Ya Ya

Album: Ya Ya (1961)
Charted: 7
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Although Lee Dorsay cut several records for local labels in the 1950s, success eluded him until 1961, when he ran into future New Orleans music legend Allen Toussaint at a party. Toussaint convinced him to record for the New Orleans-based Fury label, and the first song Lee presented to him - fashioned after a children's rhyme he'd heard in the street - was "Ya Ya," which eventually became an international hit. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Bertrand - Paris, France
  • In 1962, Petula Clark covered this as "Ya Ya Twist."

Comments: 1

  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 22nd 1961, Lee Dorsey performed "Ya-Ya" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    Eleven days earlier on September 11th, 1961 it entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 at position #95; and on October 30th, 1961 it peaked at #7 {for 1 week} and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
    The week it peaked at #7 on the Top 100 it reached #1 {for 1 week} on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    Between 1961 and 1969 he had nine Top 100 records; with two making the Top 10, his other Top 10 record was "Working in the Coal Mine" {it peaked at #8 for 2 weeks on August 28th, 1966}...
    Irving Lee Dorsey passed away on December 1st, 1986 at the young age of 61...
    May he R.I.P.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Tanita Tikaram

Tanita TikaramSongwriter Interviews

When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.

Protest Songs

Protest SongsMusic Quiz

How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.

Gary Numan

Gary NumanSongwriter Interviews

An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.

In The Cards

In The CardsSong Writing

Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.