In 1962 she began a string of successful Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits: "Slow Twistin'" (with Chubby Checker) (#3), "Mashed Potato Time" (#2), "Gravy (For My Mashed Potatoes)" (#9), "Ride" (#5) and "Do the Bird" (#10). Both "Mashed Potato Time" and "Ride" each sold over one million copies, and were awarded gold discs. "Do the Bird" provided her only entry in the UK Singles Chart, where it peaked at #46 in April 1963. In 1967, she married record producer Kenny Gamble and has since recorded under the name Dee Dee Sharp-Gamble.
She had a brief career resurgence during the disco era and hit the charts again with her version of 10 CC's "I'm Not In Love." She also joined Lou Rawls, Billy Paul, Teddy Pendergrass, The O'Jays and Archie Bell) as a member of the Philadelphia International All Stars, who had a minor hit with "Let's Clean Up the Ghetto." During this time she was married to Philadelphia International co-founder Kenny Gamble, and was known professionally as Dee Dee Sharp Gamble. The couple later divorced.
In 1981 she spent four weeks at number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart with "Breaking and Entering" / "Easy Money," from her album Dee Dee.
More recent appearances included a performance at Pontins in the UK for the Northern Soul Show, and at the 2008 Detroit Jazz Festival. In May 2009, she appeared in Belgium at the Salle De L'Hotel de Ville.
Sharp and her husband Bill Witherspoon have been residents of Medford, New Jersey.
Splish Splash
Dee Dee Sharp Lyrics
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A rub dub, just relaxing in the tub, thinkin' everything was all right
Well, I stepped out the tub, put my feet on the floor
I wrapped the towel around me and I opened the door
And then a splish splash, I jumped back in the bath
Well, how was I to know there was a party going on?
Bing bang, I saw the whole gang dancin' on my livin' room rug (yeah)
There was Lollipop with Peggy Sue
Good golly, Miss Molly was a even there too
A well a splish splash, I forgot about the bath
I went and put my dancing shoes on
I was a splishin' and a splashin', I was rollin' and a strollin'
I was a movin' and a groovin', I was a reelin' with the feelin'
I was a splishin' and a splashin', I was rollin' and a strollin'
I was a movin' and a groovin', I was a reelin' with the feelin'
I was a splishin' and a splashin', I was rollin' and a strollin'
Dee Dee Sharp's "Splish Splash" is a song about a guy who is taking a bath on a Saturday night when he hears a party going on in his living room. He jumps back in the bath and then joins the party in his dancing shoes. The lyrics vividly describe the scene where the guy steps out of the bath and opens the door, only to discover there's a party going on that he wasn't invited to. The melody of the song is catchy, and the rhythm and pace of the lyrics match the upbeat mood of the tune. The use of onomatopoeia with the "splish splash" creates an image of water splashing as the guy hops back into the tub in the middle of the song.
The lyrics of this song depict a moment of carefree joy that is relatable for many people. The lyrics show how sometimes, even the most mundane activities like taking a bath can be interrupted by a party, and it's okay to put aside everything else and let loose. It's interesting how the lyrics highlight the sense of community, with the guy joining the party despite not being invited, showing how music and dancing can bring people together in unexpected ways.
Line by Line Meaning
Splish splash, I was takin' a bath 'long about a Saturday night
I was taking a bath on a Saturday night, just trying to relax and unwind.
A rub dub, just relaxing in the tub, thinkin' everything was all right
I was feeling good and chilling in the tub without a care in the world.
Well, I stepped out the tub, put my feet on the floor
I finished my bath and got out, drying myself off with a towel and stepping out of the tub.
I wrapped the towel around me and I opened the door
I wrapped the towel around myself and opened the door to see what was going on outside.
And then a splish splash, I jumped back in the bath
But then I heard some noise and got startled, jumping back into the bath.
Well, how was I to know there was a party going on?
I had no idea that there was a party happening in my house.
Bing bang, I saw the whole gang dancin' on my livin' room rug (yeah)
Suddenly, I saw a big group of people dancing on my living room rug.
Flip flop, they were doin' the bop, all the teens had the dancin' bug
Everyone was doing the bop and having a great time, as young people often do.
There was Lollipop with Peggy Sue
Two girls named Lollipop and Peggy Sue were at the party.
Good golly, Miss Molly was even there too
Even someone named Miss Molly was at the party, too.
A well a splish splash, I forgot about the bath
I got caught up in the party and totally forgot about my bath.
I went and put my dancing shoes on
I decided to join in on the dancing and put on my dancing shoes.
I was a splishin' and a splashin', I was rollin' and a strollin'
I was having a great time dancing and partying with the others.
I was a movin' and a groovin', I was a reelin' with the feelin'
I was really getting into the music and enjoying myself.
I was a splishin' and a splashin', I was rollin' and a strollin'
I was still dancing and having a great time.
I was a movin' and a groovin', I was a reelin' with the feelin'
I was still really feeling the music and enjoying myself.
I was a splishin' and a splashin', I was rollin' and a strollin'
I was still dancing and having a great time.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Bobby Darin, Jean Murray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind