Introduction:
In 1956, a young singer from Mississippi named Elvis Presley was on the cusp of superstardom. He had already garnered a loyal following in the Southern United States with his energetic performances that blended elements of country, gospel, and rhythm & blues, a new and electrifying sound that would soon be known as rock and roll.
A key factor in Presley’s meteoric rise was his recording of “Tutti Frutti”, a rock and roll song released on his self-titled debut album in March 1956. The song, however, wasn’t originally an Elvis Presley creation. It was written by songwriter Dorothy LaBostrie and legendary musician Little Richard under the title “Tutti Frutti, All Rooty”. Little Richard himself recorded the song in 1955, injecting it with his signature flamboyant style and powerful vocals.
Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, recognized the potential of “Tutti Frutti” and brought Presley into the studio in January 1956. Presley’s rendition, produced by Phillips himself, differed from Little Richard’s original in a few key ways. Presley’s vocals were smoother, while his band, featuring Scotty Moore on guitar, Bill Black on bass, and D.J. Fontana on drums, laid down a steadier, more groove-oriented rhythm section. Presley also famously replaced some of the lyrics with nonsensical scat singing, using the now-iconic refrain “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop-a-lop-bam-boom!”.
Despite these changes, the core elements of “Tutti Frutti” remained – a driving beat, catchy melody, and suggestive lyrics about a young man and his love life. Released as the B-side to another early Presley hit, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “Tutti Frutti” quickly stole the show. Radio stations began flipping the record, favoring the energetic rock and roll of “Tutti Frutti” over the more ballad-like “Blue Suede Shoes.”
The impact of “Tutti Frutti” was undeniable. The song reached number one on the Billboard Rhythm & Blues chart and number two on the Billboard Pop Chart, a remarkable feat for a young, unknown artist at the time. “Tutti Frutti” helped solidify Presley’s status as a rising star and is considered a landmark recording in the history of rock and roll. It showcased Presley’s charisma and musical talent, while also demonstrating the immense potential of the rock and roll genre to capture the attention of a young generation. The song’s influence can be heard in the work of countless artists who followed Presley, and it remains a staple of his catalog and a reminder of the electrifying energy that propelled him to superstardom.
Video:
Lyrics:
A-bop-bop-a-loom-op a-lop-bop-boom!Tutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiA-bop-bop-a-loom-op a-lop-bop-boom!
I got a gal named SueShe knows just what to doI got a gal named SueShe knows just what to doShe rock me to the eastShe roll me to the westShe’s the gal that I love the best
Tutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiA-bop-bop-a-loom-op a-lop-bop-boom!
I got a gal named Daisy,She almost drive me crazyI got a gal named Daisy,She almost drive me crazyShe knows how to love me, yes indeedOh boy you don’t know she do to me
Tutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiA-bop-bop-a-loom-op a-lop-bop-boom!
Well Tutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiA-bop-bop-a-loom-op a-lop-bop-boom!
I got a gal named Daisy,She almost drive me crazyI got a gal named Daisy,She almost drive me crazyShe knows how to love me, yes indeedOh boy you don’t know she do to me
Tutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au rutti, oooTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au ruttiA-bop-bop-a-loom-op a-lop-bop-boom!