"Ya Ya" is a song by Lee Dorsey. The song was written by Dorsey, C. L. Blast, Bobby Robinson, and Morris Levy. Levy's participation in the writing has been called into question; the Flashback release of the single lists only Dorsey and Blast as writers, as do the liner notes to the American Graffiti soundtrack.

Background

The song was inspired by a children's nursery rhyme, and includes session guitar player Jimmy Spruill on it. The song first appeared on Dorsey's titular album when it was released on February 7, 1961. It was released as a single 5 months later on July 29, 1961.

Chart performance

The song reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the R&B singles chart in 1961.

Album appearances

In addition to the 1973 American Graffiti soundtrack album (MCA2-8001), the song appears on the 1962 compilation Alan Freed's Top 15 (End LP 315).

Cover versions

Beatles connection

According to author Mark Lewisohn in The Complete Beatles Chronicles (p. 365), the Beatles regularly performed "Ya Ya", live from 1961 to 1962 in Hamburg, Liverpool and elsewhere. John Lennon was always the lead vocalist on this number but no recorded version is known to exist. However, Tony Sheridan, the Beatles' close associate, recorded a live version of the song for Polydor Records which was released in October 1962 on the A-side of a German extended play. This 45RPM is credited to Tony Sheridan & "The Beat Brothers" who are often wrongly believed to be the Beatles. But the fledgling British group had no involvement in recording this track although "Sweet Georgia Brown", included on this disc, is indeed recorded by them.

Track listing for Ya Ya by Tony Sheridan & The Beat Brothers

7-inch EP Polydor – 21 485 (1962, Germany.) In 1964, "Ya Ya" (Part 1) was included as filler on the German compilation album "The Beatles' First!" and the complete recording can be heard on The Early Tapes of the Beatles, the 1984 CD reissue of this album. In 1974, John Lennon included a snippet of the song on the album Walls and Bridges with himself on vocals and piano, credited as "Dad", and his 11 year old son Julian on the snare drum. Lennon covered the song fully on his 1975 album Rock 'n' Roll.

Other covers

Johnny Hallyday (French version)

French singer Johnny Hallyday covered the song in French. His version, titled "Ya ya twist", reached No. 1 in Wallonia (the French speaking part of Belgium) in 1962.

Track listing

7-inch EP Philips 432.739 BE (1962, France etc.)

Charts

Other French language covers

Covers in other languages