"Simon Says" is a bubblegum pop song written by Elliot Chiprut and originally recorded in 1967 by the 1910 Fruitgum Company, becoming their most successful chart hit.

The song was based on the children's game "Simon Says". Produced by Jerry Kasenetz, Jeffry Katz, and Chiprut, the single was issued by Buddah Records and entered the U.S. Hot 100 in January 1968, rising to No.4 on the chart. It was also a hit in the UK, where it reached No.2 on the singles chart.

It also was the title track on the first album by the 1910 Fruitgum Company.

In Italy, it was covered by the group Giuliano e i Notturni with the title "Il ballo di Simone", and charted No.3 on the Italian hit parade.Dario Salvatori. "Giuliano e i Notturni". Gino Castaldo (edited by). Dizionario della canzone italiana. Curcio Editore, 1990. pp.790-1. In 1968, French singer Claude François also had a hit with the song under the French title "Jacques a Dit". The same year, the Greek beat group The Charms recorded a Greek-language version titled "Τρελλοκόριτσο" (To Trelokoritso). Volker Rosin, a German songwriter for children's music, published another cover version with "Cowboy Joe" in 2002.

In Yugoslavia, the song was covered in 1969 by Crveni Koralji, with Serbo-Croatian lyrics and entitled "Otac je rekao".

With lyrics by Uno Asplund, Flamingokvintetten recorded the song in Swedish as "Nynna en sång" and released it as a single in 1968.

In August 1989, a version of this song sung by Elizabeth Watts was used in an episode of Playdays.

Chart history

Weekly charts 1910 Fruitgum Company Chart (1968)PeakpositionAustralia (Kent Music Report)2Canada RPM Top Singles1Italy (hitparadeitalia) (Select "68" in the "Tipo" field, enter "05.10" in the "1968" field.)1New Zealand (Listener)Flavour of New Zealand, 10 May 19684South Africa (Springbok)1Spain (Promusicae)6UK Singles Chart2U.S. Billboard Hot 100Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955–1990 - 4U.S. Cash Box Top 100Cash Box Top 100 Singles, March 16, 19682 Dickie Rock & Miami Chart (1968)Peakposition

Year-end charts Chart (1968)RankCanada20South Africa4U.S. Billboard Hot 100Musicoutfitters.com33U.S. Cash BoxCash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 28, 196824

Certifications

References