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This song was written by Soul singer Shirley Ellis and her manager, Lincoln Chase. In it Shirley proves that she can rhyme any name using just a few simple rules ("Shirley - Shirley, Shirley bo Birley Bonana fanna fo Firley Fee fy mo Mirley, Shirley!"). Shirley used to amaze audiences by taking name game requests. Shirley usually had the good sense to ignore requests for "Chuck."

Ellis had another novelty hit a few months later with 'The Clapping Song,' which had a similar theme. (thanks, Martijn - Helmond, Netherlands, for above 2)

This song was also known as the "Banana Song." Shirley said for a magazine interview that this song was based on a children's game she used to play.

This has been featured on several movies including Flawless and The Money Pit. (thanks, Daniel - Salem, OR, for above 2)

Comments:

Shirley Ellis and Lincoln Chase are married. They also wrote "The Nitty Gritty".
- Don Ludden, Lincoln, NE

Rumplestiltskin!!!!
- Madison, Norway, ME

She would probably deny resquests for Tucker as well.
- Mary, Jackson, TN

This is my pick as the number 1 worst song of all time. Every time I hear it, my blood pressure goes through the roof. Who ever wrote this had to have been on a regemine of serious narcotics, and Ellis, why the hell she ever recorded it is WAAAAYYYY beond me.
- Howard, Minneapolis, MN

Oops. I mean who ever financed it had to have been on narcotics. Ellis wrote and recorded it.
- Howard, Minneapolis, MN

Hello, my name is Jake. Jake, Jake Bo Bake, Bonanna Fanna Fo Fake, Fee Fi Mo Make, Jake!
- jake, burke, VA

Here's what it would be if my daughter's name was Taylor. ... Taylor taylor bo Baylor, Bonana Fanna Fo Faylor, Fee Fi Mo Maylor ... Tay-lor!
- Annabelle, Eugene, OR

Would she take requests for Mitch?
- Joshua, Twin Cities, MN

Why in the world would Shirley Shirley Bo Birley ignore requests for Chuck? Would she get a bad reaction?
- Annabelle, Eugene, OR

Here's what it would be if my daughter's name was River. ... River River bo Biver, Bonana Fanna Fo Fiver, Fee Fi Mo Miver ... Ri-ver!
- Annabelle, Eugene, OR