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.

Background

The song was released shortly after Ellis had released "The Name Game". "The Clapping Song" incorporates lyrics from the song "Little Rubber Dolly", a 1930s song recorded by the Light Crust Doughboys, and also features instructions for a clapping game.

Chart performance

Cover versions

In media

"The Clapping Song" has been featured in the soundtracks of the movies Scratch, Because of Winn-Dixie, Private Life, Stuber, Poms, All Together Now, Ghostbusters: Afterlife. and Maestro. In Flatliners, the song is sung by children on the playground. On television, it was featured in Round Six of the 2009 season of Dancing With the Stars.