Sadly, there are no Classic Bubblegum Music CD "greatest hits" collections that I can recommend buying because there aren't any! I have 54 individual CDs and many of my favorite songs haven't been mastered for the CD market. What follows is a list of eighty songs I would include in a definitive four-CD anthology boxed set.
(Highlighted songs have lyrics, Andy Ratings, and silly comments!)
VOLUME ONE:
CHEWING UP THE CHARTS
Yummy, Yummy, Yummy - The Ohio Express (1968)
Simon Says - 1910 Fruitgum Co. (1968)
Green Tambourine - The Lemon Pipers (1968)
Quick Joey Small - Kasenetz Katz Singing Orchestral Circus (1968)
Chewy Chewy - The Ohio Express (1968)
Mercy - The Ohio Express (1969)
Indian Giver - 1910 Fruitgum Co. (1969)
1,2,3 Red Light - 1910 Fruitgum Co. (1968)
The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana) - The Banana Splits (1969)
Little Bit O' Soul - The Music Explosion (1967)
Sugar, Sugar - The Archies (1969)
The Rapper - The Jaggerz (1970)
Bubble Gum Music - The Rock And Roll Dubble Bubble Trading Card Company Of Philadelphia 19141
Gimme Gimme Good Lovin' - Crazy Elephant (1969)
Little Green Bag - George Baker Selection (1970)
Life Is A Rock - Reunion
Judy In Disguise - John Fred & His Playboy Band (1968)
Dizzy - Tommy Roe (1969)
I Think I Love You - The Partridge Family
I Think We're Alone Now - Tommy James & The Shondells
(This would be the CD to give to anyone who wonders what the heck you're yammerin' on about all the time and what's that weird music blastin' out of the basement? The 1910 Express? Lemon Fruitgum? It contains all the usual suspects, so accept no substitute! I don't think it would turn Limp Korn or Smashed Napkins fans over to the soft, pink, side but your kids will love it and your boss will hate you. Score!)
VOLUME TWO:
ON THE BUBBLE
Goody Goody Gumdrops - 1910 Fruitgum Co. (1968)
Special Delivery - 1910 Fruitgum Co. (1969)
Roll It Up - The Ohio Express
Sausalito (Is The Place To Go) - The Ohio Express
Cowboy Convention - The Ohio Express
Down At LuLu's - The Ohio Express (1968)
Soul Struttin'- 1910 Fruitgum Co.
Elephant Candy - The Fun & Games
Pop Goes The Weasel - 1910 Fruitgum Co.
May I Take A Giant Step (Into Your Heart) - 1910 Fruitgum Co.
Little Willy - The Sweet
Crimson & Clover - Tommy James & The Shondells
Mony, Mony - Tommy James & The Shondells
Venus - Shocking Blue
Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes - Edison Lighthouse
My Baby Loves Lovin'- White Plains
(Na Na Hey Hey) Kiss Him Goodbye - Steam
Hitchin' A Ride - Vanity Fare
Draggin' The Line - Tommy James
Son Of My Father - Giorgio
(This set includes more 70s material and just enough hits to tide you over. Sausalito, Roll It Up, Elephant Candy and Son Of My Father are the real, seldom heard gems here but listening to Little Willy and (Na Na Hey Hey) Kiss Him Goodbye on the same day could be dangerous to your health. Check your medical plan first!)
VOLUME THREE:
GIVE ME MORE, MORE, MORE
Run Run Billy Porter - Shadows Of Knight
I Enjoy Being A Boy (In Love With You) - The Banana Splits
Sticky, Sticky - 1910 Fruitgum Co.
1910 Cotton Candy Castle - 1910 Fruitgum Co.
Voodoo Medicine Man - Jerry & Jeff
Underdog - Giorgio
Rice Is Nice - The Lemon Pipers
Ask Me If I Care - The Lemon Pipers
I Got It Bad For You - Kasenetz-Katz Super Circus
Dong-Dong-Diki-Di-Ki-Dong - Kasenetz-Katz Super Cirkus
I'm Gonna Find Me A Cave - The Banana Splits
In New Orleans - The Banana Splits
Let Me Bring You Up - Ron Dante
Pam - Crazy Elephant
My Fire Department Needs A Fireman - Shadows Of Night
It's Gonna Be The Death Of You - The Charles E. Funk Rebellion
Magic - Pilot
Mirage - Tommy James & The Shondell
Run, Run, Run - Third Rail
Little Black Egg - The Music Explosion
(Sign me up now! Here's my credit card number! Man, I'd love to have this CD! Check out these great characters: Billy Porter, Pam, Voodoo Medicine Man, Fireman, and Underdog all at the 1910 Cotton Candy Castle! Seriously, I don't know how life can get any better.)
VOLUME FOUR:
HIDDEN GUM
Rainbow Ride - Andy Kim
Train On A One Track Mind - The American Breed
Snowball - American Machine
Billy's Got A Goat - Patty Flabbies Coughed Engine
Patty Cake - The Yummies
Out & About - Tommy Boyce & Bobby Hart
Stir It Up And Serve It - Tommy Roe
Sh-Sh-Shelia - Portrait
The Grooviest Girl In The World - The Fun & Games
I Call My Baby Candy - The Jaggerz
Silly Sarah Carter - John Fred & His Playboy Band
Pickin' Up Sticks - Kasnat Katz Fighter Squadron
Come On Baby - Joey Levine & Artie Resnick
She Didn't Do Magic - Lobo
Constantly - The Reivers
Recipe For Love - Scooby Doo
Mr. Henry's Lollipop Shop - The Tricycle
In The Summertime - The Archies
Toot Toot Toot (I Hear The Whistle Blow) - Ganip Ganop
Vibrations - Lancelot Link And The Evolution Revolution
(Hard to find soft nuggets. Or is that soft to find hard nuggets? Is there any possibility to dream of a filler-free fifth? Not bubble likely!)
That's right. No Monkees. No Bay City Rollers. But for only $59.95, how can you argue?
* Andy Ratings:
1 Sun = Barely qualifies as Bubblegum; for collectors only.
2 Suns = Not a party starter, that's for sure!
3 Suns = On the edge of Bubblegum worthiness.
4 Suns = Bubble Blowin' Fun!
5 Suns = The Bubblegum Bomb! Get this song now!
