Coconut (song)

Last updated

"Coconut"
Coconut - Nilsson.jpg
Single by Nilsson
from the album Nilsson Schmilsson
B-side "The Moonbeam Song"
ReleasedJune 1972
Recorded1971 (1971)
Genre
Length3:52
Label RCA Victor
Songwriter(s) Harry Nilsson
Producer(s) Richard Perry
Nilsson singles chronology
"Jump into the Fire"
(1972)
"Coconut"
(1972)
"You're Breakin' My Heart"
(1972)

"Coconut" is a novelty song written [3] and first recorded by American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson, released as the third single from his 1971 album, Nilsson Schmilsson . It was on the U.S. Billboard charts for 14 weeks, reaching #8, [4] and was ranked by Billboard as the #66 song for 1972. It charted in a minor way in the UK, reaching #42. [5] "Coconut" did best in Canada, where it peaked at #5. [6]

Contents

Cover version

The Muppets performed their version in the Muppet Show Episode 410 with Kenny Rogers. In 1998, Australian singer Dannii Minogue released it as a single, peaking at #62 on the ARIA singles chart.

Lyrics

The lyrics feature Nilsson singing three characters (a narrator, a woman, and a doctor), each in a different voice. [7] The woman drinks a mixture of lime juice and coconut milk, becomes sick, and calls the doctor. The doctor, annoyed at being woken up, tells her to drink the same thing again and call in the morning.

Music

An arpeggiated C7 chord accompanies the song throughout.

Personnel

According to the 1971 LP credits: [8]

Chart history

Dannii Minogue version

"Coconut"
Dannii Minogue Coconut Australian CD Single.jpg
Single by Dannii Minogue
from the album Girl
B-side
  • "Everybody Changes Underwater"
  • "Heaven Can Wait"
  • "Someone New"
Released16 November 1998 (1998-11-16)
Recorded1994–1995
Genre
Length4:50
Label WEA
Songwriter(s) Harry Nilsson
Producer(s) Flexifinger
(Original vocal production: DNA)
Dannii Minogue singles chronology
"Disremembrance"
(1998)
"Coconut"
(1998)
"Everlasting Night"
(1999)

Dannii Minogue recorded the song in 1994 with UK dance producers DNA. When Minogue parted ways with Mushroom Records in 1995 and signed to Eternal Records in 1996, she had the track remixed by producers Flexifinger.

The track was originally used as a hidden bonus track on her third album Girl . It was subsequently released in Australia on 16 November 1998 as the fourth and final single from that album, peaking at number 62 on the ARIA singles chart upon its debut, on the chart dated week commencing 23 November 1998. [15]

In 2009, the original version of "Coconut" was made available on the compilation The 1995 Sessions .

Charts

Chart performance for "Coconut" by Dannii Minogue
Chart (1998)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [15] 62

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harry Nilsson</span> American singer-songwriter (1941–1994)

Harry Edward Nilsson III, sometimes credited as Nilsson, was an American singer-songwriter who reached the peak of his success in the early 1970s. His work is characterized by pioneering vocal overdub experiments, a return to the Great American Songbook, and fusions of Caribbean sounds. Nilsson was one of the few major pop-rock recording artists to achieve significant commercial success without performing major public concerts or touring regularly.

"Without You" is a song written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of British rock group Badfinger, and first released on their 1970 album No Dice. The power ballad has been recorded by over 180 artists, and versions released as singles by Harry Nilsson (1971), T. G. Sheppard (1983) and Mariah Carey (1994) became international best-sellers. The Nilsson version was included in 2021's Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Paul McCartney once described it as "the killer song of all time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dannii Minogue discography</span>

Australian singer Dannii Minogue has released five studio albums, eight compilation albums, twenty-eight singles, twenty-three music videos, and five video albums. Minogue rose to prominence in the early 1980s for her roles in the Australian television talent show Young Talent Time and in the soap opera Home and Away, before commencing her career as a pop singer in the early 1990s.

<i>Girl</i> (Dannii Minogue album) 1997 studio album by Dannii Minogue

Girl is the third studio album by Australian singer Dannii Minogue. It was released by Eternal Records on 8 September 1997 in the United Kingdom. Four singles were released to promote the album including the UK Dance Chart number ones "All I Wanna Do", "Everything I Wanted", "Disremembrance" and the Australian-only single, "Coconut". In November 2007, the album was reissued featuring slightly different artwork and a bonus disc of remixes by Rhino Entertainment. In 2022, to celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary, Minogue announced an LP release on coloured, recycled vinyl through Warner Music Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling</span> 2003 single by Dannii Minogue

"Don't Wanna Lose This Feeling" is a song by Australian singer Dannii Minogue from her fourth studio album, Neon Nights (2003). It was written by the singer with Bruno Alexandre, Matthieu Joly, James Theochari and Camille Troillard of Neimo; and with Minogue's long-time collaborator Terry Ronald.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Begin to Wonder</span> 2003 single by Dannii Minogue

"I Begin to Wonder" is a song co-written by Dannii Minogue, Jean-Claude Ades, Dacia Bridges and Olaf Kramolowsky for Minogue's 2003 album Neon Nights. The song was released as the album's second single in March 2003. The single reached the top twenty in multiple countries, and topped the club charts in the United Kingdom. In 2003, it was certified gold in Australia. "I Begin to Wonder" received positive reviews from music critics, and is considered by Minogue to be her "signature tune". Its futuristic music video, directed by Phil Griffin, features Minogue dancing in a room with the song's title swirling around her in numerous languages.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Put the Needle on It</span> 2002 single by Dannii Minogue

"Put the Needle on It" is a song performed by Australian singer Dannii Minogue, which was written by Minogue, Mathias Johansson, Henrik Korpi and Karen Poole for Minogue's fourth album Neon Nights (2003). It is the opening track, and was released as its lead single on 4 November 2002. It reached the top twenty on the Australian, Irish and United Kingdom Singles Charts. In the UK it also topped the club charts. In 2003, it was certified gold by the Australian Recording Industry Association indicating shipment of 35,000 units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Who Do You Love Now?</span> 2001 single by Riva and Dannii Minogue

"Who Do You Love Now?" is a song performed by Australian singer Dannii Minogue and Dutch DJs Zki & Dobre, performing under the group name Riva. The track began originally as an instrumental-only called "Stringer", which soon became a club hit. The record was released on 19 November 2001 through the Double F Double R label. It was later adapted into a vocal version for Minogue, written by Victoria Horn. For the Canadian market, Minogue recorded a French-language version of the song called "Est-ce que tu m'aimes encore?". The single was cancelled in Canada but was later released in France as the B-side to "I Begin to Wonder". Initially released as a stand-alone single, the song was later included on Minogue's 2003 album Neon Nights.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love and Kisses (song)</span> 1990 single by Dannii Minogue

"Love and Kisses" is a dance-pop song performed by Australian singer Dannii Minogue. The song was written by Alvin Moody, and produced by Moody, Vincent Bell and Dancin' Danny D for Minogue's debut album Love and Kisses (1991). It was released as Minogue's debut single in February 1990 in Australia and on 18 March 1991 in the United Kingdom. It entered the top 10 in the UK and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jump to the Beat</span> 1980 single by Stacy Lattisaw

"Jump to the Beat" is a song written by Narada Michael Walden and Lisa Walden. It was originally released by American singer Stacy Lattisaw in 1980 when it became a big hit in the UK, peaking at No. 3. It was later covered by Australian singer Dannii Minogue on her debut album, Love and Kisses, in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">This Is It (Melba Moore song)</span> 1976 single by Melba Moore

"This Is It" is a 1976 disco song written by Van McCoy, and performed by American singer and actress Melba Moore for her fifth album of the same name (1976).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All I Wanna Do (Dannii Minogue song)</span> 1997 single by Dannii Minogue

"All I Wanna Do" is a song written by Brian Higgins, Stuart McLennan, Tim Powell, and Matt Gray for Australian singer Dannii Minogue's third studio album, Girl (1997). The song was produced by Higgins and Gray. "All I Wanna Do" marked a significant change in Minogue's career and image, as did her album Girl from which it was taken. Her image had become highly sexualised, culminating in her nude calendar photo shoot and the suggestive videos and album artwork which accompanied her new releases. This was also the first release on Minogue's new record deal with Warner Bros. Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">He's the Greatest Dancer</span> 1979 single by Sister Sledge

"He's the Greatest Dancer" is a 1979 song by the American vocal group Sister Sledge. Released on February 3, 1979, the song was written and composed by Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, and recorded for the group's successful 1979 album We Are Family. Billboard named the song No. 66 on its list of "100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time."

"Let the Good Times Roll" is a song that was recorded by Shirley and Lee in 1956. This song was written by the duo, Shirley Goodman and Leonard Lee.

"One" is a song by American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson from his 1968 album Aerial Ballet. It is known for its opening line "One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do". Nilsson wrote the song after calling someone and getting a busy signal. He stayed on the line listening to the "beep, beep, beep, beep..." tone, writing the song. The busy signal became the opening notes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby Love (Regina song)</span> 1986 single by Regina

"Baby Love" is a song by American singer Regina. The single hit number one on the dance charts for two weeks in mid-1986. The single crossed over to the pop singles chart, where it peaked at number 10 on US Billboard Hot 100 and at number 30 on the Billboard Soul Singles chart. "Baby Love" would be her only single to chart on both the Pop and Soul Singles charts, but several follow up singles charted on the dance chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Touch It (Monifah song)</span> 1998 single by Monifah

"Touch It" is the lead single from American R&B singer Monifah's second album, Mo'hogany. The song was produced and written by Jack Knight and Screwface. It uses a sample of Laid Back's 1983 hit "White Horse", so songwriters Tim Stahl and John Guldberg are given writing credits.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kylie Minogue singles discography</span>

The singles discography of Australian singer, songwriter and actress Kylie Minogue consists of ninety-six singles and twenty-four promotional recordings. Referred as the “Princess of Pop” by various media outlets, she has sold more than 80 million records worldwide. In Australia, she has a total of ten number-one singles, twenty-three top-ten hits and forty-seven top-forty entries. In the United Kingdom, with seven number-one singles, eleven singles that peaked at number two, thirty-five top-ten hits and fifty-two top-forty entries, she is the twelfth-best-selling singles artist and the third-best-selling female artist of all time to date, selling over 10.1 million singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jump into the Fire</span> 1972 single by Nilsson

"Jump into the Fire" is a song by American singer-songwriter Harry Nilsson from his 1971 album Nilsson Schmilsson. It was also issued as the album's second single, after "Without You", and peaked at number 27 on America's Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 16 in Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City</span> 1969 single by Nilsson

"I Guess the Lord Must Be in New York City" is a song written and recorded by singer-songwriter Nilsson in 1969. A track from his fourth studio album, Harry, it became his second charting single.

References

  1. Taylor, Kate (2005). "Harry Nilsson - Nillson Schmilsson". In Dimery, Robert (ed.). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die . London: Cassell Illustrated. p. 251.
  2. Moon, Tom (28 August 2008). "Harry Nilsson - Nilsson Schmilsson". 1,000 Recordings To Hear Before You Die. Workman Publishing Company. p. 551. ISBN   9-780761-139638.
  3. Jones, Dylan (22 October 2010). "You may remember Harry Nilsson as the man who led John Lennon astray during a lost LA weekend". The Independent. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  4. Whitburn, Joel (2004). Billboard Top 40 Hits (8th ed.). Billboard Books. p. 458. ISBN   0-8230-7499-4.
  5. UK Official Charts, 27 September 1969
  6. RPM Top Singles, 9 September 1972
  7. Alyn Shipton (2013). Nilsson: The Life of a Singer-Songwriter. Oxford University Press. 9780199330690
  8. Nilsson Schmilsson (CD booklet: reproduced 1971 LP sleeve). Harry Nilsson. BMG Entertainment. 2000.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". 30 March 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  10. Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Singles 1955-1990 - ISBN   0-89820-089-X
  11. "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, September 2, 1972". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  12. "Best of 1972 songs and music, on". Musicandyears.com. 12 November 2010. Archived from the original on 16 September 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2017.
  13. "Musicoutfitters.com". Archived from the original on 27 April 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  14. "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 30, 1972". Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  15. 1 2 "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart: Week Commencing 23 Nov 1998". Australian Record Industry Association Ltd. Archived from the original on 11 October 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015.