum Company song)

"Simon Says" is a bubblegum pop song written by Elliot Chiprut and originally recorded, in 1967, by the 1910 Fruitgum Company, becoming their most successful chart hit.

"Simon Says"
Single by The 1910 Fruitgum Company
from the album Simon Says
B-side	"Reflections from the Looking Glass"
Released	December 1967
Genre	Bubblegum pop
Length	2:21
Label	Buddah BDA 24
Songwriter(s)	Elliot Chiprut
Producer(s)	Jeffry Katz, Jerry Kasenetz, Elliot Chiprut
The 1910 Fruitgum Company singles chronology
"Simon Says" (1967) "May I Take a Giant Step" (1968)

The song was based on the children's game "Simon says." Produced by Jerry Kasenetz, Jeffry Katz, and Chiprut, the single was issued by Buddah Records and entered the U.S. Hot 100 in January 1968, rising to #4 on the chart. It was also a hit in the UK, where it reached #2 on the singles chart.

It also was the title track on the first album by the 1910 Fruitgum Company.

In Italy the song was covered by the group Giuliano e i Notturni with the title "Il ballo di Simone", and charted #3 on the Italian hit parade.[1] In 1968 French singer Claude Francois also had a major hit with it under the French title "Jacques a Dit". Children's entertainers Sharon, Lois & Bram covered it on their 1995 album Let's Dance!

Chart history

Weekly charts 1910 Fruitgum Company Chart (1968) Peak position Australia (Kent Music Report) 2 Canada RPM Top Singles[2] 1 Ireland (IRMA)[3] 5 New Zealand (Listener)[4] 4 South Africa (Springbok)[5] 1 UK [6] 2 U.S. Billboard Hot 100[7] 4 U.S. Cash Box Top 100[8] 2 Dickie Rock & Miami Chart (1968) Peak position Ireland (IRMA)[3] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1968) Rank Canada [9] 20 South Africa [10] 4 U.S. Billboard Hot 100[11] 33 U.S. Cash Box [12] 24

References

1. Dario Salvatori. "Giuliano e i Notturni". Gino Castaldo (edited by). Dizionario della canzone italiana. Curcio Editore, 1990. pp.790-1.
2. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. 1968-03-16. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
3. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Simon Says". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 21, 2018.
4. Flavour of New Zealand, 10 May 1968
5. "SA Charts 1965–March 1989". Retrieved 5 September 2018.
6. "Official Charts Company". Retrieved 2018-12-06.
7. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - ISBN 0-89820-089-X
8. Cash Box Top 100 Singles, March 16, 1968
9. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
10. "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1968". Retrieved 26 December 2018.
11. Musicoutfitters.com
12. Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 28, 1968