&sq=&lang=&file=File:Question_book-new.svg){kind=small} | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2008) |
| "Little Star" | |
|---|---|
| Single by The Elegants | |
| B-side | "Getting Dizzy" |
| Released | 1958 |
| Genre | |
| Length | 2:42 |
| Label | Apt |
| Songwriter(s) | Vito Picone, Arthur Venosa |
"Little Star" is a song recorded by The Elegants. Members Vito Picone and Arthur Venosa co-wrote the lyrics. The music was adapted from "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star".[3] When released as a single in 1958, it topped both the R&B Best Sellers list and the Billboard Hot 100;[4] however, it was the only song that ever charted for The Elegants. Reportedly, the Elegants refused to pay payola to a prominent New York disc jockey, which inhibited air play of their follow up recordings.[citation needed]
"Little Star" remains one of the most popular examples of doo-wop music. Phil Spector described it as an "awful good record".[3] Other artists to record this song include Dion (Runaround Sue), Randy & the Rainbows, The Slades, Vera Lynn, Linda Scott and Bobby Vee.
A small portion of the song was performed by Paul Simon as part of the 1989 Dion song "Written on the Subway Wall."
- ^ Marsh, Dave (1989). The Heart of Rock & Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. Plume. p. 100. ISBN 0-452-26305-0.
- ^ a b Breihan, Tom (January 18, 2018). "The Number Ones: The Elegants' "Little Star"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
It's also not especially well-suited to becoming a pop song. But the Elegants built on its familiarity...There are plenty of better doo-wop songs, but there are plenty of worse ones, too.
- ^ a b Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 14 - Big Rock Candy Mountain: Phil Spector & Frank Zappa review the '50s" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 184.