10 Bizarre Songs Which Prove That The 1950s Were Crazier Than You Think

Falling firmly into the novelty-records camp, there can't be many people over 40 who haven't heard this simple but ever-so-catchy children's song in one form or another. Written and recorded by the Southlanders, a British/Jamaican group who formed in the early '50s, the much-quoted hook-line was sung by Harry Wilmot, father of popular British TV presenter Gary Wilmot. This is the original and still the strangest version out there.

Southlander Vernon Nesbith estimates he must have sung this song over 20,000 times, even recording a special Japanese version. Vernon, a Jamaican native, first came to Britain after winning a local talent contest and formed the quartet in 1953, after being asked to record an album of Jamaican songs.

Their first single, Earth Angel, was produced by George Martin, who later, of course, went on to bigger things with the Beatles. I could have just as easily picked the singles original funky A-side, Choo-choo-choo cha-cha-cha, which is also worth checking out for it's simulated horn sound and its strangely hypnotic minimalist 'lyrics'.