Pat Boone – Speedy Gonzales
“Speedy Gonzales” is a song written by Buddy Kaye, Ethel Lee, and David Hess, and originally recorded by the Mexican-American singer and actor, Domingo “Don” Cherry in 1961. It was popularized in the United States as a 1962 single by Pat Boone. The song reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1962 during a total chart run of 13 weeks, doing better in many national charts in Europe, where it sold a million copies. The female voice (“La-la-la…”) on this song was of Robin Ward. It also incorporated Mel Blanc voicing Speedy Gonzales as he did in the Warner Brothers cartoons. Dante’s version details a demand from a girl named Consuela to Speedy to stop roving about and take care of his neglected household. Boone’s song adds a spoken introduction stating that he was wandering between some old adobe haciendas on a moonlit night in Mexico, where he heard the voice of a Mexican girl calling to Speedy, and Mel Blanc’s inserts replace a recurring line from Dante’s lyrics. Warner Bros. Records issued the song on 45 rpm with the catalogue number 45-107, with “The Locket” as its B-side.
Background and composition
“Speedy Gonzales” was written in 1961 by Buddy Kaye, Ethel Lee, and David Hess. The song is a novelty song about a Mexican mouse named Speedy Gonzales who is known for his speed. The song’s lyrics are full of humor and energy, and they perfectly capture the character of Speedy Gonzales.
Recording and production
Pat Boone’s version of “Speedy Gonzales” was recorded in 1962 at the Dot Records studio in Hollywood, California. The song was produced by Randy Wood.
The recording features Pat Boone on vocals. Boone’s vocals are clear and expressive, and he perfectly captures the fun and excitement of the song. The song’s instrumentation is simple, yet effective, with a driving beat and a catchy melody.
Video
“Speedy Gonzales” is a fun and catchy song that will be enjoyed by generations to come.
Here are some additional details about the song:
- The song was written by Buddy Kaye, Ethel Lee, and David Hess.
- It was originally recorded by Domingo “Don” Cherry in 1961.
- Pat Boone’s version of the song was released in 1962.
- The song reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.
- “Speedy Gonzales” has been covered by many artists, including The Beatles, The Beach Boys, and Los Lobos.