Young Neil Sedaka Brings Energetic Pop to the Screen with I Go Ape in 1959
Going back in time, young singer Neil Sedaka brought vibrant pop music to the screen with his 1959 song “I Go Ape.”
In the rapidly developing pop music scene of the late 1950s, television appearances played a crucial role in introducing young artists to a national audience. One such moment came in 1959 when rising American singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka performed the energetic rock and roll song “I Go Ape” on television. The performance captured the spirit of the early rock era and highlighted Sedaka’s growing presence as one of pop’s most promising voices.
Released in February 1959 on RCA Victor, “I Go Ape” was written by Sedaka and his longtime collaborator, Howard Greenfield. The song followed the success of his first single, The Diary, solidifying his position as both a songwriter and recording artist. With its cheerful lyrics and upbeat rhythm, I Go Ape showcased a lighter and more humorous side of early rock and roll. The song’s unique style alluded to various primates in the lyrics and drew musical inspiration from the vibrant piano sounds of boogie music, associated with artists like Jerry Lee Lewis.
On television, Sedaka performed the song with youthful enthusiasm and stage confidence. At just twenty years old, he combined his piano skills with a lively voice, perfectly matching the song’s energetic nature. Television audiences at the time were increasingly drawn to energetic young artists who represented a shift in American popular music. Sedaka’s emergence reflected the growing connection between rock music and the expanding influence of radio broadcasting.
Musically, “I Go Ape” was supported by a group of experienced studio musicians during recording sessions in New York. Among them were guitarist Kenny Burrell, bassist Lloyd Trotman, and influential saxophone player King Curtis. The arrangement gave the song a bright and rhythmic feel, while maintaining the polished production quality characteristic of RCA Victor recordings of that era.
Although the single achieved moderate success in the United States, reaching number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it was even more successful overseas. In the United Kingdom, the song climbed into the Top Ten, reaching number nine on the UK singles chart, further expanding Sedaka’s international fame.
Today, surviving television footage of Sedaka’s performance of “I Go Ape” offers a fascinating glimpse into the early stages of his career. Long before later classics like “Calendar Girl” and “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” shaped his legacy, this vibrant performance showcased a young artist developing charisma and songwriting collaborations—elements that would largely shape pop music in the early 1960s. For rock and roll historians, this performance remains a vivid reminder of a time when television helped launch a new generation of music stars.
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