Pop Music

The song “1-2-3-” was written by Len Barry, singer-songwriters John Medora and David White, with the chorus and accompaniment arranged by Jimmy Wisner. Len Barry recorded it in 1965 as a single backed with “Bullseye.” The instrumental work included a fine set of musicians, as follows: Vinnie Bell, Bobby Eli and Sal Ditroia (guitar); Joe Macho (bass), Artie Butler (percussion); (Leon Huff (piano); Artie Kaplan (sax); Bill Tole and Roswell Rudd (trombone); Lee Morgan (trumpet); Fred Hubbard (clarinet)’ and Bobby Gregg (drums).

In the U.S., the song went to #2 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and #11 on the R&B Chart. Internationally, it went to #1 in the U.K., #7 in Australia, and #8 in Ireland. The song sold more than one million copies and earned an RIAA gold record. “1-2-3” is also on Barry’s 1965 album titled 1-2-3.

But wait. There’s more to the story. Motown Records sued, claiming that the song had more than a close resemblance to “Ask Any Girl,” which was by Lamont Dozier, Brian Holland, and Eddie Holland (Holland-Dozier-Holland). That song had bee released as the B-Side of the 1964 single “Baby Love” by The Supremes. Motown won, and Holland-Dozier-Holland were listed as co-authors, receiving a percentage of the royalties.

Len Barry was born Leonard Borisoff in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began to sing while in the U.S. Coast Guard band at Cape May, N.J. Barry was one of the founding members and lead singers of Philadelpha group The Dovells. He left them in 1963 to pursue a solo career. He had many charting successes with “Bristol Stomp,” “Hully Gully Baby,” and “You Can’t Sit Down.” Barry is a songwriter and record producer.

Here are the lyrics to “!-2-3” by Len Barry:

“1-2-3, oh, that’s how elementary it’s gonna be
C’mon, let’s fall in love, it’s easy (it’s so easy)
Like takin’ candy (like takin’ candy) from a baby

A-B-C (A-B-C) fallin’ in love with you was easy for me (easy for me)
And you can do it, too, it’s easy (it’s so easy)
Like takin’ candy (like takin’ candy) from a baby

Baby, there’s nothin’ hard about love
Basically, it’s as easy as pie
The hard part is livin’ without love
Without your love, baby, I would die

[mostly instrumental with (1-2-3) (1-2-3)]

It’s easy (it’s so easy)
Like takin’ candy (like takin’ candy) from a baby, yay

One and one are two (one and one are two)
I know you love me and oh,oh, how I love you (how I love you)
Don’t try to fight it ’cause it’s easy (it’s so easy)
Like takin’ candy (like takin’ candy) from a baby, yay

1-2-3 (1-2-3) oh, that’s how elementary it’s gonna be (it’s gonna be)
C’mon, let’s fall in love, it’s easy (1-2-3)
[Fade]
Oh, that’s how elementary”

If you are interested in reading about and hearing a song from Len Barry’s earlier days with The Dovells, which is on Pass the Paisley’s sister site The Daily Doo Wop: “Bristol Stomp.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “1-2-3” by Len Barry.