About the song
**Introduction to “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”**
“Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” is a whimsical novelty song that captured the imagination of audiences worldwide upon its release in June 1960. Written by Paul Vance and Lee Pockriss, the song became an instant sensation when first recorded by Brian Hyland, featuring orchestration by John Dixon. Hyland’s rendition soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, selling over a million copies in the United States alone and achieving global popularity.
The song narrates the tale of a shy young girl who ventures to the beach clad in a revealing polka dot bikini, highlighting her timid journey through three verses: initially hesitant to leave the locker room, then cautiously sitting on the sand in a blanket, and finally braving the ocean waters while remaining submerged to avoid being seen. Trudy Packer’s spoken interjections punctuate the verses, adding to the song’s playful narrative charm.
During an era when bikini swimsuits were still considered daring and unconventional, “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” played a significant role in popularizing this bold fashion choice. Its catchy melody and humorous lyrics resonated with audiences, prompting a surge in bikini sales and contributing to the broader acceptance of the bikini in mainstream society. The song’s success also sparked a cultural phenomenon, influencing a wave of surf movies and television productions throughout the early 1960s that capitalized on its infectious energy.
Over the years, the song has been adapted into various languages, including French as “Itsy bitsy petit bikini” and German as “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Honolulu-Strand-Bikini,” achieving chart-topping success in those regions as well. In 1990, a rendition by British pop band Bombalurina titled “Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” once again topped the charts in the UK and Ireland, attesting to the enduring popularity of the song across different generations and cultures.
Despite a brief controversy over ownership rights in 2006, where an impostor falsely claimed authorship, Paul Vance, the true co-writer, continued to benefit from the song’s enduring popularity until his passing in 2022. His legacy remains intertwined with this timeless piece of musical history, forever remembered for its lighthearted charm and cultural impact.
Video
Lyrics
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was as nervous as she could be
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was afraid that somebody would see
Two, three, four
Tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini
So, in the locker, she wanted to stay
Two, three, four
Stick around we’ll tell you more
(Bop, bop, bop, bop, bop-op-op-op-op-op-op)
She was afraid to come out in the open (bop-op-op-op)
And so a blanket around her she wore (bop-op-op-op)
She was afraid to come out in the open (bop-op-op-op)
And so she sat, bundled up on the shore (bop-op-op-op)
Two, three, four
Tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini
So, in the blanket, she wanted to stay
Two, three, four
Stick around we’ll tell you more
(Bop, bop, bop, bop, bop-op-op-op-op-op-op)
Now she’s afraid to come out of the water (bop-op-op-op)
And I wonder what she’s gonna do (bop-op-op-op)
Now she’s afraid to come out of the water (bop-op-op-op)
And the poor little girl’s turning blue (bop-op-op-op)
Two, three, four
Tell the people what she wore
It was an itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy, bitsy, teenie, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini
So, in the water, she wanted to stay
From the locker to the blanket
From the blanket to the shore
From the shore to the water
Guess there isn’t any more