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1, 2, 3, Red Light (song)

"1, 2, 3, Red Light" is a song written by Sal Trimachi and Bobbi Trimachi and was recorded by 1910 Fruitgum Company for their 1968 album, 1, 2, 3, Red Light. The song charted highest in Canada, going to number 1 on the RPM 100 national singles chart in 1968. In the same year in the US, it went to number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was on the charts for 13 weeks.

The song went to number 2 in South Africa, number 3 on the New Zealand charts, and in Australia it reached number 7. It was named the number 39 song of 1968 on the Cashbox charts. The song was certified as a gold disc in September 1968.

Background

Bubblegum pop was marketed to preteens as the evolving genre of rock music was beginning to target older adolescents and adults with darker lyrics and heavier rhythms. The simple structure of the songs and non-political content of bubblegum pop appealed to a younger audience. Many of the songs in the bubblegum pop genre like "1, 2, 3 Red Light" were intended to be singles within the budget of that younger preteen audience. "1, 2, 3 Red Light" became one of the biggest hits of the genre.

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Cover versions

  • Ohio Express released a cover version of the song on their 1969 album, Chewy, Chewy.
  • Talking Heads played the song at some of their early shows and a live version can be found on the bootleg Gimme Heads.
  • Welsh band The Pooh Sticks covered the song in 1988 and released it on Fierce Recordings as part of a 5-disc series of one-sided seven inch singles, artistically scratched on their B sides.

References