Short Shorts Explained

Short Shorts
Cover:The Royal Teens – Short Shorts.jpeg
Type:single
Artist:The Royal Teens
B-Side:Planet Rock
Genre:Rock and roll
Label:ABC-Paramount
Next Title:Sham Rock
Next Year:1958

"Short Shorts" is a song written and performed by Tom Austin, Bill Crandell, Bill Dalton, and Bob Gaudio, members of The Royal Teens. It reached #2 on the U.S. R&B chart and #3 on the U.S. pop chart in 1958.[1] The group originally released the track on the small New York label Power Records in 1957.

In an interview with Newsweek, Dalton explained how the song came to be written: "We were practicing one night at my house, and one guy started putting some notes together. Another guy picked it up and added some more. Before we knew it we had a tune. During the next three weeks we added and changed and polished until we had it the way we wanted it. Later, the four of us were riding down the street in Bergenfield ... It was a warm day and we saw this girl in shorts walking down the street. That gave us the idea for the lyrics."[2]

The record ranked #35 on Billboard's Year-End top 50 singles of 1958.[3]

Other charting versions

Other versions

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Royal Teens, "Short Shorts" Chart Positions. Musicvf.com. August 13, 2018.
  2. "To the Tune of Millions," Newsweek, March 31, 1958
  3. "Chart Toppers of 1958" Billboard December 15, 1958: p. 44
  4. Web site: The Salsoul Orchestra, "Short Shorts" Chart Position. Musicvf.com. August 13, 2018.
  5. Web site: Tiny Bradshaw and His Orchestra, "Short Shorts" Single Release. 45cat.com. August 13, 2018.
  6. Web site: Tommy Sands, Sands at the Sands. Discogs.com. 1960 . August 13, 2018.
  7. Web site: Freddie and the Dreamers, Frantic Freddie. Discogs.com. 1965 . August 13, 2018.
  8. Web site: Who Wears #ThrowbackThursday Shorts?. Allison L.. Venezio-Preston. Allisonveneziowrites.com. July 23, 2020. April 28, 2021.
  9. Web site: Jersey Boys 2005 Broadway Cast, Jersey Boys (Original Broadway Cast Recording). Discogs.com. November 2005 . August 13, 2018.
  10. Web site: Who wears short shorts,Joe wears short shorts!. April 28, 2021. YouTube.