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1-2-3 (Len Barry song)

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For other songs, see 1-2-3.

"1-2-3"
Single by Len Barry
from the album 1-2-3
B-side"Bullseye"
ReleasedOctober 1965
Genre
Length2:24
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • John Madara
  • David White
Len Barry singles chronology
"Lip Sync (To the Tongue Twisters)"
(1965) 		"1-2-3"
(1965) 		"Like a Baby"
(1966)
Licensed audio
"1-2-3" on YouTube

"1-2-3" is a 1965 song recorded by American blue-eyed soul singer Len Barry, who co-wrote it with John Madara and David White (the latter two produced the recording). The recording's chorus and accompaniment were arranged by Jimmy Wisner. The single was released in 1965 on the American Decca label.[1] The writers were sued by Motown at the time, claiming that the song is a reworking of Holland–Dozier–Holland's "Ask Any Girl" released by the Supremes as the B-side to their single "Baby Love" the year before. They denied the claim, but after two years of litigation, agreed to give the Motown writers 15% of the song's writing and publishing royalties.[2] Holland–Dozier–Holland are listed as co-authors by BMI.[3]

The personnel on the original recording included Vinnie Bell, Bobby Eli, and Sal DiTroia on guitars; Joe Macho on bass; Artie Butler on percussion; Leon Huff on piano; Artie Kaplan on sax; Bill Tole and Roswell Rudd on trombones; Lee Morgan on trumpet; Fred Hubbard on clarinet; and Bobby Gregg on drums.[4]

"1-2-3" reached number 2 in the US Billboard chart ("I Hear a Symphony" by the Supremes kept it from the number 1 spot).[5] "1-2-3" also went to number 11 on the Billboard R&B chart.[6] Overseas, the song peaked at number 3 on the UK Singles Chart.[7] In addition, it was also a Top 10 hit in Ireland, where it went to number 8.[8] It sold over 1.75 million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[9]

Charts

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Chart performance for "1-2-3"
Chart (1965–1966) Peak
position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[10] 3
France (IFOP)[11] 40
Ireland (IRMA)[12] 8
New Zealand (Lever Hit Parade)[13] 6
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[14] 4
UK (NME)[15] 1
UK (Record Retailer)[16] 3
US Billboard Hot 100[5] 2
US Cash Box Top 100[17] 1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[6] 11

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Decca 31827". 45cat.com. 31 July 1965. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  2. ^ "1 - 2 - 3". Songfacts.com. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  3. ^ "1-2-3". Repertoire.bmi.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2015.
  4. ^ "Soulful Detroit: Happy Birthday Len Barry". soulfuldetroit.com.
  5. ^ a b "Billboard Hot 100 – Week of November 20, 1965". Billboard. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  6. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–2004. Record Research. p. 49.
  7. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 43. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  8. ^ "Irish charts archive – Len Barry". IRMA. Retrieved 9 January 2020.
  9. ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 186. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  10. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 5629." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  11. ^ "Toutes les Chansons N° 1 des Années 70" (in French). InfoDisc. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
  12. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Len Barry". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  13. ^ "Flavour of New Zealand – search lever". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  14. ^ "SA Charts 1969–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts B". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Retrieved 1 September 2018.
  15. ^ Rees, Dafydd; Lazell, Barry; Osborne, Roger (1995). Forty Years of "NME" Charts (2nd ed.). Pan Macmillan. p. 160. ISBN 0-7522-0829-2.
  16. ^ "Artist Chart History Details: Len Barry". The Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. Retrieved 8 August 2010.
  17. ^ "Cash Box Top 100" (PDF). Cash Box. 27 November 1965. p. 4. Retrieved 24 January 2025.
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