Hanky Panky
James Tommy & The Shondells Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

My baby does the hanky panky
Yeah, my baby does the hanky panky
My baby does the hanky panky
My baby does the hanky panky
Hey, my baby does the hanky panky

My baby does the hanky panky (yeah)
Yeah, my baby does the hanky panky

Hey, my baby does the hanky panky
My baby does the hanky panky
Hey, my baby does the hanky panky

I saw her walking on down the line (yeah)
You know I saw her for the very first time
A pretty little girl standing all alone
Hey baby, baby, can I take you home?
I never saw her, never really saw her (oh, yeah)

My baby does the hanky panky
Yeah, my baby does the hanky panky
My baby does the hanky panky
My baby does the hanky panky
My baby does the hanky panky

Ah, let's move it out, let's go
(Wooh-hoo, woo)
Oh, yeah
(Woo, yeah)

I saw her walking on down the line (yeah)
You know I saw her for the very first time
A pretty little girl standing all alone
Hey baby, baby, can I take you home?
I never saw her, never really saw her

Okay, we're low on time, hold on

Hey, my baby does the hanky panky
Yeah, my baby does the hanky panky
My baby does the hanky panky
My baby does the hanky panky
My baby does the hanky panky

Let's knock 'em dead one time, let's go

Yeah, my baby does the hanky panky

My baby does the hanky panky
Yeah, my baby does the hanky panky

Overall Meaning

James Tommy & The Shondells's song "Hanky Panky" is a catchy tune about a man who discovers a woman whom he finds attractive and he tries to woo her. The lyrics describe how he saw her for the very first time and he immediately felt drawn towards her. He asks her if he can take her home and engage in a little Hanky Panky, which is likely a euphemism for sexual activity.

The repetitive nature of the song's lyrics plays into the idea that the singer is madly infatuated with this woman and can't stop thinking about her. The chorus of the song reinforces the idea that his love interest is the one who does the "Hanky Panky," meaning that she is the one who is in control and likely calling the shots when it comes to their physical interaction.

Line by Line Meaning

My baby does the hanky panky
My significant other likes to engage in sexual activities or provocative dancing.

Yeah, my baby does the hanky panky
Yes, my significant other really enjoys sensual or sexual activities.

Hey, my baby does the hanky panky
Listen up, my significant other really enjoys engaging in erotic activities.

I saw her walking on down the line (yeah)
I noticed her walking along a certain route (yes).

You know I saw her for the very first time
I'm telling you, I had never seen her before.

A pretty little girl standing all alone
A beautiful young woman standing without company.

Hey baby, baby, can I take you home?
Excuse me, miss, may I invite you to come home with me?

I never saw her, never really saw her (oh, yeah)
I never realized how attractive she was until I actually saw her (oh, yes).

Let's move it out, let's go (Wooh-hoo, woo) Oh, yeah (Woo, yeah)
Let's start doing something exciting or arousing (Wooh-hoo, woo). Yes, let's do it (Oh, yeah).

Okay, we're low on time, hold on
Alright, we don't have a lot of time, so let's hurry up.

Let's knock 'em dead one time, let's go
Let's totally impress or stun them once, let's do it.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@ervabendroth5659

2y↑33

I'm 61 and I had this on vinyl. Memories galore

@leebass4833

37w

I’m 58 years old and me and my dad had this album ❤

@PattyT-xl1zv

29w↑5

I used this song as exercise time for my 3 yf olds in daycare! They could dance and loved the song! Patty 1957

@andrewl8524

4y↑366

This song has been in my head for about 30 years.

@jl2937

4y↑8

yep. I heard that

@patcola7335

3y↑5

Got more of a 50s feel to it.

@DavidBrown-xf9pk

3y↑6

55 years ago. First time

@andrewl8524

3y↑8

Other songs stuck in my head for eternity:

1. Jurassic Park Theme Song
2. Ding Fries are Done by Peter Griffin of Family Guy (A play on words of Carol of the Bells)
3. My Sharona
4. Where have all the Cowboys Gone

...and so many others

@hii-rr9uj

3y↑15

me too and i’m only 15

22 More Replies...

@BrianLarmay

2y↑40

Back in the 70s my mom played this at one of my bday parties. My friends and I made paper guitars and jammed this one out pretty hard jumping on and off the furniture going abso nuts lip syncing this shizzle!
Awesome memory!!!
Id do it all over again straight up:D

@megs33333s

1y↑4

Awww, that's the coolest reflection of child hood- story I have heard in a long time! Cool mom!

@jimmyhuesandthehouserocker1069

1y↑10

I think that middle break guitar riff is truly the greatest in rock and roll of all time and should receive the highest of honors. The guitar on the rest of the song, well, what do I say, I bet the Beatles greatly admired it and most likely did. But what a sweet voice for the lead vocal. Nobody else could have ever sung Hanky Panky like Tommy James did, goes straight to your heart. Oh and I'm a record producer

@robertaustin1945

42w↑3

You have a good ear my friend

@williamgibson7390

2y↑57

The voice of Tommy James and the incredible guitar of Eddie Gray combine to make this recording one of the best of its time!

@BunkGreen-rg3ng

36w↑2

Played this At our wedding as we were walking down the aisle after we said "I do" Didn't see that comin'
Nice touch!

@suzzannelemarier3350

1y↑17

I think of this song every time my sister birthday rolls around. She was around four or five months old when we traveled in the summer of 66 she would shake around in her seat to this song. Today she turns 57. So unbelievable how time flies and the good old songs remain in our minds. I'll never forget this one because as a baby she was into music as I was and we both still are.

@notyouraccount566

2y↑5

Worked on a farm and the other two guys where 4 years older than me. They would sing this all the time when we were bailing hay.

@AmericanIsraeliJew

10y↑243

I'm 59 years old. Since I first heard this song in the 60's it has popped up in my mind at least once or twice a month every since. That what I'd say is a true rock legend.

@richardgerlach5156

9y↑4

AmericanIsraeliJew When I get this song in my head, it's there all day! I hate when that happens!

@AmericanIsraeliJew

9y↑1

Yea same with me. I'm always making up other lyrics to the melody. Some of the more funny ones are x rated not for this Agust company.

@richardgerlach5156

What is,"Thank you Alex"!

@whitefalcon74

7y↑2

thx i can't get it out of my head now lol!! back growing up in Brooklyn!

@XMIR10C

6y↑1

your opinion is wothless

14 More Replies...

@robbysoaks

6y↑45

Tommy James actually recorded this song in 1961 when he was only 13 years old! Then four years later it became a hit. Now that's one badass 13 year old! Love it!!

@jackjc1447

2y↑3

robbysoaks,
no he didn't,hanky panky was written by jeff barry and
ellie greenwich in october 1963,"the summits" and "the raindrops" recorded this song in late 1963 before
tommy james,he recorded this song twice,in 1964 and 1966.

@mattkeys6187

2y↑3

I wish 13 year olds aspired to that level of self discipline today 😕

@blairg8171

1y↑6

Discipline? He’s talking about hanky panky

@roemip

Lil Pump actually recorded Gucci Gang in 2013 when he was only 13 years old! Then four years later it became a hit. Now that's one badass 13 year old! Love it!!

@blairg8171

@@roemip ew

8 More Replies...

@JoseCruz-jt5ux

2y↑8

First heard this song at a family picnic in 66 on a lake somewhere in southeast Wisconsin. It's been in my head ever since. Great song from Tommy with many many more forthcoming!

@chxchx

4y↑121

It's so interesting how you can fall in love with a song the first time you hear it. Some songs have to wait to grow on you over a while, but others just rein you in immediately. This was such a song for me. Heard it for the first time yesterday, January 17, 2020, on season 2 of Sex Education. Thank you, Sex Education, for the many good things you've brought into my life.

@Jame6999

4y↑3

I heard this on AM radio and immediately came to YouTube to hear it. To your point, this is how you make hit records. Keep it simple and catchy and you'll be at platinum status in no time. Of course that's not always the case

@less_than_marina

I heard in May's movie (2002)

@bizyizziaz4831

on what

@jgarcia120649

Roseanne did it first

@deaganblough1961

Bro same

4 More Replies...

@amoruzz

3y↑44

50+ years and the chord changes are still in my head. A great tune!

@brianlindsay2206

3y↑92

I've always loved the chords on this song. Tommy James is sooo underrated, cant give this guy enough props.

@janiceallan8539

3y↑2

He is very underrated. Love him.

@jhealynntempleton3260

3y↑2

James is my grandfather

@nickames3808

This Jam.IS BOSS !!!

@onyx2856

2y↑3

Just a simple 12 bar blues chord sequence.

@gerardwashack7097

52w

I was 13 years old when this album came out. I am 70 now and it still rocks!

@celia1978molina

2y↑5

I was singing this today and had to hear the original. Thank you YouTube and for uploading! ❣️

@buffalo_love_7165

8y↑310

Sent this album to my wife while I was in Nam "66"

@kneestothechin

8y↑34

thats bad ass bro youre the shit

@comradethoth9629

7y↑6

SHELLSHOCKNam67

Wow nam in 66? That must have been interesting.

@buffalo_love_7165

7y↑8

thanks, it sure was lol

@ataliemiller6629

7y↑5

what part? me Kong delta, central highlands, hue, you must have been in Saigon to purchase a record or around da nang

@buffalo_love_7165

7y↑5

Atalie Miller I was a LRRP I was everywhere

46 More Replies...

@freddyfudd253

2y↑8

Way back in time, at a poolside company picnic, the VERY loud juke box played this song over and over. My brothers and I were loving it but it drove my dad up the wall... :)

@gerardfoster2396

17w↑1

How are they not in the hall of fame . Literally everyone who has coveted they're songs are in it ?

@coenfilm

1y↑3

This song has been in my head for 57 years and I didn’t know Tommy James sang it!

@dieseldaddy4205

1y↑2

In 1965,,I lived 2 houses down from Tommy James..Used to sit in his moms driveway and watch them jam in his parents garage...I was 8 years old back then,,BUT,,I'll never forget those GREAT MEMORIES🥰

@Mike-jw4xh

3y↑11

remember like it was yesterday, was all over every radio station that played music in 1966

@farhanmashrur7982

Damn how old are you then? It must have been a long time

@keithbecker2412

Me and my twin were born July 19, 1966 when it was #1.

@danielburns987

6y↑17

this song went to #1 on the pop charts in 1966!!!

@lindaclarke204

5y↑23

I heard this song when my babysitter walked me to her house to swim and this was playing on her little transistor radio. She walked along, shorts-clad hips swaying. I thought she was a goddess. I wanted to be her! This song will always remind me of her!

@dubcee9181

2y↑15

Did anyone else just randomly heard this song playing in their heads or am I alone?.😂

@toddwindyhill

5y↑5

'66....17....Boston....Tooling to school and work in my '51 Dodge...save Vietnam, a great time for fun and AM-Top 40 music....memories for life.

@henrywilso3626

2y↑1

I first heard from 67 and l got my first guitar and l play this hanky's tommy song it will come back soon with rock legend

@vkom2007

31w

I moved to Canada from Russia in 1996, I was 33, 2 kids and family. Took me 3 years for emigration process. I was growing on this music!!! Beatles, Rollings, Deep Purple, they still rock!!!

@Sop-Mop

2y↑12

My grandfather was actually the drummer for this band before Tommy James signed on with the record company, not that any of you care but its very interesting hearing what should've been his drumming

@tammyabeyta9333

2y↑3

My husband found this song for me 😂😁 OMG really WOW

@timberecek9477

I was 5 and would listen to this and crimson over and over with headphones.. did know what hanky Panky was but new it was with a girl !
I’m 51 and it’s still great 👍

@bluelamp8183

28w↑1

I was 9 when this came out, and it still draws me in. Uncomplicated, but effective!

@shawnfoxfirth9684

10y↑77

this lovely little ditty was # 1 on billboards hot 100 when me Mum Concieved Me...Wonderful...

@richardranke7878

7y↑22

Your folks were doin' the Hanky-Panky,eh?(Chuckle!)

@reeree9742

7y↑7

LOL very cute

@rickvonbrook3794

6y↑4

shawn harold fox firth .

@gcrav

5y↑6

Maybe she was listening.......maybe it inspired her.

@stevehyduke275

45w↑2

Yo Mama did the Hanky Panky.

@eleanorvenskus879

3y↑41

I sing this song, people don’t know it and it still gets stuck in thier heads

@hplundholm4631

16 und wieder mal verliebt in die hübsche xxxxxxx. Es lebe die 60er...schön war die Zeit.......Danke

@Mega_Casual

5y↑25

One of the most "I feel cool" memories while in highschool was when my friend and his brother drove to my house in a convertible to head on to the Los Angles County Fair while this song was blasting out on their radio. Never will forget it. I never had another "I feel cool" memory after that but life has been good. haha

@MH-fb5kr

41w↑1

Keep that thought close..😊

@franktaconelli9095

2y↑7

great story behind this record from Tommy James’ autobio…recorded at a radio station with his high school band in Niles, MI and pressed by a local record company; it was a regional hit then died only to be resurrected a year later when some DJ found a used copy of it in Pittsburgh; the rest is history; things like that just don’t happen now in this age of instantaneous communication

@justonekissgoodnight

6y↑11

My brother Tommy sang this song in our basement when I was 6 yrs old., still remember it like it was yesterday., my memory has not failed me yet.

@brittanynorrod4161

2y↑1

My friend Joyce used to love this song when it came out

@cardealerone

49w

Rudy highlighted this song today and it was on my mind all day long

@zaltaire

7y↑295

"Turns out ... Jenny had gotten into some trouble over some photos of her in her college sweater ... and she was thrown outta school."

@chrisd7287

6y↑12

legendary film

@chrisd7287

6y↑17

greatest vietnam movie ever

"somethin' came up an' bit me!"

@andydillenger2226

5y↑5

Jesse King fucking hilarious

@zaltaire

5y↑4

@savage life ripx fuck who?

@johnkee1133

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@summerbreeze495

5y↑5

Great Throwback from back in the day. Played on the radio all the time before I started first grade. Wonderful memories....

@hsttrek1

50w↑1

A friend recently asked me "Hey man, what's a Hanky Panky?"
I said " I don't know, but my baby does it."

@MariaRodriguez-me8db

2y↑2

This song brings back adolescent memories.

@Tflexxx02

8y↑19

"I never saw her...never did I saw her!" One of my all-time favorites in lyrics.

@annetterohla8932

2y↑5

Man,Tommy mes and his bands are great,they really have had tons of favorite hits .Now I want to go hear some more.

@hermanjansen2141

4y↑1

Oude nostalgie, hoe ouder ik wordt des te meer ik ze wardeer.

@cunn9305

40w

This song was #1 in the U.S. on the week I was born .. what a riff ... thanks guys

@missAude51

2y↑4

ca a bercé mon enfance et j'ai toujours le même plaisir à l'écouter

@bro8974

5y↑12

This reminds me of summer '66, when my family moved to Tennessee from Florida. Quite an adjustment, but the high school in our town was friendlier, and I became a better student, would have been lost at Pensacola High School. Go Bradley Bears! (Cleveland, TN)

@kielerdeern3115

6y↑1

oh, fine, this song...thanks.. 👍⚓️🛳🚢

@wendyanderson9114

5y↑8

I'm only 14 years old and I absolutely Love this song. The first time I heard it was in my Nana's car. We were driving to her house and she had this song on I've loved it ever since. That was when I was 11 years old.

@dannyxcon9999

9y↑29

Forest Gump brought me here was a sound track for the movie

@natabeanz2975

SAME

@lostinmusic5431

3y↑3

One of the first song I can remember. My aunt Marianne bought the single in 1966 when I was 5..

@curhs_light

2y↑1

I’m sooooooo glad I found this 😩☺️💖

@markponn4378

4y↑2

Stuck in my head for 54 years! 😍😍😍

@NEANOR1

5y↑4

Unforgettable song. Timeless.

@peggyallman7647

3y↑4

Most popular song when I was born July 10, 1966

@duanegoin5512

4y↑7

I love the heart beat drum beat. Great song I love it.

@dianewills3454

7y↑34

My first 45 record purchased at the grocery store when I was 9 years old loved this

@erikrudolph5769

Diane Wills i had this record too when i was 9...in 1988

@raymondwagoner4896

6y↑1

Got their 331/3 Album for my 18th birthday, still like their songs..Memory for every song..

@itisonlyme1

You should be proud of yourself!

@bluesboy8237

3y↑11

A song with this sort of instrumentation could only be recorded during the 1960s.

@raymondmalcuit8361

3y↑6

This Song Went To Number 1 On The Billboard Hot-100 Chart In 1966.

@renearaujo5004

4y↑1

I just bought a Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe, this is the song I dedicated to my bike .....peace :D

@ernesttmorris7015

I’m 55 and I’ve been hearing this song as long as I can remember

@obudaifourty9

6y↑7

This song sure bring back lots of memories. It also has the hardest lyrics to remember :) Thanks for posting

@TwoWeekCowboy

Tommy had to make up some of the lyrics himself because he had only heard it being played by other bands once or twice.

@bruce92106

3y↑3

55 years ago cruising with Mom and friends to Ocean Beach in the old Country Sedan for a day of summer beach fun.

@ursulanellen9565

I am 69 Jear,s old and love Oldies to 60 Year,s to the 80 Jear,s.

@carolmcfadden2913

3y↑1

Remember this group in 1968 .Minot AFB in North Dakota..a live band did a great job on this..love it..great dance song

@77mbdeforest

5y↑73

Who's listening in 2019?

@leeseburger2937

5y↑1

Fuck off

@electric-lee144

How rude leese burger

@leeseburger2937

@@electric-lee144 I often am

@JorgeRamirez-qo5wf

Me!! Of course!!

@danz_at_db

there was an allusion to this song from Sylva Esso's song Coffee (https://genius.com/Sylvan-esso-coffee-lyrics)

3 More Replies...

@mechellemybell7300

4y↑4

To Tommy: love your music, the music helps my soul, thank God, and Alan Freed. Music is great, I miss the 60's.

@effiemcfarland6735

1y↑1

Love This Old One

@maxmason6053

6y↑14

When I picked up my date back in the early 70 's her mom used to yell out the window " No hanky panky !! "

@patricklanny7939

5y↑1

so was there?

@alpha-omega2362

5y↑1

@@patricklanny7939 then when they got home she would ask "how'd you make out?" without knowing that it meant something totally different to the teenagers at the time.. lol

@lindalovesmusic9091

😆

@debrawilliams7983

Max Mason Lol!

@starlaryer4165

3y↑4

I named a cat Hank and this was his song...I was always singing it to him

@ijustlovebritcoms

3y↑1

I have a cat too and I dedicate this song to her! It sounds like how she and I met up before I adopted her. I sing it to her and play this video for her at least a couple times a month. Not sure how much she appreciates it, though... 🐈

@donnafoster528

8y↑158

When I was young this was considered NASTY

@carroll1106

5y↑14

It was the name of a dance. The hanky panky.

@CydnotCharrise1

5y↑27

When you were young? I am 70 and this song is still "nasty" --- in a good way though. so guess I am still young! :-)

@Jleed989

5y↑13

carroll1106 what about MY DING A LING?

@deedeeweit9862

4y↑3

@@codypulley7682 very cool music

@deedeeweit9862

4y↑3

@@CydnotCharrise1 you still young every time .

8 More Replies...

@miyukifelix8077

2y↑1

How much i loved singing and dancing over this song wen i was little 😆😄🤗❤

@barbarahakimian9739

5y↑2

I love this song. but it also reminds me I am now 63 years old!!

@stupendous1068

7y↑29

Happy 70th birthday Tommy James!!!

@michaelwilks6268

3y↑3

I love this song and crimson and clover but my all time favorite song belonging to this group is Crystal Blue persuasion. I love that song it's something mystical about it. I'm African American and I only mentioned that because it goes to show you that music is universal. Especially back then there was so many monster groups producing great music from everywhere. But Crystal Blue persuasion is one of my top ten of all time right up there with the Whisper's hit Say Yes. And all the other songs that I love from the Spinners to the Beatles, the Manhattan and the Little rascals. That was what you call music, it made you feel something.

@markponn9622

23w

One of the first songs I remember liking when I was small. ❤

@joeydigrazia765

3y↑1

Oh yeah, I sang this on Karaoke night at a club in San Diego years ago.😀🥃🥂🥃♥😃

@makedaankle4689

3y↑4

that guitar part gets me everytime

@ochomarvo7189

6y↑6

Back when rock n roll was simple as it should be.

@susanhess8396

6y↑2

This song will always remain in my memory bank!!!!!!!!!!!

@tanganykiaMeriAmen6839

5y↑1

My mother name is Pankey Camble. Sunrise December 1936 Sunset April 2019. She play this song when we were kids. I think that where the name came from. :)

@GrannieLee

6y↑12

Groovy and oh so funky !! Yes.

@jackielynngordon5340

Awesome song. Great memories.

@richardwealthkim14

7y↑6

I'm good to hear in decades this song again be a dream come true and I feel alive

@colbycatton8130

4y↑2

I’m 19 and this song reminds me of a childhood I wasn’t alive to see.

@nuttismoke6863

Lawsy, did you miss out! It was the best time ever!

@colbycatton8130

@@nuttismoke6863 I know...

@misha2197

Thank you KDKA!!!!

@paquitoignacio3449

5y↑7

this one of my favorite song of the shondells.

@TwoWeekCowboy

One of my favorites. Judging from the Tom and the Tornadoes pic, this is the personnel on the record, not the later Shondells. I love that punchy, surfy tone on Hanky Panky....Fender Jazzmasters through Fender amps. Tommy, however, has said that he cringes when he hears his guitar solo on this record. He said it sounded like he played it with his thumbs, but I thought it was great!

@berwick777

4y↑6

One time on Twitter we were talking about Tommy James and I asked what a “Shondell” is. And guess who answered - Tommy James himself! That was nice of him 👍

@gabriellegallagher-mckinne435

4y↑2

Well, what did he reply?? 😘

@janiceallan8539

I'm waiting too! What is a Shondell? Maybe Tommy James will see this...hopefully x

@barbaragilbert4785

I'm 63 remember it like yesterday good old tune and dragging the line to

@johnmarinellis7987

What a nice memories.

@dizzyroyale6684

9y↑9

Another great song from Michigan!

@ellywinterquist7665

5y↑3

Love this song, good dancin music and good memories...

@donnaspencer5356

I use to sing this song as a child.

@myles-spikewebby8519

Stuck in my head after I finish watching the episode of "Roseanne" on DVD where Roseanne, Jackie, and the ladies sing it to Crystal at her bridal shower. It never gets old.