Rag Mop

The Ames Brothers

About Rag Mop

"Rag Mop" was a popular American song of the late 1940s-early 1950s. The song, a 12-bar blues, was written by Tulsa Western Swing bandleader Johnnie Lee Wills and steel guitarist Deacon Anderson and published in 1949. Considered a novelty song, the lyrics consisted mostly of spelling out the title of the song; because of the spelling used in the song, it is sometimes referred to as "Ragg Mopp". While Johnnie Lee Wills and his band recorded it for Bullet Records in 1950, the most popular version of this song was recorded by The Ames Brothers, and released by Coral Records as catalog number 60140. The song was part of a double-sided hit; the flip side was "Sentimental Me." The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on January 6, 1950 and lasted 14 weeks on the chart, peaking at #1. The song was re-released in 1951 by Coral as catalog № 60397, with the flip side "Hoop-Dee-Doo". The group re-recorded the song several times. The 1950 recording is considered an example of proto-rock and roll as it contained elements that would later go into the defining of the genre. 


Year:
1958
3,151 
#8

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M
I say M-O
M-O-P
M-O-P-P
Mop
M-O-P-P  
Mop Mop Mop Mop

R
I say R-A
R-A-G
R-A-G-G
Rag
R-A-G-G  M-O-P-P
Rag Mop

Doo-doo-doo-DAH-dee-ah-dah
Rag Mop
Doo-doo-doo-DAH-dee-ah-dah
Rag Mop
Doo-doo-doo-DAH-dee-ah-dah
Rag Mop
Doo-doo-doo-DAH-dee-ah-dah
Rag Mop
Doo-doo-doo-DAH-dee-ah-dah
R-A-G-G  M-O-P-P
Rag Mop!

A
I say A-B
A-B-C
A-B-C-D
A-B-C-D-E
A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H

I 
I say M-O
M-O-P
M-O-P-P
Mop
M-O-P-P
Mop Mop Mop Mop

R
I say R-A
R-A-G
R-A-G-G
Rag
R-A-G-G  M-O-P-P
Rag Mop

Doo-doo-doo-DAH-dee-ah-dah
Rag Mop
Doo-doo-doo-DAH-dee-ah-dah
Rag Mop
Doo-doo-doo-DAH-dee-ah-dah
Rag Mop
Doo-doo-doo-DAH-dee-ah-dah
Rag Mop
Doo-doo-doo-DAH-dee-ah-dah
R-A-G-G  M-O-P-P
Rag Mop!

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The Ames Brothers

The Ames Brothers were a singing quartet, consisting of four siblings from Malden, Massachusetts, who were particularly famous in the 1950s for their traditional pop music hits. more »

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Written by: DEACON ANDERSON, JOHNNIE LEE WILLS

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release & Success
"Rag Mop" was released in 1950 and became a huge hit. The song topped the Best Seller chart and the Disc Jockeys chart.
Creators
It was written by Johnny Lee Wills, an American Western swing fiddler, and Deacon Anderson, a broadcaster and avid collector of cowboy songs.
The Ames Brothers Version
The Ames Brothers, a four-person American singing group, also recorded "Rag Mop" in 1950. Their version was also a hit, reaching number one on the Billboard charts in 1950.
The Song's Style
"Rag Mop" is a novelty song, known for its playful and catchy tune. It's often classified as a rasteri song, a term for songs that spell out lyrics, as the song spells out "R-A-G-G M-O-P-P Rag Mop!"
Song Concept
The song is essentially about a mop, but it’s not a metaphor or a commentary. It’s just meant to be a fun, catchy song that was made during a time when novelty tunes were quite popular.
Cultural Influence
Besides its success in the chart, the song has been featured in several films and TV shows as a way to evoke the era it was made in.
Other Noteworthy Covers
Numerous other musicians have since covered "Rag Mop," including country singer Lionel Cartwright and the 70s rock band The Sensational Alex Harvey Band. Another memorable cover of "Rag Mop" was done by the animated character "Big Bird" from Sesame Street in 1976.
Adaptations
The song also became the basis for an animated short film in 1950, featuring singing tuning forks and other musical instruments, which spelled out the song's title.
Legacy
Both versions of "Rag Mop" by Johnnie Lee Wills and The Ames Brothers are remembered as classic tunes of the 1950s. Despite being known as a novelty song, it has remained popular over the years and continues to be a favorite among fans of vintage music.
Billboard charts
The version by The Ames Brothers stayed number 1 for four weeks each on the Billboard's Best Seller and Disc Jockey charts and remained in these charts for 13 and 14 weeks respectively.

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