OH, CAROL!
“Oh! Carol” is an international hit written by Neil Sedaka in 1958. The song was co-written with Howard Greenfield. The song reached #9 in the American charts in 1959. It also earned Sedaka his first #1 ranking when it went to #1 on the Italian charts for four weeks in January 1960. After release of the single, it was included in the album Neil Sedaka Sings Little Devil and His Other Hits. The song is noted for Sedaka’s spoken recitation of the verse, the second time around. (More from Wikipedia)
Ritchie Valens’ follow-up single, “Donna” was completely different and became a bonafide hit, peaking at #2 on the charts at the end of 1958. “Donna” inspired a host of other songs addressed to female loves, most directly Dion’s “Donna the Prima Donna” (Dion and the Belmonts were also along on the Winter Dance Party), but also Neil Sedaka’s “Oh, Carol!” and “Denise” by Randy and the Rainbows (later covered by Blondie as “Denis”).
(June 2013/1)
