Billy Ford had previously recorded two singles for United Records, without attaining much commercial success. Billy & Lillie recorded for Swan Records in the late 1950s, and charted three hit singles in the United States, two of them written by the songwriter and record producer Bob Crewe, and producer Frank C. Slay, Jr. Crewe later became one of the most successful songwriters and producers in history, having produced or written most of the songs recorded by The Four Seasons. Frank C. Slay, Jr., co-wrote several songs with Bob Crewe, including "Tallahassee Lassie" by Freddy Cannon. He would also, later in 1967, produce the hit "Incense and Peppermints" by The Strawberry Alarm Clock.
The first single, "La Dee Dah" (written by Crewe), was the only one of them to hit the Top 10 on the Billboard chart, peaking at #9. It was released on Swan Records, catalog reference #4002. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. Dick Clark, when they were performing "La Dee Dah" on American Bandstand, liked their song so much that he asked the songwriters to write another song. Crewe and Slay came up with their third single release, "Lucky Ladybug". The Billy & Lillie version of "Lucky Ladybug" was a number 14 hit on the Billboard chart, released by Swan Records (catalog #4020). Both "La Dee Dah" and "Lucky Ladybug" referred in their lyrics to a number of other recent popular hits, a formula first used by Larry Williams in his hit "Short Fat Fannie"
"Lucky Ladybug" was later covered by The Four Seasons, and appeared on the B-side of their hit "Walk Like a Man" (1963).
Ford died in 1985 at the age of 59. Bryant returned to her hometown of Newburgh, New York, and became a community activist. She was the Democratic candidate for mayor of Newburgh in 2007. She lost the election to the Republican candidate by 150 votes.
La Dee Dah
Billy & Lillie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La dee dah, oh, boy
La dee dah, oh, boy
I'm glad, so glad, so glad
Glad you are you
I'm so lucky to be
No one else but me
It's true cause me got you
La dee dah, oh, boy
Let's go, cha cha cha
I feel so fine
Now that you are mine
Got a tingle
Up and down my spine
It's true cause me got you
La dee dah, oh, boy
Let's go, cha cha cha
You're my special angel
My be-bop baby
My little bitty pretty pet
You send me with your
Lotta loving lips sublime
I just want baby
To be my silhouette
Tonight, tonight
We're gonna go
From the ABC's
Through the XYZ's
Oh, no, it's true
Cause me got you
La dee dah, oh, boy
Cha cha cha
La dee dah, oh, boy
Let's go, cha cha cha
You're my special angel
My be-bop baby
My little bitty pretty pet
You send me with your
Lotta loving lips sublime
I just want baby
To be my silhouette
Tonight, tonight
We're gonna go
From the ABC's
Through the XYZ's
Oh, no, it's true
Cause me got you
La dee dah, oh, boy
Cha cha cha
La dee dah, oh, boy
Let's go, cha cha cha
La dee dah, oh, boy
Let's go, cha cha cha
The song "La Dee Dah" by Billy & Lillie is a joyful celebration of being in love. The repeating phrase of "La dee dah, oh boy" conveys a carefree and whimsical spirit, suggesting that the couple is living in the moment and enjoying each other's company. The singer expresses her gratitude for having found true love, acknowledging that she feels lucky to be who she is and to have found the person who makes her feel complete. The verse "You're my special angel, my be-bop baby, my little bitty pretty pet" is particularly endearing, with the singer using affectionate nicknames and metaphors to show how much she values her partner. The cha-cha rhythm adds to the sense of fun and lightness, making the song an upbeat and danceable tribute to romance.
Line by Line Meaning
La dee dah, oh, boy
Expressing joy and excitement
I'm glad, so glad, so glad
Feeling happy and grateful
Glad you are you
Appreciating and accepting the other person for who they are
I'm so lucky to be
Feeling fortunate and privileged
No one else but me
Acknowledging one's individuality and uniqueness
It's true cause me got you
Recognizing the significance of having the other person in one's life
Let's go, cha cha cha
Inviting the other person to dance and have fun
I feel so fine
Feeling content and satisfied
Now that you are mine
Expressing possessiveness and commitment
Got a tingle
Feeling a physical sensation
Up and down my spine
Describing where the physical sensation is felt
You're my special angel
Assigning an endearing and unique term to the other person
My be-bop baby
Referencing a popular musical style from the 1950s
My little bitty pretty pet
Using affectionate terms to describe the other person
You send me with your
Implying that the other person's actions have a strong effect on one's feelings
Lotta loving lips sublime
Describing the other person's physical features in a poetic way
I just want baby
Declaring one's desire for the other person
To be my silhouette
Imagining a romantic scenario where the other person is a visual representation of beauty and elegance
Tonight, tonight
Anticipating a special moment in time
We're gonna go
Placing emphasis on shared experiences
From the ABC's
Referencing the basic fundamentals of life
Through the XYZ's
Extending the range of experiences to encompass the full spectrum of possibilities
Oh, no, it's true
Asserting the reality and validity of what's been said
Cha cha cha
Repeating the earlier invitation to dance and enjoy life
Contributed by Skyler A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Delmo Walters Jr.
I'm glad, so glad, so glad
Glad that you are you
I'm so lucky to be
No one else but me
It's true
'Cause me got you
La dee dah, oh boy
Let's go
Cha, cha, cha
I feel so fine
Now that you are mine
Got a tingle
Up and down my spine
It's true
'Cause me got you
La dee dah, oh boy
Let's go
Cha, cha, cha
You're my special angel
My bebop baby
My little bitty pretty pet
You send me with your lotta lovin'
Lips of wine
Just want, baby to be my silhouette
Tonight, tonight
We're gonna go
From the A, B, C's
Through the X, Y, Z's
Of love
It's true
'Cause me got you
La dee dah, oh boy
Cha, cha, cha
La dee dah, oh boy
Let's go
Cha, cha, cha
You're my special angel
My bebop baby
My little bitty pretty pet
You send me with your lotta lovin'
Lips of wine
Just want, baby to be my silhouette
Tonight, tonight
We're gonna go
From the A, B, C's
Through the X, Y, Z's
Of love
It's true
'Cause me got you
La dee dah, oh boy
Cha, cha, cha
La dee dah, oh boy
Let's go
Cha, cha, chaLa dee dah, oh boy
Let's go
Cha, cha, cha
Jerry Gil
I'm 19 and I love this song💜
Delmo Walters Jr.
I'm glad, so glad, so glad
Glad that you are you
I'm so lucky to be
No one else but me
It's true
'Cause me got you
La dee dah, oh boy
Let's go
Cha, cha, cha
I feel so fine
Now that you are mine
Got a tingle
Up and down my spine
It's true
'Cause me got you
La dee dah, oh boy
Let's go
Cha, cha, cha
You're my special angel
My bebop baby
My little bitty pretty pet
You send me with your lotta lovin'
Lips of wine
Just want, baby to be my silhouette
Tonight, tonight
We're gonna go
From the A, B, C's
Through the X, Y, Z's
Of love
It's true
'Cause me got you
La dee dah, oh boy
Cha, cha, cha
La dee dah, oh boy
Let's go
Cha, cha, cha
You're my special angel
My bebop baby
My little bitty pretty pet
You send me with your lotta lovin'
Lips of wine
Just want, baby to be my silhouette
Tonight, tonight
We're gonna go
From the A, B, C's
Through the X, Y, Z's
Of love
It's true
'Cause me got you
La dee dah, oh boy
Cha, cha, cha
La dee dah, oh boy
Let's go
Cha, cha, chaLa dee dah, oh boy
Let's go
Cha, cha, cha
Leslie Honcharik
We had this record when I was a kid early 1960s...must have played it 1000 times -probably drove my folks crazy!!
sauquoit13456
On this day in 1958 {February 22nd} Billie and Lillie performed "La Dee Dah" on the ABC-TV program 'Dick Clark's Saturday Night Beechnut Show'... One month earlier on January 6th it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; eventually it peaked at #9 and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100... Billy Ford passed away in 1985 at the age of 59... R.I.P. Mr. Ford, Mr. Clark {1929 - 2012}, and Lillie Bryant celebrated her 73rd birthday eight days ago on February 14th...
PJDooWop
This was a monster of a hit
13loomisst
Love that story, PJ. Great stuff. I remember getting this song on a Dick Clark EP that had five other cuts, including Searchin' and Over the Mountain. Probably sent in gum wrappers for it.
Cynthia's Channel
Yes, It sure was indeed. A Monster of a great hit... I remember this song very well.....
Merrily
This is my favourite song!!!
Lupe Escalera
I was dancing this hit when I was 11 years old and fell in love with it thanks to you
PJDooWop
I think I have that EP.. I have a few Dick Clark EPs.. A few are on a green and white label and one is on a yellow and black label. They actually feature the original versions of the songs which is pretty cool