1971 single by Middle of the Road
"Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum" is a song by Scottish band Middle of the Road, released as a single in March 1971. It peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and was a top-ten hit in numerous other countries. It has also sold over two million copies.
Background and release.
"Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum" was written by British singer-songwriter Lally Stott and Italian brothers Giosy and Mario Capuano. Stott had also written and first recorded the band's previous single "Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep" and he would go on to write other hits for Middle of the Road with the Capuano brothers. The song is about a clan rivalry between the MacDougalls and the MacGregors.
It was first released as a single in Italy in March 1971. To promote it, the song was used in a short film by car manufacturer Fiat to promote the launch of the Fiat 127. The single's B-side "Give It Time" was also used in the film and the Middle of the Road members also featured in it. The single performed well in Italy, becoming a top-three hit, though this was not until October 1971. It was released in Europe in May and June 1971, in Australia on 26 August and a day later in the UK.
Middle of the Road also recorded and released a version in Spanish and the song was also later re-recorded and released as a single in Czechoslovakia in February 1972 for the annual song contest Bratislavská lýra.
Track listings.
7"
7" (Spain)
7" (Spain)
7" (Czechoslovakia, 1972)
Charts.
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Sheila version.
French pop singer Sheila released a French-language version of the song titled "Les Rois mages", referring to the Wise Men. Released in March 1971, it topped the charts in France. Sheila also recorded a Spanish-language version, titled "Los Reyes magos", which was also released as a single, becoming a hit in several Spanish-speaking countries.
Track listings.
7" (France)
7" (Spain)
7" (Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela)
Charts.
French version
Spanish version
References.
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