Chewy Chewy

"Chewy Chewy" is a song by American band Ohio Express. Released in September 1968, it was written and produced by Joey Levine and Kris Resnick.

"Chewy Chewy"
Single by Ohio Express
from the album Chewy Chewy
B-side	"Firebird"
Released	September 1968
Genre	Rock[1] bubblegum pop[1]
Length	2:38
Label	Buddah Records
Songwriter(s)	Joey Levine Kris Resnick
Producer(s)	Levine Resnick
Ohio Express singles chronology
"Down At Lulu's" (1968) "Chewy Chewy" (1968) "Sweeter Than Sugar" (1969)

Background and composition

The 2-minute-38-second song is in the key of C major, changing later in the song to C sharp / D flat major, with a tempo of 121 beats per minute.

The song makes countless references to candy and sugar, and the narrator compares these two sweet treats to the object of his affection, at some point calling her a "living box of candy wrapped up so very fine" with a "mouthful of such sweet things to say". Most of the song's remaining lyrics are nonsense.

It is among Ohio Express' three signature songs, as well as one of bubblegum music's most notable staples.

The instrumental pause at the song's midway point is very evocative of the opening notes of 'Then He Kissed Me' by The Crystals.

Chart performance and reception

Billboard called it an "infectious, happy rhythm novelty in the vein of 'Yummy Yummy Yummy'",^[2] Cashbox called it a "slightly slower tongue-in-cheek rock offering that keeps in line with their bubblegum policy",^[1] and Record World called it a "cute bubble gum stick".^[3]

The song debuted at number one on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart for the week of October 12, 1968, before entering the Billboard Hot 100 at number 72, going on to peak at number 15, and spending a total of 13 weeks on the chart. It also charted in Canada, Australia and the Philippines.

Clips of the song were used in the top 40 hit "Moonflight" by Vic Venus in 1969. It has also been covered by James Last later that year, and by The Vindictives in 1994.

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1968-69)	Peak position
Argentina[4]	5
Australia (Go-Set)[5]	6
Canada (RPM)[6]	2
Mexico (Hits of the World)[7]	3
Philippines (Hits of the World)[7]	2
US Billboard Hot 100[8]	15

Year-end charts

Chart (1968)	Peak position
Australia (KMR)[9]	38
Canada (RPM)[10]	60

Chart (1969)	Peak position
United States (Cashbox)[11]	91
Canada (RPM)[12]	100

References

1. "CashBox Record Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. October 5, 1968. p. 18. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 7, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
2. "Billboard - October 5, 1968" (PDF). Billboard.
3. "Record World - October 5, 1968" (PDF). Record World.
4. "Argentina's Best Sellers" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 58. ISSN 0008-7289. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
5. "Go-Set - Chart Week of January 1, 1969". Go-Set.
6. "RPM - December 16, 1968" (PDF). RPM.
7. "Billboard - March 15, 1969". Billboard, Google Books. 15 March 1969.
8. "Billboard Hot 100 - January 11, 1969". Billboard.
9. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
10. "RPM - Best of 1968 - January 6, 1969" (PDF). RPM.
11. "Cashbox - December 27, 1969" (PDF).
12. "RPM - Best of 1970 - January 10, 1970" (PDF). RPM.