"Go, Jimmy, Go" is a song written by

Doc Pomus Jerome Solon Felder (June 27, 1925 – March 14, 1991), known professionally as Doc Pomus, was an American blues singer and songwriter. He is best known as the co-writer of many rock and roll hits. Pomus was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hal ...

and

Mort Shuman Mortimer Shuman (12 November 1938 – 2 November 1991) was an American singer, pianist and songwriter, best known as co-writer of many 1960s rock and roll hits, including " Viva Las Vegas". He also wrote and sang many songs in French, such as ...

and performed by Jimmy Clanton. It reached #5 on the U.S. pop chart on July 12, 1959, #19 on the U.S. R&B chart, and #1 in

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

. It was featured on Clanton's 1961 album ''My Best to You''. The song ranked #33 on ''Billboard'' magazine's Top 100 singles of 1960.

Production

and

originally wrote a song titled "Go, Bobby, Go" for

Bobby Rydell Robert Louis Ridarelli (April 26, 1942 – April 5, 2022), known by the stage name Bobby Rydell (), was an American singer and actor who mainly performed rock and roll and traditional pop music. In the early 1960s, he was considered a teen idol. ...

who sang it "half-heartedly" due to not being interested in singing a song with his name in it. Rydell did record the song, but he did not release it. Pomus later rode in a taxi to Fox Theater in Brooklyn where a rock and roll show with

Alan Freed Albert James "Alan" Freed (December 15, 1921 – January 20, 1965) was an American disc jockey. He also produced and promoted large traveling concerts with various acts, helping to spread the importance of rock and roll music throughout Nor ...

was happening, where he offered the song to Jimmy Clanton while he was backstage. Pomus changed the title to "Go, Jimmy, Go" and said that the song was written for Clanton. Wayne Harada wrote in ''

The Honolulu Advertiser ''The Honolulu Advertiser'' was a daily newspaper published in Honolulu, Hawaii. At the time publication ceased on June 6, 2010, it was the largest daily newspaper in Hawaii. It published daily with special Sunday and Internet editions. ''The ...

'' that the song is "one of the few upbeat tunes in Jim's repertoire."

Reception

A ''Billboard'' review said, "Go, Jimmy, Go" is a swinging side that that finds Clanton in fine form. The rocker has lots to attract teens, and the side appears a likely winner." Charles J. Schreiber wrote a negative review in '' The Gazette'' stating, "Although Jimmy can do better, this will still be a big hit. His public doesn't care so long as Jimmy sings." In November 1959, Clanton told the '' Hawaii Tribune-Herald'' that "his most recent release, "Go, Jimmy, Go", has given indications on the Mainland of being a potential hit." The title of the 1959 musical comedy film '' Go, Johnny, Go!'' was inspired by the song's title.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Go, Jimmy, Go 1959 songs 1959 singles Jimmy Clanton songs Songs with lyrics by Doc Pomus Songs with music by Mort Shuman Number-one singles in Canada Ace Records (United States) singles