The Meaning Behind The Song: Clapping Song by Shirley Ellis - Old Time Music (2024)

The Meaning Behind The Song: Clapping Song by Shirley Ellis

Shirley Ellis was an American soul music singer and songwriter in the 1960s. The Clapping Song was one of her biggest hits. The song was released in 1965 and was written by Lincoln Chase. It is a popular playground game that makes use of handclapping and a rhyming song, often played by children. The song was also used in television shows and movies such as The Cosby Show, The Wayans Bros, and Disney’s Herbie Fully Loaded.

Table of Contents

The Lyrics and Message of the Song

The Clapping Song has a catchy tune and simple lyrics that are easy to remember. The song starts with the lyrics, “Three-six-nine, the goose drank wine, The monkey chewed tobacco on the streetcar line”, which is repeated several times throughout the song. The song’s message is simple – it’s a fun song to sing and dance to.

The Cultural Significance of the Song

The Clapping Song has cultural significance and has been passed down from generation to generation. It is a traditional game that is still played in playgrounds across the world. The song contains rhyming lyrics that help children develop language skills and strengthen their memory. Additionally, the handclapping in the song helps improve motor skills and coordination.

The Evolution of Hand-Clapping Games

Handclapping games have been around for centuries. They have evolved from simple repetitive patterns to complex routines that require specific hand movements. Hand-clapping games have been played in schools, playgrounds, and at home, becoming a cultural tradition passed down through generations. In the 1960s, with the emergence of soul music, handclapping games became more popular and were incorporated into songs like The Clapping Song.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1. What is the cultural significance of The Clapping Song?

The Clapping Song is a traditional track that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is a popular hand-clapping game that’s played in playgrounds across the world, strengthening children’s memory and motor skills.

Q2. What is the message behind the lyrics of The Clapping Song?

The lyrics of The Clapping Song are simple and straightforward. It’s a fun song that encourages singing and dancing without any deeper meaning.

Q3. Who wrote The Clapping Song?

The Clapping Song was written by Lincoln Chase and released by Shirley Ellis in 1965.

Q4. What makes The Clapping Song unique?

The Clapping Song is unique because it incorporates handclapping and singing, making it a fun and entertaining song that’s easy to learn and participate in.

Q5. What inspired Shirley Ellis to sing The Clapping Song?

Shirley Ellis was inspired to sing The Clapping Song because of the song’s unique and catchy tune, which she believed would appeal to a wide audience.

Q6. Are there any other songs similar to The Clapping Song?

There are many other songs that incorporate handclapping, such as Miss Mary Mack, Double Dutch Bus, and Down by the Bay.

Q7. What is the history of handclapping games?

Handclapping games have been around for centuries and have evolved from simple repetitive patterns to complex routines. The games have been played in schools, playgrounds, and at home, becoming a cultural tradition passed down through generations.

Q8. Did The Clapping Song influence other songs in the 1960s?

The Clapping Song was a popular hit in the 1960s and played a significant role in the emergence of soul music.

Q9. Can The Clapping Song be used as an educational tool?

Yes, The Clapping Song can be used as an educational tool to improve memory, motor skills, and coordination.

Q10. Has The Clapping Song been covered by any other musicians?

The Clapping Song has been covered by several other musicians, including Belle Perez, Queen Latifah, and The Belle Stars.

Q11. What is the meaning behind the lyrics “Three-six-nine, the goose drank wine, The monkey chewed tobacco on the streetcar line”?

The lyrics rhyme and don’t have a deeper meaning. They are just a fun and catchy tune to sing and dance to.

Q12. What is the significance of incorporating hand-clapping in songs?

Incorporating handclapping in songs makes them more interactive and entertaining. The rhythm and beat created by the handclapping add to the overall effect of the song and make it more fun and engaging for listeners.

The Meaning Behind The Song: Clapping Song by Shirley Ellis - Old Time Music (2024)

FAQs

Who sung the clapping song? ›

"The Clapping Song" is an American song, written by Lincoln Chase, originally arranged by Charles Calello and recorded by Shirley Ellis in 1965. The single sold over a million copies, and peaked at number eight in the United States and number six in the UK.

What movie is the clapping song in Netflix? ›

Shirley Ellis, “The Clapping Song"

Aside from the powerhouse, “Feels Like Home,” this might be the second most important song in the movie. All Together Now actually starts with Amber teaching her ESL class this song as they all sing and dance along to it.

When was Shirley Ellis popular? ›

Shirley Ellis, born Shirley Marie O'Garra in 1929, was an American soul singer and songwriter who gained international fame during the 1960s.

Who composed clapping music? ›

Clapping Music is a minimalist piece written by Steve Reich in 1972.

What is the circle hand clapping song? ›

Also known as “Stella Stella Ola”, “Quack Dilly Oso”, and “Down by the Banks” when used with different lyrics, this clapping game involves players standing or sitting in a circle and placing one hand over their neighbour's hand. On every beat, the player claps their higher hand onto the touching player's palm.

What is the story "All Together Now" about? ›

What is the deaf horror movie on Netflix? ›

Miniseries. On September 24, 2021, Midnight Mass, a miniseries based on the Hush story within a story of the same name (the internationally acclaimed novel by deaf-mute horror author protagonist Madison "Maddie" Young), also created and directed by Flanagan and starring Siegel, was released on Netflix.

Who was Shirley Temple Why was she so popular in the 1930s? ›

Shirley Temple was an American actress and public official who was an internationally popular child star of the 1930s, best known for sentimental musicals. Temple's popularity was partly seen as a response to the Great Depression.

When was the name Shirley first used? ›

The name Shirley comes from the Old English words scire, meaning "shire," or scīr, "bright," as well as lēah, meaning "meadow" or "clearing." This gender-neutral title was initially for boys; however, Charlotte Brontë's novel Shirley has popularized it as a chic name for girls since its publication in 1849.

When was the dirty Shirley invented? ›

The mocktail is thought to have been created in the 1930s and is named after Shirley Temple, who was a child actor during that time. However, Temple claimed that she had nothing to do with its inception — and even reportedly hated the drink, despite the fact that restaurants everywhere tried to serve it to her.

Who made the song Touch Me in the Morning? ›

"Touch Me in the Morning" is a song recorded by Diana Ross on the Motown label. It was written by Ron Miller and Michael Masser, and produced by the latter and Tom Baird. It was released on May 3, 1973 as the first single from her album of the same name. In 1973, it became Ross's second solo No.

Why did Steve Reich compose clapping music? ›

In 1972 I composed Clapping Music to create a piece of music that would need no instruments beyond the human body. At first I thought it would be a phase piece, but this proved inappropriate since it introduced a difficulty (phasing) that seemed inconsistent with such a simple way of producing sound.

Who is the lead singer of Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah? ›

Alec Ounsworth (born December 1, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and frontman of indie rock band Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. He is also a member of The Pelican Picnic and Flashy Python.

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