| "Grandad" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Clive Dunn | |
| B-side | "I Play the Spoons" |
| Released | 10 November 1970 |
| Genre | Novelty, children’s music |
| Label | EMI Columbia |
| Songwriter(s) | Herbie Flowers, Kenny Pickett |
| Producer(s) | Peter Dulay, Ray Cameron |
"Grandad" is a song written by Herbie Flowers and Kenny Pickett, and recorded by Clive Dunn.
While starring in the long-running BBC situation comedy Dad's Army, Dunn met bassist Herbie Flowers (later of Sky) at a party and on learning he was a songwriter challenged him to write a song for him. Flowers wrote "Grandad" with Creation vocalist Kenny Pickett.[1][unreliable source?]
The song was released as a single in November 1970,[2] and, aided by promotion such as appearing on children's shows such as Basil Brush and DJ Tony Blackburn claiming it as his favourite record, in January 1971 reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart for three weeks,[3][4] during which time Dunn celebrated his 51st birthday, and went on to spend a total of 27 weeks on the chart.[3] Dunn never had another hit single, but he did release an album that featured "Grandad" and its B-side "I Play the Spoons", titled Permission to Sing Sir!
From 1979 to 1984, Dunn starred as Charlie "Grandad" Quick in a children's television show titled Grandad,[5] although the series did not use the song as the theme tune.
References
- ^ "Grandad by Clive Dunn". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ "Timeline". 1. Episode 7. 17 July 2014. Challenge.
- ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 172. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ "1971 The Number One Albums". Official Charts. Archived from the original on 13 January 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
- ^ Grandad (TV series 1979-1984) at IMDb
