Wheels (The String-A-Longs song)
Encyclopedia
Wheels is The String-A-Longs
' biggest hit single
(their debut release), in 1961 (released in 1960). The tune peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100
and was the number 8 single
of 1961 according to Billboard
. The track reached number 8 in the UK Singles Chart
. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc
.
In Britain later the same year the tune was revived by the Joe Loss
Orchestra as "Wheels Cha Cha"; it reached #21. It became popular in France later in 1961 under the title "Dans le cœur de ma blonde".
Billy Vaughn
's version was at number one in the 1961 German singles charts
with the song for 14 weeks; in the USA he reached #28.
Johnny Duncan released a vocal version with lyrics by Johnny Flamingo in 1963.
Hot Butter
also recorded a version.
The String-A-Longs
The String-A-Longs were an instrumental group from Plainview, Texas, produced by Norman Petty on Warwick Records. They consisted of Richard Stephens, lead guitar, Keith McCormack and Jimmy Torres, rhythm guitars, Aubrey de Cordova, bass guitar and Don Allen, drums.Their biggest hit single was...
' biggest hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
(their debut release), in 1961 (released in 1960). The tune peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and was the number 8 single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
of 1961 according to Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
. The track reached number 8 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
.
In Britain later the same year the tune was revived by the Joe Loss
Joe Loss
Joshua Alexander "Joe" Loss LVO OBE was a British musician and founder of the Joe Loss Orchestra.-Life:Loss was born in Spitalfields, London, the youngest of four children. His parents, Israel and Ada Loss, were Russian Jews and first cousins. His father was a cabinet-maker who had an office...
Orchestra as "Wheels Cha Cha"; it reached #21. It became popular in France later in 1961 under the title "Dans le cœur de ma blonde".
Billy Vaughn
Billy Vaughn
Richard "Billy" Vaughn was an American singer, multi-instrumentalist, orchestra leader, and A&R man for Dot Records....
's version was at number one in the 1961 German singles charts
Number-one hits of 1961 (Germany)
This is a list of songs that reached number one on the German Media Control Top100 Singles Chart in 1961.-References:* Ehnert, Günter . HIT BILANZ Deutsche Chart Singles 1956-1980. ISBN 3-922542-24-7* * ----...
with the song for 14 weeks; in the USA he reached #28.
Johnny Duncan released a vocal version with lyrics by Johnny Flamingo in 1963.
Hot Butter
Hot Butter
Hot Butter was an instrumental cover band fronted by the keyboard player Stan Free. The other band members were Dave Mullaney, John Abbott, Bill Jerome, Steve Jerome, and Danny Jordan. They are best known for their 1972 cover of the Moog synthpop instrumental, "Popcorn", originally recorded by its...
also recorded a version.