The Meaning Behind The Song: Clapping Song by Shirley Ellis - Beat Crave (2024)

The Meaning Behind The Song: Clapping Song by Shirley Ellis

Shirley Ellis was an American soul music singer and songwriter in the 1960s. The Clapping Song was one of her biggest hits. The song was released in 1965 and was written by Lincoln Chase. It is a popular playground game that makes use of handclapping and a rhyming song, often played by children. The song was also used in television shows and movies such as The Cosby Show, The Wayans Bros, and Disney’s Herbie Fully Loaded.

Table of Contents

The Lyrics and Message of the Song

The Clapping Song has a catchy tune and simple lyrics that are easy to remember. The song starts with the lyrics, “Three-six-nine, the goose drank wine, The monkey chewed tobacco on the streetcar line”, which is repeated several times throughout the song. The song’s message is simple – it’s a fun song to sing and dance to.

The Cultural Significance of the Song

The Clapping Song has cultural significance and has been passed down from generation to generation. It is a traditional game that is still played in playgrounds across the world. The song contains rhyming lyrics that help children develop language skills and strengthen their memory. Additionally, the handclapping in the song helps improve motor skills and coordination.

The Evolution of Hand-Clapping Games

Handclapping games have been around for centuries. They have evolved from simple repetitive patterns to complex routines that require specific hand movements. Hand-clapping games have been played in schools, playgrounds, and at home, becoming a cultural tradition passed down through generations. In the 1960s, with the emergence of soul music, handclapping games became more popular and were incorporated into songs like The Clapping Song.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q1. What is the cultural significance of The Clapping Song?

The Clapping Song is a traditional track that has been passed down from generation to generation. It is a popular hand-clapping game that’s played in playgrounds across the world, strengthening children’s memory and motor skills.

Q2. What is the message behind the lyrics of The Clapping Song?

The lyrics of The Clapping Song are simple and straightforward. It’s a fun song that encourages singing and dancing without any deeper meaning.

Q3. Who wrote The Clapping Song?

The Clapping Song was written by Lincoln Chase and released by Shirley Ellis in 1965.

Q4. What makes The Clapping Song unique?

The Clapping Song is unique because it incorporates handclapping and singing, making it a fun and entertaining song that’s easy to learn and participate in.

Q5. What inspired Shirley Ellis to sing The Clapping Song?

Shirley Ellis was inspired to sing The Clapping Song because of the song’s unique and catchy tune, which she believed would appeal to a wide audience.

Q6. Are there any other songs similar to The Clapping Song?

There are many other songs that incorporate handclapping, such as Miss Mary Mack, Double Dutch Bus, and Down by the Bay.

Q7. What is the history of handclapping games?

Handclapping games have been around for centuries and have evolved from simple repetitive patterns to complex routines. The games have been played in schools, playgrounds, and at home, becoming a cultural tradition passed down through generations.

Q8. Did The Clapping Song influence other songs in the 1960s?

The Clapping Song was a popular hit in the 1960s and played a significant role in the emergence of soul music.

Q9. Can The Clapping Song be used as an educational tool?

Yes, The Clapping Song can be used as an educational tool to improve memory, motor skills, and coordination.

Q10. Has The Clapping Song been covered by any other musicians?

The Clapping Song has been covered by several other musicians, including Belle Perez, Queen Latifah, and The Belle Stars.

Q11. What is the meaning behind the lyrics “Three-six-nine, the goose drank wine, The monkey chewed tobacco on the streetcar line”?

The lyrics rhyme and don’t have a deeper meaning. They are just a fun and catchy tune to sing and dance to.

Q12. What is the significance of incorporating hand-clapping in songs?

Incorporating handclapping in songs makes them more interactive and entertaining. The rhythm and beat created by the handclapping add to the overall effect of the song and make it more fun and engaging for listeners.

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The Meaning Behind The Song: Clapping Song by Shirley Ellis - Beat Crave (2024)

FAQs

What movie has the clapping song in it? ›

"The Clapping Song" has been featured in the soundtracks of the movies Scratch, Because of Winn-Dixie, Private Life, Stuber, Poms, All Together Now, Ghostbusters: Afterlife. and Maestro. In Flatliners, the song is sung by children on the playground.

What movie is the clapping song in Netflix? ›

All Together Now (2020) - IMDb.

How old is the clapping song? ›

Singles
YearSingleRelease date
1965"The Clapping Song (Clap Pat Clap Slap)"March 10, 1965
"The Puzzle Song (A Puzzle in Song)"/"I See It, I Like It, I Want It" (B-side)May 15, 1965
"I Will Never Forget"July 3, 1965
13 more rows

Who sings the clap clap song? ›

"Clap Clap" is a song by Romanian duo Gran Error, Albanian singer Elvana Gjata and Romanian singer Antonia. The song was produced by Achi, Marcel Botezan and Sebastian Barac, who served as co-writers with Iraida. It was released as a single for digital download and streaming by Global Records on 8 July 2022.

What is the clapping song in all together now? ›

What songs are on the 'All Together Now' Netflix soundtrack? 'Feels like Home' is the only original song, but there's a great selection of other bops, including 'The Clapping Song (Clap Pat Clap Slap)' by Shirley Ellis, which the millennials among you might remember from long school bus trips.

What scary movie has the clapping hands? ›

The Hand Clap Scene from 'The Conjuring' is arguably one of the best scares in a Horror Movie!

What is the deaf horror movie on Netflix? ›

A deaf and mute writer who retreated into the woods to live a solitary life must fight for her life in silence when a masked killer appears at her window.

What movie is the clapping monkey in? ›

The Jolly Chimp has appeared in the opening scene of Rebel Without a Cause in 1955, 1977 Steven Spielberg film Close Encounters of the Third Kind, season 1, episode 1 (pilot) of the 1981 TV show The Greatest American Hero , the 1988 horror film Monkey Shines, the 1996 film Merlin's Shop of Mystical Wonders (derived ...

Who sang the clapping song in the 80s? ›

THE BELLE STARS - The Clapping Song (1982) | THE BELLE STARS - The Clapping Song (1982) | By You're My Obsession - My 80s FanpageFacebook.

What does clap mean to a girl? ›

“The clap” is a slang term for gonorrhea. People also call gonorrhea, “the drip.” These words can stigmatize and shame someone for having an STD. Gonorrhea is very common and treatable. It's spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

What other songs did Shirley Ellis sing? ›

Shirley Ellis
The Clapping Song (Clap Pat Clap Slap) Congress 1965The Clapping Song (Clap Pat Clap Slap) 17 versions1965
You Better Be Good, World Congress 1965You Better Be Good, World 4 versions1965
The Clapping Song (7", EP) Kapp Records KEV 13018 1965The Clapping Song (7", EP)1965
18 more rows

Who sampled the clapping song? ›

Tom Waits's 'Clap Hands' sample of Shirley Ellis's 'The Clapping Song'

What movie is Shia Labeouf clapping in? ›

I was calling cues to my gaffer over the walkie once I wanted the lighting to change to cue Shia to stop clapping a la Citizen Kane. For audio, the only sound recorded on the day was Shia's clapping.

What movie has the slow clap? ›

'Lucas' at 35: The 'sweet movie' that launched careers and introduced the slow clap. This charming film left its imprint for years to come, in so many ways. You gotta start somewhere and, for several stars, there was no better place to do so than the 1986 teen film “Lucas.”

What movie has the song new slang in it? ›

"New Slang" achieved a new level of cultural significance when it was prominently featured in the film Garden State (2004). In a scene from the film, Sam (portrayed by Natalie Portman) tells Andrew Largeman (played by Zach Braff) that the song "will change your life."

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