Pony Time
Chubby Checker's second US No. 1, following "The Twist."
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"Pony Time" is a song written by Don Covay and John Berry, a member of Covay's earlier vocal group, the Rainbows. It was originally recorded in 1960 by Covay with his group the Goodtimers. The song achieved greater success when it was recorded by Chubby Checker the following year, becoming his second US No. 1 (after his 1960 single "The Twist").
Chubby Checker's recording of "Pony Time" was also a No. 1 hit on the R&B charts. In Canada it reached No. 5. The song introduced a new dance style, the Pony, in which the dancer tries to look as if riding a horse.
In popular culture
The Pony dance, which mimics riding a horse, was introduced in the song "Back to the Hop" (1961) by Danny and the Juniors, later featured in the 1988 film Hairspray. Dancers keep feet together, moving to a 1&2, 3&4 beat with various arm motions; couples face each other without touching and can turn or chase. The dance appears in songs by Wilson Pickett, Nick Lowe, and The Go-Go's. Cindy Wilson of The B-52's performs the Pony in the video for "Give Me Back My Man" and in other 1978–1980 performances, with the band in early '60s-style outfits and hairstyles.
Did You Know?
- The lyrics reverse the Gee and Haw commands: in use by horsemen for centuries, gee was right and haw was left.
- The phrase "Boogety Shoe" was used in Barry Mann's hit song "Who Put the Bomp (in the Bomp, Bomp, Bomp)" (1961).
- Cindy Wilson of The B-52's performed the Pony in the video for "Give Me Back My Man" and in their 1980 appearance on Saturday Night Live, wearing early '60s-style outfits and hairstyles.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Pony Time released?
Pony Time was released in January 1961.
Which label released Pony Time?
Pony Time was released by Parkway 818.
More in Cameo-Parkway Records Singles
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Pony Time (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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