Rockin' Robin (song)

"Rockin' Robin" (originally released as "Rock-In Robin" on the Class Records 45 single) is a song written by Leon René under the pseudonym Jimmie Thomas, and recorded by American singer Bobby Day in 1958. It was Day's biggest hit single, becoming a number two hit on the Billboard Hot 100, and spent one week at the top of the R&B sales chart. Michael Jackson recorded his own version of the song in 1972, which also achieved success.

Personnel

 * Bobby Day – vocals
 * Plas Johnson – piccolo
 * Earl Palmer – drums
 * Barney Kessel – guitar

Copyright status
"Rockin' Robin" is in the public domain, as the owners never renewed the copyright.

Michael Jackson version
In 1972, Michael Jackson released his own version of "Rockin' Robin", which was released as a single from his gold-certified solo album titled Got to Be There as a follow-up single to the song of the same name. It was the biggest hit from the album, hitting number 1 on the Cash Box singles chart and peaking at number two on both the Billboard Hot 100, behind "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" by Roberta Flack, and the Billboard soul singles chart, behind "In the Rain" by the Dramatics.

Record World said that "little Michael rocks in with a revival of the big Bobby Day hit of the rockin' 1950s".

Track listing

 * A. "Rockin' Robin" – 2:30
 * B. "Love Is Here and Now You're Gone" – 2:51

Lolly version
In 1999, English singer Lolly released a cover of "Rockin' Robin" as a double A-side single with "Big Boys Don't Cry". It was a top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 10 in December of that year and remaining on the chart for a total of 11 weeks.