About The Song

“Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” is a novelty song released in June 1960 by Brian Hyland, with lyrics by Paul Vance and music by Lee Pockriss. Brian Hyland, who recorded the song, was only 16 years old and a high school sophomore at the time. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in August 1960, maintaining its position for one week.

The song narrates the story of a shy girl who is hesitant to come out of the locker room at the beach while wearing a revealing polka dot bikini. Paul Vance was inspired to write the song after observing his two-year-old daughter, Paula, at the beach in her new bikini. “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” remains a classic tune, evoking nostalgia for the carefree spirit of the early 1960s.

Video

Lyrics

Bop bop bop bop bopopopopopopop

She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was as nervous as she could be
She was afraid to come out of the locker
She was afraid that somebody would see

Two three four tell the people what she wore

It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini
So in the locker, she wanted to stay

Two three four stick around we’ll tell you more

Bop bop bop bop bopopopopopopop

She was afraid to come out in the open (badadup)
So a blanket around her she wore (badadup)
She was afraid to come out in the open (badadup)
So she sat, bundled up on the shore (badadup)

Two three four tell the people what she wore

It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini
So in the blanket, she wanted to stay

Two three four the stick around we’ll tell you more

Bop bop bop bop bopopopopopopop

Now she’s afraid to come out of the water
And I wonder what she’s gonna do
Now she’s afraid to come out of the water
And the poor little girl’s turning blue

Two three four tell the people what she wore

It was an itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini
That she wore for the first time today
An itsy bitsy teenie weenie yellow polka dot bikini
So in the water, she wanted to stay

From the locker to the blanket
From the blanket to the shore
From the shore to the water
Guess there isn’t any more