Tico Tico
Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra Lyrics


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Oh, tico tico, tick!
Oh, tico tico, tock!
This tico tico, he's the cuckoo in my clock.
And when he says "cuckoo,"
He means it's time to woo,
It's tico time for all the lovers on the block.

I've got a heavy date,
A tete a tete at eight,
So speak, oh, tico, tell me if it's getting late?
If I'm on time, cuckoo,
But, if I'm late, woo-woo!
The one my heart is gone to may not want to wait!

For just a birdie, and a birdie who goes nowhere,
He knows of every lover's lane and how to go there;
For in affairs of the heart
My tico's terribly smart,
He tells me: "gently, sentimentally at the start!"

Oh, oh, I hear my little tico tico calling
Because the time is right and shades of night are falling.




I love that not-so-cuckoo cuckoo in the clock,
Tico tico tico tico tico tock!

Overall Meaning

The song "Tico Tico" by Billy Vaughn & His Orchestra is a playful and catchy tune about a bird named Tico Tico who serves as the cuckoo in the clock. According to the lyrics, Tico Tico is not just an ordinary bird, but rather an intelligent and perceptive one when it comes to matters of the heart. The song describes Tico Tico's role in helping his owner, presumably the singer, to keep track of time and not be late for a romantic rendezvous. The playful and upbeat lyrics also reflect the joy and excitement of a blossoming romance.


As the song progresses, the singer emphasizes how important Tico Tico is to ensuring the smooth running of his love life, describing the bird as "terribly smart" with a knack for guiding him through the beginnings of a new relationship. The song's playful imagery and catchy tune combine to create an upbeat and joyful atmosphere, intended to reflect the giddy excitement of a new romance.


Line by Line Meaning

Oh, tico tico, tick!
The sound of the clock's bird chirping


Oh, tico tico, tock!
The sound of the clock's bird chirping again


This tico tico, he's the cuckoo in my clock.
The clock's bird is the source of the ticking and tocking


And when he says "cuckoo,"
When the clock's bird chirps


He means it's time to woo,
It's a cue for lovers to express their feelings


It's tico time for all the lovers on the block.
The prompt is for everyone who's in love to seize the moment


I've got a heavy date,
I have a serious love rendezvous


A tete a tete at eight,
A private conversation at eight


So speak, oh, tico, tell me if it's getting late?
Clock's bird please inform me if I'm behind schedule


If I'm on time, cuckoo,
If I arrive on time


But, if I'm late, woo-woo!
If I'm late for my date


The one my heart is gone to may not want to wait!
My significant other might be upset if I'm late


For just a birdie, and a birdie who goes nowhere,
The clock's bird is a simple creature with limited mobility


He knows of every lover's lane and how to go there;
But it understands affairs of the heart and how love works


For in affairs of the heart
When it comes to love


My tico's terribly smart,
The clock's bird has some wisdom to share


He tells me: "gently, sentimentally at the start!"
It advises me to approach love tenderly and romantically


Oh, oh, I hear my little tico tico calling
I hear the clock's bird chirping again


Because the time is right and shades of night are falling.
It's the perfect timing for lovebirds


I love that not-so-cuckoo cuckoo in the clock,
I have a strong affection for the clock's bird


Tico tico tico tico tico tock!
The clock's bird continues to chirp




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: ERWIN DRAKE, ZEQUINHA DE ABREU

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@geraldthorburn1123

Yes, Dan (flip discovery). One of the best examples is Percy Faith's "Go-Go-Po-Go", the flip of 'Summer Place', which I played almost as much as the 'A'.

@dancasey1370

I turned every 45 over and played the flip side. I found a lot of great non charting songs. It's funny that you mention Summer Place. It was my and my future wife's song. Thanks for listening Gerald.

@williamtell8253

A lovely Latin American instrumental played by the great master BIlly Vaughn.

@dancasey1370

A favorite of mine. Thanks for listening and Happy New Year.

@dancasey1370

I own no rights to this song

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