Bits and Pieces (song)

"Bits and Pieces"
Single by The Dave Clark Five
from the album Glad All Over
B-side"All of the Time"
Released14 February 1964 (UK)
20 March 1964 (US)
Recorded1963
GenrePop rock, beat
Length1:59
LabelColumbia DB 7210
Epic 5-9671
Capitol 72148 (Canada)
Songwriter(s)Credited: Dave Clark, Mike Smith
Claimed: Ron Ryan
Producer(s)Adrian Clark (pseudonym for Dave Clark and Adrian Kerridge)
The Dave Clark Five singles chronology
"Glad All Over"
(1964) 		"Bits and Pieces"
(1964) 		"Can't You See That She's Mine"
(1964)

"Bits and Pieces" is a song by British beat group The Dave Clark Five. The single hit number 2 in the UK[1] and number 4 in the US, as well as being a success in other countries. It was number 2[2] or 4[3] in Australia, number 1 in Canada[4] and Ireland, and number 4 in the Netherlands.[5] In Germany, it reached number 20.[6]

Lead vocals are sung by Mike Smith, who also co-wrote the song.

The song is in antiphonal style, with Mike Smith singing a solo line and the whole group responding. The drums have a very prominent part in the accompaniment. Additionally, some of the song's unique percussion was supplied by builder’s scaffold boards, which two of the band members (reportedly quite intoxicated)[according to whom?] stamped on, not always perfectly in time to the music.

Robert Christgau, writing in 1969, called the song "a wonderfully serviceable rock throwaway, raucous and meaningless, perfect for shouting into the night."[7] Cash Box described it as "a hard-hitting rocker that the boys pound out in a steady, heavy beat style."[8]

The song's distinct stomp-like pattern has been sampled by numerous musicians.[specify]

The Dave Clark Five performed "Bits and Pieces" in an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.[8][9]

  1. ^ "UK Official Charts: Dave Clark Five". Official Charts Company. 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  2. ^ "Australia : DC5 Hits". Thedc5.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-09. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
  3. ^ Kent, David (2009). Australian Chart Book:Australian Chart Chronicles (1940–2008). Turramurra: Australian Chart Book. p. 203. ISBN 9780646512037.
  4. ^ "CHUM Hit Parade - April 27, 1964".
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2012-07-29. Retrieved 2014-04-05.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "Jahreshitparade Deutschland 1964". Killersoft.at. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
  7. ^ "In Memory of the Dave Clark Five". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
  8. ^ a b "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. March 28, 1964. p. 8. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  9. ^ "The Ed Sullivan Show: Artists - Dave Clark Five". SOFA Entertainment. Retrieved 2022-01-27.