Shirley Ellis - Nitty Gritty (1963)

Shirley Ellis (born Shirley Marie Elliston, circa 1941, The Bronx, New York) is a soul music singer and songwriter of West Indian origin.[1] She is best known for her novelty hits "The Nitty Gritty" (1963) (U.S. #8), "The Name Game" (1965) (U.S. #3) and "The Clapping Song" (1965) (U.S. #8).

By 1954 she had written two songs which were recorded by The Chords.[1] Ellis was originally in the group, The Metronomes, and she went on to marry the lead singer, Alphonso Elliston. All her solo hits were written by her and her manager, record producer, and songwriting partner, Lincoln Chase.

Ellis had recording contracts with the Kapp Records subsidiary, Congress, and later Columbia and Bell Records, but retired from the music industry in 1968.
Albums
1964: Shirley Ellis in Action
1965: The Name Game
1967: Sugar, Let's Shing a Ling
1995: The Very Best of Shirley Ellis
2001: The Complete Congress Recordings
Singles
1963: "The Nitty Gritty" - U.S. Pop #8, U.S. R&B #4
1964: "(That's) What the Nitty Gritty Is" - U.S. Pop #72, U.S. R&B #14
1964: "The Name Game" - U.S. Pop #3, U.S. R&B #4
1965: "The Clapping Song (Clap Pat Clap Slap)" - U.S. Pop #8, U.S. R&B #16, UK #6
1965: "The Puzzle Song (A Puzzle In Song)" - U.S. Pop #78
1967: "Soul Time" - U.S. Pop #67, U.S. R&B #31
1978: "The Clapping Song" - UK #59

Artist - Sirley Ellis
Song - Nitty Gritty
(Lyrics)

Yeah, mmm, yeah
Do you know that some folks know about it, some don't
Some will learn to shout it, some won't
But sooner or later baby, here's a ditty
Say you're gonna have to get right down to the real nitty gritty
Now let's get right on down to the nitty gritty
Now one, two nitty gritty
Now yeah, mmm, nitty gritty now
Ooooowee, right down to the real nitty gritty
Ooooowee, can you feel it double beatin', I keep repeatin
Get right down to the real nitty gritty
Say it again double beatin'
Get on down, we gotta get right down to the real nitty gritty
Let's get, let's get right on down to the real nitty gritty
It's all right, it's all right
Get on down, get on down
Get right down to the real nitty gritty
Listen to me now
Oooowee, ooowee
Come on and let the good times roll
Let the music sink down in to your soul
Double beatin', keep repeatin'
You gotta get right down to the realy nitty gritty
Get on down, get on down
Talkin' about the nitty gritty
Get on down, get on down

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Shirley
• Ellis
• Nitty
• Gritty
• 1963
• oldies

[SgtRockin88]

@indianrivergrrl flip side to " give me a list "

[sandralawson18]

Sandra Dee Lawson.

[MrFalconford]

not 1963 but 2011.

[FieldCichon672]

Dowwnload the audio from this clip at soundnabber doht cohm.

[maxferris]

1963. Me a young White vato, along with my Los Night Owls Chicano homies, bust'in out with our girls at the Friday Night Church Dance in Hollywood. To make it longer they always played this song back to back with real heavy bass at least 3 times a night. Can't describe what an amazing groove it was. Just incredible. Bet it would have the same exact effect now if some DJ would boost up the bass and give it a spin. A real gem and thanks.

[wordofmouthrevisited]

How can i get this song. I've looked on itunes, looked for her albums online. the only things i could find were old compilation cd's any suggestions?

[mammal360]

I just heard this on the radio and thought it was the best oldies song yet. Makes you wonder how come I didn't hear it before?

[indianrivergrrl]

@khj93play Well it should have been. I was young and really appreciated and engaged in everything the 60's had to offer. She was so good :)

[khj93play]

@indianrivergrrl It was!

[chaz1854]

This song was a hit in New York. WMCA, 570AM, played this song constantly. It was at the time of the Beatles invasion.