Billboard #1 Hits: #282: ” My Ding- a- Ling”- Chuck Berry. October 21, 1972- #1 for 2 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100.
- Single:”My Ding-a-Ling”- Chuck Berry
- Record Company- Chess
- Genre: Rock. Novelty
- Written by Dave Bartholomew
- Time: 4:18
- B-side: “Johnny B. Goode {Live}
- Album- The London Chuck Berry Sessions
- Grade: F
- Peaked at #1 2 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100. #1 in UK Singles Chart, #1 in Canada and Ireland.
It is a shame that the great Chuck Berry- who had classic after classic back in the early days of rock and roll- and into the early 1960’s – would have only one hit and it would be this piece of trash. Giving it an F is only because there is no grade lower. The chart topping hits in 1972 were an impressive lot- how this one made it to #1?? I am glad that Chuck finally did get that #1 hit- but what a shame it was this. John Lennon once said that if they were to give rock and roll another name- they could call it Chuck Berry.
slicethelife 
It’s a slap in the face to Chuck Berry, you’re right.
Chuck’s defining moment in music, LOL! Until I was about 15 this was the only thing I knew by him (thus you can imagine my wonder back then when people called him an all time great!)
Ahh yes – one of those songs that got EVERYBODY onto the skate floor back in the 80’s. Maybe even the 70’s… but things were different back then.
Sometimes I guess artists release music, hoping it will sell and help pay some bills, so they can continue recording music they really want to focus on. As you say, finally the man who wrote rock & roll classics like “School Day”, “Johnny B. Goode” and “Little Queenie” had a number one.
Still, it’s quite remarkable the aforementioned songs didn’t top the Billboard Hot 100 but “My Ding-a-Ling” did. “Little Queenie” stalled at no. 80. “Roll Over Beethoven” made it to no. 29. “Too Much Monkey Business” didn’t chart at all – nuts!
I mostly remember this novelty song by hearing it played often on the Doctor Demento Show.
Doctor Demento- I wonder if he is still around?
He’s online at DrDemento.com
Thanks will have to check it out!
Chuck making a buck.
It’s a ridiculous song but, I didn’t know it made #1.