Ready Teddy by Little Richard

Album: Here's Little Richard (1956)

Charted: 44

Get the Sheet Music License This Song

Released as the flip side to "Rip It Up," this song was also written by the white songwriter Johnny Marascalco, with Little Richard's producer Bumps Blackwell also getting a composer credit. Kids didn't tell their parents, but the song is about a girl who wants sex: a "ready teddy."
Little Richard claims that he had a big part in writing this song, but didn't have enough business sense to claim a credit. In a 1970 interview with Rolling Stone, he said: "They brought me the words and I made up the melody, and at the time I didn't have sense enough to claim so much money, because I really made them hits. I didn't get the money, but I still have the freedom."

Please sign in or register to post comments.

Comments: 2

Raunchy from Tulsa, OkLittle Richard released many singles during just his career at Specialty Records & during that time sold approx. 36 million units. Remarkable for those times. Back in '56, as a kid, I didn't have an inking what a ready teddy meant, until much later. Sex, sex, sex. And as the old adage goes: sex sells. Little Richard injected it into most of his hits, especially "The Girl Can't Help It!" and "Good Golly Miss Molly." Yeah.....you sure like to ball. "Ready Teddy" was a hotty on the R&B radio stations down here in '56. Being a kid then, I wasn't allowed to have a record player or records. But when all heck broke loose in 1960 with The Twist, my parents just gave up fighting against rock & roll. So I got my new record player & I hunted down old albums of Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, and Bo Diddley. Real rock & roll.
Elmer H from Westville, OkWow! Little Richard's "Rip It Up" and "Ready Teddy" do bring back good memories of 1956 when rock-n-roll was young. I was just a 9 year old kid in 1956 & had recently gotten hooked on rock-n-roll on the radio and on "American Bandstand." Just a few years ago, I was fortunate to see Little Richard in concert in Fayetteville, Arkansas and was blown-away by his charisma on stage and his sound. He's still "got it!" Wow!!

see more comments

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

"Private Eyes" - The Story Behind the SongSong Writing

How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.