The Pied Piper (1960s song)
Encyclopedia
The Pied Piper was a British pop song
written by the duo of Steve Duboff and Artie Kornfeld
, who first recorded the song in 1965 as The Changin' Times. However, it was British pop singer Crispian St. Peters
, who scored a major hit with the song during the summer of 1966, when his single went to #4 in the United States and #5 in the United Kingdom and even reached #1 in Canada.
In the Netherlands
, the beatgroup The Jets from Utrecht
recorded their version a few months before Chrispian did. Rumors had it that this version inspired the Crispian St. Peters version. The similarities are striking indeed.
It referenced The Pied Piper of Hamelin
, which gave it its name. In Italy, there was well-known a cover version, with the title Bandiera gialla (Yellow flag), sung by local artist Gianni Pettenati
, but there was also a version, sung in English, by Patty Pravo
. The song is noted for its use of the Penny Whistle, to represent the pipes of the Pied Piper.
Del Shannon
also did a cover of the song in the 60s and The Ventures
released a version in 1966. Jamaican reggae duo Bob and Marcia
had a Top 20 hit with their version, taking the song to UK #11 in July 1971.
In 1999, the song was used in an advertisement for the first-generation Toyota Echo in New Zealand.
Pop Song
Pop Song is the first single by the Drugs. It was released in 2000 and earned the Drugs some positive press. It has been described as "addictive". A live version was released on The Only Way Is Up...
written by the duo of Steve Duboff and Artie Kornfeld
Artie Kornfeld
Artie Kornfeld is an American musician, record producer and music executive. He is perhaps best known as the music promoter for the Woodstock Festival held in 1969.- History :...
, who first recorded the song in 1965 as The Changin' Times. However, it was British pop singer Crispian St. Peters
Crispian St. Peters
Crispian St. Peters was an English pop singer-songwriter, best known for his work in the 1960s, particularly his 1966 hits, "The Pied Piper" and "You Were on My Mind."-Early career:...
, who scored a major hit with the song during the summer of 1966, when his single went to #4 in the United States and #5 in the United Kingdom and even reached #1 in Canada.
In the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, the beatgroup The Jets from Utrecht
Utrecht
Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands.The name may also refer to:* Utrecht , of which Utrecht is the capital* Utrecht , including the city of Utrecht* Bishopric of Utrecht* Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Utrecht...
recorded their version a few months before Chrispian did. Rumors had it that this version inspired the Crispian St. Peters version. The similarities are striking indeed.
It referenced The Pied Piper of Hamelin
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
The Pied Piper of Hamelin is the subject of a legend concerning the departure or death of a great many children from the town of Hamelin , Lower Saxony, Germany, in the Middle Ages. The earliest references describe a piper, dressed in pied clothing, leading the children away from the town never...
, which gave it its name. In Italy, there was well-known a cover version, with the title Bandiera gialla (Yellow flag), sung by local artist Gianni Pettenati
Gianni Pettenati
Gianni Pettenati is an Italian singer and musical critic. He is most famous for his Italian cover versions of great international hits. He is also the author of plays and books on the history of Italian music....
, but there was also a version, sung in English, by Patty Pravo
Patty Pravo
Patty Pravo is an Italian pop singer whose career has spanned more than four decades. Her first single "Ragazzo triste", released in 1966, was the first pop song aired on Vatican Radio...
. The song is noted for its use of the Penny Whistle, to represent the pipes of the Pied Piper.
Del Shannon
Del Shannon
Del Shannon was an American rock and roll singer-songwriter who had a No. 1 hit, "Runaway", in 1961.- Biography :...
also did a cover of the song in the 60s and The Ventures
The Ventures
The Ventures is an American instrumental rock band formed in 1958 in Tacoma, Washington. Founded by Don Wilson and Bob Bogle, the group in its various incarnations has had an enduring impact on the development of music worldwide. With over 100 million records sold, the group is the best-selling...
released a version in 1966. Jamaican reggae duo Bob and Marcia
Bob and Marcia
Bob and Marcia were a Jamaican vocal duo, that consisted of Bob Andy and Marcia Griffiths. They had a #5 UK hit single in 1970 with "Young, Gifted and Black". They followed up with "Pied Piper", which peaked at #11 in the UK Singles Chart in 1971. Those two releases spent a total of twenty five...
had a Top 20 hit with their version, taking the song to UK #11 in July 1971.
In 1999, the song was used in an advertisement for the first-generation Toyota Echo in New Zealand.