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1962
"Duke of Earl" by Gene Chandler
"I thought I was the Duke of Earl, when I made it with a red haired girl in my Cheverolet."
-- "Keeping the Faith" by Billy Joel

"Duke of Earl" was originally performed by The Dukays with Eugene Dixon as lead singer. It was derived from the group's warmup of "Do do do ... " going up the scale. That became "Duke duke duke" and then band member Earl Edward's name was added to complete the repetitive chant, "Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl." Nat Records recorded the song, but the label declined to release it. Vee Jay records bought the recording and released it as a single by Eugene Dixon who's name was changed to Gene Chandler. On February 17, 1962 it became the #1 record in the U.S. and stayed there for three weeks. The song was so successful that Chandler began appearing as "The Duke of Earl" and subsequent recordings were released under that name. The record became the first million seller for Vee Jay records and is often cited as a classic "doo-wop" song of the era.

 

 

 

LYRICS:

Chorus:
Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl
Duke, Duke, Duke of Earl

As I-I walk through this world
Nothing can stop The Duke of Earl
And-a you, you are my girl
And no one can hurt you, oh no

Yes, a-I, oh, I'm gonna love you
Oh, oh
Come on let me hold you, darling
'Cause I'm the Duke of Earl
So, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

And when I hold you
You'll be my Dutchess
Dutchess of Earl
We'll walk through my Duke-dom
And a paradise we will share

Yes, a-I, oh, I'm gonna love you
Oh, oh, nothing can stop me, now
'Cause I'm The Duke of Earl
So, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
Doo-ooo-uke
Oh-oh-whoa-oh
Hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo
Du-ooo-hoo-uke
Oh-oh-oh

Yeah, I
Oh, I'm gonna love you
Oh-oh
Nothing can stop me, now
'Cause I'm the Duke of Earl
So, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Du-hoo-hoo-ooo-uke
Du-hoo-hoo-uke
So, whoa, whoa, ho-whoa

FADES-
Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo.

week debuted highest ranking Date Highest Rank Weeks in Top Twenty Weeks in Top Forty BillBoard Rank Cashbox Ranking GT rank
1962 1 27 1 1962 2 17 11 11 13 16 12