Introduction
“Tutti Frutti” is a historic rock and roll song written by Little Richard and Dorothy LaBostrie. Recorded in 1955, it marked Little Richard’s first major hit and played a significant role in shaping the trajectory of rock and roll music. The song is known for its energetic refrain, often transcribed as “A-wop-bop-a-loo-mop-a-lop-bam-boom!”—a vocalization of a drum pattern that Little Richard had in mind.
The characteristics of “Tutti Frutti,” including its loud volume, powerful vocal style, and distinctive beat and rhythm, made it not only a template for many of Little Richard’s future songs but also a model for the emerging rock and roll genre. It introduced elements that would become defining features of rock music.
In 2007, a panel of recording artists ranked “Tutti Frutti” at No. 1 on Mojo’s “The Top 100 Records That Changed The World,” recognizing it as the sound of the birth of rock and roll. In 2009, the U.S. Library of Congress National Recording Registry added the recording to its registry, noting that the unique vocalizing over the irresistible beat signaled a new era in music. Rolling Stone magazine further emphasized its significance in April 2012 by declaring the refrain as “the most inspired rock lyric ever recorded.” The song’s impact and influence have solidified its place in the history of rock and roll.
Video
Lyrics
A-bop-bop-a-loom-op a-lop-bop-boom!Tutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti A-bop-bop-a-loom-op a-lop-bop-boom!I got a gal named SueShe knows just what to do I got a gal named Sue She knows just what to do She rock me to the east She roll me to the west She’s the gal that I love the bestTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti A-bop-bop-a-loom-op a-lop-bop-boom!I got a gal named Daisy,She almost drive me crazy I got a gal named Daisy, She almost drive me crazy She knows how to love me, yes indeed Oh boy you don’t know she do to meTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti A-bop-bop-a-loom-op a-lop-bop-boom!Well Tutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti A-bop-bop-a-loom-op a-lop-bop-boom!I got a gal named Daisy,She almost drive me crazy I got a gal named Daisy, She almost drive me crazy She knows how to love me, yes indeed Oh boy you don’t know she do to meTutti Frutti au ruttiTutti Frutti au rutti, ooo Tutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti Tutti Frutti au rutti A-bop-bop-a-loom-op a-lop-bop-boom!