This fun cover version of a classic 1950's song was released by the band Bad Manners in July 1982. It was renamed My Girl Lollipop. The original song has been credited to Barbie Gaye as the first artist to record the song. Robert Spencer of the Doo wop group The Cadillacs write the song. Millie Small had the most popular version in 1964.
Bad Manners were a 2 Tone Ska band and were really successful in the early 80's, clocking up 111 weeks in the charts in the period 1980-83. This was a magical era for this type of music, with Madness, The Specials, The Beat and other bands all having great success with this type of music.
Bad Manners are best known for their amazing frontman, Buster Bloodvessel, real name Douglas Trendle, who was an amazing sight to behold. he was a pretty large guy, was bald (at a time when people were not!), had a disposition for sticking his tongue out and I recall wore a lot of dungarees (younger folks might need to look up what these are!). He was energetic to say the least but it really fit in with the anarchic and energetic sound. They were a firm TV favourite on Tiswas, Top Of The Pops, well at least until they got banned from the latter due to Buster's antics!
The band had been around since 1976 and, after a couple of hiccups, are back touring again.
The single reached number 9 in the UK charts. Still a great song!
Here is a great live version. They look great fun live!
And finally, here is that Millie Small song from 1964.
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